“Miguel Villasis has embraced the art of acting.” – Elson Montalbo
An aspiring actor has to begin somewhere like how Miguel Villasis narrates his recently concluded workshop with Direk Elson Montalbo,
“Tiring but fulfilling. The best approach to me of Direk Elson is, he has the professorial style of teaching then we apply the technical know-how in the workshop.
“He discusses all the time that in reality, it’s like this and it’s like that. He prepares me ‘to be prepared’ in the real set.”
Your recently concluded workshop, how did you feel collaborating with actors who have had movie and TV series experiences?
“Sobrang gumaan ‘yung work ko and also I took advantage of it. I’ve learned a lot from them especially from Kokoy because he may be young, even younger than I am in terms of age but is already a veteran in his acts and ways.”
Did you have a feeling of intimidation or any form of threat na baka masapawan ka?
“Wala po because I treat them as my older brothers and the role of an older brother is to always show how things are done.”
So, how did you exactly feel?
“There is an excitement for I have looked forward to learn new things, excited to use the techniques that Direk elson taught me.”
Let’s talk about the Cerebral palsy (CP) workshop material, what can you say about it?
“Nadalian po ako doon hindi dahil po magaling ako. Dahil po ‘yon sa galing ni Kokoy. Doon po ako sa kanya kumuha ng emotion.
“Nakakahanga kasi nag-i-instruct pa lang si Direk Elson, nakapasok na s’ya sa eksena,
“Totoo pala ‘yung madadala ka pala talaga ng co-actor mo sa galing,
“Sa totoo din po ay may halong pressure din kasi dapat makapag-deliver din ako. Nakakahiya naman sa lahat – sa co-actor, sa director, sa men and women behind the scene.
“Pero ang sarap. One take lang kami.
“Idagdag ko lang, nahirapan lang ako sa part na kailangan ko mag-deliver ng tears. Dahil na rin siguro hindi ako masyado nakahawak sa truthfulness nung scene. Alam ko naman ‘yung mali ko dun kaya alam ko na sa susunod kung pano ko aatakihin yung ganong type ng scene.”
Yung Hostage workshop material, how was it?
“Yung sa hostage taker naman po, I’ll rate my acting there as job well done because at that scene, I embraced the truthfulness and also I’ve built the backstory of the character. That’s why it was easy for me to give the needed emotions,
“Doon ko din po nagamit yung binabanggit ni Direk Elson na, ‘acting is a common sense.’ Ambilis kong nakagawa ng istorya na-i-twist ko pa nung sinabi kong, ‘adik ang kapatid mo,’
“I have to commend din po si Agassi dito sa Hostage. Nag-batuhan kami at nagsaluhan kami dito kaya po may magandang istorya na nabuo.”
Yung sa Wreck workshop material?
“Yung sa tatlo pong ginawa naming scene, yung Wreck po talaga ang pinaka madali. Kasi, I don’t need any dialogue or kung kailangan man konti lang dahil mamatay ka na nga sa sakit, paano ka pa makakapag salita (laughter),
“Pero syempre tulad nga ng sabi ni direk, sa kahit anong scene naman, kahit wala ka pang dialogue, kailangan andun ka pa rin sa moment. Dapat maipakita mo pa rin yung truthfulness nung scene kasi nga,
‘there are no small roles only small actors’.”
How will you rate yourself with your Cerebral, Hostage and Wreck performances?
“Maybe I’ll rate it as 7/10 which is not bad. But I know that I have more, I know that I could do better.”
Why 7? Why not 2 or why not 10?
“Why not 2? Because for me, I pushed myself to the limits. I know I worked really hard on those scenes,
“Why not 10? Even though I know to myself that I gave my best, I still have some more to give but I know it would take some experience in order for me to reach the peak and to give my very best.”
Makes sense. That’s nice. So how else do you think you can give your 10 over 10? What will your preparations be?
“More training and just keep the fire burning! I know I’ll be there, I can feel it.”
I see. There is this feedback on your workshop material uploaded on YouTube that although you delivered your lines above par, they say you sounded monotonous. What’s your take on this?
“I respect po their opinion,
“It’s a portrayal. Detaching my persona is a must. Besides, I’m a neophyte. Everything starts with a single step,
“So my take? I’ll take it as a lesson, as a challenge to do better. My glass is half full. I still have another half to fill up,
“I am just starting. I have a big gap to bridge.”
Anything you would like to add?
“In all modesty, my attitude, my perseverance and my outlook in this chosen career will help me achieve my goal to have a name in the industry, working on a big one. With the help of my family and friends, surely this is achievable. And I will always and in all ways keep my feet grounded.”
We took the feedback of Direk Elson Montalbo to conclude. He says,
“Miguel Villasis has embraced the art of acting.”
