Blockbuster director Benedict Mique passionately implored aspiring filmmakers to wholeheartedly embrace the craft, emphasizing that the road to success knows no shortcuts.

"Don't take the shortcut. Dapat pag-aralan nila ang craft. Directing is a craft. The senior actors accept minor roles because they love acting. Don't look for the spotlight. Look for your passion because wala kang talo doon," said Mique during a pocket interview for the upcoming movie "Maple Leaf Dreams" held at Limbaga 77 in Morato, Quezon City on Aug. 21.

Mique added: "Kung gusto mong mag-artista o magkwento, magsulat ka or mag-post ka. Ako nagsusulat pa hanggang ngayon. Ikaw naman na gustong mag-artista, sumali ka sa theater groups kung totoong yun ang gusto mo.

"There's nothing wrong with wanting the spotlight, but make sure that you are ready for it. Lahat ng spotlight pinaghihirapan. Wala namang shortcut. Maski sila Lebron James and Michael Jordan yan ang sinasabi. You have to work for it. Walang shortcut, if you wanna, go for it," he said.

Mique advised young directors to be aware that competition in the industry is becoming increasingly tough.

"We have to be ready and focus. Tama na yung mga rock star filmmakers. We need real filmmakers, real story tellers na marunong magsulat at magkwento.

"Producers should get people or filmmakers who know how to tell a story. Produce kayo ng produce tapos daanin llang sa casting tapos pangit naman ang pelikula. Wala na yun audience natin.

"Tapos magugulat ka, may isang Thai film na hindi mo nga kilala yung mga artista, pero panonoorin ng mga tao. Pero tayo nilagay na natin ang lahat ng sikat na artista kaso wala namang nanonood.

"It's a big lesson now that competition is getting more challenging because the world is open. So we should do our best," said Mique, director of the No. 1 movie "Lolo and the Kid" now streaming on Netflix.

“Maple Leaf Dreams” features rising stars Kira Balinger and LA Santos as a couple who try their luck in Canada to give their respective families a better life. It is produced by 7K Entertainment, Lonewolf Films, and Star Magic and distributed by Quantum Films.

Mique passionately urged young filmmakers to hone their craft by creating innovative and unconventional films.

"Yung iba mabigyan lang ng ganito rockstar na agad ang tingin nila sa sarili nila. Ang galing ko ano? Direk na ang tawag sa akin," he said.

"I want to inspire the filmmakers. Sometimes, you are given a small budget na meant for TV pero sasabihin mo na ilalaban ko ito at gagawin ko itong movie. Sino ang mag-aakala na makakarating ng Netflix ang Monday First Screening? Netflix doesn't buy anything offered to them. Even if you have a big star, if they think it's not worth it, hindi nila bibilhin yan.

"Nasa point na ako ng buhay ko na hindi na ako gumagawa ng project na hindi ko gusto. In fact yung bagong binigay sa akin na project ng ABS-CBN, sabi ko sure kayo ito lang ang budget nito? Paano magkakasya ito? Pero sabi ko sige, pagandahin natin. Ang baba ng budget pero sige sabi ko pagandahin natin," Mique said.

Mique stated that there are numerous aspiring directors in the country, but the Philippine entertainment industry is in need of writers.

"And daming gusto maging filmmaker. But we need writers. Napakalungkot ng story ng mga writers. Nasa likod ka kasi ng camera. Hindi ikaw ang bida. So lahat gusto maging producers, directors, etc. Lahat gusto maging bida at kasama sa presscon. Lahat gusto magaling. 

"Minsan hina-highlight nila na kahit isang beses pa lang nakapag-direk sinasabi nila maganda ang pelikula kahit pangit. So nagkaroon ng contest sa paggawa ng video tapos direk na ang tawag. Binigyan mo na ng title kahit hindi pa nila deserve. 

"During my time, before us, you have to go through the process: assistant ka, ganito ka, magsusulat ka. Lahat dadaanan mo. Dapat magaling ka mag sulat. Noon madalas kaming magpitch sa Maala-ala Mo Kaya. Kapag wala akong napisakok doon, wala akong sweldo this month. So pagalingan kami ng pitch. Dapat may ma-aprub ako para may maisulat ako this month.

"Wala pa nga akong award. Pero I know my craft of filmmaking. Mahirap yan dahil lahat ng arts pinagsama-sama dyan. Tapos tatawagin kang direk pero hilaw naman. So bukod sa magandang pelikula, we have to develop writers," Mique said.

Maple Leaf Dreams

Eighty percent of the movie "Maple Leaf Dreams" was shot in Canada, Mique said.

"Canada is the new America. Dati US ang pangarap nila pero now Canada naman. Masaya sa Canada sa una but when you start living the real life there, working na kayo, malungkot."

Before shooting the film, both LA and Kira immersed themselves in workshops.

"I told them you need to feel the life of real workers because ang character nila ay workers. Ang una nilang training ay sa kaibigan ko na may ari ng restaurant at grocery. Si LA pinagawa ko as dishwasher for one week. Sabi ko you need to feel how it is to commute. 

"Si Kira naman sa office naman. Iba ang galaw sa tunay na buhay. Pati yung pag-carry ng bag. May junkshop kami so I told them to observe para makita nila ang hitsura at magsalita ang masa. Napaka-natural nila," Mique said.

On first impressions with LA and Kira, Mique said: "Kaya ba nila? Pero na-achieve naman nila. They worked for it. Napaka-importante sa paggawa ng pelikula na kaya nila ma-portray ang characters. You have to be prepared."

"They worked hard. In this movie, LA does a good job and will convince you. The movie confirms his ability to act. He's good," the director said.

Mique said he was still directing "Darna" when "Maple" was pitched to him. "Ang ganda nitong story about couples going to Canada. Hindi lang galing sa Pilipinas kundi sa ibang bansa rin. Doon sila sumusugal. Ang daming Pilipino sa Toronto. Parang Los Angeles."

He added: "Canada is the new America. Dati US ang pangarap nila pero now Canada naman. Masaya sa Canada sa una but when you start living the real life there, working na kayo, malungkot."