Film your thoughts in lockdown times (Third edition)

Online, May 25th – May 31th, 2020

Apply here

Dear friends,

60 participants over last two editions of the workshop made over 35 films chronicling their journeys in these extraordinary times. There is a marked authenticity and affectionate touch to the narratives, as if they are notes from personal diaries trustfully shared with friends… Join us for this joyous exploration of self, surrounding and stories in our 3rd Edition of the workshop from 25th to 31st May 2020!  Let us connect and cover up the distances with our film-making in times of lockdown!

“Film your Thoughts in times of Corona Lockdown” is a workshop to bring out narratives from uncanny corners. Interactive sessions will be from 15.00 hrs to 18.30 hrs (IST) every day, supplemented with mentored practicals to assist participants articulate their ideas in film form with smartphones, handy cams and other gadgets easily available – within the confines of the home space and extended community.

3rd Edition Workshop Overview

This workshop will familiarise the participants with the basics of media and audio-visual storytelling – to enable them to produce their own stories within the confines of their own spaces; using handy equipment like personal computers, cell phones or any other cameras/ gadgets readily available at home. 

The workshop will begin with facilitating a basic understanding of media – its sources, roles, functions, forms and effects, particularly in times of the pandemic. The participants will be encouraged to observe and share media’s effects on one’s own personal psyche and larger social sphere. Exploring the relationship between the self and the surroundings, the workshop will hold space for the emerging stories, and help participants to acquire a language, a possible form of expression.  

Along with a few lectures, the workshop will be mostly interactive and based on practicals. Through various exercises like observing actuality, creative writing, photography and soundscape recording, the participants will be mentored to articulate their personal state and social settings in the form of short films.  

Through this workshop we would like to inspire autobiographical stories and stories on lockdown. 

Participants will be encouraged to critically examine their media environment; delve deep within oneself and freely articulate what one thinks/ feels about oneself, one’s families, societies, communities, country, the world in general and this could range from climate change, nature’s wrath, globalization, capitalism, consumerism, safety to surveillance among other things.

Type: Online documentary film-making workshop reflecting on self, surrounding and stories.

Duration: 7 Days

Medium of Instruction: English 

Participant Profile:  Proactive citizens of the country – interested in media, social media, journalism, art, film-making, photography, story telling, politics, environment and ecology – who are willing to articulate their reflections in the film form within the given constraints. 

Curriculum and Board Schedule:

Day1:

15:00 to 15:30 Introduction to the Workshop and the Facilitators by Richa Hushing.

15:30 to 16:30 Introduction to the Workshop Participants – participants will introduce themselves and share briefly their lockdown situation. As an introduction, they will also share one story from the media that touched them the most – and talk briefly about it.

16:30 to 17:30 Lecture – Basics of Media by Aloke Thakore

17:30 to 18:00 Interaction with Aloke Thakore

18:00 to 18:30 Introduction to ‘Actuality’ by Richa Hushing & a brief on exercise of the day.

Exercise of the Day : Observe an ‘actuality’ within the confines of the home space / extended society and write an incident report.

Day2:

15:00 to 15:45 Basics of Photography by Sanket Ray.

15:45 to 16:00 3-Shot exercise (photographic exercise)

16:00 to 17:00 Feedback and Interaction on Exercise

17:00 to 17:45 Lecture on ‘A Reflection on film making and film form today’ A documentary filmmaker and cinematographer’s perspective by Rrivu Laha

17:45 to 18:15 Interaction with Rrivu Laha.

18:15 to 18:30 Tips of Recording Sound on Smart Phone & Briefing on Exercise of the day

Exercise of the Day : Record a Monologue.

Day3:

15:00 to 16:00 Reading of Actuality Reports – feedback, discussions & understanding actuality better.

16:00 to 17:00 Listening to the Monologues – feedback & discussions

17:00 to 18:00 Lecture on “Idea to Film” – How to develop ideas to actualize them into films by Richa Hushing & Rrivu Laha

18:00 to 18:30 Briefing on Exercise of the Day – “Make a list of visual images and audio images that one wants to record for the potential film.

Day4:

15:00 to 16:00 Basics of Cinematography and Tips of Shooting with smart phone – by Rrivu Laha

In addition to the 15:00 session of the day, the facilitators will be available online throughout the day the for feedback and refining participants ideas for film.

Participants may begin shooting their own film after one-on-one session.

Day5:

15:00 to 16:00 Basics of Editing by Richa Hushing

In addition to the 15:00 session of the day, the facilitators will be available online throughout the day for feedback, guiding them through challenges of the shooting and editing.

Participants may begin editing their own films after shoot.  

Day6:

The day of Rough Cut.

Facilitators will be available online throughout the day for one-on-one feedback to guide through the rough cut of the film.

Day7:

The day of final cut and presentations.

Facilitators will be available online throughout the day for one-on-one feedback to guide through the rough cut of the film.

15:00 to 18:30 Presentations of final films and Q&A with all filmmakers.

Method of Training and Interaction:

The online course will be conducted on ‘GoogleMeet’. Details will be shared with each participant.

The course will be a combination of lectures, followed by live interactions, facilitated Q&A; and mentored practical exercises towards production of short films by the participants – within the confines of their home space and extended society – with whatever gadgets readily available at home –  without defying any norms of the lockdown. 

Course Facilitators:

Richa Hushing & Rrivu Laha

Guest Faculty: Aloke Thakore

Additional Faculty: Sanket Ray

Facilitators’ & Guest Faculty Profile:

Richa Hushing & Rrivu Laha are documentary filmmakers, both alumni of Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. Richa specializes in Direction and Editing, while Rrivu’s specialization is Direction and Cinematography.  Their films are often character portraits; and portraits of indigenous cultures in face of conflict and at the threshold of change. Cinema verité style is their strength.

‘Nicobar, a long way…’  a documentary observing Nicobarese identity and resilience in wake of state sponsored relief and rehabilitation post Tsunami – is one of their latest works, winning ‘Special Mention’ award at the Millennium Film Festival, Belgium, 2017. Some of the other festivals where it won accolades was Pêcheurs du monde, Lorient, France, 2018; Film South Asia, Nepal, 2017; Viscult, the festival of Visual Culture, Finland, 2017; World Film Festival, Estonia, 2017; Festival Film Library of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Bristol 2017; Ethnografilm Festival, Paris, 2017; Smaragdni Eco Film Festival, Croatia, 2017; International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, India, 2016. Their prior works too have been recognised internationally.

After a decade-long practice based in Mumbai, in 2017 Richa and Rrivu moved to Auroville, an intentional international township dedicated to the ideals of human unity, free progress and transformation of consciousness. In Auroville, they’ve found Auroville Timelines, a media pedagogy and video arts unit, researching and curating recorded memories of Auroville, creating mnemonics of the dream.  

Richa and Rrivu have also co-founded ‘Auroville Film Institute’ dedicated to the ideal of cinema education, integrating world cinema and world citizenship, experimenting with a new pedagogy, encouraging new practices of conscious cinema. Auroville Film Institute has begun to offer short term courses; and is preparing for long term plans, individualised mentorship, student exchange programmes and cinema-centric learning journeys.

Aloke Thakore is a journalist, researcher and teacher. He has worked in print and television. He has been a newsroom coach for The Times of India (Chennai and Kochi), Hindustan Times, People (magazine), Bangalore Mirror, and Mumbai Mirror; and a management and editorial consultant for The Emirates Evening Post (Dubai).

Having started his career with The Statesman in Calcutta, Thakore worked as a Producer with ABNI and its merged avatar of CNBC, and was responsible for the channel output from Mumbai. He used to write a media watch column for The Hoot (thehoot.org) called ‘Hammer and Tongs’, and has also conducted, and consulted on, media research and training initiatives of the Media Foundation, Panos South Asia, and PUKAR (Partners for Urban Knowledge, Action & Research), Mumbai.

A Media Leadership Fellow of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, Thakore has a Ph.D. in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an AM in International Relations from the University of Chicago, and an MS in Journalism from the University of Kansas. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from Calcutta University. Thakore is the Honorary Director of the JM Foundation for Excellence in Journalism. He serves as a trustee of the Informed Voter project (MumbaiVotes.com).

