Marimar: Lights, Camera, Dingdong

Who would have thought that Inyaki would someday be calling the shots? Yes, Dingdong Dantes has come from wanting to be a director to a recognized and respected one. At the premiere night of Angels, iGMA asked the much talked about new filmmaker a few questions.

He looked perfectly at ease that night, looking sharp in a white shirt, grey jeans and a brown hat. More importantly, Karylle was at his side, all glammed up in purple. This was a big night for Dingdong, his first under the label of "Jose Dantes III, Director."

“No sign of anxiety or whatsoever because I’m very confident about the project. And it’s very seldom that I feel this way. It’s one of those days that I can say that I’m very proud of what I did.”

The movie is actually not his first time directing. For the past few years, he has been honing his skills behind the camera. His work is comprised mostly for the show, Wag Kukurap where he spent many hours directing his peers.

On Daddy’s Angels, the second tale in the movie, Angels, Dingdong was able to work with the talents of Marvin Agustin, Jaclyn Jose and Nash Aguas. Was it difficult to work with actors whom he has only worked with as an actor and never as a director? What was it like working with Marvin, who is technically his peer?

“Very smooth. We didn’t encounter any problems. In fact he was also very cooperative. He really exerted effort in showing what a true actor is and for that I salute him,” he replied with a smile.

Most directors have their own shooting styles. Some of methodical while others allow their charges more freedom. Dingdong may be a new director but he already knows that he has a particular style. “It’s what they call the playing style! It’s more of like playing around. We don’t really take it seriously. But we play around with our creativity, sa aming pagka-artist.”

As to the debut of his first big-screen project he said “I’m proud that I was able to say and give a good story in just a matter of 40 minutes but still with a heart.”
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