Captures of Perfect Timing (The Art of Life #1: Life Version)

08.25.17 - spirited away

"First ka pa rin?" mommy asked as she scanned my report card pag-uwi.

Tumango ako.

Wala na siyang sinabi at ibinalik na lang sa envelope ang card. Nagpatuloy siya sa pagkain.

I was already used to it. She usually wouldn't comment about my grades unless it's low. She would only be concerned if it's low.

Sanay na 'ko kaya ba't pa nga ba 'ko na-excite ipakita sa kaniya?

"Akyat na po 'ko," paalam ko pagkakuha ng envelope.

Bata pa lang, nag-e-excel na 'ko sa academics kaya noon pa ma'y nabuo na ang expectations ng lahat sa 'kin. Ineexpect nila na palagi akong nag-aaral, nasa honor list, palaging may mataas na grades.

That was how they knew me and I lived up to those expectations because I didn't like the feeling of disappointing someone.

Weekends came and as planned, I immersed myself in writing our script. I also already updated my schedule for the next week.

Nasunod naman ang schedule ko at natapos ang script kaya nung lunes ay nabigay ko na iyon agad sa mga kagrupo ko and told them to start memorizing their lines para masimulan na rin ang shoot.

The settings of the first scene was in a house so we filmed at the TLE room.

"Upo na lang siguro then sa ganiyang ayos niya sabihin script niyo," bilin ko.

Nagpractice muna si Erin at Shanice ng kanilang lines habang naka-upo sa sofa. I helped them with the delivery before standing up to check the camera angle that Kiel chose.

"Ready na?" tanong ko kila Erin after. They nodded and hid their hard copies.

I stood near the door and glanced at Kiel who was already looking at me, waiting for further instruction.

"Ikaw na lang mag-signal sa kanila," I said after confirming that no one was coming. Isinarado ko ulit ang pinto.

Tumango si Kiel bago bumalik ang mga mata sa camera. "Pahintay lang mga three seconds after ng action bago sabihin 'yung lines," bilin niya. "Okay na ba?"

"Okay na."

"Okay... lights, camera... action!"

Shanice was throwing the third line when I walked silently towards Kiel's direction to get a better view of the actresses.

Maya-maya ay nabulol si Erin. "Wait, sorry! Ulet!"

I nodded. "Pakilakasan din ng boses kasi baka hindi klaro sa record."

Tumango si Erin at chineck ulit ang script. "Doon ba sa last or ulit sa pinakasimula?" she asked.

"Sa simula na lang, nanginig kamay ko kanina," Kiel replied.

Nang umulit ay lumapit ako kaunti sa likod ni Kiel para manood sa camera. I saw the slight shaking of his hands.

Nang si Shanice naman ang magkamali ay natigil ulit ang record. Ibinaba ni Kiel ang camera.

"Pasmado ka?" I asked him.

Napalingon siya sa 'kin. He blinked and dropped his eyes back on the camera. "Hindi naman... Sorry, nanginig kamay ko..."

"Halata sa video?"

"Ulit na lang sa simula," sabi ni Shan.

I was watching them begin again when I realized that it would be nice to have another angle.

The recording was interrupted once more. This time, because of the noise outside. Dinig iyon sa camera kaya napagdesisyunang umulit ulit.

"Pwedeng doon na sa bakit," sabi ni Kiel.