This Architect-Turned-Director Making Waves in the Philippine Music Scene Is Ready for Your Brands’ Film Needs

In 2021, Arcade Film Factory introduced their inaugural apprenticeship program which received over 200 reels and applications. After the founding directors combed through hundreds of applications, they only accepted four final apprentices or less than 3% of applications.

Jason Max, despite having no formal film education or background, was one of the four talented directors to be accepted into the program. Through his honest apprenticeship application where he poured out his passion for making videos as well as attached a slew of sleek music videos he directed for renowned OPM artists, he was brought in as a director apprentice by Arcade Film Factory in 2021. 

Since joining Arcade, he has led film projects for Smart, one of the biggest telcos in the country, where he helped them with a film that launched their Smart Signature Unlimited plans. On the side, he continues to be a trusted director in the Philippine music scene, directing music videos as well as album visuals for a growing roster of artists like Moira dela Torre, Morissette, THE JUANS, and many more.

Q> What’s the story of how you ended up joining Arcade?

Jason> Well, it started with an honest e-mail. I remember back in 2021 after I learned from my godfather that Arcade had an apprenticeship opening, I rushed to prepare my application. I remember writing a no-BS letter together with my reel because I honestly didn’t feel ready for what I was applying for. I had no formal film school background (I was an Architecture graduate!) and the works I’ve made in the years leading up to my application were more on self-exploration of my style. I was doing music videos and not the formal commercials and ads they were doing, so it was really a shot in the dark for me.

Fast forward to today, I’m thankful to be part of the four apprentices they took in back in 2021.

Q> The work you did that caught Arcade’s attention?

Jason? I was lucky I had a music video shoot for a Moira & Morisette three days before my application. I was able to include it in my reel and I think it was one of the reasons why they brought me in.

Jason Max’s Application for Arcade Film Factory Apprenticeship

Jason’s apprenticeship mentor Mike Talampas added: “JMax’s works resonates with the young market he also belongs to. His technical know-how and passion for fresh new visuals is evident in his carefully framed images. There is no accident in every work he puts out. Overall good guy with badass visuals! Excited for him to share his vision to the world of advertising.”

Q> Your latest work with Arcade?

My directorial debut was with Smart when I helped them create a film that launched their Smart Signature Unlimited plans! 

Smart Signature Plans+

‘Cocktails’ 30s (Spec)

In the past months, I was also able to direct a number of music videos, video visuals, album art, and even concerts for some of the biggest names in the Philippine music scene.

The Juans - ‘Salamin’

Morissette - ‘Undangon Ta Ni’

Quest x JROA - ‘Infinity’

Moira Dela Torre ‘Paubaya’ Lyric Video (Direction & Editing)

Q> The work you want to see in your reels in the next five years?

Jason> I do hope to make more cinematic ads in the future! Raw looking, experimental, and all. 

Ready for Battle

“Arcade started with a numerous established names in the production industry,” says Jeorge Agcaoili, president of Arcade Film Factory, “and even cultivated one of our homegrown talents, Marius Talampas, into one of the top directors in the country. Now we want to bring out the next generation of directors with Jason Max, Gab Gucci, Jaig DeGuzman and Andrei Julitan.”

The Arcade Film Factory has been around since 2019. It is a young, hungry, and awesome production company created by directors Jeorge Agcaoili, Richard Ang, Nick Santiago, Mike Talampas, and Marius Talampas, who are not as young but still hungry and awesome. As of 2022, their roster of directors have grown to nine, bringing in Andrei Julitan a.k.a. Super Bayani, Jaig De Guzman, Jason Max, and Gab Gucci. For inquiries and production needs, contact Codie Laraccas (codie@arcadefilmfactory.com) or Paula Collado (paula@arcadefilmfactory.com).