Ever wonder who handles the overall responsibility of creating storylines for a TV series?

‘TWO WIVES’ stars Patrick Garcia, Jason Abalos, Kaye Abad, Erich Erich Gonzales, Daniel Matsunaga and Rayver Cruz; (inset) Gina Marissa Tagasa (facebook)

Gina Marissa Tagasa, creative manager of several ABS-CBN shows, should know. Her job is to write a good story and manage her team to consistently develop new ideas.

Having written scripts for television and film for more than a decade already, Gina can easily say why Filipinos are enamored with teleseryes that has a meek bida who learns how to fight back in the end.

“Parang ‘Rocky’ moments,” she explained. “Sa ‘Rocky,’ ’yung bida nagpatalo nang nagpatalo pero saka siya lalaban sa huli. ’Yun ang gusto ng tao. ’Pag bumwelo ’yun siguradong palakpakan ang tao,” she said.

She also noticed the growing number of shows that focus on empowered women.

“Mas nag-a-assert na sila kasi kung iko-compare mo (with how they were depicted in) ’80s films (na) palagi silang inaapi. Pero ngayon lumalaban na,” she said.

Noting how viewers today have become more discerning, Gina said writers like her have to be always on their toes. Interestingly, social media is a big help to them.

“Nalalaman namin (’yung feedback about a certain show) mostly through netizens and their tweets. Minsan nagtu-tweet sila kung ayaw nila… Sa social media rin kasi nalalaman kung nagustuhan ba nila ’yung role ng isang character,” she said.

Realistic approach

In creating a storyline, Gina shared they need to be careful especially in dealing with medical issues like amnesia and cancer.

“Kapag napag-uusapan namin ’yan, lalo na ang amnesia, kailangan naming alamin kung anong klase. Kailangan malinaw ’yung research dun,” she said.

“Kasi sa Filipino films madalas kapag nauntog ulit babalik na ang alaala. Pero hindi naman talaga. ’Yan ’yung tinatanong namin (sa doctor.)”

Meanwhile, Gina urges other writers and directors to be more realistic in their approach to better educate local audiences.

“Para maging real ang isang soap, meron dapat effort na magpasok ng elements na hindi caricaturing,” she said.

Gina went on to compare Korean and Filipino teleseryes.

“’Yung Pinoy mahilig sa drama. Inaangkop rin na kapag Filipino family, nagdadamayan at ’di pwedeng mag-iwanan. Sa Korean naman parang swabe lang siya na madali lang kunan. Minsan wala din silang backstory,” she said.

Gina has a full schedule these days as creative manager of ABS-CBN’s “Two Wives,” starring Erich Gonzales, Kaye Abad and Jason Abalos.

It is the latest Korean drama series adapted by ABS-CBN for a local audience, following the success of “My Girl” in 2008, “Lovers In Paris” in 2009, “Green Rose” in 2011, and “Pure Love.”

Directed by FM Reyes and Richard Arellano, “Two Wives” airs weeknights on Primetime Bida block. (With report from Jojo P. Panaligan)

Ever wonder who handles the overall responsibility of creating storylines for a TV series?

Source: Mb.com.ph (March 02, 2015 at 12:16PM)

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