Vilma Santos on doing her first indie film: 'Takot na takot ako talaga'

Kristhoff  Cagape

<div><img src='' alt='081013-vilma_main.jpg' width='305' height='290' align='left' border='0'>Vilma Santos is back on the big screen as she top bills the critically-acclaimed indie movie Ekstra, her first indie movie. The star for all seasons admitted that she had her fair share of doubts and fears while doing it. “Hindi ko alam ‘yung pakiramdam ko, para akong takot na takot na hindi ko maintindihan. First indie film ko tapos ang indie film may limited audience tapos may nagsasabi sa akin na ‘be careful kasi itataya mo ‘yung career mo diyan.’ Kaya parang ang gusto ko na lang sana mapalabas na sana, magustuhan at sana nagampanan ko si Loida Malabanan (the lead role) ng tama. So takot na takot ako talaga sa totoo lang,” she conveyed.</div><div> </div><div>Gov. Vi relayed that she was very concerned if she would be able to fully embody the character of a bit player. She also admitted that she was worried that her co-stars might be intimidated by her. She remarked that it is a very challenging role since it’s far from anything she did before.</div><div> </div><div>“[Ang pinaka-concern ko] siguro unang-una kung magmumukha ba akong ekstra. Secondly, nong nag-meeting kami ni Atty. Alonso (Joji Alonso, the producer of the movie) at ni direk (Jeffrey Jeturian) ay ‘yung star struck ng makakasama ko kasi kailangan na maging kamukha nila ako, hindi ako pwedeng umangat. And then siyempre hindi naman takot but definitely it’s been challenging na ma-deglamorize ka, si direk gusto niya maluluwag ‘yung t-shirt, kung kailangan magulo ang buhok, even ‘yung klase ng pag-deliver ng lines, hindi siya pwede humiwalay don sa totoo, so bantay si direk don,” she said.</div><div> </div><div>The veteran actress also recognized the impact of “ekstras” in a film and said she was truly honored to play a role that would showcase their stories. “’Yung first shooting day po namin, nakasakay na kami sa jeep, ‘yun din pinaupo muna kaming lahat sa isang hilera, nagkukuwentuhan kami don pero nagtatanong na ako kung ano ba talaga ang buhay ng ekstra. Magkano ba talaga ang sweldo niyo sa ngayon? Kasi ako naman since nine years old, more than fifty years sa showbiz sa lahat ng pelikulang ginawa ko, kasama ko ang mga ekstra. So masaya ako na mabigyan ng pagkakataon na ‘yung role ni Loida Malabanan na pwede akong maging esktra at masaya akong maging esktra,” she stated.</div><div> </div><div>The best actress winner of the recently concluded Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival remarked that doing an indie movie was a different experience compared to making a mainstream film. “Ito ‘yung una kung indie. Kinunan lang namin ito ng 12 days at nong una nag-start kami twice a week eh sabi ko kanila direk at attorney kaya naman pala kaya niyo magtapos eh 17 hours ‘yung trabaho. Grabe walang pahinga talaga. Since may trabaho ako sa Batangas, nag-request din ako kay Atty. Joji na pwede bang isa na lang, once a week which is every Saturday pero talagang kayod kami, so we were able to finish my first indie film in 12 days,” Vilma shared.</div>

Vilma Santos says that she had doubts and fears when she was doing her first indie movie 'Ekstra'.

Vilma Santos on doing her first indie film: 'Takot na takot ako talaga' | PUSH.COM.PH