00:00 Alessandra De Rossi is a bonafide leading woman on and off the camera.
00:05 From acting to directing, she's also actively searching for the country's next hit makers
00:11 as a record label executive.
00:14 I'm going to audition now.
00:15 Alessandra De Rossi, CEO of Awu Records, joins us in tonight's Celebrities in Business.
00:20 Good evening to you, Alessandra.
00:21 Good evening.
00:23 Wow, how are you?
00:24 I'm looking for talent.
00:26 I'm just shy.
00:29 Wow, acting, directing, and now you're a record label executive.
00:33 How did you get into music?
00:36 Music became my outlet in 2006.
00:42 I put my feelings into songs.
00:46 But no one would listen to my songs.
00:49 So my albums became a free download.
00:53 Until Spotify came along.
00:57 You could just add to your own playlist.
01:01 So that's how Awu Records became a world of our own.
01:05 That's what it means.
01:07 It's just us, in my head.
01:11 That's all I can do for artists.
01:14 Give back?
01:15 Yes, I put them there.
01:18 Hopefully, one day, I'll be able to put their songs in my films.
01:22 How did you find musical talents for Awu?
01:26 I didn't mean to find Haya.
01:30 I wanted to help her.
01:32 I wanted to help a friend of mine who has a record label.
01:35 But since she's from Bacolod,
01:37 they're in logistics, and it's still hard.
01:40 It's expensive.
01:42 So I said, "I'll just produce her album."
01:45 Then my friend said,
01:47 "You'll just produce it.
01:49 "Just make a label.
01:50 "Protect her tracks."
01:52 If you have someone you care about,
01:54 make your label artist-friendly.
01:57 That's right.
01:59 How do you find talent?
02:01 Do you have a distinctive style?
02:07 I hope it's not like...
02:10 It's not like me, of course.
02:12 I haven't heard of it.
02:14 Something that really speaks to my soul.
02:18 Alpha, our second artist,
02:21 she just came out after we released a press release for Haya.
02:27 It was like, "Someone's approaching us.
02:29 "Are we ready for this?"
02:32 We were both very busy.
02:34 Actually, Clem is my partner.
02:36 He's the vocalist of Orange and Lemons
02:38 for Awu Records.
02:40 He has his own label.
02:42 My music is on his label.
02:44 - His label. - My music doesn't have a listener.
02:48 Why doesn't it have a listener?
02:49 You need to promote it.
02:51 It's too sad.
02:53 I just realized that now that I'm older,
02:57 am I depressed?
02:58 I don't think so.
02:59 It depends also on your moods at that moment.
03:02 You're able to write.
03:04 Yes, I don't know that person anymore.
03:06 Yes.
03:07 Now that you're happy,
03:08 you have a lot of projects,
03:10 will you write again?
03:12 I can.
03:13 I can write for films.
03:14 My last film was "What If?"
03:17 I wrote the English lyrics for the songs.
03:20 I enjoyed making the soundtrack for the film.
03:23 But it's okay.
03:24 After Haya and Alpha,
03:27 will there be other musical talents
03:31 who will join Awu Records?
03:34 Eventually.
03:35 Maybe a male singer.
03:36 - It's possible. - There are many good singers.
03:38 It's true.
03:39 There are people who are approaching us.
03:41 But sometimes, I feel like...
03:42 It's not right for you.
03:44 I don't know what I can do for him.
03:48 You need a vibe, right?
03:51 A synergy.
03:52 Yes.
03:53 Between your personality and her personality.
03:55 Yes.
03:56 Sometimes, I feel like I'm overqualified.
03:59 I can't do anything.
04:01 What can I do to help him?
04:05 Where would you like to take Awu Records in 2024?
04:09 2024?
04:11 Honestly,
04:12 I don't know.
04:14 You take it one step at a time.
04:15 Yes.
04:16 We talked to my co-star.
04:17 We're both busy.
04:19 We need to hire someone to scout.
04:23 We can't do it both.
04:25 It's not the only thing we do.
04:27 That's right.
04:28 You're also directing.
04:29 You're also acting.
04:30 Right?
04:32 There are so many Filipino talents
04:34 who are joining singing competitions.
04:36 Yes.
04:37 That is where they are discovered by the recording companies.
04:41 After Awu, you're also a director.
04:44 Just once.
04:45 Just once?
04:47 Won't you follow up with a project?
04:51 Or you just want to be a director,
04:54 not acting, producing, and directing?
04:56 I think it's like that.
04:57 If ever it's going to happen.
05:00 I'm not an artist.
05:01 Yes.
05:02 What are the challenges when you do everything?
05:05 It's not possible.
05:06 Yes.
05:07 Because there are others we see.
05:10 Producer, actor, and director all at the same time.
05:12 Maybe they have a double ganger.
05:18 Because you cannot be two places at the same time.
05:21 You cannot be in front of the camera and behind the camera.
05:24 And do you feel you can do both?
05:28 No.
05:29 Or maybe you're a girl.
05:30 Because it's detailed.
05:32 It's detailed when you're a director.
05:34 But what do you like about directing
05:36 if you are not acting in the film?
05:39 What do you like about directing?
05:43 You think about the narrative of the film
05:46 or how you're going to shoot a certain scene.
05:51 You have that power.
05:54 Actually, I'm one of those people who enjoys post-production.
05:59 Yes, editing.
06:00 Even if it's hard.
06:01 Even if it's tiring.
06:02 You really get into it.
06:03 The only thing that's annoying is that you have to watch it over and over and over.
06:07 But I enjoy the sound design.
06:10 It's fun.
06:11 What would be a dream script for you to direct going forward?
