IN PHOTO ARE (from left) Karen Ortua of BC Entertainment Productions, director Adolf Alix Jr., EA Guzman, Gina Alajar, Ricky Davao, and Joel Saracho during a media conference for the upcoming drama 'Karnabal' held in Quezon City.

Award-winning actors Gina Alajar, Ricky Davao, EA Guzman, and Joel Saracho are challenged to act in a film that will be shot in one take using a single camera within 90 minutes.

Entitled "Karnabal" under BC Entertainment, the stars of the upcoming drama shared their thoughts on the physical requirements of doing the unusual film. Acclaimed director Adolf Alix Jr will direct the movie.

"This is a big challenge for me kasi first time namin gagawin ito. Maganda yung pakiramdam kasi we're part of it. Hindi naman laging may ganito. It's a difficult project so palagay ko hindi naman lahat magtatangka na gumawa nito," said Gina, during a media conference held in Quezon City recently.

(This is a big challenge for me because it's our first time doing it. It feels good because we're part of it. It's not every day you get to do a project like this. It's a challenging project, so I don't think everyone will try to do it.)

Gina added: "Na-mention ko nga kay direk, 'So paano? Pag nagkamali ako or nakalimutan ko ang line babalik tayo sa simula? I guess we really need to prepare for this project."

(I did mention to the director, 'So how? If I make a mistake or forget the line, will we start from the beginning? We need to prepare for this project.)

Ricky believes that the patience of the actors in the film will be tested.

"Hindi naman kami aabot ng ganito katagal kung wala kaming patience. Ang dami na namin na experience so this is something new for us. It's a combination of doing a play and doing a movie. So exciting," he said.

(We wouldn't have reached this far if we didn't have patience. We already have a lot of experience so this is something new. It's a combination of doing a play and doing a movie. So exciting.)

EA, who will play the role of a man who wanted to end his life by climbing a towering billboard on EDSA, admitted to having a fear of heights.

"Ang sarap kasi sila ang makakasama ko. Ang sarap sa feeling kasi alam naman natin kung gaano sila kahusay. Ang gusto ko lang naman ay makatrabho sila. Makatrabaho yung mahuhusay. Kung excited sila mas excited ako. At the same time natatakot pero naiisip ko na lang yung mga taong nakapaligid sa akin sa pelikulang ito. So I'm sure magagawa namin ito," EA said.

(It's good because I can work with them. It's a good feeling because we know how good they are. All I want is to work with them. To work with the good ones. If they're excited, I'm more excited. At the same time, I'm scared, but I think it's just the people around me in this film. So I'm sure we can do it.)

Joel added: "Real time ito. Para kaming gumagawa ng play. Bubuo-hin mo sa utak mo yung character during the rehearsal process paga pagdating mo sa set ready ka na, memorize mo na, pati yung blocking mo. Ang kaibahan lang dito, malaki ang acting space mo dahil wala ka sa entablado. Baka nga hindi kami magkikita-kita sa baba eh. Iba-iba ang aming panggagalingan. So you play everything by ear. Wala pa akong nababasa kahit ano so nakakatakot lalo na kapag nagkukuwento si direk Adolf."

(It's real-time. It's like we're making a play. You will create the character in your mind during the rehearsal process so that when you arrive on set, you are ready to memorize it, including your blocking. The only difference is that you have a sizable acting space because you are not on stage. Maybe we won't see one another here. We come from different angles. So you play everything by ear. I haven't read anything yet, so it's scary, especially when director Adolf tells a story.)

Adolf is confident in the cast and filming begins this month.

"May ibubuga sila sa trabaho kasi alam na rin nila paano magtrabaho. Ang pagsasama-sama ng lahat ng elements, para sa akin yun ang importante," the director said. (These stars have all proven something in their craft because they already know how to work. The integration of all the elements, for me that's what's important.)

But the actors felt more relaxed when they learned that their co-stars had acting skills and experience.

"Ako mas relax. Pero kanina pagpasok ko nalaman ko yung mga makakasama ko. Relax lang ako because I believe and I have faith in them na magagawa nila yung trabaho nila. Nale-lessen yung takot. Kasi kapag may isa kang kasama dyan na oops, bakit sya kasama? Eh hindi naman sya magaling mag-memorya ng linya? Noon kabadong-kabado ka. Pag ganun nagsasabi na ako kay Adolf, sasabihin ko Adolf baka mahirapan tayo dyan ha? Baka pwedeng palitan mo na yan. Sa totoo lang naman, hindi naman sa pagyayabang, sa mga ganitong proyekto, you only get the trusted ones. Yung maaasahan mo talaga. Hindi pwede yung ilagay mo siya rito kasi may pangalan sya. Kailangan maka-contribute siya sa pelikula," Gina also said.

(I'm more relaxed. But earlier, when I entered, I discovered the people I'd be working with. I'm just relaxed because I believe and have faith in them that they can do their job. The fear is lessened. Because when you have someone who's not good at memorizing lines, you will be nervous. When I said that to Adolf, I'd say, 'Adolf, maybe we're going to have a hard time there, right? You could change that.' Honestly, it's not about bragging. In projects like this, you only get the trusted ones. The ones you can rely on. You can't put someone here because the person has a name. That person needs to be able to contribute to the film.)

Ricky said: "Importante talaga yung maaasahan at may experience na kasi. Hindi yung nag pa-panic. Kung mag panic man, hindi halata na they can do something about it. Point of no return ito. Doon siguro mas lamang na kami. Those things. Pero syempre kahit beterano na kami, meron talagang bad hair day."

(It's essential to be reliable and have experience. It's not the one who panics. If they panic, it's not evident they can do something about it. It's a point of no return. That's where we're at. Those things. But of course, even though we're veterans, there are terrible hair days.)

"Noong una kinabahan ako. Pero kapag alam mo ng magagaling ang mga kasama mo, nagiging mas confident ka. Dalawa yan eh. Una yung validation na may kasama kang magagaling na artista. Mas ma-cha-challenge ka eh. Pangalawa, mas confident ka na magandang lalabas yung batuhan or ensemble. So mas nakaka-relax siya at the same time. Kaya I have complete trust in the project. Siguro huwag lang ako malaglag sa building," said Joel.

(At first, I was nervous. But you become more confident when you know the people you're with are good. Those are two things. First is the validation that you're with good actors. You're more able to challenge yourself. Second, you're more confident. It's good that the stone or ensemble will come out. So he can relax more at the same time. That's why I have complete trust in the project. Maybe just don't let me fall off the building.)

EA added: "Mas lalo akong ginanahan nung nalaman ko na mahuhusay ang mga kasama mo. Sure ako na kayang kaya nila ang magdeliver. Gusto ko rin yun challenge na kailangan makipagsabayan ka ay hindi ka bibitaw. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam yung ganun eh na you work with the best."

(I liked it even more when I learned that your colleagues are talented. I'm sure they can deliver. I also like that challenge you must keep up with and won't let go. It's a good feeling when you work with the best.)

"Karnabal" also stars Cannes best actress Jaclyn Jose and Shaira Diaz.