Actor says the CinePanalo film pushed him beyond his usual comedy roles.
Joross Gamboa signed on to “Wantawsan” because of its script, but what hooked him was how the film kept revealing more of itself once cameras started rolling.
“Yong nabasa ko yung script talagang nagustuhan ko. Pero yong shinoot namin, mas nag-grow pa siya sa akin,” Gamboa shared, noting how repeated readings and the actual shoot allowed the story to branch out further. “Hindi ako magsisisi sa pag-yes ko rito.”
Part of that process involved finding the right balance for the film’s comedy. Rather than holding back the humor, Gamboa and director Joseph Abello focused on controlling having the right “timpla,” allowing the comedy to emerge more naturally from the situations.
Even his performance was shaped around this approach. Gamboa said they discussed whether certain actions needed to be added or toned down, with the goal of making his movements less theatrical and more fitting for the character.
For an actor often associated with comedy, “Wantawsan” also gave Gamboa a chance to explore a more serious side of his performance. While he joked that people simply do not take him seriously enough, he emphasized that he is willing to take on whatever a director asks of him.
“Kung ano ang ibigay na project ng director, mapaseryoso or hindi, or anything in between, kailangan natin gawin ‘yon para maging maganda ang pelikula,” he said.
“Wantawsan” will premiere at the CinePanalo Film Festival this September alongside six other full-length films.
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