No Escape Series #2: No Resolve

Chapter 02: The Short Film

THE SHORT FILM

They got out of the van when they reached the exact location. Lahat sila ay namangha sa kagandahan ng tanawin na kanilang nakikita, pero isa lang ang tinititigan ni Rhian, kundi ang gusali ng Manila Film Center. Yes, doon sila magsh-shoot at tulad ng source nila ay puwedeng-puwede naman bumisita at puntahan ang lugar na iyon.

“Do you think itʼs a good idea?” sabi naman ni Rhian, nag-aalinlangan sa lugar na naisip ng Jennifer kung saan sila magsasagawa ng shoot. “Hindi ba tayo pagagalitan dito? Puwede bang... magshoot sa loob? Because as far as I know, it is forbidden to go inside.”

“Usually those who are just visiting are not allowed to enter this place for their safety, but did you know there are students who went on a field trip here at pinayagan silang makapasok sa loob?” sabi ni Jennifer. “Iyon nga lang, marami ang nag-a-assist sa kanila; of course, mga teacher, staffs and guards.”

“So, we can shoot inside at least for a while. Kasi sa pagkakaalam ko, may mga ilang scene na nasa interior, at karamihan naman ay nasa exterior lamang,” sabi naman ni Lance.

Rhian fixed her eyeglasses, then turned her eyes to the building again. They first parked the van on the safe side, and after that, they immediately continued walking closer to the front of the building.

Kahit umagang-umaga, nararamdaman pa rin nila na napaka-creepy ng paligid. It has been a long time since the tragedy happened, and it is considered part of the history of the Philippines. Rhian was holding a small camera, observing the surroundings while her friends were ahead of her. She was still in the middle, observing the entirety of the building.

They asked the guard if they could go inside, but he immediately hesitated, so Rhian approached her friends to plead. “Sir, Iʼm sorry for the trouble, but letʼs just take a few scenes inside,” sabi niya. “Kailangan na kailangan na po talaga naming matapos ʼyong short film namin, please, sir?”

She didnʼt like to say please, or she couldnʼt; she wasnʼt used to begging anyone, but she had to do it so as not to ruin their project. Tumango ang guwardiya. Napangiti naman agad ang magkakaibigan at agad silang pinapasok nito sa loob. Walang kung ano-ano ay agad sila naglatag at inayos ang set para makapagsimula na sila. Again, they have their own script, each actor mastering it even as they go back and forth over the line; they just avoid having a second take and making a mistake.

Naghanap sila ng magandang spot sa loob kung saan magandang kuhanan ang scene. They have arranged the lighting, space, and cameras in a random place; it isnʼt important to see the whole background because they really only need to show that they are in a creepy place in the darkness. “Paayos na ng set; magsisimula na tayo kapag ayos na ang lahat,” sabi ni Gerald na nagma-manage ng set.

He saw Rhian who was still restless looking at every corner inside. “Uy!” Kinalabit niya ang dalaga. “Para kang mystery resolver diyan. Alam mo, imbes na ma-curious ka sa mga bagay rito, i-focus mo na lang sa pag-aayos ng set,” sabi niya. “Teka, hindi baʼt may huling part ka na kukuhanan? Nakapag-memorized ka na ba?”

“I wrote myself the script, so I must have memorized my part, Gerald,” she said seriously at nilagpasan ang binata.

“Aww, right, right. Huwag mo sabihing... kahit ang isang buong script na sinulat mo, kabisado mo rin?” Hindi na nagsalita si Rhian, pero na napapailing si Gerald at sinundan ang dalaga papalapit sa kanilang mga kaibigan. “I still canʼt believe your talent and intelligence, Rhian.”

“For the first scene take, change your clothes now!” mahinang sigaw ng isa nilang assistant; which is the executive assistant of the director in their class, but since they can manage to direct themselves and their own film, the main director and the film producer assigned for them insisted on sending Ms. Palma to assist the group. “Guys, be ready. We will be start after twenty minutes.”