Sanket Ray is an alumnus of Film and Television Institute of India where he trained as a cinematographer. He graduated in Journalism from Mumbai University in 2012 and worked as a journalist in The Times of India. Later he worked with Times Now as a web editor and assistant promo producer for two years. He then shifted to NewsX where he worked as Assistant Producer in feature shows. Since 2015, he became involved in cinema and studied under Richa Hushing and Rrivu Laha, documentary film makers and co-founders of Auroville Film Institute. He assisted in television serials and assisted in many documentary films. He also conducts photography and drawing classes for children. 

Expected Contribution:

We are launching this workshop on the principles of gift economy and therefore we have a voluntary payment scheme. Participants may contribute whatever amount they feel right. You may transfer your voluntary contribution to:

Bank Name: STATE BANK OF INDIA
Account Name: AV ART SERVICE
Account Number: 37357794312
Branch: AUROVILLE INTERNATIONAL TOWNSHIP
IFS Code: SBIN0003160
MICR Code: 605002007
Please fill up the transaction ID generated and the date of transaction in the application form linked below.

Selection Criteria:  
Selection will be based on applicant’s statement of purpose, lockdown thoughts and general interest.  

Certificates: Those who wish for certificates will be given digital certificates of participation. 

Completion of production is mandatory to receive certificates. 

Queries:
For queries, if any, please write to:
filminstitute@auroville.org.in or call / message on +91 9969879319.

Apply here

Film your thoughts on lockdown times (second edition)

Online, May 11th – May 17th, 2020

For details and application form for 3rd edition click here

We had an overwhelming response to the recently concluded ‘Film your thoughts in times of lockdown’. In just 3 days from calling for applications to starting the workshop, we received nearly 100 applications, we selected 50; we had about 35 consistently participating; they made over 20 short films – in 7 days!  The films are beautiful chronicles of inner journeys in these extraordinary times. There is a marked authenticity and affectionate touch to the narratives, as if they are notes from personal diaries trustfully shared with friends… Film-making cut-off as it is now from the paraphernalia of huge productions, film-making now in the hands of an individual, an indeed independent filmmaker… Just with a smart phone, if oriented with the film-form and film-sense, what kind of films can be made? This exhilarating experience of the first workshop, we’d like to carry forward in the 2nd edition with minor tweaks, improving our offering.   

2nd Edition Workshop Overview

This workshop will familiarise the participants with the basics of media and audio-visual storytelling – to enable them to produce their own stories within the confines of their own spaces; using handy equipment like personal computers, cell phones or any other cameras/ gadgets readily available at home. 

The workshop will begin with facilitating a basic understanding of media – its sources, roles, functions, forms and effects, particularly in times of the pandemic. The participants will be encouraged to observe and share media’s effects on one’s own personal psyche and larger social sphere. Exploring the relationship between the self and the surroundings, the workshop will hold space for the emerging stories, and help participants to acquire a language, a possible form of expression.  

Along with a few lectures, the workshop will be mostly interactive and based on practicals. Through various exercises like observing actuality, creative writing, photography and soundscape recording, the participants will be mentored to articulate their personal state and social settings in the form of short films.  

Through this workshop we would like to inspire autobiographical stories and stories on lockdown. 

Participants will be encouraged to critically examine their media environment; delve deep within oneself and freely articulate what one thinks/ feels about oneself, one’s families, societies, communities, country, the world in general and this could range from climate change, nature’s wrath, globalization, capitalism, consumerism, safety to surveillance among other things.

Type: Online documentary film-making workshop reflecting on self, surrounding and stories.

Duration: 7 Days

Medium of Instruction: English 

Participant Profile:  Proactive citizens of the country – interested in media, social media, journalism, art, film-making, photography, story telling, politics, environment and ecology – who are willing to articulate their reflections in the film form within the given constraints. 

Curriculum and Board Schedule:

Day1:

15:00 to 15:30 Introduction to the Workshop and the Facilitators by Richa Hushing.

15:30 to 16:30 Introduction to the Workshop Participants – participants will introduce themselves and share briefly their lockdown situation. As an introduction, they will also share one story from the media that touched them the most – and talk briefly about it.

16:30 to 17:30 Lecture – Basics of Media by Aloke Thakore

17:30 to 18:00 Interaction with Aloke Thakore

18:00 to 18:30 Introduction to ‘Actuality’ by Richa Hushing & a brief on exercise of the day.

Exercise of the Day : Observe an ‘actuality’ within the confines of the home space / extended society and write an incident report.

Day2:

15:00 to 15:45 Basics of Photography by Sanket Ray.

15:45 to 16:00 3-Shot exercise (photographic exercise)

16:00 to 17:00 Feedback and Interaction on Exercise

17:00 to 17:45 Lecture on ‘A Reflection on film making and film form today’ A documentary filmmaker and cinematographer’s perspective by Rrivu Laha

17:45 to 18:15 Interaction with Rrivu Laha.

18:15 to 18:30 Tips of Recording Sound on Smart Phone & Briefing on Exercise of the day

Exercise of the Day : Record a Monologue.

Day3:

15:00 to 16:00 Reading of Actuality Reports – feedback, discussions & understanding actuality better.

16:00 to 17:00 Listening to the Monologues – feedback & discussions

17:00 to 18:00 Lecture on “Idea to Film” – How to develop ideas to actualize them into films by Richa Hushing & Rrivu Laha

18:00 to 18:30 Briefing on Exercise of the Day – “Make a list of visual images and audio images that one wants to record for the potential film.

Day4:

15:00 to 16:00 Basics of Cinematography and Tips of Shooting with smart phone – by Rrivu Laha

In addition to the 15:00 session of the day, the facilitators will be available online throughout the day the for feedback and refining participants ideas for film.

Participants may begin shooting their own film after one-on-one session.

Day5:

15:00 to 16:00 Basics of Editing by Richa Hushing

In addition to the 15:00 session of the day, the facilitators will be available online throughout the day for feedback, guiding them through challenges of the shooting and editing.

Participants may begin editing their own films after shoot.  

Day6:

The day of Rough Cut.

Facilitators will be available online throughout the day for one-on-one feedback to guide through the rough cut of the film.

Day7:

The day of final cut and presentations.

Facilitators will be available online throughout the day for one-on-one feedback to guide through the rough cut of the film.

15:00 to 18:30 Presentations of final films and Q&A with all filmmakers.

Method of Training and Interaction:

The online course will be conducted on ‘GoogleMeet’. Details will be shared with each participant.

The course will be a combination of lectures, followed by live interactions, facilitated Q&A; and mentored practical exercises towards production of short films by the participants – within the confines of their home space and extended society – with whatever gadgets readily available at home –  without defying any norms of the lockdown. 

Course Facilitators:

Richa Hushing & Rrivu Laha

Guest Faculty: Aloke Thakore

Additional Faculty: Sanket Ray

Facilitators’ & Guest Faculty Profile:

Richa Hushing & Rrivu Laha are documentary filmmakers, both alumni of Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. Richa specializes in Direction and Editing, while Rrivu’s specialization is Direction and Cinematography.  Their films are often character portraits; and portraits of indigenous cultures in face of conflict and at the threshold of change. Cinema verité style is their strength.

‘Nicobar, a long way…’  a documentary observing Nicobarese identity and resilience in wake of state sponsored relief and rehabilitation post Tsunami – is one of their latest works, winning ‘Special Mention’ award at the Millennium Film Festival, Belgium, 2017. Some of the other festivals where it won accolades was Pêcheurs du monde, Lorient, France, 2018; Film South Asia, Nepal, 2017; Viscult, the festival of Visual Culture, Finland, 2017; World Film Festival, Estonia, 2017; Festival Film Library of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Bristol 2017; Ethnografilm Festival, Paris, 2017; Smaragdni Eco Film Festival, Croatia, 2017; International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, India, 2016. Their prior works too have been recognised internationally.

After a decade-long practice based in Mumbai, in 2017 Richa and Rrivu moved to Auroville, an intentional international township dedicated to the ideals of human unity, free progress and transformation of consciousness. In Auroville, they’ve found Auroville Timelines, a media pedagogy and video arts unit, researching and curating recorded memories of Auroville, creating mnemonics of the dream.  

