Power angles and stress: Brillante Mendoza on directing the SONA

He may be an award-winning artist whose work has been lauded at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, but directing President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address—which ran for over an hour and was filled with ad-libs—was still a challenge for Brillante Mendoza.

In a report by Saleema Refran in “Unang Balita” on Tuesday, Mendoza said that his cameramen and technical crew were not able to practice with Duterte prior to the event in Batasang Pambansa on July 25, Monday.

The excitement was mixed with tension as Mendoza directed 18 cameras around the venue, assisted by the Presidential Broadcast Staff—Radio Television Malacanang (PBS-RTVM).

“Of course, kinakabahan. Ayaw naming pumalpak. Ayokong pumalpak. 'Yung camera, naka-set up sa mga [lugar kung saan] hindi pa namin nare-rehearse na nandoon ang aktwal na presidente. Ang gusto namin sana, siyempre, maganda ang kalabasan,” he said prior to the beginning of the SONA.

Power angles

For Mendoza, the visual representation of Duterte was an important part of delivering his message to the Filipino people.

The camera angles from below the podium and the tight shots of the President were “power angles,” while the shots showing his hand gestures and nuances were meant to show his sincerity and expression, according to the celebrated director.

“We want to show power. We want to show a powerful president. 'Yun ang kaniyang mensahe—that he's in control and he knows what he's talking about,” Mendoza said.

He added, “Importante sa akin [ang gestures niya] kasi 'yun ang kaniyang expression. Doon mo nakikita ang sincerity ng tao, sa kaniyang nuances at movements.”

Mendoza said he was proud of how the event's coverage played out, saying that he was happy, albeit stressed due to the occasion and the President's ad-libs.

According to him, “Masaya ako. Medyo nakaka-stress lang... kasi maraming nangyayari. Lahat gumagalaw na. Hindi mo na alam minsan. Marami rin kasing mga ad-lib.”

Capturing the personality

The direction and coverage of Duterte's first SONA was met with mixed reactions, but Mendoza said that the style he used was meant to show the unique personality that the President has been known for.

“Sana mas nakuha nila 'yung message na ganoon 'yung style talaga. Na hindi siya static. Gusto natin iba, hindi ba? Nakita natin 'yung presidente, maraming ad-lib. So, dapat lang na ma-capture 'yun. Hindi ko iniiwasan 'yun, Talagang 'yun ang kina-captire ko kasi 'yun siya,” he explained.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar appreciated the simple but meaningful visual representation of the President orchestrated by Mendoza and the PBS-RTVM team.

“Okay naman. Very simple 'yung pag-portray o ang pag-direct ni Mendoza. Okay ang visual representation sa ating Pangulo. Some of them won't like it but they have to be Brillante Mendoza first,” he said.

In a previous interview, Mendoza said that being given the job was an honor, especially as Duterte's administrative vision is aligned with the themes and messages of his films, including the great need for poverty alleviation and drug and crime prevention in the country. — Bianca Rose Dabu/BM, GMA News