Writer-Director Jun Lana Resigns From Regular Work At GMA-7 To Do The Films He Personally Wants To Do

AFTER 17 YEARS as resident scriptwriter and creative director at GMA-7, Jun Lana resigned recently to focus on being a filmmaker. “It was a hard decision kasi I was so comfortable na with GMA where I have a regular income,” he says. “Natakot ako noong una to leave my comfort zone, but then, I really wanna go back to my roots, doing films that I really want to do for myself and I’m passionate about, and also go back to teaching at UP or UST. But I learned a lot from my stay with GMA and in doing mainstream films. Kasi before, I just write what I want to write. With them, I learned how to connect with the audience. In teaching naman, I also learn a lot from my younger students.”

For starters, he’s conducting a free Scriptwriting for Theatre, TV and Film to train aspiring writers. “It’s my way of giving back. So far, 350 na ang applicants and I’ll be screening them. Sa umpisa, marami yan, but as the workshop goes on, mababawasan yan ng mababawasan kasi yung iba, tatamarin, they’ll realize mahirap pala or scriptwriting isa not really their calling. 20 lang ang kukunin ko. The first thing I teach is always try to respect your deadlines. Kailangang unang matutuhan is discipline kasi maraming nagko-commit tapos walang maibigay na trabaho kapag deadline na.”

He’s also directing two new movies. For mainstream cinema, he’s doing a horror flick, “Retreat House”, co-production by Regal and Star Cinema. For indie cinema, he’s directing an intimate film based on a one-act play he wrote for Bulwagang Gantimpala, “Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan”. “This is basically a 3-character play about love and betrayal. It’s been staged at the Met and some schools before. I was reviewing materials I’ve written 10 or 20 years ago, and I realized I was more fearless then. Now kasi, I’ve learned how to be safe.”

He already has a cast for “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan”. “LJ Reyes and theatre actor Anthony Falcon (“Requime”, “Violator”) play married rebels and they form a love triangle with a soldier played by Luis Alandy. Very daring ito at may nude scenes na okay naman sa kanila. As of now, puro rehearsals muna kami. We’ll start the shoot on December 26 and end it by December 29.”

Was he somehow influenced by his longtime partner Percival Intalan who also resigned from TV5? “Yes, kasi I saw na naging mas masaya siyang tao, mas naging okay na kasama sa bahay dahil hindi na siya stressed.”