A Life in the Theater

Second article by Exie Abola on Arts Marketing, in the Philippine Inquirer. Excerpts:   Underlying all the practical problems is a lack of forward thinking. “An investment now pays off in seven years,” Dennis claims, which is the amount of time it takes for the ladder of involvement (the process in which someone ascends from mere participant to ambassador, discussed last week) to be completed. Right now companies are content to focus on block sales (devolving marketing to show-buyers) and wooing principals and teachers to bring in hordes of students. It’s a myopic perspective because audiences are not being nurtured. Today’s audience troubles result from years of neglect, and today’s neglect will in turn mean sparse crowds for years to come." Link here:  http://www.philstar.com/arts-and-culture/2013/02/25/912654/seeing-eyes-audience

Following is the link to an article on Arts Marketing as written by Philippine Star's Exie Abola, based on an interview we had during the last holidays.  I hope it contributes to the discussion on the subject. Dennis Marasigan on the Science of Arts Marketing Some excerpts: “A lot of times,” Dennis says, “I encounter people talking about arts marketing not really understanding what marketing really means.” What people often mean by marketing — advertising, sending press releases to the papers, announcing shows in online social networks — is actually promotions. And promotions comes, or should come, at the end of a long and systematic marketing process, a process that includes an assessment of one’s product, pricing strategy, place decisions (product availability and distribution), branding (or positioning), and people. If the earlier parts of the process are done well, then promotions, which should be the finishing kick, will succeed. But don’t expect it to if you haven’t go...

Many things will be said about Mario O'Hara and his myriad contributions to Philippine theater and cinema. But in my memory, it will always be his humble and giving ways that will be etched forever. He notoriously took public transportation and walked to and from rehearsals in CCP,and was infamously averse to press gatherings and public functions, particularly the showbiz kind. I knew his brother Jerry before I met Mario, and by the time we were introduced in the late 80s, he had already made a name for himself as a writer, actor, and director in radio, theater, and film. His generosity as an artist and as a person was well known, and I have had several chances to see this first hand. In the late 80s, Tanghalang Pilipino was staging Ang Ginintuang Bayan, and Mario was playing one of the leading roles, along with Nonie Buencamino and Pen Medina, among others. Nonie's wife, Shamaine, was due to give birth anytime soon, and he had promised to be by...

2011 CINEMA ONE ORIGINALS FESTIVAL Edsa Shangri-La Mall Cineplex, 6th Floor Mandaluyong City, Philippines at Shang Cineplex Cinema 4: November 09 Wednesday 3pm Opening Ceremony 4:45pm Gala Premiere: SA KANTO NG ULAP AT LUPA by Mes De Guzman 7pm Gala Premiere: ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON by Dennis Marasigan 9:30pm Gala Premiere: DI INGON 'NATO (Not Like Us) by Brandon Relucio and Ivan Zaldarriaga November 10 Thursday 5pm Gala Premiere: MGA ANINO NG TANGHALING TAPAT by Ivy Universe Baldoza 7pm Gala Premiere: MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE by Victor Villanueva 9:30pm Gala Premiere: BIG BOY by Shireen Seno November 11 Friday 5pm Gala Premiere: SA ILALIM NG TULAY by Earl Bontuyan 7pm Gala Premiere: KA ORYANG by Sari Dalena 9:30pm Gala Premiere: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILIA CUNTAPAY November 12 Saturday 5pm Regular Screening: Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa 7:30pm Regular Screening: Di Ingon 'Nato (Not Like Us) 9:30pm Gala Screening: CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD (Letters of Sol...

Photos from the 3rd Shooting Day of ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON, finalist in the Cinema One Originals 2011 Festival, Nov. 9-15 at the EDSA Shangri-La cineplex.

Photos from the Second Shooting Day of Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon, a 2011 Cinema One Originals Finalist, starring Maricar Reyes and Sid Lucero.

Some photos from the first shooting day of ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON, a finalist in the 2011 Cinema One Originals, written and directed by Dennis N. Marasigan based on the play by Malou Leviste Jacob.