Directors Joey Reyes, Joel Lamangan reveal how they handle difficult artists on set

Acclaimed Filipino directors Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes and Joel Lamangan shared some stories about their experiences handling difficult artists on set.

On “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Wednesday, the two legendary filmmakers were asked how they deal with artists who do not have a good attitude.

Joel said he calls them out.

“Inaaway ko,” Joel said. “'Pag hindi maganda ang ugali, ibig sabihin minamaltrato ang mga crew, minamaltrato ang mga maliit sa produksyon. Nakakarinig sa akin.”

For Joey, he would still finish the project with the artist, but that would be the last.

“Sinusumpa ko na hindi ko na siya makakatrabaho hanggang sa the end of time,” he said.

“Tatapusin ko talaga ‘yung commitment ko pero next time na makita ko siya, ay nako, hanggang apat na reincarnation ayoko siyang makita,” he said.

They then talked about artists who cannot act.

“Sinasabi ko mag-waiter na lang,” Joel said. He recalled that he told this to a former actor who was included in the project by the producer.

“Nag-waiter sa Dubai, naging successful,” he said, adding that the artist is now a head waiter.

Joey said he continues shooting, then tells the editor to make the actor look good.

“Madalas naka-long shot, madilim,” he said.

Joel then said he confronts actors who are too nosy or meddlesome on set.

“Hindi naman ikaw direktor dito, ako. Binabayaran ka ditong artista, ako binabayarang direktor, hindi ikaw. Bat ka nag-di-direct? Anong pakialam mo?” Joel would say.

“Titingnan ko lang siya mula ulo hanggang paa,” Joey added. “Hindi ko naman siya susundin eh. Diyan lumalabas ang pagkamaton ko.”

Joey also said that if he allows this, the respect towards him as a director would be gone.

“You do not question the authority of the director on the set,” he said. “Puwede kang mag-suggest, puwede tayong mag-collaborate, but do not dictate. Because bilang director ako, hindi ako nag-di-dictate, nagko-collaborate ako.”

Joel said a lot of artists have walked out on him on set, but they came back knowing they need the exposure.

Direk Joey is best known for the films “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo,” “Mga Mumunting Lihim,” and “Batang PX.”

Meanwhile, Direk Joel is known for “The Flor Contemplacion Story,” “Rainbow's Sunset,” and “Mano Po.” —Nika Roque/MGP, GMA News