Directing a film or a TV project has become an in thing for local celebs.
There's Coco Martin who directs his own TV shows.
There's Xian Lim who not only only directs films but also writes scripts.
Joining the trend is comedian Chad Kinis, who conceptualized and directed "Beks Days Of Our Lives" for Viva Films.
He also stars in it along with his Beks Battalion cohorts, MC Muah and Lassy Marquez.
During a recent press conference, Chad revealed he had been writing screenplays prior.
He remembered the moment he shared with MC the concept for "Beks Days Of Our Lives."
"Di namin namalayan, kaming dalawa umiiyak na. Ta's nagyakapan kami. Sabi niya (MC) 'Ang ganda ng concept ng pelikula.'"
It took them two years to bring the idea to fruition.
Chad admitted they all have been hoping to star in their own film after mounting succesful back-to-back concerts.
Asked how he prepared for his directorial debut, Chad related he actually took a crash course related to it.
He looks up to the late Wenn V. Deramas.
So what kind of director is he?
"Imposing po, if needed," he answered.
"I mean, if you need that particular scene, pinapaliwanag ko po sa kanila ni Kuya MC po. Tinatanong niya: 'Ay, Direk bakit po ganito ang gagawin natin?' Papaliwanag ko sa kanila, du'n sila maliliwanagan kasi kailangan din i-klaro mo sa actor mo kung ano yung pinapagawa mo sa kanila. Hindi yung basta mo na lang papagawin para alam nila yung tamang pag-linya, tamang pag-arte, tamang emosyon na ibibigay. Kaya it's not being imposing. It's very clear naman po sa bawat isa na ginagawa, dine-detalye ko po sa kanila para maintindihan kung ano yung ginagawa naming eksena."
Though they might have different ideas, he reiterated that it never came to a point where they bickered.
Lassy noted they "trust" Chad as director.
Chad pointed out how MC and Lassy give him "respect."
"Ang maganda sa kanila, nagiging kaibigan off the camera; on the camera kami binibigay po nila sa akin yung respeto bilang direktor," was how he put it.
"Ang ginagawa po namin, nagbibigayan po kami - very collaborative po kami. Meron silang gustong gawin, hindi basta-basta. Ginagalang po nila na: 'Direk, pwede po naming gawin ito?'"
And he has nothing but good words about the two, both of whom he described as professionals.
"Magaling si Kuya MC sa acting. Magaling si Lassy sa pagpapatawa. Parang effortless po talaga ang pagdi-direk."
As for the story, he said it's about friends trying to be the best version of themselves creating great memories together.
He was inspired by the real life friendship he shares with MC and Lassy.
"This Beks Battalion (group) is an unexpected family," he said, turning emotional. "Hindi po namin inaasahan na magiging ganito kami katatag, magkakasama bilang pamilya."
Chad noted, "Sa totoo lang po kasi, I've been so alone for decades na mag-isang nagta-trabaho. Pasok ako sa comedy bar, uwi ako mag-isa. Nagkaroon ng pandemic, na-buo ang Beks Battalion."
Chad found a "new purpose" in life under the guidance of MC and Lassy.
"Ang saya lang po ng buhay. Nagkaroon po ako ng bagong direksyon sa kanila... Kung sino po ang dapat maging thankful, ako po talaga kasi tinanggap po nila ako. Kasi buo na po sila. May MC-Lassy na po dati pero tinanggap po nila ako bilang pangatlo sa pamilya nila kaya hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang kabaitan nila at pagtulong nila," he stressed.
"Kung sino pong may natulungan dito, hindi po ako nakatulong sa kanila, ako lang po bumuo ng Beks Battalion pero ako po ang dinala nila pataas kaya super thankful ako sa dalawa. Super duper po."
"Beks Days of Our Lives" screens nationwide May 17.