Ricky Lee didn’t go up the stage because he wanted the aspiring writers to be on equal footing with him. And, we guess, writing humbles people. Now Showing: Master Class with Ricky Lee taught us secrets, hacks, and techniques of different areas of writing last January 21, 2017 at SM North EDSA, Cinema 6.
Writing the premise of the story
What is a premise?
We were told by our professor that Ricky Lee uses a part of himself in every work he puts out, and now I get it. You can think of a topic, theme, situation, or interesting character first, but eventually you work out a premise around them. In the premise, the protagonist has to have a dilemma. “The dilemma is caused by the fact that he has a desire, at di niya ito makuha, dahil may obstacle sa labas niya, at may obstacle sa loob niya. Kaya may conflict,” he said.
“Na para bang isa siyang taong nasa loob ng kahon. And that is the human condition–man inside a box, struggling against it.
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Ricky Lee says everyone has some sort of ‘bubog’ or an unwanted need.
“Through time nakita niya na hindi siya nag-iisa, na may iba ring mga taong nakakulong sa kahon. He tries to seek connection with them. Dahil no man is an island, and his greatest fear is to be alone.”
“Sometimes he succeeds, but even if he finds connection, lahat sila pati siya ay nakakulong pa rin sa kahon. Kaya nag-imbento siya ng mga kuwento.”
“To escape man’s unmet desire: Itinago niya sa loob ng pagkatao niya ang basic desire na ito, hanggang sa maging isang maliit na kahon ito sa loob niya. Through time ay nakalimutan na niya ito. Naging unaware need niya. Simbolo ng kanyang unlived life.”
10 Tips for Writing
Here are Ricky Lee’s 10 tips to help your writing routine from the Master Class:
10. Tanggalin mo ang nakaharang na screen.
9. Find solitude.
8. Magbasa ka.
7. Patayin mo ang sarili mo.
Ricky Lee explains: “Para makapagsulat, kailangang tanggalin mo ang suot mong sapatos at subukan mo ang sapatos ng iba. You cannot be too full of yourself. You need empathy. Kailangang maging interesado ka sa tao sa loob ng ibang tao.”
6. Tanggapin mo ang kahon, saka mo banggain.
He explains: “Lahat sa buhay, at sa pagsusulat ay may kahon. Banggain mo. Walang creative work ang nagging maganda nang walang constraints. It’s in the struggle. Nasa pagbangga ang katas ng magandang kuwento.”
5. Magkaroon ka ng ritwal.
“Magsulat ka sa dating lugar, sa dating panahon, araw-araw, maski na wala ka sa mood magsulat. Para makondisyon mo ang utak mo. Form habits. Train your brain. Magsulat ka hindi dahil nasa mood ka. Magsulat ka para mapunta ka sa mood.”
4. Keep a journal.
3. Magpatulong ka sa kaibigan.
“Collaborate with others. Nasa pagbabanggaan ng mga ideya gumagaling ang kuwento.”
2. Umalis ka sa comfort zone mo.
“Get out of the box. Tumayo ka sa gilid ng bangin. Tumunganga ka sa gitna ng dagat.”
1. Magsulat ka para magbuo.
“Sa mundong ito lahat tayo ay hati, wasak at may sugat. Magsulat tayo upang makatulong tayong maghilom ang mga sugat, matanggal ang mga harang, mabuo ang ating mga pagkatao. Ang ating mga kuwento ay maiinit na yakap ng isang taong nagmamahal.”
Premium ticket-buyers had their book signed after the workshop.
Mr. Ricky Lee has written more than 150 film scripts and various television shows, plays and novels. He has won more than 50 trophies and accolades from various award-giving bodies; GawadUrian, PMPC Star Awards for Movies, FAP Awards, FAMAS Awards and MMFF. In 2003, he was bestowed the Natatanging Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics). He was also the 2015 Award of the UP Gawad Plaridel, which recognizes Filipino media practitioners who have excelled in any of the media (print, radio, film and television) and have performed with the highest level of professional integrity in the interest of public service.
NOW SHOWING: MASTER CLASS was produced by Aslan Advertising.
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