Film director Mark Arvin Agacaoli Bago strikes back.
This is in connection with his latest film, "Signum," a genre movie about four youngsters, two girls and two boys, who foray into supernatural and horrific experiences and come out victorious on their struggles.
In the opening scenes, the setting of the story is Laguna Province as generated in the chargen on the left side of the screen.
The luscious, serene and bucolic atmospheres of the province are presented in every frame not matter the supposedly frightful scenes.
"But actually, our locations were places in Cavite Province which are like Laguna Province. They resemble each other. You cannot tell which one is one.
"Kaya gusto ko po ang shooting namin. Pareho lang na CALABARZON ang Laguna at Cavite kaya walang pagkakaiba. Napakaraming lumang bahay sa Cavite na mapapagkamalan mong (That's why I liked my shooting. Both Cavite and Laguna belong to the CALABARZON region so there's no difference. There are many old houses in Cavite that could pass for houses in) Laguna," said Mark.
"Signum" is an episodic film that treats the subject like stringing together four stories as one compact narrative although the presentation is raw and loose.
According to Agcaoili Bago, "Signum" will have its sequel.
"Mas matindi pa po ang sagupaan ng mga tauhan laban sa masasamang espiritu sa susunod na bersyon (The encounters between the four young people against the supernatural beings will be fiercer in its next version)," assured Mark Arvin.
If we are to share our ten-cent worth of observation, "Signum" lacks the necessary effects to warrant a scary and frightful viewing experience which the creators honestly admitted.
"Pero sa susunod po, mas nakakatakot (It would be more horrific next time)," exclaimed Agcaoili Bago.
Even the cast composed of newbies admitted during the open forum that they still have so many things to improve on including their acting.
A small budgeted movie such as “Signum” banks on the parents of the young stars who fork out money for production expenses that is why the quality of the production is sacrificed.
But being meticulous can solve the scarcity of costs from the pre-production to principal photography to post-production.
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