THOMASIAN film experts said writing and critiquing a film demand adequate understanding of the medium and its processes, in a script writing and film criticism seminar last April 25 at the Central Laboratory auditorium.
Jose Mojica, a member of the Screenwriters Guild of the Philippines, stressed the need to determine a “problem” for the characters in writing a script.
“First, you should be able to find a problem. When finding a problem, we are already setting the ground for a good premise. At dahil may problema na sila, meron na silang goal, gagalaw na ang buhay nila,” Mojica said.
Mojica, who teaches literature subjects in the University, said having a “goal” makes a story effective.
“Hindi pwedeng walang gusto ang character, dahil hindi aandar ang kuwento. Kahit ang gusto niya lang ay hindi umandar, may goal pa rin,” he said.
Paul Castillo, a critic who publishes film reviews on his blog, “Kung Sine-Sine Lang,” said one’s “view” of a film required references.
“Kailangan may pruweba kayo kung saan nanggagaling ang galit o pagkamangha niyo. Maaring humugot mula sa loob o kahit sa labas ng pelikulang pinanood,” he said.
A film review is ultimately determined by one’s perception, he said.
“There are good films that you may not like, and there are bad films that you may like,” Castillo said.
Critiquing a film demands one to be more objective and mindful of the hidden meanings a movie wants to convey, he added.
The seminar was part of “Pluma,” a series of creative writing seminars on literary and sociopolitical subjects, as the contribution of UST Literary Society for the National Literature Month. H.N.Lavarias
