Lovi Poe’s own production outfit to champion Filipino stories abroad
MANILA, Philippines — Lovi Poe is the latest Philippine born, bred or based actress to land a Hollywood project, joining the likes of Dolly de Leon, Liza Soberano, Inigo Pascual, and Ruby Ruiz.
According to the US entertainment media outlet Deadline, Lovi is part of the cast of the Hollywood indie feature “Bad Man,” starring Seann William Scott (“American Pie”), Simmons (“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”), Rob Riggle (“21 Jump Street”), Chance Perdomo (“After We Fell”) and Andre Hyland (“Barry”). The action-comedy is the feature-length directorial debut of Michael Diliberti. He previously wrote the Sony film “30 Minutes or Less” starring Danny McBride, Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Pena, and Aziz Ansari, with Ben Stiller producing.
When Lovi came home last week from the US and squeezed in an intimate media gathering in between fulfilling endorsement commitments, she talked about what it was like to be part of “Bad Man,” which is now in post-production.
Lovi, who has also gotten herself an agent in the US, said, “I had the best time. First of all, when I got this script and when I read it, I was laughing. It was such a beautiful script and just to be part of this, talagang sobrang I can’t believe it. I’m just so grateful.”
“Until now, I’m still on a high. I really enjoyed it,” she added.
Looking back on some of the filming challenges initially, Lovi revealed feeling intimidated by the main cast.
“Because these are the people that I used to watch and to be in this kind of environment, it was intimidating,” she shared.
“‘Di ako makatingin at first sa mata nila (laughs). Ayoko ma-awkward sila na isa akong fan, that I was fangirling. Deep inside, talagang kinakalma ko ang aking sarili when I was doing scenes with them. But ang sarap ng pakiramdam…”
She also noted that they made her “feel so comfortable” and “everyone was so professional.”
“Of course, nahihiya ako, na-intimidate. But when I got to the set, I had to rewire my brain and, you know, totally be in character and hopefully deliver.
“And I’m very happy with what I did naman. Hopefully, happy sila,” Lovi added.
When asked to spell out the differences between Filipino and foreign productions, Lovi refused to compare.
“You can’t really compare because there’s only one way to shoot a movie. Of course, every production is different more than anything.
“And it’s not just because you want to compare how it is here and how it is there to shoot, but it’s more of like a production thing. Every director is different. Everyone has their own style, so you can’t really compare it.”
Lovi is not allowed to divulge details about the plot or her character, but this much she can say: She plays the love interest of the “good guy of the film.”
Speaking about how she landed the part, she said a casting director saw her in one audition tape she made in the past. “(The casting director) saw me and put me forward to this and then we had a meeting… Met the director. We got on. But I auditioned for another thing and then na-put forward ako for this.”
Lovi admitted taking on auditions for international productions. Her Imdb profile has indicated her future international projects, but “Bad Man” is the only one she can confirm after Deadline broke the story.
The STAR had to ask Lovi how she dealt with having to audition again for projects. We couldn’t help but point out that in the Philippines, she has reached that stage in her career where lead roles were offered and handed to her, and she just has to pick.
“Of course, you always have to start somewhere. It’s also… To be honest, you’re an actor, you have to be humble enough to enter a new room and have these kinds of experiences. Of course, I did all these things when I was starting.
“You always have to start somewhere. Fifteen… I don’t even know how many years ago but I had to do all these things here.”
During the media interview, we found out that she was rushing back to the US the next day to do an undisclosed project.
After back-to-back TV dramas for ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Productions — “Flower of Evil” and “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” — she said that finishing her shooting for movies is her main focus at the moment.
The actress, who’s been shuttling between the US and Philippines these past months for work and to be with her husband Monty Blencowe, shared: “Right now, I’m focused on the movies first and let’s see what’s gonna be next. We haven’t really talked about what’s going to happen next. But yeah, I’m looking forward to when that’s going to be. I just want to focus on the movies lined up for me.”
These include movies for Regal Films, one of which is the action-horror “Untamed” under Richard Somes.
Meanwhile, the other exciting thing happening to Lovi nowadays is how she’s finally setting things in motion at her new production company C’est La Vie with her British film producer-husband Monty.
Their opening salvo is a movie, to be directed by Jerrold Tarog (“Heneral Luna,” “Bliss,” etc.), in collaboration with international producing partners.
“Since we want to showcase Filipino stories, it’s a story about Filipino mythology,” said Lovi.
They’re currently completing the cast that will “merge Filipino and international actors.”
“It’s a super exciting time. We wanted someone that would work well for the project and you know, Jerrold is very meticulous, and very specific.
“(As for the cast), siempre, there are a lot of amazing, really, really great actors, but of course, there’s always someone that works well for the production.”
The film will be shot in the Philippines “to really showcase the beauty of our country” as well as local talents and narrative.
With the intention of becoming more involved in the creative process of film projects, Lovi decided to establish her own production outfit.
She shared, “I’ve been acting for a while. One of the things that actually excites me is creating projects. So with C’est La Vie Productions — of course, my husband Monty is the expert on the finance side of things — but for me… when I did ‘Seasons’ on Netflix, ever since, I love creating stories, so, I’m more in the creative part of things. Yung pag-buo ng story talaga is something I’m really passionate about.”
According to her, the primary objective of C’est La Vie is to champion Filipino creatives internationally and globally.
“I’ve been in the industry for quite some time and marami tayong magagaling na actors and directors and writers. And I think it would be nice to see everyone — the best of the best — excel globally.”
She’s proud of the fact that several colleagues in the local entertainment business have scored Hollywood breaks.
“It’s really great. You always have to commend people who pursue their dreams. It takes a lot of courage, and it takes a lot of hard work. So, it’s always nice.
“That’s basically why C’est La Vie Productions is my main thing, which is to support Filipino talent. And what we want really is to showcase Filipino talent and see more people shine abroad.
“And it’s so nice seeing so many people make it abroad — there’s Dolly de Leon, Liza (Soberano), Inigo Pascual — and we want to see more.”
In her experiences so far, she relishes every chance to represent the country. For one, she said that everyone in “Bad Man” knew that she’s “Lovi from the Philippines.”
“It feels good to be there and to be proud to say that you’re Filipino,” she added.
Asked if she’s actively searching for Hollywood projects, Lovi said, “If it comes, it comes. If a door opens and there’s an opportunity, of course, we would be more than happy with that. But right now, it’s just like whatever is on the table. I’m working on C’est La Vie and yeah, projects that are lined up for me.”
Nevertheless, given the current direction of her career, it was pointed out that she was now following in the footsteps of her late father, National Artist Fernando “Da King” Poe Jr., who wasn’t just an actor, but also producer-director.
“I’m just so proud of my dad that he was able to accomplish all of that. And there have been so many movies and you know here I am trying to do the same thing. It’s something that we are or I am most passionate about, which is acting. Now, I’m trying to venture into producing as well and creating stories,” she said.
“And now, I get it. Now, I understand why my dad did that. Because, it opens doors not just for actors, but also for everyone — for directors, writers, audio people, crew, so many in the industry. And that’s something I really, really want to do.”
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