"Borrowed Time"

Pixar brought us some of the most remarkable animated films like Inside Out, Wall-E, Finding Nemo (then Dory), Brave, and The Toy Story and Cars franchises, which made us yearning to be kids again! 

Unbeknown to many, behind the entertaining characters, fanciful production value, and mostly lighthearted storylines, are cartoonists who believe that animation is a genre not exclusive for, and defined, by kids.

Take the case of Lou Hamou-Lhadj and Andrew Coats, co-writers and co-directors of the award winning animated short film, "Borrowed Time." They have been generating a lot of attention recently for their story about "a weathered Sheriff who returns to the remains of an accident he has spent a lifetime trying to forget. With each step forward, the memories come flooding back. Faced with his mistake once again, he must find the strength to carry on."

This aptly titled six-minute film (which you can watch HERE) echoes the time tested principle that our time on earth is limited. So short that we need not spend it sulking over the past (i.e. things we could have done the other way; mistakes we could have avoided; and choices we wish we made).

To live with grief, remorse, and sorrow, is part of the 'moving on' process but if they consume you for the rest of your finite life, expect to become worse than your former self. 

Let us learn from the Sheriff who unintentionally faced his demon--his uninvited ghost--after all these years. He proved to us that no matter how hard the challenge was, how long it has been, and how old you've become, "you can turn things around.*" He also showed us that forgiveness is a generous gift that we can offer ourselves.

The best part about the short film is knowing that Lou and Andrew developed the story in a span of five years, collaborating between their breaks at Pixar to do something compelling and meaningful out of their 'borrowed time.' :)

If you want to learn more about the creators' motivation behind making the story, watch their interview on Vimeo, here.

*Part of the emotional speech of Joan Rivers when she won a Daytime Emmy for her morning show in 1990, few years after her lowest point inHollywood--following the cancellation of her Late Night show and the suicide of her husband. You can watch it HERE.

The Joy of Improv

The family that improvises together, grows together. 

TWI logo

I just want to share my recent creative endeavor called Third World Improv (TWI) Workshop conducted by the country's premier improvisation group, SPIT (Silly People's Improv Workshop; naks!). 

I joined Level 1 (aka beginner's level) because admittedly, I don't have an experience in improvisational performance yet. I may be the class clown or the group's stand up comic but I do know that the art of improv is a different animal altogether.

I first learned about improv from watching SPIT in Commune, marathoning Saturday Night Live (SNL) videos on YouTube, and reading Tina Fey's hilarious memoir "Bossypants."

Watching SPIT for the first time, I thought that their brand of comedy is unique. Little did I know that it's not just a comedy show, it's a performance art. For comparison, it's like theater without the stage set-up, costumes, scripts, and rehearsed blocking, lights and sounds, and movements.

SNL is branded as a live sketch comedy show but I learned early on that most of its former and current cast members and writers have an improv background. I would name Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and Amy Poehler, as some of my improv heroes. 

In Tina's case, she dedicated a chapter in her book for the love of improv. That was where I first learned its two greatest commandments:

Commandment no. 1: Always say, "Yes" 
By doing so, you will be able to continue your unrehearsed, unscripted story.

Commandment no. 2: Say, "Yes, and..."
You have to not only agree to what your co-performer said but also contribute to his/her idea.

Seasoned and amateur improvisers know that you only need to take to heart these two rules and you can get through most of your performances (unless your sh*tty nerves get in the way, then sorry bes!). Going through Level 1 under teacher Aryn Cristobal (yes, shout-out!) made me realize more guidelines to help me become a better improviser:

No. 3: Make your partner look good
It's simple. If you agree to what your partner said (even if you really don't), the audience will believe that the two of you are in sync with your make believe stories. 

No. 4: It's not about you
Perhaps the hardest thing for any aspiring improviser/performer is to think of himself as not the 'star of the show' but just a part of it. Successful improv shows are made by groups and not individuals. If you think you're not ready to say "we" instead of "I," then stand up comedy might be the best way for you (which is not a bad thing, honestly).  

No. 5: Be a child again (even if it means you'll look foolish and embarrassing) 
You'll be surprised to learn that a lot of aspiring and practicing improvisers have full time jobs. They enroll in improv classes because they (I included) believe that it will develop their creativity, playfulness, and fun-loving spirit that they unfortunately loss while working or being "alipin ng salapi." 

In my group's case, you could easily point out who are part of the labor force--not just by our outfits but also by our demeanors (more reserved, careful with words, and cautious of movements). Gladly, we had 8 sessions to break that attitude and be childlike again!

No. 6: Don't control what's going to happen. "Que Sera Sera." Prepare for pleasant surprises

"Improvisation," according to (Senator) Merriam-Webster is the act or art of speaking or performing without practicing or preparing ahead of time. If you don't get the point, you just wasted a good 5 minutes reading my blog.

