BAKUNAWA

an opera-film, premiered 05/01/2021 through redcat, los angeles.

Written and Directed by Micaela Tobin

Presented as part of REDCAT’s Winter/Spring Season, 2021

This event is sponsored by the Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant and the Nick England Intercultural Arts Project.

Bakunawa rose from the ocean, so mesmerized by the light of the seven moons that she devoured them all. Dismayed, the Community emerged, making noise and begging Bakunawa to give them back the moonlight. Bakunawa agreed and released the seventh moon back into the sky, creating the first lunar eclipse.

“I dedicate this project to my Grandparents—to the hope they carried with them across the ocean, and to what they had to leave behind. May this film serve as a bridge for my family, and to anyone who feels lost in the diaspora—keep searching for the reflections of your Ancestors. They are here.”

—Micaela Tobin

Director….Micaela Tobin

Original Score and Soundtrack...Micaela Tobin & Rhea Fowler

Director of Photography…Katie Stenberg

Producers…Micaela Tobin & Madeline Falcone

CAST

Bakunawa…Micaela Tobin

Ancestor & Weaver…Maria Maea

Babaylan…Patria

Community Member…Chohi

Community Member…Mark Golamco

Community Member & Agung Player…Diane Valencia

Community Member & Agung Player…Nicanor Evangelista Jr.

Violin & Viola…Rhea Fowler

Cello…Hillary Smith

Prologue Speaker…Marilee Tobin

CREW

Set Dressing & Prop Master…Maria Maea

Choreography…Chris Florendo

Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist…Adela-María Pagán

Costume Design & Special FX Makeup…Mieko Romming

“Babaylan” Costume Design…Ramiro Gonzalez of Escándalo

Assistant Camera…Dalton Blanco

Editors…Katie Stenberg & Micaela Tobin

Sound Design & Re-recording mix…Jonathan Snipes

Original Score Mix…Joshua Hill

Original Soundtrack Mixing & Production…Samur Khouja

Location Sound…Jonathan Snipes

REDCAT Unit

Lighting Designer…Kerstin Hovland

Associate Lighting Designer…Emery C. Martin

Best Boy Electric…Matthew Johns

Light Sculpture…Kerstin Hovland & Emery Martin

Fabrication Associate (Welding)…Arthur Kaplan

Beach Unit

Gaffer…Katie Stenberg

Electric…Patria & Derrick Estrada

Pyro Supervisors…Derrick Estrada & Carmina Escobar

Production Assistants…Ava Balise-Zsarko & Eamonn Gilleran

Original score for Love Letters by Edward Heyman & Victor Young

Special Thanks

Arthur Kaplan Fabrication, Edgar Miramontes, Electronic Countermeasures, LLC; James Beyer, Jay Carlon, Little Barn Coffee House, Luis Diaz and Christian Arias, Pablo Santiago, Ryan Meyer of HeyWhatsYourFace Grip & Lighting, Sandor Kappen.

Thank you to all of the beautiful souls who contributed love letters for us to activate.