Price for stardom?
The recent complaint about humiliation of Mr. Alvin Campomanes, a bit player, in a film "Forevermore" by the director Cathy Garcia-Molina is a reality that I can relate with. Not that I have experienced it but at some point I have seen manifestations in theater, markedly for some directors and artistic people who are engrossed with their self-proclaimed perfection. And since there are actors who have crossed over from theater to film or the other way around, they have experienced what seems to be customary.
And because of this recent issue over the handling of bit players by a director, this led to my curiosity to see the film "Ekstra" or "Bit Player", a 2013 Filipino socio-realist drama-comedy film by Jeffrey Jeturian. The film follows a seemingly usual day in the life of Loida Malabanan played by Vilma Santos as she embarks on yet another shooting day of a soap opera as an extra. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the truth in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation of the marginalized laborers like her.
As a bit player, she experienced several misfortunes like unfavorable working condition, long working hours, unfair treatment and low compensation. She spends her days dreaming of her big break while working with the country's best small screen actors. In the immediate aftermath of such humiliation, she suddenly became deaf to the surroundings the way Loida must have felt like as all eyes were trained on her. The worst part is that fighting back and defending herself from such personal and below the belt attacks seems not an option because she's just a dispensable extra.
The recent issue has brought some big realizations to all people in the film industry. An acclaimed filmmaker would succinctly put it: If there is one good thing that came out of the whole recent controversy is that it would once again start a hopefully healthy dialogue on workers' rights and changing the prevailing system in show business.
Veteran actress Tessie Tomas said that unions for talents and bit players are long overdue in this country. She added that unions should fight for fair rates, royalties especially for reruns of our old shows, actors' equity, insurance coverage, etc. It's sad when you hear that most producers say they will avoid union members, because they will cause trouble.
Lawyer Joji Alonso, a producer: Off-hand, the use of the term "union" for bit players is misplaced since legally, there can only be a union if an employer-employee relationship exists, which is not the case for actors/actresses in film productions. A better term would be a guild or association.
To professionalize the work of bit players is full of wisdom as it will reduce the headaches of creative people in dealing with extras who fail to deliver because they are, in fact, ill-prepared. Similarly, bit players would be shielded from abuse.
But the biggest lesson from the controversy is when an action is repeated and it becomes a dominant culture, people believe it is acceptable when in fact it is not. Alvin Campomanes' complaint which has gone viral is an exercise of one's right. Discussions that would help improve the industry are very much welcome. But he is just one voice. It's time for thousands of small players in the industry to protest the unfair treatment. It's time for change.
If it can be perceived as a price for stardom or breaking in to the industry, the tag is utterly high to pay as it compromised one's dignity. They may be considered as bit players who looked up to big stars who also started as bit players, but a crowd is never a crowd without them, a mall without people would never give us a complete picture without them. They may be in dire need of money and fame but this does not provide the right for those in power to dehumanize them. After all, they are not robots-unaffected by verbal attacks.
A culture can be changed if people would be willing for discussion. Realize that such practice is unacceptable. Embrace positive change for a cultured and humane society.
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