This new Filipino series is opening the door to a side of the local showbiz world we don’t get to see, where we finally get a first-hand perspective of what it’s like to work as the manager of some of the most prominent celebrities in the country.
“Call My Manager” premiered on HBO Max on August 13 with a thrilling first episode that follows the hectic lives of three talent managers at the fictional Shine Artist Management. Starring Judy Ann Santos, who marks this show as her comeback to serye acting, Edu Manzano, and RK Bagatsing, “Call My Manager” is set to draw out a lot of laughs and possibly also inflict heartache with a story that’s so raw and real, even when we have yet to see it that way.
Photo from HBO Max
In an exclusive interview with WhenInManila.com, Judy Ann, Edu, and RK opened up about their experiences working closely with their personal talent managers and how those relationships influenced their portrayals of their characters.
“Very appreciative naman ako sa efforts nila ever since, but [in this show,] you have a deeper understanding of what they go through every day,” shared RK. “Minsan, of course, hindi naman always nasusunod ‘yung gusto mo. So you have this another angle na, ‘ah, okay, maybe [‘yung] pinagdaanan ng character ko dun sa isang episode, they’re going through the same.’ So it just opens you up to a wider understanding of what everyone goes through.”
Judy Ann agreed with this, though she pointed out that her character was not at all based on anyone she’s worked with.
“You really get to appreciate what your managers are doing for you, especially now that my managers are working closely under me,” said Judy Ann. “It’s a totally different ball game when you’re a bit more on the older side of this industry. I get to understand how they try to really communicate with clients, with producers, with talents. I can’t say that I based my character on them because they’re two different people. I had the privilege to have fun in building my own character by taking out bits and pieces from people that I know of and some fun parts from characters that I’ve been seeing. It is something that’s very challenging to do, but so fun to make.”
In Edu’s part, he commended the people who worked in that particular field and their capability to handle multiple personalities like him all at the same time.
“I didn’t realize I was such a spoiled brat,” he said. “There are managers in this country who have multiple talents, and I feel sometimes my behavior, depending on my mood or depending on what I’m going through at the moment, I may have somehow derailed my manager’s mental stability. And when you try to multiply that with four, five, six talents, you’re left wondering, ‘how is she still alive?’ But somehow my manager got to put things into perspective and was able to address each and every one of our concerns. And I’m not trying to intellectualize the project, but there are some very complex people who can actually deal with complex situations at the very same time. So these people are very unique and very, very rare, and that’s why it’s kudos to the people who play our managers.”
(ALSO READ: Judy Ann Santos Wins at the 45th Fantasporto Film Festival)
Stream “Call My Manager” only on HBO Max. New episodes drop weekly.
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