There’s always room in the acting business for those who want to test the waters. The advent of new local film festivals is giving more opportunities for newbies who might want to pursue acting as a career.
In the action-packed film AWOL, there are several newcomers who caught our attention. Kim Clark Balmes of Bicol spent a few weeks in Manila and Laguna during the filming of this movie directed by Enzo Williams.
“I enjoyed my experience thoroughly. It’s a win-win situation—I didn’t only get a crash course in filmmaking but I got to meet the other actors, from veterans, like Bembol Roco, to the popular ones, like Gerald [Anderson], to the newcomers who share the same dreams like mine,” Balmes said.
Balmes is a graduating student at the Naga College Foundation, taking up Computer Engineering. He also coaches the high-school basketball team.
Balmes brought his family to Manila to catch a special screening of the film, which is part of the ongoing Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. “Never mind the 10-hour bus ride, they were happy to see me on the big screen,” he beamed.
Meanwhile, business executive Jeffrey Japson would like to quench his thirst to act if he gets the chance.
“Being in the corporate world requires me to give my job utmost focus and attention, but acting is something I love so if there are good offers to act and I can make time for it, I’ll grab the opportunity,” Japson shared.
He’s had his share of TV exposure. “The last time I appeared on TV was for a drama presentation for CBN Asia. I also came out in a few episodes of Maalaala Mo Kaya.”
He added, “The shoot of AWOL went every smoothly and I’m glad our coactors treated us very well. I learned a lot from the likes of Gerald Anderson and Anthony Falcon who are so focused and passionate about acting. I’m grateful our director guided us every step of the way, and was very clear about what he wanted from us.”
Kris Melendres is a model and athlete. He has appeared in many television commercials and his stint in AWOL is an experience he will always cherish.
“Acting for film is different from acting for TV commercials. Although the basics are more or less the same, like you have to be in character, the process is so different. Especially when you’re doing an action film where every movement, every gunfire, every stunt should be precise and well-timed. I was just too happy to be included in an action film because they don’t make action films anymore in our country.”
Melendres plays basketball regularly. “I go to the gym but basketball is my full-exercise regimen because it is not only a physical game but it also is a mental exercise. The dynamics are not constant, the moves vary from game to game and the players change from game to game.”