Richa and Rrivu have also co-founded ‘Auroville Film Institute’ dedicated to the ideal of cinema education, integrating world cinema and world citizenship, experimenting with a new pedagogy, encouraging new practices of conscious cinema. Auroville Film Institute has begun to offer short term courses; and is preparing for long term plans, individualised mentorship, student exchange programmes and cinema-centric learning journeys.

Aloke Thakore is a journalist, researcher and teacher. He has worked in print and television. He has been a newsroom coach for The Times of India (Chennai and Kochi), Hindustan Times, People (magazine), Bangalore Mirror, and Mumbai Mirror; and a management and editorial consultant for The Emirates Evening Post (Dubai).

Having started his career with The Statesman in Calcutta, Thakore worked as a Producer with ABNI and its merged avatar of CNBC, and was responsible for the channel output from Mumbai. He used to write a media watch column for The Hoot (thehoot.org) called ‘Hammer and Tongs’, and has also conducted, and consulted on, media research and training initiatives of the Media Foundation, Panos South Asia, and PUKAR (Partners for Urban Knowledge, Action & Research), Mumbai.

A Media Leadership Fellow of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, Thakore has a Ph.D. in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an AM in International Relations from the University of Chicago, and an MS in Journalism from the University of Kansas. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from Calcutta University. Thakore is the Honorary Director of the JM Foundation for Excellence in Journalism. He serves as a trustee of the Informed Voter project (MumbaiVotes.com).

Sanket Ray is an alumnus of Film and Television Institute of India where he trained as a cinematographer. He graduated in Journalism from Mumbai University in 2012 and worked as a journalist in The Times of India. Later he worked with Times Now as a web editor and assistant promo producer for two years. He then shifted to NewsX where he worked as Assistant Producer in feature shows. Since 2015, he became involved in cinema and studied under Richa Hushing and Rrivu Laha, documentary film makers and co-founders of Auroville Film Institute. He assisted in television serials and assisted in many documentary films. He also conducts photography and drawing classes for children. 

Expected Contribution:

We are launching this workshop on the principles of gift economy and therefore we have a voluntary payment scheme. There are no specific fees. Participants may contribute whatever amount they feel right. Amount of contribution is not a criterion for selection. We welcome participants irrespective of any contribution – provided there is interest and willingness to participate proactively.

You may transfer your voluntary contribution to:

Bank Name: STATE BANK OF INDIA
Account Name: AV ART SERVICE
Account Number: 37357794312
Branch: AUROVILLE INTERNATIONAL TOWNSHIP
IFS Code: SBIN0003160
MICR Code: 605002007
Please fill up the transaction ID generated and the date of transaction in the application form linked below.

Selection Criteria:  
Selection will be based on applicant’s statement of purpose, lockdown thoughts and general interest.  

Certificates: Those who wish for certificates will be given digital certificates of participation. 

Completion of production is mandatory to receive certificates. 

Queries:
For queries, if any, please write to:
filminstitute@auroville.org.in or call / message on +91 9969879319. 

For details and application form for 3rd edition click here

Film your thoughts on lockdown times

Online, May 11th – May 17th, 2020

Online, April 27th – May 3rd, 2020 (completed successfully)

For details and application form for 3rd edition click here

Workshop Overview

This course will familiarise the participants with the basics of media and audiovisual storytelling – to build capacity whereby the participants can produce their own stories within the confines of their own spaces; using handy equipment like personal computers, cell phones or any other cameras/ gadgets readily available at home. 

Along with the elementary technicalities of filmmaking, the workshop will facilitate understanding of media – its sources, roles, functions, forms and effects. How to assimilate the range of media, particularly during times of the pandemic? How to observe media’s effects on one’s own personal psyche and larger social sphere? And subsequently, if one wants to express oneself in relation to his/her surroundings, how to acquire a language, a possible form of expression. 

The workshop will be in 3 stages – Stage 1: Lecture Based – About Media Environment; Stage 2: Interactive and discussing based – Observing and sharing media’s effects on oneself – personally and politically; Stage 3: Practical Exercise Based – where participants will be encouraged to express themselves and mentored to articulate their personal state and social surroundings in the form of short films. 

Through this workshop we would like to inspire autobiographical stories and stories on lockdown. 

Participants will be encouraged to critically examine their media environment; delve deep within oneself and freely articulate what one thinks/ feels about oneself, one’s families, societies, communities, country, the world in general and this could range from climate change, nature’s wrath, globalization, capitalism, consumerism, safety to surveillance amongst other things.

Type: Online Documentary Film-making Workshop reflecting on Self, Surrounding and Stories.

Duration: 7 Days

Medium of Instruction: English 

Participant Profile:  Proactive citizens of the country – interested in Media, Social Media, Journalism, Art, Film-making, Story Telling, Politics, Environment and Ecology – who are willing to articulate their reflections in the film form within the given constraints. 

Curriculum and Board Schedule:

Day1:

15:00 to 15:30 Introduction to the Workshop and the Facilitators by Richa Hushing

15:30 to 16:30 Introduction to the Workshop Participants – participants will introduce themselves and share briefly their lockdown situation.

16:30 to 17:30 Lecture – Basics of Media by Aloke Thakore

17:30 to 18:15 Interaction with Aloke Thakore

18:15 to 18:30 Briefing about the exercise for the day by Richa Hushing

Exercise:  Select at least 3 stories that touched you, pained you, inspired or provoked deep thought in you in some way – stories from the print or electronic or social media or internet. Upload on shared drive.

Day2:

15:00 to 16:00 Sharing Circle on effects of Media on personal psyche and society in general. Moderated by Aloke Thakore

16:00 to 16:30 Lecture on ‘A Reflection on filmmaking and film form today’
A Documentary Filmmaker and Cinematographer’s Perspective by Rrivu Laha

16:30 to 17:00 Interaction with Rrivu Laha and Richa Hushing

17:00 to 17:30 Introduction to ‘Actuality’
Briefing on Exercise for the day.  

Exercise: Observe an ‘actuality’ within the confines of the home space / extended society – and write an incident report. Also, reflect on concerns / issues / fears / triumphs and related stories – one deeply feels about and would like to express.

Day3:

15:00 to 15:45 Lecture on ‘Types of Documentaries’ by Rrivu Laha / Richa Hushing

15:45 to 16:15  Interaction with Rrivu Laha / Richa Hushing

16:15 to 17:00 Lecture on ‘Basics of Cinema Language’
(What is a shot, scene, sequence; basics of narrative development; essential components – Audio and Video) by Richa Hushing

17:00 to 17:30 Interaction with Richa Hushing

17:30 to 18:15 Lecture on ‘Basics of Sound’ & Tips of Recording Sound on Smart Phone.

18:15 to 18:30 Briefing on Exercise for the day.  

Exercise: Record a Soundscape / Interview / Monologue

Day4:

15:00 to 15:45 Lecture on ‘Idea to Film’ by Rrivu Laha / Richa Hushing 

15:45 to 17:45 Presentation and discussion by participants on their incident reports and related ideas for production with Rrivu Laha, Richa Hushing and Aloke Thakore

17:45 to 18:15 Lecture on ‘Using Secondary Footage’ – What are the rules and risks of using images / videos / sounds / texts from the internet / social media / archives by Aloke Thakore

18:15 to 18:30 Briefing Exercise for the day. 

Continuation of presentations of the participants – if required. 

Exercise: Drafting of scripts for short films the participant would like to shoot.

Day5:

11:00 to 12:00  Tips on shooting with a smart phone –basic cinematography guidelines by Rrivu Laha

One-on-one interactions with participants for feedback and guidance for shooting – throughout the day.

Participants will begin shooting their own films 

Day6:

11:00 to 12:00  Tips on editing the film on smartphone / personal computer
by Richa Hushing

One-on-one interactions with participants for feedback and guidance for editing – throughout the day.

Participants will begin editing their own films 

Day7:

Participants will continue editing to finalise their films.

Mentors will be available online throughout the day for feedback and guidance. 

