Cinematic journey of Ace Cruz

Author: Tempo
Column: HighSpeed

Best Sci-fi - Congratulations to actor-director-producer-writer Ace Cruz for winning the best sci-fi of the year picture at the recently concluded Action on Film (AOF) International Film Festival in Pasadena, California. His winning entry is "Outrage," which he produced and directed and acted in, joining a cast which included Michael Madsen, Pauly D, Katie Fountain, Derek Lee Nixon, John Dillion, Natasha Lyonne, and Michael Berryman.

"Outrage" is Ace's seventh film since he moved to Hollywood after doing several action movies for Viva in the '90s. He established Spirit Films which aims "to make a difference in people's lives." While "Outrage" is hard action, it has, in the words of Ace, "a positive message, helping the audience make better choices in their lives. I believe in making movies that have spiritual content, that inspire people."

Ace was in town to market his films: "Outrage," "Fate" (Lee Majors, Michael Pare, Philip Michael Thomas), "The Golem," "Psychotic" (Sam Jones, Kathleen Kinmonth, Joe Estevez, Jacqueline Kelly, Robert Woods), "Last Chance" (Todd Bridges, Jamie Bay, Judy Ann Santos), "Asian Task Force" (Blain Tyler, Sunshine Cruz), "Deadly Decisions" (Mandy Margret).
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NEXT PROJECT - After "Outrage," Ace Cruz's next project is "The Wishing Well," the memoirs of a GI baby in search of her identity. He plans to shoot it in Dumaguete, where his partner, pretty and charming Christine Villegas, comes from. They stayed in Dumaguete for two months, where Ace and Christine collaborated on the concept and story.

For "The Wishing Well," Ace hopes to cast a Fil-Am actress in Hollywood, one who speaks Tagalog... or willing to learn.

It takes Ace more than a year to finish a film as it takes time to write the script and negotiate with Hollywood stars. Principal photography, however, is usually only a month or so, working six days a week.

His films have been marketed in the US and Europe, but have yet to be shown in the Philippines. He hopes his former home studio, Viva, can help him.
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CINEMATIC JOURNEY - Ace Cruz took up fine arts major in drama at the University of Southern California. He had very supportive parents, funding his education and early stage plays he produced and acted in.

Alfie Lorenzo discovered him in one of those stage plays and signed him up with Viva, acting in movies from 1992 to 1996. After which Ace decided to be a filmmaker, flying back to the US and taking up further studies for three years at USC.

Ace's first film is "Last Chance," which co-starred Judy Ann Santos, "courtesy" of his Tito Alfie, shot with a shoe-string budget (bankrolled by his parents) and "guerilla style." It made some money, inspiring Ace to continue, usually wearing four hats on the set as producer, director, writer, and actor.

He dreams some day of making it big in Hollywood. He says that the first "Rocky" had a budget of only a few millions (dollars, of course), but grossed over 0 million.

Filmmaking is Ace Cruz's passion, his life. May his cinematic journey end in triumph.

Source: Tempo