Imee spearheads film, animation, digital media movement
Former Congresswoman Imee Marcos recently announced the creation of Creative Media and Film Society of the Philippines, or "CreaM," a coalition that aims to unify people from the independent film, animation, and digital media industries. The launch of CreaM was hosted by Marcos herself, with works by the various co-founders and member groups simultaneously being looped on a number of screens all over the venue, the Alchemy bar in Tiendesitas, Pasig. The event was attended by representatives of different local organizations and foreign embassies, as well as practitioners from the sectors involved.
CreaM, according to Marcos, intends to position the
Philippines as Southeast Asia's creative media capital. "We bring together all our friends from the creative media. We're putting together the creative industries of film, animation and interactive digital media, our game developers who are our young and reckless superstars. I'm certain that we can lobby and work together and come up with OPC - Original Pinoy Content. At the end of the day, content is king. May sariling sining, may sariling talino ang Pilipino. Even if we are grateful to all the outsourcing that has been granted to the Philippines, from which we have learned our craft and our skill, it is time for original Pinoy content.'
Mina Caliguia, managing owner of animation company Artfarm, helped conceptualize the movement with Marcos. "Artfarm has always been a staunch advocate of original Pinoy content," Caliguia said. "I'm one of the first few independent producers who braved the perils of going into original Pinoy animation. CreaM wants to nurture the creative industry. It's a private sector support system for the original content producer that intends to lobby and create opportunities. These will serve the interests of the indie content producer and artist."
One of the guests, indie filmmaker, TV ad director and film teacher Raymond Red, expressed optimism for the fledgling alliance. "I'm sort of an outsider here but I was invited by Imee, so I'm checking out the scene and what exactly the group wants to achieve," Red said. "Of course, the film part of that is what interests us independent filmmakers. We want to see how it will go and we can participate. The way Imee put it, by inviting all the sectors, we become officially part of this society. This gathering is to signify our interest to collaborate. It's a very unique idea; it's the first time that it's this diverse. And it's pulling together resources, institutions, and different groups to put up a society, hopefully to make them visible. I think initially the main goal is to be visible, to realize that we exist, because we co-exist as well. I guess we have to see what happens next."
Marcos sat down with Inquirer Entertainment for an exclusive interview about the endeavor:
So this is your advocacy, now that you're not in politics?
That's right. I'm Citizen Imee, I've moved on to the private sector. Wala tayong pagkilala sa creative industry dito sa Pilipinas, although elsewhere, people who do education, culture and entertainment are classified under the creative industries. So it's our hope that we'll be able to bring some attention as well as some support for all these young artists. These are our favorite, most beloved geeks.
Why do this now, instead of say, a year or two ago?
Wala pa akong time magkalat noon, eh (laughs). But I've never really left the industry, inasmuch as I was only on the other side, on the regulation and legislation side. I also authored, ano nga ba 'yon? the one that gives tax rebates to quality films, also the anti-piracy bills. That's why we have the trade commissioner, the commercial attachÅ of the American Embassy, Tom Brennan, here, as well as Canada's and Singapore's (representatives). Kung walang pera ang Pilipinas, we're also hoping for co-production deals with other countries. Sila ang magbayad, tayo ang mag-talent.
How promising are these artists, and where do you see them in a few years?
Take a look. I think our gaming industry, which is the superstar, medyo maliit pa lang sila, very basic. But you can see that it's going somewhere. It's growing 500 percent this year! So we're really excited.
How optimistic are you about opening new doors for these disparate groups of creative people?
We need everyone's assistance because these are most promising kids talaga. Ito ang mga bagets na talagang magagaling. Kailangang suportahan natin. And this is the direction of the rest of the world. We can find exportable content. Technology has a lot of platforms already, but they're only modes of delivery. Pero ano ang ipapalabas? That's the question. Content is king.
How actively will you be in promoting and representing CreaM?
I'm very much into it. It's going to be my prime focus for now because it's fun. And it's a complete change from ... Congress.
Will you return to politics one day, when you're not feeling like "Citizen Imee" anymore?
I don't know. I never want to say never.
Do you see yourself hosting a TV show again? Back in the '80s, you had
"Kulit Bulilit."
Oo nga, nakakahiya (laughs). I started with children's TV. 'Kulit Bulilit.' I think I victimized all the kids on Saturday mornings! But it was a lot of fun. Since then, I've done a lot of stuff, including film production. Nakita ko nga kanina 'yung "Himala" at "Oro, Plata, Mata" na prinodyus ko, napakatanda na.
How do you feel about the eclectic group of attendees here?
Sila ang mga pioneers ng movement na ito. Sina Raymond Red, sina Kidlat Tahimik, Nap Jamir, Mowelfund's Boots Anson-Roa, Jackie Atienza, the stalwarts. We're hoping, since the movie industry keeps dying, that our friends from Singapore, Canada, France, and Spain, those who really invest in, and do co-productions, overseas, will give some help. May pera sila, may talent tayo.
I'm thrilled by the attendance. All the kids were surprised that the embassies said they were coming over. Parang, 'Oh my gosh, they're taking us seriously!" Kinumbida lang naman namin ‘yung mga mauutangan! Sabay gano'n, eh (laughs).
Oliver Pulumbarit
Inquirer
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