Award winning director Brillante Mendoza was criticized for employing different camera shot angles during President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State Of The Nation (SONA) address last Monday (July 25, 2016).
Unlike previous SONA’s, camera treatments like worm’s eye view, slow panning, warm lighting, hand focus and more were applied during the President’s speech. Netizens shared their comments on various social media saying they felt dizzy with the shots and that the SONA is not an ‘indie’ film.
In an interview with Ginger Conejero ABS-CBN TV Patrol, Direk Brillante said shots from the bottom side connotes power and authority, something viewers may not be aware of.
“I call that a power shot when you articulate something, and you shoot that person in that angle, psychologically it gives you the meaning na meron siyang power and authority.” said Direk Brillante.
With the regarding to the criticisms he is getting after the SONA, this is what Direk Brillante has to say:
“This is not the first time i was was criticized, this is a free country, this is a free world, everybody has their own opinion and I respect that” said Direk Brillante.
The director also said the Duterte family was happy with the way the SONA turned out and that’s what matters.
“They were very happy, and he congratulated me and I think that what matters.” said Brillante.
Inday Sara Duterte even posted on her Instagram account the technique Direk Brillante used during the speech of her father:
“Congrats Digong on your first SONA, klaro wala ka nagpractice reading sa teleprompter ha. Hahaha. Ikaw na gyud. Fibonnacci spiral is a cinematography term for nadagma na cameraman angle. Hahahahahaha #toofunny #goodvibes #dancesinglovelive #dancedancedance”
(Photo source: Youtube – @DVMNewsNetwork / Instagram – @indaysaraduterte)