Key Moments
The Power of Storytelling through Filmmaking | Percival Intalan | TEDxXavierSchool
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Key Moments
Filmmaker Percival Intalan embraced unexpected career shifts, from accidental advertising student to Disney executive and independent director, proving that even scary leaps can lead to personal rebirth and success.
Key Insights
Intalan's career trajectory shifted dramatically when a mistake on an entrance test led him from pursuing architecture to studying communication arts.
He experienced significant financial struggles early in his career as a copywriter, even packing food from home to save money.
Intalan successfully transitioned from a junior role to an Executive Producer at Disney by admitting his inexperience but confidently asserting his ability to learn the job.
He left a lucrative position at Disney to return to the Philippines and restart his career in his early 30s, eventually becoming the youngest Vice President at TV5.
At age 42, Intalan quit his executive role to start his own film production company and direct movies, despite having no prior directing experience.
Intalan emphasizes that life's challenges, whether career-driven or personal, are inevitable but serve to prepare individuals for future 'supernova moments'.
An accidental start in advertising shifted a life's course
Percival Intalan's journey into filmmaking was far from planned. Initially set to follow his family's footsteps into architecture, a last-minute mistake on a college entrance exam led him to declare advertising instead. This single, seemingly small error became his first 'supernova moment' – a disruptive event that irrevocably altered his life's trajectory. Despite the deviation from his original plan, Intalan embraced this unexpected path, enrolling in communication arts. This experience taught him the value of going with the flow and trusting that unforeseen circumstances can lead to fulfilling outcomes, even when they feel like the world collapsing around you.
Early career struggles and the power of moonlighting
After graduating, Intalan found himself working as a copywriter at GMA Network, creating TV show plugs. While he enjoyed the creative aspects and built friendships, the low pay presented significant financial hardship. He resorted to packing food from home and borrowing his father's car, constantly feeling the pinch of limited funds. This challenging period, however, became a crucible for skill development. Intalan began 'moonlighting,' taking on additional writing and segment producing gigs after his regular work hours and on weekends. This intense period of overwork not only boosted his income but, more importantly, forged a diverse skillset—writing, editing, sound design, and directing—that would prove invaluable later in his career. He accumulated an 'arsenal of things that I can do,' a direct result of persevering through financial difficulties.
A bold leap into a Disney executive role
Five years into his career, Intalan spotted an advertisement for an Executive Producer position at the Disney Channel. Recognizing the vast gap between his current role and the one advertised, he still decided to apply. He met with senior executives from London and Hong Kong, candidly admitting his resume didn't reflect the title he was seeking but explaining his capability to perform the job. This honesty, coupled with his demonstrated skills forged through moonlighting, secured him the position. He was abruptly elevated from a lower rung of the industry hierarchy to a significant role within one of the world's largest entertainment companies. This move took him to Hong Kong, the very place his friends had vacationed that he couldn't afford to visit, adding a poetic layer to his ascent. This was his second major 'supernova moment,' thrusting him into a high-stakes environment where he had to learn on the job, admitting, 'I was really literally studying how to be an executive producer as I was hired to be an executive producer.'
Navigating new responsibilities and international productions
As an Executive Producer for Disney, Intalan was assigned to productions across the globe, including launching Playhouse Disney and working on a junior version of ESPN's X Games. He spent two years based in Australia, overseeing teams who moved on to major Hollywood productions like 'Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace' and 'The Lord of the Rings.' Despite feeling a sense of awe at the scale of these projects, he focused on executing his responsibilities diligently. This period honed his management skills and exposed him to the international standards of production, further broadening his experience within the entertainment industry.
Personal life dictates another significant career pivot
The third 'supernova moment' in Intalan's life was deeply personal: falling in love. After six years with Disney, enjoying international travel and a fulfilling career, he faced a difficult choice. His relationship required him to return to the Philippines, meaning he had to give up his established life abroad. This decision was not career-driven but a consequence of prioritizing personal connection. He describes it as 'giving it all up' to come home, from working in Spain, Australia, and the US to starting anew in the Philippines, initially with smaller networks like ABC-5 (later TV5). This sacrifice underscored his willingness to rebuild his career from scratch in his early 30s, driven by the desire to find his footing again, highlighting that life's trajectory can be significantly altered by relationships and personal commitments.
Reinvention and rising to executive leadership
Upon returning to the Philippines, Intalan embraced the challenge of starting over. He returned to promotion work and eventually moved into TV production, rising to become Head of Entertainment. When Manny V. Pangilinan acquired TV5, Intalan was appointed the first Vice President, becoming one of the youngest executives in the network's inner circle. This achievement was particularly significant for him, as it proved his ability to dismantle his career and rebuild it successfully, independent of his family's legacy or previous prestigious roles. He found success by accepting that life unfolds in stages and embracing each new phase, even with its inherent challenges.
The executive trap and the call to create
After a decade in executive roles at TV5, Intalan experienced restlessness. While he was not dissatisfied with his compensation or seeking external validation, he felt a growing disconnect from his creative roots. Promotions had shifted his focus from hands-on creation—writing, directing, being on set—to endless meetings and presentations. At 42, he realized this executive path was no longer fulfilling his passion. He recognized that he had become a 'victim of his success,' where the very things that made him good at his job led him away from what truly motivated him: creation. This internal realization prompted him to 'retire' early from his executive position and start his own film company.
Directing films and finding rebirth in independent cinema
Intalan's decision to become a film director was another bold, unplanned step. He approached actress Mara Lopez with an offer to star in a film he would direct, despite having no prior directing experience. Lopez's generous acceptance marked the beginning of his directorial career. He describes being 'in over my head' but found the experience both terrifying and exhilarating. He navigated numerous mistakes, finished the film, and it achieved international recognition, even earning Lopez an award in France. This venture into independent filmmaking led to 12 years of producing 45 movies and directing seven of them. Intalan views this as a profound 'rebirth,' emphasizing that life's challenges, whether external or internal, equip individuals for subsequent stages. He encourages embracing uncertainty, believing in oneself, and continuing to 'burn,' even when it consumes everything, because every supernova signifies a new beginning, impacting oneself and those around them.
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Common Questions
A 'supernova moment' refers to a significant, often explosive, period of change and rebirth in a person's life. These moments can be triggered by external circumstances or arise from within, fundamentally shifting one's trajectory.
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Mentioned in this video
The broadcasting company where the speaker worked as a copywriter, making TV show trailers, and learned to appreciate the creative industry.
The entertainment company where the speaker applied for and secured an executive producer role, leading to international work.
The entertainment company where the speaker worked for 6 years as an executive producer, involving international travel and launching productions.
The sports broadcasting company with which the speaker collaborated on a junior version of the X Games.
A network, later known as TV5, where the speaker started working after returning from abroad and shifting career focus.
A Philippine television network that the speaker joined and where they eventually became Vice President.
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