06:18 What's the plot?
06:20 What's the storyline?
06:21 If you're the director.
06:24 If you're the one who makes the decisions.
06:27 I feel like it's just an acting piece.
06:29 I want it to be like nine people, one house, one dinner.
06:34 Oh, like that?
06:34 And then it's just like that.
06:35 They all talk.
06:37 As long as you're good at it.
06:39 What do they talk about?
06:41 Family secrets.
06:43 There you go.
06:45 Gossip.
06:47 It's just simple.
06:49 Just feelings.
06:51 I can't do action films, zombies.
06:53 I can't do that.
06:55 I watched a play on PETA.
06:58 It's called Reconciliation Dinner.
07:00 Everything happened in one dining room.
07:05 It's beautiful.
07:06 It's beautiful?
07:08 The plot is strong.
07:10 Especially when the actor is good.
07:14 You can't let go of that.
07:16 So nine actors.
07:18 Something like that.
07:20 Who do you want to be the top three or four actors in this place?
07:28 Gina Alahar, Joel Torre.
07:30 You're going to be greeted by actors.
07:32 Yes, the expensive ones.
07:34 Like, one actor.
07:36 Guys, we don't have a budget for the film.
07:38 Who else?
07:40 For the kids, who do you think has a future in film and TV?
07:48 Apart from Gina Alahar and Joel Torres or Christopher Deleon.
07:52 That's it.
07:54 I haven't watched anything lately.
07:58 Because you've been promoting.
08:00 I've been promoting this whole month of December.
08:04 No, I've been doing something the whole year.
08:08 You're just about to finish replacing Chef Chico.
08:12 Janice DeBelen's daughter, Kyla Estrada, is really good.
08:16 I saw the snippets of her performance.
08:20 What do you look for in an actor or actress if you want to direct?
08:24 Is there depth?
08:28 Yes, depth and truth.
08:30 She's a rock star. She doesn't perform.
08:32 She doesn't ask for an award.
08:34 She looks like Alessandra De Rossi.
08:36 Award winning.
08:38 I've watched your films.
08:42 I can feel your role.
08:44 I feel what you're feeling in your role and in the film.
08:48 It's like it's coming out on the screen.
08:52 Thank you.
08:54 So now, you've been promoting all month your movie, Firefly.
09:00 Yes, and even before this, I promoted Chef Chico.
09:02 Netflix?
09:04 I haven't had a break.
09:06 But the awards night is coming up.
09:08 After that, I'll be sleeping.
09:10 You told me you'll be sleeping at 9 at night.
09:14 Yes, I'll be awake for CNN. Come on.
09:16 And you wake up from 9 to 5, which is very healthy.
09:20 Sleeping at 9, waking at 5.
09:24 8 hours, 9 hours of sleep.
09:26 That's what we need so we can start the day fresh.
09:30 So, let's sleep.
09:32 Let's sleep. It's already 10.
09:34 So, tell me about Firefly.
09:36 Why should people watch Firefly this coming December 25?
09:40 It's pure love through the lens of a child.
09:46 So, very innocent, very wholesome.
09:50 And that's what MMFF is supposed to be, right?
09:52 It's for Christmas, for children.
09:56 It's a family movie.
09:58 It's a waste if you don't watch it together.
10:00 All ages are welcome.
10:04 General admission.
10:06 General patronage.
10:08 General admission.
10:10 That's from the 80s and 90s.
10:14 Where can they watch it?
10:16 In how many theaters will they be able to watch Firefly?
10:18 I heard it's in 40 plus.
10:22 Across the Philippines.
10:26 Yes.
10:28 Check it first before you leave the house.
10:30 And we need to support ourselves, right?
10:34 Yes, the film festival is only once a week, two weeks.
10:38 Do you think our film industry has leveled up?
10:44 We can compete with the best, with the international films, with the quality of films that we have now.
10:52 Give us a little budget.
10:54 Because talent is there.
10:58 That's why we're saving.
11:00 Yes.
11:02 But we can do it.
11:04 We can do it.
11:06 Just give us a little budget.
11:08 Yes.
11:10 So we can get the right tools, we have enough time.
11:12 Unlike us, we're just wasting everything in a few days.
11:16 Oh, not a few days.
11:18 That's how it is. We're saving.
11:20 Is that the reality?
11:22 Yes.
11:24 So if you were given a choice right now, acting, directing, or managing a recording label,
11:30 you're rich, everything is in your hands, what would you choose?
11:34 Acting.
11:36 I just want acting.
11:38 Everything else, I'm just tripping.
11:42 I mean, I want to try. We don't know yet.
11:44 You don't want to be a full-time entrepreneur?
11:46 Just the word itself, I can't spell it in my brain or pronounce it.
11:52 I don't think so.
11:54 So please invite our viewers to watch your film at the Metro Manila Film Festival, Alessandra.
11:58 Thank you.
12:00 It will be showing on December 25, our film Firefly.
12:06 I hope you'll give it time to watch it on the first day and the second.
12:10 Because if it's not there, it might be a hit, right?
12:12 It has to be continuous, so it can be a box office hit.
12:16 I hope so.
12:18 I can only hope.
12:20 And pray.
12:22 Actress, director, and an entrepreneur.
12:26 A unicorn.
12:28 If you say unicorn, it's worth 1 billion.
12:32 Really?
12:34 Yes, unicorn company.
12:36 I'll claim it.
12:38 Thank you so much.
12:40 It was so fun chatting with you this evening.
12:42 My pleasure.
12:44 Alessandra De Rossi, thank you.
12:46 Thank you.
12:48 And Merry Christmas.
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