Zen and the Art of filmmaking

POSSIBLY THE most important art of twentieth century, the magic and allure of the moving picture still holds one and all, enthralled.

A chugging and puffing locomotive streams into a station, and the people watching the show run out screaming in terror. It was December 28, 1895, when in the basement of the Grand cafe, Paris, Louis and Auguste Lumiere showed the first projected film to a paying audience. That was the spontaneous and initial reaction to the moving image-amazement, fright and undisguised delight. The art of film-making has changed and evolved in its century long journey. Its high points however, remain the same-delight and surprise. The romance with the pictures continues.

Film and electronic media have changed the way we perceive the world and ourselves. Apart from being a general medium of communication, film is clearly a sophisticated art-possibly the most important art of the 20th century.

India, the largest film producer in the world churns out more than 800 films in a year in all the major languages. Though its recognition as an industry has been rather late in coming it is nonetheless one of the largest employers in the country. An unsteady occupation at best, the profession demands a deep and abiding commitment to one's craft.

Filmmaking requires tremendous coordination and interaction between various departments and an interplay of varied skills. There are a number of career options within the field, with the mushrooming of music videos and TV serials amply providing the icing on the cake. One could go into production, direction, acting, script writing, editing, art-direction, cinematography- the possibilities are immense.

Entry to this profession could be by specialising in any one aspect of filmmaking. However, learning on the job is still the best way to succeed.

Production/Producers: Big producers are the honchos of a film unit responsible for just about everything. This includes raising finances, getting the cast together, payments, negotiations, unit coordination, location hunting, permissions for shootings, marketing the film promos, distribution rights, handling the day to day shooting problems-in short making sure that all is smooth- running till the film is released.

Direction/Directors: The coordination of the creative and the technical aspect is the responsibility of the director. The concept and visualisation of scenes, rehearsals, sometimes the selection of the leading cast and the location, lights, camera and action are all a director's duty. Directors need to have strong story-telling skills, written and verbal communication and research skills. He should be good at interpersonal relations and team management. A knowledge of photography and music is an added advantage.

Scripting: The backbone of film, scripting is concerned with film research, development of scripts and screenplay writing. A screenplay writer works on an existing script making it into a format suitable for the screen. Expert writing skills and command over language are a prerequisite.

Actors: They are the performers - for the camera - the principal actors who play the lead, secondary actors who play the supporting roles and the extras. They are the stars of the showbiz firmament. Actors need to have performance skills, such as how best to use their voice and body to create a character. They need to have skill in interpreting and analysing roles, creative ability, memorizing skills, good spoken communication and listening skills. A grounding in theatre helps greatly. Some of the greatest, contemporary actors have cut their acting teeth on the stage.

Cinematographer: Designs and composes each scene as they are to be shot. He makes a film `look beautiful'. Should be a trained photographer with an eye for the unusual and the not-so-ordinary. A specialisation in the subject from a reputed film institute is a must.

Art director: With films becoming glitzier and more sophisticated, the work of the art director assumes greater significance. He provides the overall `look', the design of all physical elements of the film. Creativity is premium here and a background in the fine arts, history/art history or architecture can be of great help. As are imagination and good drawing skills.

Music director, lyricist and choreographer: The ones who make running around the trees either appealing or obscene. A film's background score, as composed and arranged by the music director, can either highlight the drama or degenerate into cacophony. A background in classical music, writing and dance is always helpful in these fields.

Costume designer: An art in itself, costume designing for films has become big business. It involves immaculate research (specially if it is a period film) and designing of the costumes worn by actors in a film. The art of needlework comes in handy here.

Film Editor: Splices the processed film together in the correct sequential order, synchronises the soundtrack; adds titles and credits and controls the running time of the film.

Besides these high profile openings, the industry is constantly in need of new and fresh talent in all the fields of film -making viz. cameramen, sound recordist, stuntmen, make-up artists, publicity managers. The options are varied and myriad.

The highly specialised nature of most aspects of filmmaking calls for professional training in technical areas, especially cinematography, sound engineering, editing and film processing. While skills in production acting and direction can be developed through hands-on experience, a formal training in filmmaking can be of immense help. A number of well-known institutions in the country give training in film- craft. These include film and television institutes that offer diplomas in production and direction and other technical aspects, departments of mass communication, which offer film journalism, and courses in film techniques, and drama schools. The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) at Pune, offers a diploma in most subjects including film processing, animation, art direction editing etc.

Before joining a film school getting a strong academic foundation in either history, literature, political science or pure sciences is not a bad idea. It will add to your knowledge bank-one of the pre-requisites of film-making. Film schools often require a candidate to take an aptitude test and an interview before selection. The duration of the training varies depending on the institute and the course opted for. Most institutes offer foundation studies, common to all courses. Specialisation is offered during the latter part of the course, which includes production, direction, cinematography, editing, acting, film processing etc.

The tremendous popularity of films from its beginning has seen a quick expansion in the industry. Its versatility and potential as a medium of expression has attracted the best and most creative of talents to its fold. More than hundred years down the line, yet the excitement of the craft still beckons, the mystery and romance still endures. Generations of young hopefuls, with stars in their eyes throng the gates of numerous studios all over the country little realising the effort, talent and expertise that goes into a career in the filmy world of the Silver Screen.

PADMA RAMESH

padmaramesh@mail.com