NARRAtives: Drix Reyes
Narra Post-Production’s Drix Reyes: Colourist and Online Editor
Can you tell us your current title and summarize your day-to-day responsibilities?
In my current role at Narra Post Production Studios, I serve as a Colorist and Online Editor. Sometimes, I handle offline editing projects for or through Narra post. As an online editor, I work with raw materials and high-quality assets. In most cases, online editors do very technical tasks that include conforming and consolidating, mastering, and incorporating all the intrinsic elements before rendering the final form of the motion picture.
In another facet, as a colorist, I do balancing and correcting of the motion picture. This is usually done per clip in order to bring out as much detail as possible. The fun part of my daily task as a colourist is the creative input. After being able to colour-correct the clips, I experiment with achieving certain looks and creating studies of it. I try to pull off the look that complements the mood and the story the most.
My day-to-day involves close collaboration with directors and the post-production team, maintaining high-quality standards, managing multiple projects, and ensuring clients' needs are met. I constantly strive for improvement, staying at the forefront of industry trends and technological advancements.
“My work adds depth, mood, and atmosphere to the films, enhancing storytelling and making sure that the final product is visually engaging and cohesive.”
How does your role fit within your larger team or department?
Within Narra Post Production Studios, my role as a colourist and online editor is pivotal to the overall success of our projects. I collaborate closely with the editing, cinematography, and post-production teams to ensure that the visual elements of our films align with the creative vision. My work adds depth, mood, and atmosphere to the films, enhancing storytelling and making sure that the final product is visually engaging and cohesive. I work in harmony with our team, contributing to the collective goal of delivering exceptional, high-quality content to our clients and audiences.
Drix receiving his Certificate of Membership at the iColorist Academy.
Could you summarize your background before joining the company? Where did you go to school? If applicable, what early jobs did you have?
I started my journey at Narra Post Production Studios in the year 2023, initially as an Online Editor and Assistant Editor. Over the years, I have had the privilege of evolving within the company, taking on more responsibilities and becoming a key part of our post-production process. I have transitioned into the role of a Colorist as well, allowing me to have a more comprehensive and creative impact on our projects. My time at Narra has been marked by continuous growth, and I'm excited about the possibilities for the future.
“My time at Narra has been marked by continuous growth, and I’m excited about the possibilities for the future.”
When did you start at Narra, and in what role? If you have grown or evolved in your position here, could you describe how?
I began my journey at Narra Post Production Studios last March of 2023 as an Online Editor and Assistant Editor before additionally taking on the role of a Colourist. My career had its roots as a freelance filmmaker and multimedia artist. I graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Communications, yet my true passions were always deeply rooted in film and music. Over the years, I've actively engaged in writing, directing, and producing my films, as well as collaborating with fellow filmmakers on various projects. My experience extended to participating in regional film festivals and even overseeing a local film festival for 5 years.
At Narra, I started as an Online Editor and Assistant Editor, where I learned the intricacies of post-production. This experience laid the foundation for an additional facet of also becoming a Colorist. Since joining Narra, I've continuously evolved, taking on more responsibilities and contributing to the post-production process more comprehensively.
Are there specific artists or creatives who have influenced your work or served as inspirations throughout your career?
Firefly Premiere. (From left to right): Paul Culili, Zig Dulay, Camille Elacion, Drix Reyes
Some of the artists that serve as my inspiration throughout my career are a mix of filmmakers, visual artists, and musicians. Naming a few filmmakers: Edmund Telmo (also one of my mentors), Wes Anderson (even before his film looks got trending on Tiktok), Bagane Fiola, Sheron Dayoc, Teng Mangansakan, and Michael Haneke. In making films, I am always immersing myself in the right music. I get some of my inspiration from Jacob Collier, Johnoy Danao, Alexandre Desplat, Michael League, Snarky Puppy, and Ghost Note to name a few.
Can you describe a project you've worked on that you're particularly proud of, and what made it stand out for you?
Before coming to Narra, I was already making films in the region. Probably, the passion project I was most proud of was the last short film I made that became one of the finalists during the Viddsee Jury Awards, called “And Then There’s One”. I’ve also worked with other projects such as “A Sabbath on the Longest Day of the Year” (dir. Edmund Telmo) (Gawad Alternatibo winner, and have made it to international film festivals too) and 3021, one of the most frugal but successful films that I have been part of as Assistant Director and VFX artist.
When I made it to Narra, it was such a delight to have been working with big names in the industry. It allows me to unlock my full potential as a creative. The films “A Crab from a Conch Shell” and “Bisan Abo, Wala Bilin ” (WIP) stood out for me as they are also works of regional filmmakers having similar upbringings as me. Bisan Abo, Wala Bilin is also a grantee of Netflix and iACADEMY. Additionally, “Moro” by Brillante Mendoza also served as the biggest film I have worked on, considering that it is a film by one of the most renowned directors in the country and is the only Filipino film to compete in the Busan International Film Festival.
Outside of work, do you have any personal creative projects or hobbies that you love doing?
Outside of work, I love writing and reading poems, singing, arranging, and playing some music, doing sports, playing games, and travelling. But right now, I actively participate and help lead a church music ministry and youth group. I also believe that those things are essential in keeping me sane and human—something that fuels me in creating any form of art I love doing.