The roadmap to being a director-producer

MANILA, Philippines - “Keep dreaming,” the great Albert Einstein was quoted as saying, “it is a preview of life’s coming attractions.”

My dream started, as most dreams do, during my childhood where I was exposed to a lot of stage and TV productions. I remember my mom bringing me and my sister to watch the latest movies, musicals, cultural and theatrical shows. Even at that young age, I saw beyond what was on screen or on stage and was impressed with the how’s and the who’s and the behind the scenes of those productions. I guess that was a hint that I wanted to be behind the production as well as in the front of it.

The fire was fed in high school and college, where I had my real tastes of directing and acting. I was always tasked by my professors to either direct or produce short skits and short films for class. Shortly after graduation, I landed a job on the formidable team of GMA News and Public Affairs. I was a news desk editor back in 2003, where I met the most amazing people, very hardworking and dedicated with their work. Not to say the least, that’s where I met my future husband, Jiggy Manicad. It was also here, where the running motto was Serbisyong Totoo, that I had a glimpse of how media could be used to help others and to promote the country’s well-being.

After a year and half with the news department, I decided to go back to film school to pursue my dream of being a director. I packed my bags in 2004 and left for London to take up my Masters in Film and Television Directing at the University of London. There I was exposed to the different styles of shooting, lighting — the more technical but not cookie-cutter way of doing things.

After acquiring my masters, equipped with what I gathered from my studies, I decided to go back to Manila and really begin my dream of becoming a director. I started directing for the Entertainment TV of GMA as second unit director for Love to Love and Atlantika. I was blessed to have crossed paths with Raymond Red and Mark Reyes, the wonder boys of Philippine cinema, my idols, who became my mentors in the industry.

With my blossoming career was my blossoming relationship with Jiggy whom we fondly call Mr. M. Our matrimonial union in 2008 also marked the beginning of our shared dream to have our own production company — to produce shows that convey messages of hope and have sense of nationalism. Together, we set up Marnie Manicad Productions International, a multimedia company that creates documentaries, movies and TV shows.

We were a handful of enthusiasts when we started Turbo Zone (a motoring show airing on GMA News TV, Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.) October of last year. The very first persons who went on board with us were BBC Top Gear Philippines’ Vernon Sarne, Jaykee Evangelista, Beeboy Bargas and Botchi Santos. Former TV executive Salvi Casino provided indispensable technical pieces of advice and tips on going about the production for TV.

We wanted to be different from other car shows. We wanted a motoring show that was fast, fun and in line with our advocacy, would somehow help the viewers find the right car for them.

During that time, I was juggling Turbo Zone with two different projects — a documentary for the National Geographic Channel, Inside Malacañang, and Dingdong Dantes’ first international movie, Dance of the Steel Bars, clocking double duty as producer and director for both. It was a challenging time for me, but it was worth it. Inside Malacañang is now on its global run after it premiered in Southeast Asia, and Dance will have its premiere hopefully late this year.

Photos by Igor Maminta

As evidenced by the myriad of luxury cars, ATV’s, PUV’s and vehicles of every make and era that ply our roads despite the so-called economic and fuel crisis, we are a nation in a deep romance with automobiles. In our minds, producing Turbo Zone was also serving the public. It did not merely feature cars at face value; it provided viewers with helpful tips on fuel efficiency, reliability and other tips that are beneficial for those who want to buy their vehicles. Viewers would hear these features from the automobile industry executives themselves and Turbo Zone was made to serve as a vehicle (figuratively) to help them decide in acquiring their dream cars.

But Turbo Zone wasn’t just featuring vehicles, accessories, events and related whatnots. We pushed for safety driving tips as well. We zeroed in particularly on the way the motorcycle riders would use the roads with the increase in population of motorcycles on the roads. We dealt with topics about safety of riding mountain bikes as well.

After Turbo Zone, we homed in on another Filipino dream — to have their own homes. Along with Turbo Zone’s second season, we also launched the show Home Base, this time dealing with all things related to residential dwellings and other industries related to them.

It was again an exciting challenge for us. Two shows with very different topics, but with the same base of viewers and consumers eagerly waiting for those useful tips and features.

And we went beyond doing features by partnering with government agencies like the Housing Land Use and Regulatory Board (HLURB) and the Pag-Ibig Fund under Vice President Jejomar Binay.

HLURB provided prospective buyers with helpful tips and information on what to look out for before buying properties, while Pag-Ibig Fund showcased how ordinary Filipinos can attain their dreams of having a home of their own.

Early on with the show, we partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help them encourage more volunteers and show to a larger audience the communities they have built for others.

Home Base is also a strong advocate of the use of renewable energy for our homes, as a way of helping the environment, giving viewers options and tips in owning and building their own dream houses.

Last July 28, a new season for both shows premiered. Turbo Zone is now on its fourth season while Home Base on its second.

I am very happy with what I have accomplished at my age, having already lived the dream I had since high school. Of course, I have God and my parents to thank for that; my husband and my best friend, who never stopped dreaming with me for the past 10 years; my kids who are my source of inspiration; and all the friends that I met along the way who in some way have helped me reach where I am now.

Some people say that being successful can be attributed to luck. I’d say yes, luck coupled with hard work is the ingredient to success plus valuing friendships that you meet along the way.