BACOLOD, PHILIPPINES — With the end of classes right around the corner, the Bacollywood Summer Workshops is gearing up for its 2024 edition, happening from June 17 to July 13 at the Art District in Mandalagan, Bacolod City. The beloved workshops promise aspiring filmmakers and actors an immersive experience of learning and creativity over the course of four weeks.
The Bacollywood Summer Workshops have become a cornerstone of the local film and theater scene, offering intensive courses taught by established Negrense filmmakers and talents. With a focus on nurturing homegrown talent, the workshops aim to instill a sense of passion and camaraderie among participants.
Early birds have the opportunity to avail of discounted rates until May 17, with the registration fee set at PHP 5000. After this deadline, the regular rate of PHP6,000 applies, with installment options available for convenience.
The available courses this year are:
Technical courses:
- Film Production
- Mondays to Fridays, 8 am to 12 nn
- Instructor: Manny Montelibano
- Cinematography
- Mondays to Fridays, 1 pm to 5 pm
- Instructor: Jay Abello
Acting courses:
- Children’s Theater
- For ages five to 12 years old
- Mondays to Fridays, 8 am to 12 nn
- Instructor: Mary Jane Quilisadio
- Basic Acting
- For ages 13 years old and above
- Mondays to Fridays, 8 am to 12 nn
- Instructor: Kurt Soberano
- Advanced Acting: Improvisations
- For ages 15 years old and above
- Mondays to Fridays, 1 pm to 5 pm
- Instructors: Jack Triño and John Arceo
Jack Triño, one of the main organizers of Bacollywood this year, knows the transformative power of the workshops firsthand. As a former student of the Negros Summer Workshops (the precursor to Bacollywood), he was inspired by mentors like Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes, and Gabby Fernandez.
He shared, “Peque would always reiterate Voltaire’s words: Make your garden grow. He would say, no matter how small it is — make your garden grow. And the workshops are our garden.”
Today, many former students have become mentors and instructors, embodying the spirit of paying it forward and nurturing the next generation of talent. Jack commented, “Aside from teaching passion and precision, we teach the next generation of artists the power of collaboration more than anything else. Through the workshops, they get to meet fellow like-minded artists and mentors. They share experiences, laughter, hardships, and tips. We collaborate. We create. Then, we repeat. In doing so, we foster a community.”
He shared that through the workshops, participants will get to engage in hands-on learning experiences, with technical classes culminating in the creation of short films and acting classes staging live performances intertwined with the film productions.
As prospective participants contemplate joining this year’s workshops, Jack extended his heartfelt invitation. He said, “Give yourself the gift of confidence and collaboration, and the joy of discovery and creation. Experience this with us from June to July — the Bacollywood way. We are a workshop run by a community of artists.
Those interested in enrolling in the Bacollywood Summer Workshops 2024 may visit the official Facebook page or contact 09564084504.