Pardon the (always) haggard face. I went straight to the venue from Palawan

Our team is called "Where's Mariana?"

After days of workshops and hours of preparation, we finally had our TWI Showcase last September 11 at Circuit Makati.

We played five short games in an effort to sound and look spontaneous, young, and fun in front of supportive families, friends, and fellow improvisers. It wasn't a perfect showcase but it was nonetheless fun. 

I'll close this blog by echoing what TWI Director Gabe Mercado said during his introduction, "Improv is a process, not a product." 

Gabe Mercado. I wish I just Googled a photo of him

That's the beauty of improv. Regardless of age, background in performing arts, or comic timing, you have the excuse to be wrong. You never have to worry because no matter how silly your ideas seem, somebody will say yes to it. You will look good because you're part of a team.

Like any millennial-dominated group, we had to look cool, hence the group hand sign

Looking (HBO Comedy-Drama Series)

I have rare moments in life when I don't know what I'm feeling at a particular moment.

Looking poster for Season 2

Last July 4, I finished watching "Looking," a two-season comedy-drama series in HBO (2014-2015) that tells the stories of three grown-up gay men living in modern San Francisco. That day I just wanted to hug a lot of people and I didn't think any emoji can capture my emotions.

"Looking" stars Broadway heartthrob Jonathan Groff as Patrick, a 29 y.o. game developer who is your gay buddy longing for a serious relationship and, at the same time, willing to experiment.

As easy as in the pilot episode, Patrick tries his luck in meeting a few men and making his mostly uncalculated moves. He is unable to shut his honest mouth as he opens up to new acquaintances which then lead to failed attempts.

Groff's Patrick is adorable. He's like the younger brother that you wish you can play with, hug when you're happy or sad, punch when you just want to, and talk to when you're feeling bored or overly excited. Patrick is a really nice guy and his vulnerability as a gay guy, as a nerdy gay guy, as a single nerdy gay guy who just wants to love and be loved, would surely keep you wanting more. Episode after episode. Smile after smile.

Agustin, Patrick, and Dom

His softness is balanced with the stronger personalities of his friends Dom (Murray Bartlett), the proud and impulsive aspiring entrepreneur and Agustin (Frankie J. Alvarez), a thriving artist who, like Dom, has a high tendency to jump the gun.

Being best friends, these three are enough compelling reasons to religiously follow the show. Their lives intertwine but the show runners did a good job in highlighting their separate storylines so we can see through their dreams and aspirations.

They are not just gay guys who like to flirt. Sure, they have a lot of steamy sex scenes with different guys, but you can see how they treat their relationships beyond the flesh. They long for something that touches on the emotions--finding what it is that makes them truly happy.

***

#TeamRichie

#TeamKevin

For the main love triangle in the story, Patrick is such a sweet guy that you can't blame him if he can't make his mind up between Richie (Raul Castillo), the loyal and emotional Mexican barber and Kevin (Russel Tovey), his sexy British tech boss who enters his life while still in a relationship.

Is it #TeamKevin or #TeamRichie? Dammit. Just stick to #TeamPatrick

No matter who he ends up with, someone will get hurt and he is bound to lose a great person. Like Patrick, show followers are divided between #TeamRichie and #TeamKevin only to end up miserable in the season 2 finale because they don't know who he finally chooses. If you consider yourself a fan of the show though, know that you should always belong to #TeamPatrick.

The funny and lovable Doris

While the show can come across as a 'gay drama' to some, there are several comic surprises--most of them courtesy of Doris (Lauren Weedman), Dom's best friend and the only female friend in the circle. She's the brutally honest straight friend who is ever caring to her queer folks. Doris speaks the truth without delay but ensures that you're not offended with her satire and sarcasm.

***

With all the commendations I give to Looking, I still summarize it as one big heartbreak. It's so good that 1) it hurts to know that it only ran for two short seasons, 2) most episodes have open endings that compels you to click on the next episode ASAP, and 3) with all the complications of their loves and lives, you can't help but to let the characters stay in your mind for long.

You let them live inside you as if they were your best friends. You want to make sure that they are okay, and that even if they leave your mind, they will be okay out there. Such is the magic of simplistic, realistic storytelling of its creator (writer-director) Andrew Haigh.

"There's more OUT there" says the show's tagline. Pictured here are the adorable cast members of Looking

Every now and then a story is born and it's unlike any other.  For its part, Looking is about LGBT but it present the truths of people who others may easily dismiss as sex-starved individuals. There is heart and art to the ways they tell the stories of the Gs in LGBT. It's comedy is subtle yet effective and it's drama doesn't solicit a boring sobfest.

It's not yet too late to catch Looking. It's TV movie airs this July 23 on HBO. In it, we get to revisit the characters' lives years from when we last saw them in Season 2.