16:00 Publishing of all films produced on Auroville Film Institute webpage.

18:00 Live on Youtube – Participants interaction and closing circle. 

—***—-

Method of Training and Interaction:

The online course will be conducted on ‘GoogleMeet’. Details will be shared with each participant.

The course will be a combination of pre-recorded lectures, followed by live interactions, facilitated Q&A; and mentored practical exercises towards production of short films by the participants – within the confines of their home space and extended society – with whatever gadgets readily available at home –  without defying any norms of the lockdown. 

Course Facilitators:

Richa Hushing & Rrivu Laha

Guest Faculty: Aloke Thakore

Facilitators’ & Guest Faculty Profile:

Richa Hushing & Rrivu Laha are documentary filmmakers, both alumni of Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. Richa specializes in Direction and Editing, while Rrivu’s specialization is Direction and Cinematography.  Their films are often character portraits; and portraits of indigenous cultures in face of conflict and at the threshold of change. Cinema verité style is their strength.

‘Nicobar, a long way…’  a documentary observing Nicobarese identity and resilience in wake of state sponsored relief and rehabilitation post Tsunami – is one of their latest works, winning ‘Special Mention’ award at the Millennium Film Festival, Belgium, 2017. Some of the other festivals where it won accolades was Pêcheurs du monde, Lorient, France, 2018; Film South Asia, Nepal, 2017; Viscult, the festival of Visual Culture, Finland, 2017; World Film Festival, Estonia, 2017; Festival Film Library of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Bristol 2017; Ethnografilm Festival, Paris, 2017; Smaragdni Eco Film Festival, Croatia, 2017; International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, India, 2016. Their prior works too have been recognised internationally.

After a decade-long practice based in Mumbai, in 2017 Richa and Rrivu moved to Auroville, an intentional international township dedicated to the ideals of human unity, free progress and transformation of consciousness. In Auroville, they’ve found Auroville Timelines, a media pedagogy and video arts unit, researching and curating recorded memories of Auroville, creating mnemonics of the dream.  

Richa and Rrivu have also co-founded ‘Auroville Film Institute’ dedicated to the ideal of cinema education, integrating world cinema and world citizenship, experimenting with a new pedagogy, encouraging new practices of conscious cinema. Auroville Film Institute has begun to offer short term courses; and is preparing for long term plans, individualised mentorship, student exchange programmes and cinema-centric learning journeys.

Aloke Thakore is a journalist, researcher and teacher. He has worked in print and television. He has been a newsroom coach for The Times of India (Chennai and Kochi), Hindustan Times, People (magazine), Bangalore Mirror, and Mumbai Mirror; and a management and editorial consultant for The Emirates Evening Post (Dubai).

Having started his career with The Statesman in Calcutta, Thakore worked as a Producer with ABNI and its merged avatar of CNBC, and was responsible for the channel output from Mumbai. He used to write a media watch column for The Hoot (thehoot.org) called ‘Hammer and Tongs’, and has also conducted, and consulted on, media research and training initiatives of the Media Foundation, Panos South Asia, and PUKAR (Partners for Urban Knowledge, Action & Research), Mumbai.

A Media Leadership Fellow of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, Thakore has a Ph.D. in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an AM in International Relations from the University of Chicago, and an MS in Journalism from the University of Kansas. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from Calcutta University. Thakore is the Honorary Director of the JM Foundation for Excellence in Journalism. He serves as a trustee of the Informed Voter project (MumbaiVotes.com).

Expected Contribution:

We are launching this course on the principles of gift economy and therefore we have a voluntary payment scheme. There are no specific fees. Participants may contribute whatever amount they feel right, whatever they can. Amount of contribution is not a criterion for selection. We welcome participants irrespective of any contribution – provided there is interest and willingness to participate proactively.

You may transfer your voluntary contribution to:

Bank Name: STATE BANK OF INDIA
Account Name: AV ART SERVICE
Account Number: 37357794312
Branch: AUROVILLE INTERNATIONAL TOWNSHIP
IFS Code: SBIN0003160
MICR Code: 605002007
Please fill up the transaction ID generated and the date of transaction in the application form linked below.

Selection Criteria:  
Selection will be on a first-come-first-served basis. However, we will scrutinize applications on the basis of the applicant’s statement of purpose and general interest.  

Certificates: Those who wish for certificates will be given digital certificates of participation. 

Completion of production is mandatory to receive certificates. 

Queries:
For queries, if any, please write to:
filminstitute@auroville.org.in or call / message on +91 9969879319. 

For details and application form for 3rd edition click here

Space in Cinema; Time in Architecture

Auroville, May 1 – 4, 2020 (to be rescheduled)

Course Overview

While Time is seen as the primary domain of interest within the field of moving image practices, Spatial understanding and design are seen as  the work of architecture and urban planning. However, each has a significant influence and affect on the other. Space in Cinema; Time in Architecture is a four-day workshop that will explore the possible overlaps between the two disciplines of Cinema and Architecture. It will look at the possible learnings for each discipline from the expertise of the other. The programme will include screenings and exercises in detailed analysis through the interdisciplinary framework of fiction and documentary film, architecture and visual art.

Course Directors – Abhijit Mukul Kishore and Rohan Shivkumar

Avijit Mukul Kishore and Rohan Shivkumar’s shared passions for film and architecture rendered them natural collaborators. Kishore is a filmmaker and cinematographer who stretches the boundaries of documentary filmmaking, incorporating multidisciplinary elements as he explores the capacity and influence of moving images. Shivkumar is an urban designer and architect interested in the social issues that shape usage of and infrastructure around built spaces. As collaborators they have delved into an exploration of Indian modernity that encompasses a look at the country’s changing citizenry and evolving ideas about how architecture defines notions of home, spotlighted in their recent film  Nostalgia for the Future, which was part of Chicago Architecture Biennial (2019-2020), screened at Documenta 14 (2017) and Dhaka Art Summit (2018) and awarded the Best Documentary Award at IDSFFK, Trivandrum. Kishore has directed nearly a dozen films and worked as a cinematographer on more than fifty. Shivkumar has served as principal of his own architecture and interior design firm since 2002 and is the director of Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture, Mumbai. Both men have deep roots in academia, regularly giving lectures, publishing articles, and curating film programs. Their other films are Vertical City (2010), Electric Shadows (2016), Squeeze Lime in Your Eye  (2018) and Lovely Villa – Architecture as Autobiography (2019).

Selection Criteria: First – Come – First – Served basis. 

Certificates: All participants will recieve participation certificate.

Accommodation: Hostel Facility may be available on twin sharing basis in ‘Mitra Youth Hostel’ @ 350/- per day including breakfast. Reservations for hostel need to be done in advance – within 6 days of confirmation of selection for the course. 

Venue:  Cinema Paradiso, Town Hall, Auroville, Tamil Nadu – 605101

Medium of Instruction: English

Contribution for Participation: Rs 4,000/- per participant

Application Details: to be updated soon

Documentary film-making workshop in Ladakh

18th May to 21st June 2020.

To be rescheduled. Applications are open for few new vacancies due to current uncertainties.

At Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh

Course Overview

To practice documentary film making – as a method to observe, assimilate and critically express human actions, emotions and ideals – in context of local culture and environment. To apply the principles of Deep Ecology and thus anchor the film making practice in 3S – Self – Surrounding– Story. To observe the interconnections between Self and the Surroundings; to see how one is born out of the other and influences the other – how to articulate the related stories?

To orient participants with the principles and techniques of storytelling through an accessible audio visual medium. That is, to develop skills of identifying practical narratives, characters, locations etc. to effectively design a production. Further, to shoot, edit, design sound and thus produce films that articulate with integrity deeply personal perspectives on surrounding social realities.

To facilitate cultural exchange between the youth of Ladakh, Auroville and from all over India and abroad. A confluence of youth coming from various cultural backgrounds will enrich the experience and the learnings from the workshop.

Exposure to mountain region with an extremely fragile ecosystem, is also an oblique objective, to open eyes to the immediate evidences of climate change and appeal for conscious living.  Anchored in the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, the first if its kind ‘doer’s university’ will be a special insight.

