Filipino Pictures

The Story Behind WRITE, SHOOT, CUT, PLAY™

Digital filmmaking as we know it began taking shape in the late 1990s, when Digital 8 and Mini DV formats started gaining ground. Cameras became smaller, more accessible, and non-linear editing software finally reached the consumer market. But “accessible” was relative — I still remember spending ₱119,000 just to build my first editing machine, running an ADVC100 capture card and AVID Express DV. It wasn’t cheap, but it was a start.

Then in 2004, something bigger happened. I met the late, great Francis Magalona.

Together, we built Filipino Pictures, Inc. — a small but purposeful production house that handled our own personal projects and collaborated with student filmmakers from various universities. It was humble by design, but it was ours.

The mid-2000s, I believe, marked the golden era of digital filmmaking. When Panasonic released the DVX100 — the first consumer camera capable of shooting in 24p — it changed everything. Suddenly, content was sprouting everywhere. Aspiring filmmakers had a real tool in their hands, and the creative floodgates opened.

But with that surge came a pattern I kept noticing: brilliant concepts, powerful stories — shot poorly. Not because the ideas weren’t there. But because the craft hadn’t caught up with the passion. Everyone wanted to make films, and honestly, that energy was unstoppable.

Francis and I talked about this a lot, with other filmmaker closest to our circle. We all saw what was coming — a generation of storytellers who needed a foundation, not gatekeeping. We asked ourselves: if we can’t stop people from making films, why not teach them how to do it right?

That question became the seed of WRITE, SHOOT, CUT, PLAY™.

We pulled together a team of our most passionate friends — all working, established filmmakers — each a master in their own lane. Together, we mentored the very first WSCP batch in the Summer of 2008. The rest, as they say, is history.

If you’re part of WSCP — whether as a student, a mentor, or a sponsor — know that you are part of something that matters. The name WRITE, SHOOT, CUT, PLAY™ itself was penned by Francis Magalona. That alone tells you what this is.

You’re not just learning filmmaking. You’re carrying a legacy.

Visit WSCP Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/writeshootcutplay

Just Push Play

I just discovered recently that this video was blocked by YouTube due to a copyright issue. I sent them a letter of dispute and I am glad they lifted it and made this public once again. This is FrancisM’s last music video. These footages were originally meant to be for a documentary he wants to release along with the album where this song is included. He would call me for the schedule and I would come to the studio with my gaffer, Adonis (may he also rest in peace) a light, and a camera.

I met him in 2004 and we founded Filipino Pictures, Inc. together. He is one of the brains behind WRITE, SHOOT, CUT, PLAY. He would have done a lot more of great things if he is still around. He would call any time of the day including the wee hours of the morning to discuss ideas that would pop in his head. Vlog was not yet a thing then but we already have shot one but weren’t able to release it. I’m thinking of uploading it in the future.

Last March 6 marks the 12th year since he was gone but he’s still very alive in the hearts of every person he touched in his generation. I remember when we last interviewed him in the hospital he said that whatever happens he will stay alive forever, we JUST have to PUSH PLAY.We miss you Kiko.

#RememberingFrancisM