“Accept. Adapt. Advance,” declared veteran filmmaker Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes as he imparted his personal mantra to fellow creatives.
Reyes has shared an inspiring message of hope with young artists who are either struggling or trying to maximize the quarantine by being creative to adjust in the new normal amid the country’s battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Learn from this experience because it is life-changing as it has reshuffled and redefined the world. Gain wisdom from this tragedy because underneath all this is a wealth of stories to tell – stories that are relevant to the here and now and in the years to come. Acquire knowledge from the confusion so that from this you can create works with vision and wisdom,” said the multi-awarded Filipino writer and director.
Reyes, who is currently sharing his expertise as the Chairperson of the Digital Filmmaking (DFilm) Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts (SDA), likewise reminded the aspiring filmmakers and writers today that there is no formula to success.
“There is only a driving force which should fuel your entire life and that is passion. Filmmaking, in all its aspects, is not a job. It is a passion. It is a never-ending process of observing, adapting, learning, and reinventing. From the beginning and until the very end of your career, you must be open to changes happening around you otherwise you will be irrelevant,” he noted.
“Filmmaking is dynamic as it is collaborative. It is not a one-man show and that is why you should not want to be a filmmaker if you simply yearn to be a rock star,” he concluded.