A love scene has been described as a horizontal tango — and “The Other Wife” director, Prime Cruz agrees.
In the erotic thriller from Viva, Cruz says he had to direct the many love scenes between the characters — Joem Bascon, Rhen Escano, and Lovi Poe — like a choreographed dance — with each partner having a clear understanding of his or her own contribution to the overall cadence of the scene.
“Pag gumagawa ng love scene sobrang may mga requirements na kailangan i-meet para maging maganda,” explained Cruz (“Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B” and “Sleepless”) on Sunday at the Zoom press con of the Viva Max movie.
“Number one, kailangan magkakampi kayo on set, in synch ng lahat.
“Napakaimportante kung paano mo sya kukunan. May choreography din sya. Parang dance.
Deliberate ‘yun. At depende sa kailangan ng eksena. May mga eksena na romance, love na love siya; mayroon din na kailangan mas primal sya, papuntang pwedeng maging violent.
Pag pinanood nyo po ang ginawa namin pelikula, kayo na po mag judge, pero masasabi ko na ‘yun ginawa naming love scene yun ang kailangan ng mood na kailangan sa pelikula.”
Rhen, whose character enters the picture when couple Lovi and Joem decide to stay in a beach house, says the shooting of such scenes became a breeze because of the comfort she shared with her co-star. With Joem, who plays her best friend, developing a connection was easy.
“Importante sa akin ma-feel na kumportable ako sa ka eksena ko,” she related. “First time ko po, at with Joem at hindi ako nahirapan mag-adjust at ma-feel na comfortable ako sa kanya. Hindi ako makapaniwala kung bakit ganun kadali maka feel na kumportable, maka form ng friendship. Isa ‘yun sa malaking part kung paano mag work ang isang love scene.
Kahit na anong mangyari magiging maganda siyang tingnan. Ma pu pull off nyo siya.
Magiging maganda ang execution kung give ang take.
“Pag gumagawa ng love scene ang weird pero wala po talaga akong nararamdaman.
Parang namamanhid po ako. Pero sabi nila parang feel na feel ko naman, nakikita nila emotions. Pero sa totoo lang nag bla blackout lahat. Sa tingin ko, yun ang way ko.
Kadalasan wala akong maramdaman. Natutuwa ako pag may napapanood silang love scene very passionate, isang malaking factor pag kasundo mo talaga ang co-actors mo.”
Joem and Lovi have worked in a movie before. They have unquestionable chemistry, and with it comes the trust that they have developed over the years.
Lovi shared: “Ang daming kailangan intindihin, ‘yung technicalities kung asan ang camera, angles [when it comes to shooting love scenes]. But it’s nice to go with the flow and trust your co-actors. That’s the most important thing.”
Joem said it can be physically demanding and also there is responsibility placed on him especially when it comes to making sure that his co-star feels at ease and not taken advantage of when they shoot such delicate intimate confrontations.
“Tama ang sinabi ni Direk, scenes na ganun ay parang fight scenes, nakakapagod,” he divulged. “Kailangan mag usap usap ang mga tao para comfortable. Kailangan bilang lalake, ma secure na OK ba ang ka-eksena mo. Kasi it’s a very delicate scene at ‘di mo maiiwasan na kahit may choreography, gaya ng sa fight scene may lumilipad na suntok na tumatama sa mukha mo. May ganun na instances din na nangyayari. That’s why after every scene you make sure your co-actor is OK. Kung may tama, pag-sauapan after para at least ok lahat ng parang vibes sa set.”
In spite of the many times he has done intimate scenes in the past, there is still awkwardness, admitted the new dad.
“Pagbigay ng emotions lalo na ganun, awkward sya kaya hindi ko pinapanood after takes.
Siguro sa experience lang, sa work, nasanay na. alam na ang gagawin. Pero awkward pa rin at the end of the day,” he said.
“The Other Wife” is currently lording it over on streaming platform Viva Max (www.vivamax.net).
