James talks about his acting ‘toolbox’
An independent project in the offing is always tempting, especially to an actor, whose work is labeled by many as mainstream.
That’s why when James Blanco was tapped to star in
Pilapil (The Path), one of the six official entries to the first-ever ToFarm Film Festival, he never had second thoughts of accepting it. In fact, James was enthusiastic to be part of the indie filmmaking movement.
“It is my first indie film, although I produced one titled
Watawat and did a cameo role in it. It was made with the students in mind,” said James whose last movie and TV projects were A Second Chance and The Millionaire’s Wife, respectively. “I don’t consider it my first indie because I only appeared in one sequence. (Pilapil) is my first full-length indie. I couldn’t explain how I felt when I learned that I was part of it. I had mixed emotions.”
Aside from the creative freedom that pervades any indie movie set, James was also attracted to Pilapil’s advocacy, which is championing the rights of Filipino farmers by pushing forward issues they face every day.
“Here, people seem to have lost their interest in farming,” said James, contemplating on the
relevance of the movie, “(parang) nawawalan na rin ng suporta ng gobyerno para sa ating mga magsa
saka. If you’re a farmer and have kids, you will not encourage them to follow in your footsteps (given the financial realities of farming in
the country). Ang isa pang nakakalungkot ay wala ng masakahan ang
mga magsasaka natin. And there’s the issue on importation, most of our rice supply is imported. We used to be the No. 1 exporter (in the region). It is sad that importation has affected local farming (and agriculture).”
In the Jojo Nadela film, James’ character named Victor, who used to be a farmer in his younger years, escapes his father and the life in the province. He ventures into the city to study.
“Sabi ng nanay ko (sa pelikula) hindi daw para sa akin ang pagsasaka kasi wala daw mararating ang buhay ko,” James shared. “Sabi niya dapat
mag-aral ako.” Victor takes his mother’s advice to heart but life is not some cheerful fairytale that every dreamer wishes it to be. Victor gets embroiled in the dark side.
“(The movie) is different because it also tackles about corruption and prisoners like my character who are temporarily released from jail to commit crime. Generals coddle them to kill people,” said James. “Yes, he is a hired killer.”
From that sojourn, you know experiencing a little liberty from the cloistered place, Victor returns home and “dun nakita ng character ko yung kulang sa kanya na
hinahanap niya pala,” said James. “It’s about searching for a missing piece in his life.” Viewers have to watch Pilapil to find it out. Meantime, let’s suspend the answer.
To play the part, James had to bring out his acting “toolbox” for drama and action, so to speak, which is embedded in his memory to recreate emotions and meet the psychological and physical make-up of Victor. The actor had also the opportunity to work with child star David Remo, who is Boknoy, a blind character, in the movie.
“When I read the script, I learned that the story revolved around my character and the child character,” he said. “The film was challenging because it was my first time to do action. Most of the scenes were shot outdoors. The child was really good, hardworking and kind. Kahit ganun ang edad niya, na may pasok siya kinabukasan, hindi siya
nagrereklamo. When acting with a child, you have to support him and not to upstage him (hindi mo siya dapat sapawan). Ingatan mo
dapat ang bagay na ganun. If you go overboard, the playing field (as far as acting is concerned) won’t be equal.”
According to James, he also did some reading on how farmers feel about their present plight. His penchant for watching documentaries about them came in handy as well.
After doing Pilapil, James expressed his interest to do another indie, which will hopefully give him a meaty role to portray. “Gusto ko yung pelikula na may advocacy,” he said. “I want to do another advocacy film that tackles issues that people tend to ignore or are lousy to look at.”
By the way, James was the first choice of Jojo, who also wrote the movie screenplay and enjoys collaboration. That sits well with James. As an actor, he respects the text and the vision of the director. James also makes suggestions on how to approach his character and to deliver the requirements in every scene.
Although the actor is now in his 30s, James maintains his boy-nextdoor charm — like that of Ian Veneracion. He attributes it to having a proper diet (“No beef and more on veggies”), no vices and a happy heart, plus working out. “Dapat
wala kang galit kahit kanino,” he said. “You have to stay positive.”
Asked about his dream role, James replied, “To play a gay role, something similar to Tito Dolphy’s Pacifica Falayfay.” James also added that the story should dig deep into the life of an LGBT member.
(Watch Pilapil on July 15 at 1:30 p.m. [SM North EDSA], 6:30 p.m. [SM Megamall], July 16, 11 a.m. [SM Megamall], 9 p.m. [SM North EDSA], July 17, 6:30 p.m. [SM Megamall, gala screening], July 18, 1:30 p.m. [SM North EDSA], 9 p.m. [SM Megamall] and July 19, 4 p.m. [SM Megamall].) It will also be screened on Aug. 24 to 30 at SM Pampanga and SM Cabanatuan, Sept. 14 to 20, SM Cebu, and Oct. 12 to 18, SM Davao.)