It was a thoroughly nerve-wracking experience for actress Miles Ocampo when she shot her first scene for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2019 entry, TBA Studios’ “Write About Love.”
Having done supporting roles in almost all her previous films, being the film’s lead star was something she was not used to.
“I was nervous and shaking during my first day of filming because having two cameras working on me had never happened before,” Miles explained. “This is my first big role — if not the biggest project — I have ever done. And we made it to the MMFF.”
Miles’ character, a young writing protégé, must work and learn from an older, more experienced and edgy screenwriter (Rocco Nacino). Despite their clashing personalities, sparks fly between the two and if the trailer is any indication, viewers will most likely hope that the two end up together.
“‘Write About Love’ is a breath of fresh air,” the 22-year old actress said. “I started in cutesy roles as a child actress from ‘Goin’ Bulilit’ to ‘Home Sweetie Home.’ And then one day, I wake up starring in a romcom and now the film is getting all these media coverage and attention. I feel as if I’m in a dream.”
For the role of a writer who is reared on mainstream romcoms and a fan of writer-director Antoinette Jadaone, “Write About Love” writer-director Crisanto Aquino said he had no one in mind but Miles.
“When I was first writing the script for ‘Write About Love,’ I already had Miles in mind. I didn’t think any other young actress could have played the role better,” says the first-time director.
“Miles is the real deal. Not many know that she is an aspiring scriptwriter (taking up Creative Writing at UP Diliman) and has yet to experience first love. Totoong NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth) so for sure madaming makaka-relate,” he also said.
“So parang the movie was made for me,” Miles remarked, smiling: “Scriptwriting has always interested me. Learning the craft has given me a newfound respect for scriptwriters.
As Sir Ed Rocha (executive producer of TBA) puts it, they really are the unsung heroes of filmmaking.”
“Write About Love” is a film within a film. The script version of the film that Miles and Rocco are trying to finish will have Joem Bascon and music superstar Yeng Constantino playing the “reel” roles.
“Write About Love” opens on Christmas Day, December 25, 2019.