Deliverables –

– 5-10 min documentary films anchored in the local landscape – made in groups.

– Reflective essays, Radio plays, Interviews, Photo-roman and 6-shot exercises – made individually.

– Archive of footage

Who is it for

For youth 18+ interested in Cultural Exchange; Sociology; Visual Anthropology; Ethnography; Photography, Films and Media Studies; Travel and Tourism; Local Ecology; Conservation; Creative Writing; Story Telling, Exploring.

It is a beginner to intermediary level workshop.

6 Seats are reserved for participants from Ladakh. 4 seats are reserved for participants from Auroville and the bioregion. Remaining seats are open for participants from all over India and abroad.

Number of participants is limited to 25.

Course Fee

For Indians and Aurovilians: ₹49900

For Foreign Nationals: $1400

Accommodation and Meals: ₹15000 / $250 – in addition to the course fee.

Accommodation available from 16th May to 23th June – a couple of days extra before and after the course.

Application Process

  1. Submission of online application form with a Statement of Purpose – before 31st March 2020.
  2. Telephonic interviews – from 1st to 5th April 2020.  
  3. Selection of Participants – by 10th April 2020.
  4. Payment of fees – by 15th April 2020.
  5. Confirmation of admission – upon confirmation of payment of fees and food & accommodation charges.

Cancellation and refund of fees is not possible after confirmation of admission.

Due to unforeseen conditions if the course itself is cancelled; full refund will be facilitated.

Workshop Facilitators

Richa Hushing & Rrivu Laha are documentary filmmakers, both alumni of Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. Richa specializes in Direction and Editing, while Rrivu’s specialization is Direction and Cinematography.  Their films are often character portraits; and portraits of indigenous cultures in face of conflict and at the threshold of change. Cinema verité style is their strength.

‘Nicobar, a long way…’  a documentary observing Nicobarese identity and resilience in wake of state sponsored relief and rehabilitation post Tsunami – is one of their latest works, winning ‘Special Mention’ award at the Millennium Film Festival, Belgium, 2017. Some of the other festivals where it won accolades was Pêcheurs du monde, Lorient, France, 2018; Film South Asia, Nepal, 2017; Viscult, the festival of Visual Culture, Finland, 2017; World Film Festival, Estonia, 2017; Festival Film Library of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Bristol 2017; Ethnografilm Festival, Paris, 2017; Smaragdni Eco Film Festival, Croatia, 2017; International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, India, 2016. Their prior works too have been recognised internationally.

After a decade long practice based in Mumbai, in 2017 Richa and Rrivu moved to Auroville, an intentional international township dedicated to the ideals of human unity, free progress and transformation of consciousness. In Auroville, they’ve found Auroville Timelines, a media pedagogy and video arts unit, researching and curating recorded memories of Auroville, creating mnemonics of the dream.  

Richa and Rrivu have also co-founded ‘Auroville Film Institute’ dedicated to the ideal of cinema education, integrating world cinema and world citizenship, experimenting with a new pedagogy, encouraging new practices of conscious cinema. Auroville Film Institute has begun to offer short term courses; and is preparing for long term plans, individualised mentorship, student exchange programmes and cinema-centric learning journeys.

Special Lectures

Sonam Wangchuk; Gitanjali JB; Stanzin Dorjai Gya; Jigmet Wangchuk; Teswang Namgail and others.

Course Details

Week 1

3S : Self – Surrounding – Story

2 days of Self Reflection.
Introspecting; Introducing oneself; relating to others in the group; and sharing. Involving in Deep Ecology based exercises.

2 days of Surrounding Exploration.
Understanding Ladakh – through a landscape tour exploring various physical and cultural aspects.

2 days of Introduction to Media Studies– Appraising Media Literacy, getting oriented with local media culture, basics of Mass Communication,  Appreciating Documentary films – History & Highlights. Film Screenings / Actuality Visits / Reflective Essays.

Week 2

2 Days of Detailing ‘Cinema as a Language’ – Engaging in discourses on Cinema Techniques, Cinema Aesthetics, Cinema Politics. Exploring the concept of Fact, Fiction, Documentary –  and everything in between.

2 Days of ‘Ways of seeing’ – Discourses and Practical Exercises – Discussing “Ways of Seeing” – What/ Who are we looking at? From Where? Why? Reading relevant passages and reflecting on the concept of ‘Gaze’. Practicals – Contextualizing – Character-Action-Situation; –Practicals – Interplaying with – Composition-Exposure-Movement-Perspective. Practicing Interview Techniques

2 Days of ‘6-Shot Exercise’– Ideating, scripting, shooting and editing a story that can be conveyed strictly in 6-shots only. Arriving at a narrative structure to convey a simple incident with an emotion. — Film Screenings / Discourses / Practical Exercises

Week 3

2 Days of Sound – Understanding role of sound to enhance narratives; Recording ambient sounds; recording interviews; Production of Radio plays.

4 days Pre-production and Reconnaissance – Forming groups and locking Ideas for documentary films: Researching, drafting scripts, scouting locations, spotting characters, articulating mood and tempo, developing styles of narration.  Pitching Sessions; Planning production.

Parallel Sessions of Camera Operations and Technical orientation.

Film Screenings / Intensive Practicals related to Pre-Production / Parallel Technical training.

Week 4

Production Week– Participants to be divided tentatively in 4 teams. 3 Shooting Days for each team. The teams will shoot on Alternate Days.  Team 1 & 2 on Day 1, 3 and 5, while team 3 & 4 on Day 2, 4 and 6.

On alternate non-shooting days, the teams will organise and review footage on the editing table; get oriented with basics of editing and prepare the paper edit to be executed the following week.

Week 5

Post Production Week– The 4 teams will have to edit their films under mentorship of the faculties. 3 Days of Rough Cut. 2 days of Final Cut and Sound Design. 1 day of touch up and final rendering.

Last Day of the Workshop: Screening of all films in an Auditorium and Sharing Circle.

Valedictory Function and Farewell Dinner.

Certificate

Certificate of participation will be issued jointly by Auroville Film Institute and Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh. 90% attendance is compulsory to get certificate.

Special Note

The workshop is part of the Auroville-Ladakh bi-annual student exchange programme, facilitating cinema-centric learning journeys that can emerge from and lead to a more comprehensive cultural confluence and knowledge sharing.  The corresponding Auroville Phase of the exchange programme titled “Auroville Praxis – experimental art, imagination and innovation” workshop will be open in November/December 2020 in Auroville.

For further details and queries if any, contact:

Richa Hushing at +91 9969879319 / filminstitute@auroville.org.in

Varada Kulkarni at +91 9769285936 / varada.kulkarni@hial.edu.in

Apply here

Sound Design for Film – Masterclass

Dates
8th to  11th Jan 2020

Venue
Auroville Timelines – Temporary Station, 1st Floor Auroville Archives Building, Auroville, Tamil Nadu – 605101 /  Aurofilm, Kalabhumi, Auroville – Tamil Nadu – 605101.

Course Overview & Highlights
Learn Nuances of Sound Design.
Explore – Sound as a Sensation.
Sound in Cinema.
Sound Workflow in a film.
Analyse the role of sound in Film – by watching sequences from a few classics.

Preview of the edited sequences / Demonstration of working on the sessions.
Segregation of tracks. Phase matching and Noise suppression on Dialogues wherever necessary.
(Identifying..ADR..Foley..)

Discussing sound and its effect on the narrative.  Make a basic sound track.
Discussing temporal aspect of sound.

Demonstration of recording ADR & Foley.
Laying of the recorded tracks.
Track laying.
Finalising the tracks and Mixing the edited film will be taken up and the sound post production workflow will be explained by the master sound designer. Creative and technical aspects of sound design will be discussed and demonstrated in a sound studio. Most importantly, the attitude and approach towards creating an aural experience suitable to the nature of film, enhancing its cinematic quality will be emphasized in the workshop.

