TV5 is poised to launch itself as a major player in the so-called “network wars” with the recent unveiling of its own artist management division, Talent5. Headed by veteran theater actor/director and “Talentadong Pinoy” resident judge Audie Gemora, the department’s main objective is to “discover, train and build its own roster of talents,” he says.

In an exclusive interview with Bulletin Entertainment, Gemora revealed that the network’s first endeavor to find talents is through a new show called “Star Factor.” Targeted to kick off in a couple of months, it will be hosted by TV5 talent Ruffa Gutierrez and is set to air Sundays, right after “PO5.”

“We will be looking for talents between the ages 13-18,” Gemora says. “The main reason they chose that age bracket is primarily because they would probably have the planned shows to support the winners. Kasi, what’s the point of a search kung wala din namang shows? So I think this is the one they can provide immediately for this age bracket.”

As such, Gemora’s immediate directive is to find the talents for this competition and, already, the network has announced a massive one-day audition slated for July 25 at the SM Mall of Asia; followed by regional auditions on August 1 at SM Davao, and August 7 at SM Cebu.

Looks can be deceiving, but…

Gemora minces no words about the kind of talents they are hoping to find through the show. A major consideration for even qualifying to be on the show is an inherent “It” factor.” Gemora points out, “Even though I come from the theater, at the end of the day this is really mainstream entertainment. So [for ‘Star Factor’], dahil television is a visual medium, we’re really looking for artistahin, good-looking kids. That’s the basic requirement. If they happen to be talented then that’s a plus. But this is an artista search, that’s why we call it 'Star Factor,’ it’s not a singing contest…”

In an industry that builds itself through a lot of hits and misses, setting the parameters works best. “Basically, you’re just looking for someone that the public will idolize. So looks is a basic requirement here. If you don’t have the look that it takes to be idolized, then this is not the contest for you,” he says matter-of-factly.

But the long-term goal of Talent5 lends itself more to a real appreciation of talent, and a real pro-industry approach to a system that’s been in place for a long time. And perhaps it is with this vision that change finally begins.

“The long term objective of Talent5 is to source the best talents around—whether they are youngsters, children, all the way to teens, to young adults, even down to character actors. I think this is exactly where my theater background will come in. Because then I will be able to bring in more discipline and craft and system to the showbiz world.”

From stage to showbiz

Gemora does not hide the fact that his theater background has been called into question given his involvement here.

“I got my trial by fire at the presscon because talagang pinagdidiinan ng ilang showbiz press people bakit theater person ang kinuha,” he shares. “Well I really explained at length to them that I have a long history also with showbiz … hindi naman ako stranger in this field. But at the same time, because of my past experience in the theater, I’m gonna be able to bring in to this department a very strong training program.”

This revolution of sorts has already begun in other quarters, so to speak. “I don’t know if you are aware—you can ask around—but most of the acting coaches now of new talents of networks are all theater people,” he says. “Kasi theater lang naman ang may training sa craft eh, hindi ba? I mean, kahit matagal ka nang artista sa pelikula, you would have learned [from] on-the-job experience but you didn’t go through a system. So a lot of the veterans who are such great actors would not know how to teach it. So I’m not overwhelmed by that challenge. I think that a theater person will exactly have the qualifications to put a system or a science to the practice.”

One aspect Gemora is looking into hopefully changing is the work attitude that has become prevalent behind the scenes. “If you talk to even the industry people sa television, a lot of them complain that a lot of these kids have no discipline… they have no regard for the job itself. You know, they join a reality show… they are complete unknowns with absolutely no background. All they have is good looks. And after 50 days, they’re superstars with absolutely no idea of hard work and the kind of respect you need to give this job, you know? So hindi ka magtataka kung bakit masama ‘yung attitude… So even within the industry, they themselves are longing for some kind of formal training and all that.”

But he clarifies that the job did not just fall into his lap. With such lofty goals come proper planning, and Gemora says, “I had to make a presentation; I had to give a three-year plan… May business set-up siya, and I got the job on the basis of that and not on the merit of name or reputation alone.”

It’s exclusive

Gemora also does not discount the fact that with the putting up of Talent5, the network would soon start imposing an exclusivity clause with their talents where there initially has been none.

“Talents would want that [non-exclusivity], that’s ideal,” Gemora agrees. “But I think networks don’t want that. I think as TV5 rises and becomes a real competition, eventually they’re not gonna allow it. Ang balita ko nga is hindi na sila naga-allow eh. I think they’re discouraging the lending of their talents. And kung hindi mag-move ang TV5 to create their own roster, mauubusan kami. We’ll just be like beggars.”

“I think the reason they were a little careful the first time was that they didn’t have the shows to offer. Why get your roster of talents kung wala ka rin namang mabibigay na trabaho? I think they needed to plan, and now that they got the plans for future shows, then they now need the talents. TV5 naman can’t keep from borrowing from other channels, ‘di ba?”

But on the upside, perhaps TV5’s own stars need not worry about jobs since it would do the Kapatid network well to develop more TV shows and projects for its stars. “I know they plan to go into movies, so yeah, I have to create a roster for them to pick from. It’s going to be a long bench of talent,” Gemora reveals.

As for talents that are already working on TV5, Gemora says, “I think the trend is going to be that those talents who have shows in two networks are going to be made to choose. Ang balita ko is pinapapili na sila eh. If you’re gonna be with TV5, then be with TV5, parang ganun. Like the case of Ruffa, that’s what happened.”

Healthy competition

Scouting for real talent may be a tough job, but Gemora is optimistic. “We have a country that is absolutely rich with talent. You can go to any baranggay and there’s talent. I don’t think mauubusan tayo niyan. And there’s enough to go around for all three stations,” he declares.

And in the spirit of healthy competition, Gemora is not keen on waging a proverbial war against the two major networks. “I was telling the media nga, in a sense competition to with the other channels. But we’re all, I think, pro-talent,” he says.

And in the interest of the talents, having come from both sides of the fence himself, Gemora’s view champions fairness. “At the end of the day, kung meron kang roster tapos hindi mo nabibigyan ng trabaho, then you should be gracious enough to let them seek other pastures. That’s my attitude. And TV5 is very open to that, hindi sila masyadong close-fisted about talents.”