For the acclaimed director, verticals opens new storytelling and job opportunities amid film industry struggles.
Amid challenges in the local film industry, filmmaker Dan Villegas said colleagues have been pushed to explore emerging formats such as verticals.
However, Villegas warned that AI now threatens the opportunities these new formats have created, with AI-generated microdramas rapidly gaining ground on social media.
“Mahina kasi ang mga pelikula ngayon sa sinehan. So, nagbabago ‘yong business models,” he said during the ASUS ProArt Creator Connect, which radar attended on Wednesday, Sept. 23. “Nagkaroon ng kaunting hope sa verticals. Ang nangyari, ‘yong AI, pinatay ‘yong industry na ‘yon.”
Pointing to the speed at which AI microdramas have captivated Filipino netizens, Villegas expressed concern about where the filmmaking industry could be headed.
“Who knows, 10 years down the line?” he said. “Di ko alam. Kaya nga may part of me na natatakot.”
Having worked on film and verticals, Villegas noted that while the two mediums are different, the latter can be “exciting” since it offers a different approach to storytelling.
More importantly, he sees the format as a source of livelihood at a time when the film industry is facing increasing challenges: “Natutuwa ako… wine-welcome ko siya. Nagbibigay siya ng trabaho sa industry. It’s still work.”
As for AI, Villegas said he is hoping it can remain a tool for filmmakers rather than become a replacement for them.
His films include “English Only, Please,” “The Breakup Playlist,” “Changing Partners,” “Hintayan ng Langit,” “Exes Baggage,” and “Uninvited.” He also directed the vertical short series “Cheese the One” for Eden Cheese.
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