Director Adolf Alix Jr. takes a groufie with some of the stars of the upcoming horror film 'The Vigil' during a story conference in Quezon City recently.

Adolf Alix Jr. possesses a serene attitude when it comes to directing a movie. He strongly believes that actors do not require yelling or scolding in order to deliver their best performances. One admirable thing about him is that he refrains from using vulgar language or swearing, even when he's upset while filming.

"Hindi ako nagmumura," said Adolf, when asked to describe his temperament on the set, during the story conference for his upcoming horror film "The Vigil" under Obra Cinema Productions in Quezon City recently. (I don't curse or use profanities.)

Adolf added: "Hindi ako naniniwala na dapat mong bulyawan ang isang artista. Mas nakakatakot nga pag tahimik eh dahil pag nagalit mas nakakatakot versus isisigaw mo yung galit.

(I don't believe you should bully an artist. It's scarier to be quiet because when you're angry it's scarier versus when you shout your anger.)

"Mas gusto ko yung nirerespeto ko sya para hindi ako natatakot. Kapag takot ka, iba yung dating sa akin. So ang gusto ko lang alamin nila lahat yung trabaho nila," the director added.

(I choose to respect them so that I won't be scared. When you're scared, it's a different thing. So I just want them to take their job seriously.)

The cast of 'The Vigil'

Adolf said that it was inevitable that he scolded someone on the set.

"Meron naman akong napapagalitan. Kasama naman yun sa proseso. Sumisigaw din naman ako pero hindi dahil sa galit ako kundi dahil kasama siya eksena.

(I try to call the attention of other people. That's part of the process. I also shout, not because I'm angry, but because I need to do it).

"Kasi halimbawa malayo yung kausap mo or nasa crowd ka, kailangan lakasan mo ang boses mo. Pero hindi para sumigaw dahil galit ako. Gusto ko talaga nirerespeto ko lahat ng tao sa set.

(Because for example the person you're talking to is far away or you're in a crowd, you have to raise your voice. But not to shout because I'm angry. I really want to respect everyone on set.)

"Pag-galit na ako, ako na lang ang umaalis. Hindi po ako confrontational pero mararamdaman din naman ng artista yun," he also said.

(When I get angry, I'm the only one who leaves. I'm not confrontational but the artist can feel that too.)

Story conference for the upcoming film 'The Vigil'

Adolf was asked about his expectations for newcomers joining his film, to which he replied: "Importante sa akin lagi na willing silang matuto. Dapat may initiative sila as an actor. Kahit na ano'ng gawin ko sa end namin kung hindi sila willing to learn at tinatrato lang nila yung pag-aartista na parang hindi seryoso. Kasi iba-iba sila ng orientation. Some of them will take it literally as a job. Others have passion and would want to go deeper." 

(It is always important to me that they are willing to learn. They must have initiative as an actor. No matter what I do on our end, if they are not willing to learn, and they just treat acting as if it is not serious. They have different orientations.)

"Makita ko lang yung initiative na yun okay na ako. Ang mga newcomers naman kapag nakikinig sila at inaral nila yung gagawin nila mae-enjhoy naman nila yung proseso. So yun lang ang sinabi ko sa kanila," he added.

(As soon as I see that initiative, I'm fine. As for the newcomers, if they listen and study what they're going to do, they'll enjoy the process. So that's all I told them.)

Adolf, am Urian best director nominee, said that "The Vigil" is expected to be finished in August. It stars Sparkle artists Prince Carlos, Abed Green, Bruce Roeland, Carlo San Juan, Anjay Anson, Kimson Tan, Will Ashley, and Faye Lorenzo.

Adolf, 44, is one of the breakout Filipino directors in recent years. In 2006, Adolf shot his debut film entitled "Donsol" which became the country's entry to the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film category. In 2010, he was listed by the Hollywood Reporter in its "Next Generation Asia 2010" which features the best and brightest among their peers. 

In 2013, Adolf also became a member of the international jury of the Busan International Film Festival. His films were not only included in the CinemaOne Originals, Metro Manila Film Festival, and Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, but also in several other international film festivals.