Faculty Profile
Madhu Apsara is one of the most prominent sound designers in the industry. He has a long and highly impressive list of films to his credit starting from Hawa Hawai where he worked as On Location Sound Recording to the recently acclaimed Andhadhun where he worked as Sound Designer. The Dhoom Series, Ab Tak Chappan, Ek Hasina Thi, Hazaron Khwaishen Aise… are few of his many notable works. He is a filmfare and national award winner.  Not only an ace industry professional, he is an inspiring and much loved teacher. Currently he is teaching Sound in Film and Television Institute of India.

Sudipto Acharyya has studied cinema at FTII, Pune, with specialization in Direction and Screenplay Writing; and Masters in Film Studies from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Sudipto has a long engagement with teaching Cinema in various institutions like Film and Television Institute of India – Pune, Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute – Kolkata, Roop Kala Kendro, Kolkata Film & Television Institute and Center for Film & Television – Allahabad University. He is currently a Senior Faculty at Whistling Woods International – Mumbai. He has presented academic papers on cinema at film schools like Lithuania Music and Theater Academy – Vilnius, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts – Chapman University, Witwatersrand University – Johannesburg and Bilgi University – Istanbul. He is part of an Artistic Research project involving BRICS nation that looks at social interstices with the help of cinematic practices. He has directed several short films & one feature length film for television and other institutions. His film ‘Harbour Line’ and ‘Weekend Chill’ has traveled widely to national and international festivals.

Medium of Instruction
English

No. of Seats: 20.
Additionally 3 seats reserved for Auroville Students / Volunteers.

Participant Profile
Age: 18+ years as on 01st Sept 2019
Nationality: Indians, Foreign Nationals who are Aurovilians, Newcomers, Volunteers & Registered Guests at Auroville.

Course Fees
Rs 8000/- per participant (inclusive of all taxes)
Concessional Fees for Students/ Auroville Volunteers: Rs. 4000/ – (must be able to provide a copy of a valid Student I.D Card).

Mode of payment:
Fees may be paid via online transfer to :
Bank Name : STATE BANK OF INDIA

Account Name : AV ART SERVICE
Account Number : 37357794312
Branch : AUROVILLE INTERNATIONAL TOWNSHIP
IFS Code : SBIN0003160
MICR Code : 605002007
After payment, the transaction i.d generated must be filled up in application form linked below.
Admission will be confirmed via email within 4 days of receiving application form and verifying the online payment of fees. Applications with incomplete or incorrect details will be rejected.

Cancellation Terms
In case of cancellation of admission by the applicant after receiving confirmation of participation, no refund will be possible. In case the application is rejected by AVFI or the course itself is cancelled, full refund will be facilitated.


Selection Criteria
Participants will be selected in first –come- first – served basis. Those having prior orientation / experience in film-making, also, those having attended Film Appreciation and Basic Film Orientation Courses in Auroville will be given preference.

Certificates:
All participants will be given participation certificate on successful completion of the course. Minimum 90% attendance is mandatory.

Accommodation
For accommodation, participants may contact Nikhil, Hostel Coordinator, Auroville Film Institute filminstitute@auroville.org.in / +919995714909.
Alternatively, a range of guest house options are available in Auroville. The participants may explore options at https://guesthouses.auroville.org/ for guest house bookings.

Please visit http://www.auroville.org for orientation and additional information on Auroville.

Queries: For queries, if any, please write to:

Mrs. Richa Hushing on filminstitute@auroville.org.in /timelines@auroville.org.in /  +919969879319

Application form

Editing Masterclass

Course
Editing Masterclass

Dates
4th to  7th Jan 2020

Venue
Auroville Timelines – Temporary Station, 1st Floor Auroville Archives Building, Auroville, Tamil Nadu – 605101 /  Aurofilm, Kalabhumi, Auroville – Tamil Nadu – 605101.

Course Overview & Highlights 
Learn Editing – as the core of cinema with Amitabh Chakraborty – editor of critically acclaimed and cult films Kaal Abhirati and Cosmic Sex.
Analyse frame by frame excerpts of
Godard’s Breathless;
Bresson’s La Argent and
Tarantino’s Kill Bill 1 — to understand the film form and edit structures.
Learn the processes of selection and elimination.
Grip the narrative.
Finding flow and rhythm in the edit.
Witness shot-by-shot, scene-by-scene edit – from raw footage to full film.
Amitabh will start by watching the rushes with the participants, then interact with their ideas for the edit. In the process, from time to time, the faculty will veer off and demonstrate the various strands of editing methods that have evolved over time. It will be a process of lecture, demonstration and editing. A short film will be edited in the workshop.         

Faculty
Amitabh Chakarborty (for Editing)
Sudipto Acharyya (for Direction)  

Faculty Profile
Amitabh Chakraborty is an ace editor and a National Award Winning Film Maker. He is an alumnus of FTII, Pune who is respected for his Art-house cult films like Kaal Abhirati,Bishar Blues and Cosmic Sex which has been critically acclaimed in India as well as other countries. He has been on jury of several internationally reputed film festivals. Amitabha has also conducted classes and workshops in the prime film schools of the country over more than two decades. He has been a revered mentor for several generations of film students.

Medium of Instruction
English

No. of Seats: 20
Additionally 3 seats reserved for Auroville Students / Volunteers.

Participant Profile
Age: 18+ years as on 01st Sept 2019
Nationality: Indians, Foreign Nationals who are Aurovilians, Newcomers, Volunteers & Registered Guests at Auroville.

Course Fees
Rs 8000/- per participant (inclusive of all taxes)
Concessional Fees for Students/ Auroville Volunteers: Rs. 4000/ – (must be able to provide a copy of a valid Student I.D Card).

Mode of payment
Fees may be paid via online transfer to
Bank Name : STATE BANK OF INDIA
Account Name : AV ART SERVICE
Account Number : 37357794312
Branch : AUROVILLE INTERNATIONAL TOWNSHIP
IFS Code : SBIN0003160
MICR Code : 605002007
After payment, the transaction i.d generated must be filled up in application form linked below.
Admission will be confirmed via email within 4 days of receiving application form and verifying the online payment of fees. Applications with incomplete or incorrect details will be rejected.

Cancellation Terms
In case of cancellation of admission by the applicant after receiving confirmation of participation, no refund will be possible. In case the application is rejected by AVFI or the course itself is cancelled, full refund will be facilitated.

Selection Criteria
Participants will be selected in first –come- first – served basis. Those having prior orientation / experience in filmmaking, also, those having attended Film Appreciation and Basic Film Orientation Courses in Auroville will be given preference.

Certificates
All participants will be given participation certificate on successful completion of the course. Minimum 90% attendance is mandatory.

Accommodation
For accommodation, participants may contact Nikhil, Hostel Coordinator, Auroville Film Institute filminstitute@auroville.org.in / +919995714909.
Alternatively, a range of guest house options are available in Auroville.
The participants may explore options at https://guesthouses.auroville.org/ for guest house bookings.
Please visit http://www.auroville.org for orientation and additional information on Auroville.

Queries
For queries, if any, please write to:
Mrs. Richa Hushing on filminstitute@auroville.org.in /timelines@auroville.org.in /  +919969879319

Application Form

Cinematography & Production masterclass

Course
Cinematography & Mise-en-Scene Production Workshop

Dates
28th Dec 2019 to 3rd Jan 2020

Venue
Auroville Timelines – Temporary Station, 1st Floor Auroville Archives Building, Auroville, Tamil Nadu – 605101 /  Aurofilm, Kalabhumi, Auroville – Tamil Nadu – 605101.

Course Overview
Participants will have basic theory, orientation and practical sessions with a master cinematographer. Camera practicals will deal with the fundamentals of composition, exposure, perspective and movement. There will be lighting practicals – A day of working with natural day light, a day of studio / interior and lighting for night.
Following the practicals, there will be a 3-day ‘Mise-ne-scene’ Shoot – wherein the participants will observe, assist and co-work in groups with the master. 

On location Sound Recording Demonstration: On-location sound recordist will orient the participants with the fundamentals of sound and on-location sound recording. There will be introduction to the equipment; an assessment of the needs of the scenes in terms of sound; what kind of sound recording gear can best serve the need, thus analyzing choice of gear; demonstration of on-location recording skills and techniques; and then, observation and assessment of the output / recorded audio tracks.

