Sabi ni Direk (part 2)

A few days ago, direk Joyce Bernal talked about returning to television and adding a Pinoy twist to "Marimar's" plot. Today, she imparts the challenges of working with the cast, especially with Fulgoso around! Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. The nitty gritty Direk Joyce will be focusing on developing the two main characters of the series, Marimar and Sergio. "More or less kasi, sabi namin ni direk Mac, ang (focal point) talaga ng Marimar, is si Marimar. Pero kung wala si Sergio, kanino naman siya mai-in love? At kanino aangkla 'yung character ni Marimar kung hindi kay Sergio? So talagang sila 'yung (tinutukan) namin from the very start." "Ang pinag-iisipan ko talaga, si Marimar, e. Kung paano siya matatanggap. Like si http://www.igma.tv/profile/marian-rivera" target="_blank">Marian, hindi ko (pa) siya kilala bilang artista, so (importante) kung paano siya maging effective as Marimar, na hindi magiging pilit na ginagaya niya si Thalia. Kasi ang hirap, e. 'Yung audience, may peg na. So 'yun lang 'yung concern ko." But without missing a beat, direk Joyce says that she has complete faith in Marian's ability to portray the much-loved island girl, and she even asserts that Marian is a better actress than Thalia! "Sabi ko, mas magaling na artista si Marian than si Thalia. Pero constant na chine-check (siya), from the hair, to weight, weight ni Dingdong, pati 'yung tanning ni Marian - kasi ang hirap, e!" Syempre, island girl siya, so kailangan namin ng konting kulay sana! E hindi siya umiitim, so nakailang sessions siya (sa tanning salon)! Pati 'yung hair, 'yung volume - from manipis na manipis, to kumapal nang konti, to lumaki na nang lumaki na ganyan, even 'yung hair ni Dingdong, (tinututukan)! TV kasi ito - iba preparation ko for TV and for movies. Silang dalawa tinutukan ko for that. Then (sa) location - Zambales. Dito ako nag-shooting sa huling movie ko, so I really love this place." She is also all praises for Marian, especially with the preparations the leading lady went through to bag the role. "Si Marian kasi, she wanted the role very much, e. She prepared for it. Actually, ang totoong buhok ni Marian is red-(brown), tapos noong nag-audition siya, pinaitim niya, then may sarili siyang costume, dala niya! She really wanted to be Marimar. So noong dumating siya, Marimar na talaga siya." The pilot episode dwelled more on drama, which will eventually become lighter as the show goes on. "Tapos later, pag Sergio-Marimar na, their falling in love scenes, pwede (na) kaming maglaro. Kasi maganda 'yung character ni Marimar, inosente siya, e," then with a hearty laugh, direk Joyce continues, "inosente siyang malaki ang boobs! Kung paano mo mame-merge ang innocence sa laki ng boobs niya, ('yun ang challenge)!" Working with the cast "Okay silang dalawa," says direk Joyce about Dingdong and Marian. "Kasi open si Marian, e, willing to do everything. And then si Dingdong din, ganoon. Gusto naming lumabas na kanasa-nasa itong si Dingdong. Sana siya 'yung Sergiong walang balahibo! Tinanggal (nga) namin 'yung carpet niya dito!" But when asked about how it was to be directing Nigel (a Golden Retriever), Marimar's talking dog, direk Joyce exclaimed, "My God, ang hirap, no!" "Hindi lang isa ito, ha! Mayroon pa siyang love interest na sosyal na dog (na poodle)! May love story sila! 'Yun 'yung isang ka-love team niya, na gusto ko sanang ilagay sa contract ko na people lang pwede kong i-direct!" The main challenge was the "getting-to-know" stage for Nigel wherein it had to get used to working with humans and taming its excitement. "Even si Marian, natatakot, e. Buti na lang, gwapo itong si Nigel!" she shares. "Bilib din ako kay Katrina (who will play Angelika) - kasi ako 'yung judge nila sa StarStruck 1, e. Si Sheena din. Si Katrina, na-impress ako sa kanya -- maganda register niya sa screen. Although si Marian, love siya ng camera. Love 'yung mukha niya ng camera. May mga ganoong artista, e. Si Dingdong naman, tama (na) 'yung weight niya. Sabi ko, lose some more pounds, and perfect na 'yun sa TV. Kailangan talaga, skeleton ka, para 'yung mukha mo doon sa TV, tama lang." Direk Joyce invites everyone to watch Marimar starting on August 13: "Feeling ko, mas masaya, mas exciting, at better acting. I think this a better Marimar. That's our goal. Kung sa tingin ko, nagustuhan nila 'yung before, give this Marimar a chance. Papasok sa sistema nila, hahanap-hanapin na nila si Marimar!" Talk about Marimar in the iGMA Forums!