Telling a story through colors: How 'Ilustrado' achieves Hollywood-level look

 

After airing its first episode on October 20, GMA Network's BayaniSerye "Ilustrado" has gained acclaim for its unique storytelling and exceptional visuals.

 

Filmed using the high-tech Arri Alexa camera-- a first in the history of Philippine television-- and high-end lenses by CMB Film Services, Inc., the retelling of Jose Rizal's life continues to be both intellectually and visually entertaining. 

 

Aside from using cutting-edge equipment, Ilustrado is also post-processed on Autodesk Flame Premium, the same software and hardware used in Hollywood, from films such as Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, parts of Pacific Rim, to TV series such as Game of Thrones.

 

Director King Marc Baco admitted to having a bigger and better vision for "Ilustrado," which stars Alden Richards as the national hero. From conceptualization to execution, he just wouldn't settle for less.

 

“I want this to be the best visually. So ni-require ko na din ang best technology, and Flame, so far, is the best technology in terms of visual effects,” says Baco.

 

GMA Network is the first to put up a Flame facility in the Philippines. The P14-million machine has only been used for music videos, opening billboards, and other shorter materials. According to head colorist Don Suratos, this is the first time that the Flame facility will be used for an entire program. All episodes of Ilustrado will be edited and post-processed by Flame.

 

The new technology has proven to be a perfect solution for the problems that cropped up while producing Ilustrado. 

 

Suratos and Cathy Frayco, unit manager of Long Form, said that recreating France, Germany, Paris and the Philippines in the 1890s proved to be a challenge for the creative team. 

 

"We had to think of ways kung paano maging efficient in terms of producing the requirements of the show," said Suratos. "In terms of color grading, they are looking for something na hindi supposedly kaya sa ibang machines."

 

Leveling up

 

 

But far from a simple software solution, every aspect of production was important to establishing the overall look.

 

“From production design to how it was shot, at kung paano dinesign ng DOP (Norberto 'Nor' Domingo, FCS) 'yung lighting ng DOP, pati 'yung anggulo ni Direk King, we tried to tell a story through colors. We try to tell the story in terms of matte painting backgrounds and color grading.”

 

Suratos admits that it's still a long way before local shows can get to the level of American television, but he hopes that by continuing to produce visually engaging shows like Ilustrado, Philippine TV can soar to a whole new level of storytelling.

 

"The more we do stuff like this, mas huhusay ka din naman. Dahil sa Ilustrado, everyone is pushed to do better in terms of visual effects and color grading," he said.

 

Baco, for his part, challenges other shows to step up their game.

 

"I challenge them to use the same technology. Para ma-level up naman natin. Para at par na tayo with Hollywood standards and other neighboring countries," he said. — JST, GMA News