DIRECTOR JR Reyes is proud and excited about his directorial debut, the horror comedy, Pagpag 24/7. Previously, there was a horror thriller titled Pagpag, one of the earlier team ups of Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo.

The new Pagpag 24/7 is not in any way connected to the old Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay (2011). The former is a horror-comedy, while the latter is a suspense-horror flick.

“Nakagawa na ako ng ilang films even before the pandemic, pero assistant director ako ni Tony Reyes,” said Direk JR. “My father is the nephew of Direk Tony Reyes, so tito ng erpat ko si Tony Reyes.

“Almost lahat ng MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival) entries ni Vic Sotto, ako ‘yung PA (production assistant) sa start, then naging AD (assistant director) later on.

Pagpag 24/7 is the first big screen directorial assignment of Direk JR. He was directing a sitcom, Open 24/7 on GMA 7.

With Pagpag 24/7, it became a “commissioned work” for Direk JR. “After I read the script, feeling ko agad, ‘Akin ‘to.’ Brand ng comedy ko ‘to. Buo na ang script. May title na.

“When the script was given to me, I was given the chance to put my own inputs, add my creative thoughts. The things I added, nagustuhan naman ng bosses.

“It was a collaborative thing even with my actors. When I saw the cast, they injected something at nagustuhan ko, papatulan ko sila agad. Tugma agad ang mga suggestions nila sa story.”

Direk JR wrapped up Pagpag 24/7 in only seven days. “Nag-pre-prod ako today, tapos na kami agad in seven days last month.”

Off camera, Direk JR was pleased that his cast became really close on the set, no matter how brief their filming lasted.

“I set the tone that we are just a barkada,” Direk JR said. “Para magawa namin ang dapat naming gawin. We are all professionals to understand our work. I observe their nuances when they act.

“That didn’t become a worry for me. I never condone anything that’s disrespectful. I also control my feelings when I’m with them.”