Trinka Lat

Introducing, the Prop Masters

Trinka Lat — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:50:12 +0000

: your online Portal to all things found and loved

We’re up! The Propmasters is the first online prop shop in the Philippines! We are a collective committed to re-purposing and sharing all things kept and once loved. Find us and like us on facebook! You can find us here temporarily while our website is being set up. Choose from over 300 items for your set decoration and prop needs and our inventory is growing!

Created and operated by production designers and stylists, we know first hand the challenges of sourcing props and set decoration within a limited period in the Philippines. We simplify the propping process so you can successfully divert your energy and resources in creating the perfect set.

We are your source-all shop providing real-time design solutions for production designers, art directors, set decorators, set dressers, art departments, stylists, event designers and photographers and lovers of all things found. We also offer delivery and pick up of items; sourcing services and negotiations.

We make propping easy, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable!!!!

If you want to be part of The Propmasters’ online portal, or simply rent items, you can contact us at propmasters.philippines@gmail.com. YAY!

: logo and icon design by Mark Lavin

The Art of Aging and other Nonsense

Trinka Lat — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:15:14 +0000

Initially, it was meant to be a workshop for set men but I realized later on that what we really need in the industry is a workshop about the inner-workings of the art department. Production Design is an undermined craft in the Phillies’ film trade. Budgetary constraints are the usual reasonings–but we’re used to working with less, so that’s not the culprit. There are general assumptions on how art departments should function since there is a tendency to underestimate the value of design in storytelling. Furthermore, most people including the director don’t know/appreciate the process of setting up sets and creating the look for a particular project. In a lot of cases, there is miscommunication between departments which greatly effects the art department’s game plan.

Production Design is a sport. You have to make up a fake world genuine, interesting and aesthetically pleasing and set that world up in a couple of days. One always has to work with a budget and determine the logistics of bringing everything together.

So the art department workshop became a three-day overview of playing, redefining the work that we do, the roles we play, the budgets we balance, the politics we engage and the kind of mindset one should have. It’s easy to design but making it all happen–when it’s supposed to happen, is the tricky part.

Thank you to the participants, you were all wonderful. And a million thanks to the speakers: Cesar Hernando, Cris Silva, Candy Reyes, Missy Maramara, Jason Tan, Marie Jamora, Quark Henares, Genie Ranada, Mark Lavin, Christina Dy and Victoria Velasco and my wonderful right hand Crew: Rya Lat, Dervin Tan and Kiko Anibigno for making the first art department workshop, a success. YAY!

The next Art Department Workshop Series takes place in Summer 2012!

The first art department workshop!

Before Quark left for Business school…

Trinka Lat — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:58:02 +0000

Taken by Cars and city nostalgia

We did another music video together! I had fun styling this time, pulling out from my mom’s baul. Taken By Cars’ ladies Issa and Sarah wore stuff at least 30 years old.

We shot in the historical city of Intramuros.

Executive Producer: Mike Shih // Party Bear Records
Directed by Quark Henares
PD & Styling by Trinka Lat
Styling Assistant: Karen Ramos
Cinematography: Pon Ignacio
Production Manager: Adi Lopez
Editor: Maui Mauricio
Make-Up Artist: Berma Albero
Assists: Melanie Lim, Topher Alesis, Geric Albero

“Sana Bukas”, one year later.

Trinka Lat — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:59:01 +0000

Flea Market meets divisoria

The music booth

My happy umbrella booth!

Art Stall!

Rock-Ed and Colgate Philippines decided to re-do their “Say something Fresh” campaign and got director Marie Jamora again to direct the new music video/TVC. The bulk of the design budget went to the construction of a stage and concert scene and to the creation of an outdoor market. One of the strategies I employed to address the budget limitations is to get real market vendors, like what we did for Zweiohrkueken. Charley and I went to several Sunday markets/bazaars and invited people to display their wares in exchange for a small token fee and a chance to sell their goods on the day of the shoot.

