Adolfo Alix Jr. on what makes a horror flick tick
What local horror film made you jump out of your seat for the biggest scare of your life? “Shake, Rattle & Roll?” “Huwag Mong Buhayin Ang Bangkay?” “Feng Shui?” “Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara?”
What local horror film made you jump out of your seat for the biggest scare of your life? “Shake, Rattle & Roll?” “Huwag Mong Buhayin Ang Bangkay?” “Feng Shui?” “Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara?”
The Filipino film industry isn’t lacking in the horror roster, especially since, judging from box office turnout, Pinoys love ’em. But what separates the classic from the run-of-the-mill horror fare? According to awarded film director Adolfo Alix, Jr., the name of the game is putting a twist on
the “sigawan at gulatan” factor.” “Mahilig ang mga Pinoy sa ganun eh. Madali naman magpasigaw or manakot pero ang challenge sa aming mga filmmakers ay kung paano mo gagawin ’yun nang kakaiba, nang bago sa kanila. Tsaka dapat maraming ganun (ang pelikula) para matuwa talaga ang mga tao,” he said. Another factor is the effective use of special effects.
For the director, however, it’s easy to be spoiled with the technology available to filmmakers. The downside is when people rely on too much special effects.
“Ang hirap nga ngayon,’di mo na alam kung paano mo ilalagay ’yung special effects na gusto mo ilagay sa post-production. Hindi kasi pwede ’yung mukhang ’di makatotohanan at parang
computer lang ginamit.”
The acclaimed Filipino screenwriter and director actually prefers to do away with it, if he can.
“Gusto pa rin kasi ng audience ’yung reality sa bawat film maski pa horror ’yan eh,” he said. Alix is taking on the horror genre for the first time as director of “Chain Mail.”
His only experience on the genre prior is as scriptwriter of “D’ Anothers,” a horror-comedy film released in 2005.
According to a release, “Chain Mail” revolves around the mysterious deaths of several people suspected to have received a