Hands On

Basic Film Orientation

11th to 17th Nov. 2019 from 9 am to 6 pm

Umesh Kulkarni 

Three times National Award recipient, director Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni is an alumnus of the Film and Television institute of India. One of the most important contemporary voices in Indian cinema he is considered to be a pioneer of New wave in Marathi cinema. He has directed 4 feature films and 8 short films that have travelled over 30 national and international film festivals including the prestigious Berlinale, Clermont Ferrand, Rotterdam, Oberhausen, Karlovy Vary, Bourges En Court, Reignsbourg INT., Jeonju international film festivals. He has also been jury in eminent festivals like Karlovy Vary film festival, Cairo film festival, Thai film festival, International Film Festival of Kerala. Keeping up his love for short films, and in order to encourage young filmmakers to make quality short films of international standards, Umesh started conducting an extensive short film making workshops. These workshops are designed specially to understand the nuances and finer details of short films as an independent medium

Participant Profile: 

(i) Age: 18+ years as on 01st Nov. 2019

(ii) Interested in story telling; short filmmaking; arts and aesthetics; and humanities

(iii) Nationality: Indians, Foreign Nationals who are Aurovilians, Newcomers, Volunteers & Registered Guests at Auroville.

Course Curriculum: 

Day 1: Introduction;  Why Art ? Why Cinema ? Why Short Film ? What is an idea ? Where does it come from ? How to translate ideas in to films ? Introduction the fundamentals of a cinematic language, Introduction to the form of short film.

Day 2: What it takes to make a short film ? From idea to script to screen – what are the processes involved ? A brief description of the workflow : pre-production, production, post production; Exercises of Observation: On-location; Understanding the concept of time and concept of space. Homework : Bring an idea.

Day 3: Formation of groups. Develop further short film ideas within the respective groups- presentation of ideas by the end of the day. (Ideas for minimal or no dialogue short films – approx 2-3 minutes each – in groups).

Day 4: Pre-production Fixing location and cast; scenes design; shot division; rehearsal and general production planning/ preparation.

Day 5: Production Participants will shoot their own shorts in groups – as per their planning and preparation.

Day 6: Post Production Editing Short films & Basic Sound Design .

Day 7: Review and analysis of Short Film Productions & Valedictory Function.

How to apply:

Download application form from here. Fill in all details; attach required Demand Draft and send it by speed post/ courier or deliver it in person to: 

Mrs. Richa Hushing, Auroville Film Institute, C/o Aurofilm, Kalabhumi, Auroville, Tamil Nadu – 605 101 Phone: 0413 2622037/ 09969879319

So as to reach on or before 6th Nov. 2019 by 4 pm.

On envelope of application at top left, write “Application for Basic Film Orientation Course in Auroville”. Incomplete applications, applications without required Demand Draft, applications received after due date & time etc will be rejected

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

Prior experience in filmmaking is not compulsory, however, basic experience in photography and/or editing would be a plus. The course encourages young professionals, and also novices, amateur filmmakers, hobby artists – as long as there interest in cinema, storytelling and short filmmaking.

Selected candidates will be communicated by email. Course fees of the selected candidates will be non – refundable. Demand Drafts of non–selected candidates will be returned within 07 days. 

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

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: Aurofilm, Kalabhumi, and OR Cinema Paradiso, Town Hall, Auroville, Tamil Nadu – 605101

Medium of Instruction: English

Last date to apply: 6th Nov. 2019 by 4 pm

Course Fees: Rs 8,300/- per participant (inclusive of all taxes) 

Total No. of Seats: 45, Course may be cancelled if we do not reach a minimum of 30 registrations. Upto 40 Seats will be open for all and Upto 05 Seats will be reserved for production supporters / volunteers attending the course from: (i) Auroville and Auroville Outreach Schools; (ii) Aurovilians, Newcomers and volunteers at AVFI.