Derick is an Apache in more ways than one

In many ways, Derick Dee (formerly known as Derek Dee) is like an Apache, the name of his film outfit. His eyes may be chinky, so unlike members of the tribe of Northern American Indians we simply call Apache. But his heart is just like theirs.

Like the Apache, Derick is not afraid to go where others fear to tread. He forges on while others wait in the wings. Instead of holding his horses and watching helplessly as the action film genre slips into oblivion, Derick produced a movie that promises lots of derring-do, fight scenes,  blastings and stunts. 

Tell him action is on the wane and he shoots back: "Not if they have special effects that recall scenes from Mission Impossible, 300 and the James Bond films."

That’s why it took him three long years to finish Rumbleboy, about a group of bikers whose leader was killed and in whose name Derick’s character (Trigger) wants to seek revenge.  The special effects — a raging fire, a bullet zeroing in on its target in slow-mo, a building from which he took a long jump — took much of his time.  Production people even went to Hong Kong to process the special effects.

It may have cost him a fortune, but Derick doesn’t mind. If that’s the only way to make people watch action movies again, so be it.

"People are looking for a new kind of action movie.  And the only way to bring them to the theaters is new technology," he explains.  It’s the first time a Filipino is producing a high-tech film like Rumbleboy (opening playdate: April 25), adds Derick. It may not be a perfect movie, that much he concedes. But Derick is still proud to say it’s  a start.  Who knows where he — and the local film industry — can go from here?

This producer has done his homework.  It took him all of five years to travel around the world to research on new filmmaking techniques."New Zealand is so amazing. Time was when it was known mainly for sheep. Today,  thanks to WETA, a new industry is born," observes Derick.  "Mention New Zealand these days and you talk of Lord of the Rings."

Derick was just as impressed at what he saw in Australia. Advances in digital technology made him do a double take.  He stepped into photo shops and stood mesmerized at the "fantastic digital computer effects" that greeted him.Our neighbor, Thailand, is not to be left behind. The supportive Thai government is helping the film industry take dramatic steps in digital technology. The same story is repeated not far away — in China.

Derick wrapped up his research in Hong Kong, where he visited the historic Shaw Brothers Productions’ movie sound stage. He mingled and learned a lot from the makers of the mind-boggling Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Right then and there, he knew what he had to do. Derick wasted no time putting up his own digital studio. That’s the best way to save on production cost and achieve the effects he wants to see on screen.

"Computer technology equipment is so expensive. We still have to buy them abroad," explains Derick. His digital studio will help, not just Apache Films, but other movie outfits, too. They can hook up with Derick to come up with movies that could draw people back to theater houses again. In short, Derick could help make the local film industry help itself. 

The effects are far-reaching; the goal, ambitious. Pinoy films that could draw in the crowd, thanks to better special effects would mean more money for local producers. And if more Pinoys see local films, it will be easier  to dream of a return to the  golden era of Filipino movies.

Derick knows he is taking a big step. And with each big step comes tsunami-like risks. As he says,  "It’s a gamble. We’re starting a new trend and ushering in a new generation in filmmaking."

But it’s a risk he must, and is willing to take.  Otherwise, the alternative is unthinkable — the demise of an industry Derick has learned to love.

He may have junked "Derek," his first monicker starting with Rumbleboy  (directed by Ronnie Ricketts, who has agreed for the first time to handle a project where he is not part of the cast).  "People are always calling me direk (director), that’s why, " he relates.

But  unknowingly, Derick Dee is directing the industry towards a brave new world that could bring it out of the woods.  That new world — where special effects keep moviegoers glued to their seats till the last credits roll — is as exciting as it is challenging.