For the booths selling music, film and art, we had to borrow precious art (and school projects) from various artists and get permission from independent filmmakers to print their collaterals. Other booths we set up were relatively easy choosing items that were big, cheap, colorful and found in the stockroom of Straight Shooters, Propmasters and our own homes. Needless to say, we ransacked a lot of houses to fill up the booths.

One of the things that could’ve been handled better were the logistics though, transporting all the bazaar people and all the props and set dressing to and from the location could’ve been handled better and on creating a second team for set down and hiring an extra truck would’ve benefited the team. But money is always tight and even more so when one gets a surprise run-in with a supplier.

Making suppliers respect your budget limitations and work around it was the real challenge to this project. I find it so unprofessional to get a figure from a contractor, who, after saying, “yes kaya yan” (we will make it work) comes to me at the day of the shoot, scratching his head, asking for additional pay because he failed to budget in delays in the construction and longer working hours. Some setmen are so used to their production designers making allowances for their mistakes but I find it inexcusable when those mistakes lapse into 10,000php+, especially when both parties did their calculations and both parties agreed to a specific working budget–especially after 5 lengthy meetings!

Working in Berlin has made me optimistic about re-configuring the production design system and mentality here in the Philippines but instances like this just want me to tear my hair out and have suppliers absorb their own costs and mistakes but I guess I’m too nice and pay them the contingency money I’ve thankfully set aside. But maybe that’s why some set dressing teams (who’ve been in the art department 15 years ahead of me) won’t learn and stay in their working state. I guess it’s too much to ask for them to step up. As Sharon told me, “Trinka, you have to accept them for what they are.” And if this is the case, what does the future hold for production design in the Philippines? It can’t be rock n’roll all the time.

The video turned out nicely anyway. But I wished it had gone on smoother. Watch the video here. Thanks Charley, Karen, Rafaella and Sinag Arts Foundation for a job well done!

Production House: Straight Shooters
Line Producer: Ruth Colacion
Producer: Tess Jasareno
Director: Marie Jamora
Production Design: Trinka Lat
PD Assistants: Charley Sta. Maria, Karen Ramos
Art Department: Staff from Unitel (Lead Setman- Mang Henry)
Art Department Intern: Rafaella Las
Stage Setup: Sinang Arts Foundation
Technical Director: Rene Cubar
Background Construction: Marco Manalang, Ekis Cipriano, Ronald Barrios

*photos by Charley Sta. Maria

Art Department/Production Design Workshop

Trinka Lat — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:22:12 +0000

I’m holding an art department/ introduction to Production Design workshop!

Register and Enroll now: 09158486903 ; 7107259

June 30 – July 2, 2011; 9:00-18:00

Carelink Asia Institute: 2nd Floor Francisco Gold Condominium, Cubao, Edsa.

(If you’re north bound, it’s right after Nepa Q-Mart and Save More Drug, before the intersection at Kamias road; beside the flyover).

Day 1 June 30, 2011:

Understanding the Art Department:Introduction To Production Design

The Language of Space and Things

Fundamentals of Good Design

Short History of Production Design in the Philippines:

Comparative Study between Art Departments of the Philippines and Abroad Production

Design on a Budget

Workshop: Reading between the Lines: Breaking down the Script

Day 2 July 1, 2011: Systems and Strategies

Workshop: Yes AND- the art of Creative Compromise

Workshop: Reading between the Lines: Defending Your Budget –How to cost out Scripts/Requirements

BTS: “I Shouldn’t Be Alive”

Workshop: Defining Characters Through Costume

Workshop: Patina 101- Simple Aging Techniques

Day 3, July 2, 2011: Matters of Perspective

Industry Talk: Tricks of the Trade- Introduction to Props and Prop Styling

BTS: Return to the River Kwai; Kisapmata

Rethinking Materials: Working with Paper

Props for the Big Screen: Basics of Communication Design

Workshop: Reading between the Lines: Working with Directors and their visual styles

Speakers:

Trinka Lat, Cris Silva, Christina Dy,

Candy Reyes, Victoria Velasco, Cesar Hernando, Mark Lavin

Missy Maramara, Quark Henares, Marie Jamora

and other surprise guests ☺

Register and Enroll now: 09158486903 ; 7107259