The film, made with a budget of around P80-M, was shot entirely on green screen. Its computer-generated imagery (CGI) effects gives a modern take to the concept of the local aswang or tiktik.
“Kasi sanay ako sa typical, old school acting na may kaharap ka, may nakikita ka. But this one, it is totally new for me. Alienated ako sa nangyayari pero with the guidance of our director, they made sure na lahat ng magiging visuals eh nasa isip namin,” Joey said.
“Hindi tulad noong araw na kapag may lumilipad eh makikita mo pa yung tali minsan. Dito malinis talaga. This should be a legacy of Philippine cinema. I'm very proud when I saw it. I think it's about time we do more films like this,” he adds.
Dingdong, who co-produces and topbills the movie, found it taxing to act and pretend to be surrounded with aswangs at the same time.
“Grabe para sa aming actors kasi kunyari wala ka naman talagang ka-eksena. Pero in some scenes,may stand-ins, tapos aalis sila. Pero mahirap pa rin ma-eksakto.”
The movie, directed by Erik Matti, required 12 months of computer-generated work and post-production.
Actors who played aswang roles did not wear prosthetics, but looked scary through the magic of digital make-up.
Stretching the imagination
Lovi has been doing horror films one after another, shared that her imagination went overtime while doing the film.
"It's really different pero masaya siyang gawin kasi mati-test talaga ang imagination mo. Surprisingly, the scenes didn't take so much time kasi si Direk meron pa siyang ginagawang sounds para mas ma-feel namin.”
Co-producer Dondon Monteverde shared that the movie will be distributed in Asian countries like Singapore and Indonesia.
“Ganoon kathirsty ang mga tao na makanuood ng pelikulang Pinoy na dekalidad. I feel very proud na kasama sa project na iyon.
Everything is a risk, but more than monetary expectations, ginagawa namin ito kasi gusto talaga namin. Sabi nga ni Dondon, we are taking it a notch higher,” Dingdong explained.
“Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles” is produced by Reality Media, Post Manila, Mothership, Agostodos Pictures and GMA Films.
Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom