Gabbi Garcia’s First International Film Experience
Filipino actress Gabbi Garcia recently opened up about her debut in an international feature, Prisoner of War, where she shares the screen with action star Scott Adkins. Her appearance on the popular interview program Fast Talk with Boy Abunda gave fans a rare glimpse into the making of the project, the preparation behind the scenes, and the realities of stepping onto a stage that’s much larger than her previous work.
For Garcia, the project represented both a thrilling opportunity and a practical test. After rising visibility in local productions, she faced the demands of an international production environment, where pacing, language barriers, and cultural differences can add layers of complexity to performance and production logistics. Yet the experience also offered a chance to showcase versatility and to grow as a performer capable of navigating different cinematic traditions.
The Challenge of a New Stage
Discussing her role in Prisoner of War, Garcia emphasized that the most significant challenge came from the different rhythms of an international set. In Filipino productions, crews often work with familiar workflows and a shared industry language; in contrast, an international set requires precise coordination, standardized safety protocols, and a broader creative dialogue among cast and crew from diverse backgrounds. Garcia noted that adapting to these dynamics demanded rapid learning, from how scenes are framed for a Western-style action sequence to keeping performance authentic amid high-intensity moments.
Despite the hurdles, Garcia described the environment as incredibly collaborative. She highlighted the support from seasoned professionals on set who helped bridge gaps—dialects, acting approaches, and even different takes on character backstory. This collaborative spirit, she said, reinforced the importance of listening, study, and adaptability when stepping into a project with established names and a global audience in mind.
Working With Scott Adkins
A major talking point of the interview was Garcia’s experience sharing scenes with Scott Adkins. The martial-arts action star is known for his precision and physical storytelling, qualities that push co-stars to react with heightened awareness and timing. Garcia described Adkins as a demanding but generous partner—demanding in terms of craft, generous in terms of mentorship and on-set guidance. According to her account, his influence helped elevate not just her performance but the overall energy of the production.
From fight choreography to the emotional beats between action set pieces, Garcia explained that working with Adkins required a balance of preparation and spontaneity. She spent hours rehearsing sequences, studying the emotional through-lines of her character, and trusting the process when takes didn’t land perfectly on the first try. The collaboration, she says, was a reminder that action cinema thrives on trust among performers and a shared commitment to storytelling beyond stunts and spectacle.
Preparation, Growth, and Future Prospects
Garcia reflected on the personal growth sparked by the role: stepping outside her comfort zone, embracing a broader international audience, and learning new ways to approach a character within an action-thriller framework. She discussed the importance of language coaching, cultural exchange, and staying adaptable in a rapidly evolving industry where global distribution makes international projects more accessible than ever before.
The interview concluded with Garcia expressing gratitude for the opportunity and optimism about future projects that might bridge Filipino storytelling with global audiences. She suggested that Prisoner of War could serve as a stepping stone toward more cross-border collaborations, encouraging young actors to pursue international experiences while staying rooted in their unique cultural voices.
Conclusion
Gabbi Garcia’s remarks about Prisoner of War emphasize the mix of excitement, discipline, and collaborative spirit required on international film sets. Her experience underlines a larger trend in entertainment: Filipino talent increasingly stepping onto global stages, learning from seasoned professionals like Scott Adkins, and bringing distinct perspectives to action cinema that resonates with diverse audiences.
