Story & Lesson Highlights with Andy Denson of Cebu City, Philippines

Andy Denson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Andy , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My first 90 minutes? Checking in with myself. I start with prayer and meditation because it literally sets the frequency for everything that follows.

There’s a deliberate digital detox happening too. No phone, no screens, nothing electronic for that first hour after waking. It’s like giving my nervous system permission to actually exist before bombarding it with the world’s chaos.

Then I dive into my morning pages. Three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing straight from Julia Cameron’s ‘The Artist’s Way.’ It doesn’t matter if I’m just running errands that day or writing a script or stepping onto a set. Those pages clear out the mental static. Sometimes it’s profound, sometimes it’s just listing what I need from the sari sari store. The point isn’t what I write, but that I write.

This ritual grounds me in a way that’s become non-negotiable. In a world designed to fragment your attention from the moment you open your eyes, these 90 minutes are my middle finger to that system. My way of claiming the day as mine before anyone else can.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Andy Denson, an actor, writer, and director who founded Ladder Production Films back in 2011, though the seeds were planted much earlier with DIY zines I created as a kid in Denver, Colorado.

My work exists in that sweet spot where storytelling meets cultural exploration. I just wrapped my third feature film, ‘The Yellow Hotel,’ shot entirely in Cebu City, Philippines, where I’m now based. The film follows a call center worker experiencing spiritual awakening through teambuilding exercises, with scenes inspired by canonical Bible books to depict the main character Lester/Shuan’s spiritual ascension process. It’s a project that bridges my American roots with Filipino narratives in ways that challenge conventional filmmaking approaches.

What makes my work different? I call it tropicalcore and effortless cinema. It’s about creating without overthinking, letting the natural rhythms of island life inform both process and product. It’s cinema that doesn’t ask permission to exist—it just does.

Right now, I’m diving into pre-production for my next feature, ‘Must Love Askals,’ a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’ set in the Philippines. The film explores what it means to be a gentleman in today’s world—questioning whether gentlemen are born or made—all while weaving in the story of the Philippines’ street dogs (askals). It’s a project that examines loyalty, betrayal, and identity through both human and canine perspectives.

Ladder Production Films isn’t just a production company—it’s an art collective that’s building a new creative ecosystem, one that values the process as much as the final cut.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My cinema teacher from Denver school of arts taught me so much. His name is Ed Glassman. He passed away a couple of weeks ago and he taught me about documentary filmmaking as well as being a human being that can handle any circumstance in order to tell a story.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self that you already exist in a state of abundance. Every time you feel fear, doubt, or worry creeping in, remember that gratitude and self-love are your superpowers.

When you strip away all the external noise and just be authentically yourself, you’ll always find your way. That’s the secret I’m still practicing now. Connecting to myself means recognizing that I am abundance through my loving nature and the energy I put into the world.

The scarcity you sometimes feel? It’s an illusion. The competition you worry about? Unnecessary. The validation you seek from others? You already have it within you.

Your abundance isn’t something you need to chase or earn. It’s who you are at your core, and the sooner you embrace that truth, the sooner you’ll create the art that only you can make.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m deeply committed to a series of interconnected film projects that tell Filipino stories through Ladder Production Films. This journey began in 2018 when I first conceptualized ‘Lucring,’ a biographical film that compounds two different cultures—my mother being Cebuana and my late father being a Black American from Alabama.

‘Lucring’ recounts my mother’s life in the late 80s and early 90s, beginning as penpals with my father, their meeting in Cebu, their marriage, and her subsequent move to California where I was born. The film explores her spiritual growth, her experience with domestic violence, learning to love herself in a different country, and developing strength and independence. My hope is to cast Anthony Mackie to play the role of my father, bringing this important story to life with the gravity it deserves.

This project has taken on even deeper meaning following my father’s passing just a few months ago, making it not just art, but a way to preserve and honor both aspects of my heritage.

My Filipino-American identity has been the bridge that brought me back to the Philippines to reconnect with my roots and tell authentic stories that span cultural divides. These narratives explore the complex realities of cross-cultural families like my own.

In 2019, I wrote ‘King of the Philippines,’ which I’m developing as an HBO Limited Series. It’s a project I refuse to compromise on, no matter how long it takes to get it right.

Fast forward to 2025, and I’ve just completed ‘The Yellow Hotel,’ my third feature film shot entirely in Cebu. I’m now in pre-production for ‘Must Love Askals’ (2025), a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’ set in the Philippines.

No matter how many years it takes to complete this body of work, I’m in it for the long haul because these stories—especially those that honor the complex cultural intersections that shaped my own identity—matter and deserve to be told with authenticity, respect, and unflinching honesty

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply is that true artistic expression doesn’t require external validation or universal understanding. Most people are still catching up to what I’m creating as Andy Denson—there’s a wealth of my work out there, but I believe my best is still ahead of me.

I’ve come to realize that as artists, we’re not meant to be understood by everyone. That’s actually liberating. When I stopped seeking external validation and instead focused on understanding myself and flowing with my own creative current, everything changed. That’s the secret most people miss—authenticity doesn’t come from being comprehensible to everyone; it comes from being true to your own vision, even when others don’t immediately get it.

I’ve also observed that in today’s fragmented attention economy, people struggle to discover independent art that doesn’t have massive marketing budgets. They want to connect with authentic voices like mine but don’t always know how to find us. That’s why I’ve made my work accessible across multiple platforms:

Instagram: @ladderproductionfilms
Facebook: Ladder Production Films
Bluesky: @ladderprofilms.bsky.social
YouTube: Ladder Production Films
TikTok: @ladderproductionfilms
Email: [email protected]

Whether you’re discovering my #effortlesscinema approach or diving into #tropicalcore aesthetics, these channels are where you’ll find the unfiltered expression of my artistic vision—no permission asked, no apologies offered.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ladderproductionfilms
• Facebook: Ladder Production Films
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ladderproductionfilms?si=t3_CROzY-qvCkoVa
• Other: Bluesky: @ladderprofilms.bsky.social
  TikTok: @ladderproductionfilms

Image Credits
Andy Denson
Cal Leo