Written On A Canvas

Chapter 00

Chapter 00

"Direk Lavidar!" A famous actor, who just entered the studio, was sporting enthusiasm and excitement as he went to me. We were shaking hands as a courtesy. He has with him his assistant on his right and a middle-aged woman that appears to be his mother on his left.

Ramil Alvarez, the protagonist for my upcoming movie.

"Good day," I greeted.

Ramil displayed a smile. "I'm so honored to be chosen, Direk! I can't wait to work with you," he said in sheer excitement.

"Likewise, Mr. Alvarez. I'm looking forward to working with you, too."

Today is our first reading of the script for an upcoming film. I'll be meeting the cast and discussing with them what I want to happen and listening to what they have to say, as well. It's like a simple meet and greet.

We always do this before the start of production.

As the director, I want everyone to feel comfortable with each other so when it's time to work, filming would just be easy and smooth.

It's actually a lesson learned for me. I once worked with awkward actors who lacked workshops and training. It made the production hard I had to put the filming on hold and asked the producer to allow these actors to attend acting seminars.

It was partly my fault, though. Hindi ako naging hands-on sa casting kaya maling mga tao ang nakuha nila. I had no way of knowing about it because I thought they had it covered.

That's what I am avoiding now.

"I've seen you in Hindi Magiging Tanga and I'm very entertained. When you were auditioning, you sounded natural. That's why we chose you to be the lead," I insightfully said further as I broke off the hand contact.

I displayed a smile at him and roamed my gaze to the women beside him. I just don't want them to feel intimidated by me, at least while I'm not on work mode. I want them to feel at ease.

I received a smile back from them so I figured we're all good.

"Thank you, Direk. I'm also amazed by your previous works. Kaya sobrang excited ako para dito!" He was even rubbing his hands together at his last sentence and smiled sheepishly.

It's true when I said that this man in front of me has potential. I was also the casting director and what I want to see from the auditionees is the authenticity. I want a natural delivery. This guy understood the assignment.

His Mom, which I confirmed just now, spoke to me with excitement in her eyes. "Sobrang saya ko nang malaman na ikaw ang director ng pelikulang ito, Direk! Kaya nang tawagan ako ni Sir Ali, talagang nag-umapaw ang tuwa ko!"

I chuckled. "I'm taking that as a compliment, Ma'am...?" I trailed and raised my eyebrow to ask her what I should address her as.

"Eunica, his mother and his manager," natatawang untag ni Ma'am Eunica.

"Ma'am Eunica," pagtapos ko ng aking pangungusap.

"I was so invested in your latest film, Direk Lavidar! In Each Hues is so emotional I couldn't stop crying even after the premiere!" kwento ni Ma'am Eunica. That brought a bittersweet smile on my lips.

In Each Hues.

It was a movie I wrote and directed. It's a film so dear to me. Isa iyon sa mga librong naisulat ko noong highschool palang ako. It was a short film―an entry to a film festival way back. And when I risked it to be a full-blown movie, I never thought it would get that much praise.

"I'm glad you loved it, too, Ma'am Eunica," I humbly muttered.

Biglang may tumabi sa akin kaya naman ay nilingon ko ito. A staff.