Technology Partners – Panasonic

Faculty
Shanti Bhushan Roy (for Cinematography)
Sudipto Acharyya (for Direction)
Dawn (for on-location Sound Recroding)

Faculty Profile
Shanti Bhushan Roy Indian Filmmaker, Cinematographer, Educator and Motion Picture Consultant. A former software engineer, He is an alumnus of prestigious Film and Television Institute of India-Pune. He has more than a decade of experience in Film, Television, Documentary and Digital Audio Visual medium. He has worked on almost a dozen of Fiction Feature Films, equal number of Non Fiction Films and Television programs along with programs for National and International Television Channels and TV commercials. His wide range of filmography includes fiction films like Oscar shortlisted Ballad of Rustom, Wedding Anniversary, Shuttlecock Boys & Humne Gandhi Ko Maar Diya but also Non Fiction films like Rubaru Roshni, Partners Crime etc. He has worked on the milestone TV program “Satyamev Jayate” hosted by megastar Mr Aamir Khan. He has also shot documentaries for many International foundations like Bill & Melida Gates Foundation, UNDP & Godrej Foundation. Also have worked on many TV commercials & TV programs like 24 Season 2, Incredible India etc for many National and International Television Channels. He is amongst very few Filmmakers in India to be exploring the VR, 3D-360, AR. His, Crackle’ happens to be India’s first horror VR film which has been screened widely across the various VR international festivals. Since 2011 he has been working with young students of various government and private institutions like Symbiosis International University & Mumbai University. His work has been appreciated by many film critics as poetic & evocative and got featured in film and trade magazines.

Sudipto Acharyya has studied cinema at FTII, Pune, with specialization in Direction and Screenplay Writing; and Masters in Film Studies from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Sudipto has a long engagement with teaching Cinema in various institutions like Film and Television Institute of India – Pune, Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute – Kolkata, Roop Kala Kendro, Kolkata Film & Television Institute and Centre for Film & Television – Allahabad University. He is currently a Senior Faculty at Whistling Woods International – Mumbai. He has presented academic papers on cinema at film schools like Lithuania Music and Theatre Academy – Vilnius, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts – Chapman University, Witwatersrand University – Johannesburg and Bilgi University – Istanbul. He is part of an Artistic Research project involving BRICS nation that looks at social interstices with the help of cinematic practices. He has directed several short films & one feature length film for television and other institutions. His film ‘Harbour Line’ and ‘Weekend Chill’ has travelled widely to national and international festivals.

Medium of Instruction
English

Participant Profile
Age: 18+ years as on 01st Sept 2019
Nationality: Indians, Foreign Nationals who are Aurovilians, Newcomers, Volunteers & Registered Guests at Auroville.

Course Fees
Rs 15000/- per participant (inclusive of all taxes)
Concessional Fees for Students/ Auroville Volunteers: Rs. 7500/ – (must be able to provide a copy of a valid Student I.D Card).

Mode of payment
Fees may be paid via online transfer to
Bank Name : STATE BANK OF INDIA
Account Name : AV ART SERVICE
Account Number : 37357794312
Branch : AUROVILLE INTERNATIONAL TOWNSHIP
IFS Code : SBIN0003160
MICR Code : 605002007
After payment, the transaction i.d generated must be filled up in application form linked below.
Admission will be confirmed via email within 4 days of receiving application form and verifying the online payment of fees. Applications with incomplete or incorrect details will be rejected.

Cancellation Terms
In case of cancellation of admission by the applicant after receiving confirmation of participation, no refund will be possible. In case the application is rejected by AVFI or the course itself is cancelled, full refund will be facilitated.

Selection Criteria
Participants will be selected in first –come- first – served basis. Those having prior orientation / experience in filmmaking, also, those having attended Film Appreciation and Basic Film Orientation Courses in Auroville will be given preference.

Accommodation
For accommodation, participants may contact Nikhil, Hostel Coordinator, Auroville Film Institute filminstitute@auroville.org.in / +919995714909.

Alternatively, a range of guest house options are available in Auroville. The participants may explore options at https://guesthouses.auroville.org/ for guest house bookings.

Please visit http://www.auroville.org for orientation and additional information on Auroville.

Queries: For queries, if any, please write to:

Mrs. Richa Hushing on filminstitute@auroville.org.in /timelines@auroville.org.in /  +919969879319

Application form

Foundation in Direction – 4 days

Course
Basics of Screenwriting

Dates
24th to 27th  December 2019

Venue
Auroville Timelines – 1st Floor Auroville Archives Building, Auroville, Tamil Nadu – 605101 /  Aurofilm, Kalabhumi, Auroville – Tamil Nadu – 605101.

Course Overview & Highlights

Understand a ‘Shot’ in all its complexity
Build a Scene
Device a Mise-en-Scene 
Design a long take
Practice the art of staging in films
Explore the theme – Time Travel in exciting multi-dimensional space of Auroville !

This workshop will give a foundation in Direction. Exploring shot as a complex unit, the workshop practice the construction of a story, by means of fundamental exercises like 3-shots and 6-shots. Further, Mise-en-Scene as a staging device, and as an art – will be discussed and demonstrated. The relationship of a shot-scene-story –anchored in actual physical space, choreographed to the Director’s vision – will be demonstrated.

Faculty: Sudipto Acharyya

Sudipto Acharyya has studied cinema at FTII, Pune, with specialization in Direction and Screenplay Writing; and Masters in Film Studies from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Sudipto has a long engagement with teaching Cinema in various institutions like Film and Television Institute of India – Pune, Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute – Kolkata, Roop Kala Kendro, Kolkata Film & Television Institute and Centre for Film & Television – Allahabad University. He is currently a Senior Faculty at Whistling Woods International – Mumbai. He has presented academic papers on cinema at film schools like Lithuania Music and Theatre Academy – Vilnius, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts – Chapman University, Witwatersrand University – Johannesburg and Bilgi University – Istanbul. He is part of an Artistic Research project involving BRICS nation that looks at social interstices with the help of cinematic practices. He has directed several short films & one feature length film for television and other institutions. His film ‘Harbour Line’ and ‘Weekend Chill’ has travelled widely to national and international festivals.

Medium of Instruction
English

No. of Seats: 20
Additionally 3 seats reserved for Auroville Students / Volunteers.

Participant Profile
Age: 18+ years as on 01st Sept 2019
Nationality: Indians, Foreign Nationals who are Aurovilians, Newcomers, Volunteers & Registered Guests at Auroville.

Course Fees
Rs 8000/- per participant (inclusive of all taxes)
Concessional Fees for Students/ Auroville Volunteers: Rs. 4000/ – (must be able to provide a copy of a valid Student I.D Card).

Mode of payment
Fees may be paid via online transfer to :
Bank Name : STATE BANK OF INDIA
Account Name : AV ART SERVICE
Account Number : 37357794312
Branch : AUROVILLE INTERNATIONAL TOWNSHIP
IFS Code : SBIN0003160
MICR Code : 605002007
After payment, the transaction i.d generated must be filled up in application form linked below.

Admission will be confirmed via email within 4 days of receiving application form and verifying the online payment of fees. Applications with incomplete or incorrect details will be rejected.

Cancellation Terms
In case of cancellation of admission by the applicant after receiving confirmation of participation, no refund will be possible. In case the application is rejected by AVFI or the course itself is cancelled, full refund will be facilitated.


Selection Criteria
Participants will be selected in first –come- first – served basis. Those having prior orientation / experience in filmmaking, also, those having attended Film Appreciation and Basic Film Orientation Courses in Auroville will be given preference.

Certificates
All participants will be given participation certificate on successful completion of the course. Minimum 90% attendance is mandatory.

Accommodation
For accommodation, participants may contact Nikhil, Hostel Coordinator, Auroville Film Institute filminstitute@auroville.org.in / +919995714909.

Alternatively, a range of guest house options are available in Auroville. The participants may explore options at https://guesthouses.auroville.org/ for guest house bookings.

Please visit http://www.auroville.org for orientation and additional information on Auroville.

Queries: For queries, if any, please write to:

Mrs. Richa Hushing on filminstitute@auroville.org.in /timelines@auroville.org.in /  +919969879319

Master Class

Application Form

Mise-en-scene: From Idea to Film

19th December 2019 to 12th January 2020

25 days fulltime (with Christmas and New year day break)

Course Type

Master Class Series – with

  • Sudipto Acharyya (Direction and Screen Writing)
  • Shanti Bhushan (Cinematography)
  • Amitabh Chakravarty (Editing)
  • Madhu Apsara/Vipin Bhati (Sound Design)

Course Overview

Mise-en-Scene is central to the art of Cinema. It begins with the moment a Director starts toying with an idea. From there on, it evolves with a series of directorial decisions to visualise the idea as a screenplay and then to actualize it as a film. This Mise-en-Scene workshop will expose the participants to the various intricate thought processes, elements of craft, necessary conditions of cinematic art form and hands-on practice in Writing-Directing-Cinematography-Editing-Sound Design. Each of these areas will be tutored by ace film makers who are also renowned film academicians.

A ‘Mise-en-scene’ is naturally anchored in a space and determined by a central theme. This Mise-en-Scene workshop will be anchored in the exciting multi-dimensional space of Auroville; and determined by a central theme ‘Time Travel’.

The participants will learn the fundamentals of direction, storytelling and screenwriting; and apply them in writing their short film scripts. A script will be collaboratively worked out for production; the production will be based in Auroville, thus rendering it an interesting Auroville dimension.

The production will be a part of the cinematography master class; followed by an editing and then sound post production master class – thus we will have a final short film ready through a series of master classes.

The short film will be screened on 12th January 2020 as a part of closing ceremony of the 6th Auroville Film Festival. The participants will have access to the festival – during the evenings after class hours (from 7th to 12th January 2020).

Curriculum details

Deliverables of the workshop

i. Short film scripts to be written by each participant (mentored by the faculty)
ii. Mise-en-scene productions (participants will observe and assist in groups the Masters of Direction, Cinematography, Editing and Sound Design. Thus a workshop film will be produced with the participants.
iii. Additional to the master-production, the participants will have an orientation of the art and craft with the masters and practical sessions on screen writing, cinematography, editing and sound design.

Venue

-Cinema Paradiso, Town Hall, Auroville
-Auroville Timelines, 1st Floor, Archives Building, Near AVFoundation, Auroville -Aurofilm, Kalabhumi, Auroville

Total No. of Seats

24. Additionally 3 seats reserved for Volunteers.

Participant Profile

Age: 18+
Nationality: Indians, Foreign Nationals who are Aurovilians, Newcomers, Volunteers & Registered Guests at Auroville.

Course Fees

Rs 42000/- per participant (inclusive of all taxes)
Additional hostel fee of Rs. 8000/- per participant – in case the participant wants to avail hostel facility in Auroville. Hostel will be on twin sharing basis including breakfast (for 28 days).

Mode of Payment

Fees may be paid via online transfer to :
 
Bank Name : STATE BANK OF INDIA
Account Name : AV ART SERVICE
Account Number : 37357794312
Branch : AUROVILLE INTERNATIONAL TOWNSHIP
IFS Code : SBIN0003160
MICR Code : 605002007
 
After payment, the transaction i.d generated must be filled up in application form linked below.
Admission will be confirmed via email within 4 days of receiving application form and verifying the online payment of fees.
Applications with incomplete or incorrect details will be rejected.

Cancellation terms

In case of cancellation of admission by the applicant after receiving confirmation of participation, no refund will be possible. In case the application is rejected by AVFI or the course itself is cancelled, full refund will be facilitated.

Selection Criteria

Participants will be selected in first –come- first – served basis. Those having prior orientation / experience in film making, also, those having attended Film Appreciation and Basic Film Orientation Courses in Auroville will be given preference.

Faculty

Screenwriting & Direction: Prof. Sudipto Acharyya

Sudipto Acharyya has studied cinema at FTII, Pune, with specialization in Direction and Screenplay Writing; and Masters in Film Studies from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Sudipto has a long engagement with teaching Cinema in various institutions like Film and Television Institute Of India – Pune, Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute – Kolkata, Roop Kala Kendro, Kolkata Film & Television Institute and Centre for Film & Television – Allahabad University. He is currently a Senior Faculty at Whistling Woods International – Mumbai. He has presented academic papers on cinema at film schools like Lithuania Music and Theatre Academy – Vilnius, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts – Chapman University, Witwatersrand University – Johannesburg and Bilgi University – Istanbul. He is part of an Artistic Research project involving BRICS nation that looks at social interstices with the help of cinematic practices. He has directed several short films & one feature length film for television and other institutions. His film ‘Harbour Line’ and ‘Weekend Chill’ has traveled widely to national and international festivals.

Cinematography: Shanti Bhushan Roy

Mr Shanti Bhushan Roy is a respected Indian Filmmaker, Cinematographer, Educator and Motion Picture Consultant. A former software engineer, He is an alumnus of prestigious Film and Television Institute of India-Pune. He has more than a decade of experience in Film, Television, Documentary and Digital Audio Visual medium. He has worked on almost a dozen of Fiction Feature Films, equal number of Non Fiction Films and Television programs along with programs for National and International Television Channels and TV commercials. His wide range of filmography includes fiction films like Oscar shortlisted Ballad of Rustom, Wedding Anniversary, Shuttlecock Boys & Humne Gandhi Ko Maar Diya but also Non Fiction films like Rubaru Roshni, Partners Crime etc. He has worked on the milestone TV program “Satyamev Jayate” hosted by megastar Mr Aamir Khan. He has also shot documentaries for many International foundations like Bill & Melida Gates Foundation, UNDP & Godrej Foundation. Also have worked on many TV commercials & TV programs like 24 Season 2, Incredible India etc for many National and International Television Channels. He is amongst very few Filmmakers in India to be exploring the VR, 3D-360, AR. His, Crackle’ happens to be India’s first horror VR film which has been screened widely across the various VR International festivals. Since 2011 he has been working with young students of various government and private institutions like Symbiosis International University & Mumbai University. His work has been appreciated by many film critics as poetic & evocative and got featured in film and trade magazines.

Editing : Amitabha Chakravarty

Amitabha Chakravarty is an ace editor and a National Award Winning Film Maker. He is an alumnus of FTII, Pune who is respected for his Art-house cult films like Kaal Abhirati, Bishar Blues and Cosmic Sex which has been critically acclaimed in India as well as other countries. He has been on jury of several internationally reputed film festivals. Amitabha has also conducted classes and workshops in the prime film schools of the country over more than two decades. He has been a revered mentor for several generations of film students.

Sound Design :Madhu Apsara

Madhu Apsara is one of the most prominent sound designers in the industry. He has a long and highly impressive list of films to his credit starting from Hawa Hawai where he worked as On Location Sound Recording to the recently acclaimed Andhadhun where he worked as Sound Designer. The Dhoom Series, Ab Tak Chappan, Ek Hasina Thi, Hazaron Khwaishen Aise… are few of his many notable works. He is a Filmfare and National award winner. Not only an ace industry professional, he is an inspiring and much loved teacher. Currently he is teaching Sound in Film and Television Institute of India.

Medium of Instruction: English

Certificates

All participants will be given participation certificate on successful completion of the course. Minimum 90% attendance is mandatory.

Accommodation

We have standard, clean and centrally located accommodation available at Mitra Youth Hostel @8000/- for the full course tenure (28 days) including breakfast on twin sharing basis. We can reserve accommodation upon request after selection of applicant and confirmation of participation. Alternatively, there are a range of guest house options available in Auroville. The participants may book their own accommodation in Auroville via Auroville Guest House Service.
For guest house bookings refer to:
https://guesthouses.auroville.org/ for guest house bookings.
For mobility within Auroville, we recommend the participants rent bicycle / moped / 2-wheeler. Rent starts from Rs. 50 to Rs.200 /- a day.
 Please visit http://www.auroville.org for orientation and additional information on Auroville.

Queries

For queries, if any, please write to Mrs. Richa Hushing on filminstitute@auroville.org.in /timelines@auroville.org.in / +919969879319

Application Form

Partners

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