Day 2, Cinema100: Focuses on marketing and technical aspects of filmmaking

Having started off from the musical journey of Indian cinema yesterday, Cinema100 maintained the activity crest on its second day too. This day the celebrations of Indian cinema focused on different aspects of cinema like utilization of new film techniques on black and white classics, still photography, animation techniques and of course marketing of films.

 

The campus was abuzz with activity that had established directors, film makers and media personalities like Amole Gupte, Zoya Akhtar, Ketan Anand, Govind Nihilani and CK Muralidharan interacting with students and sharing their knowledge and experiences of film making.

 

Day two of Cinema 100 was specifically designed to take people down memory lane, showcasing the timeless classics from the last century. In fact, some very interesting thematic compilations were prepared by students of Whistling Woods International themselves. Many of these were based on the best actors the industry has even seen, villains who have shaken their audience, music compositions and directors, all these were screened during at different intervals during the day. It was every film enthusiasts’ day of delight. Starting with the screenings of "Fearless: The Hunterwali Story." A movie starring the famous 'Fearless Nadia' - the first stunt-woman of Indian Cinema to watch classics like Kabhi Kabhie; Bimay Roy’s Devdas; Sholay; Kanoon; Anand; Magadheera; Diamond queen; Sahib bibi aur ghulam; Kalicharan; Kagaz ke phool; Charulata; Arth; Awaara; Amar, Akbar, Anthon; Mother India;  Do aankhen barah haath and of course Pushpak being screened all day.

 

The main auditorium was packed with people who came to experience knowledge by film makers like Zoya Akhtar, Govind Nihalani and Subhash Ghai passionately speaking about the 100 year journey of Indian cinema.  While Zoya Akthar spoke about the new age cinema with a modern take on the art, and Govind Nihalani gave their views on cinema of yesteryears and its evolution over time.  

 

“I always love to be here!” says Zoya Akhtar overwhelmed by the 100th year of Cinema she spoke about her film making sensibilities and added, “friendship is an integral part of my films because of the kind of friends I have had. I have not developed a style for my films yet. I am just 2 films old.”

 

Zoya further speaks on what she hopes for the next 100 years of Cinema and says, “The world is waking up to the Indian Film Industry, there are a few films which are cutting through because we have a different idiom. I feel that we will be able to crack certain amount of distribution to the West or other parts of the world which will enable certain filmmakers to tell stories in a different form. I think it is getting more and more global and the world is getting smaller. So that will be very exciting and I hope I am there when that happens because it would be nice to tell typical Indian stories but in a way, in a language, in a tempo, and at a length that is palatable to a wide audience.”

 

A special workshop was conducted by the famous film maker Amole Gupte with over 150 children attached to three non-profit organizations Apne aap women’s collective, Jeevan Pushp charitable trust and Aseema. The children were overwhelmed and fascinated by the film maker’s stories and animated mannerisms so much so that many of them vowed to turn into producer one day!

 

Post his workshop with the children, Amole Gupte said, “Film making is an art form and not rocket science. What you watch will help you determine what not to watch. It is not just entertainment or a sermon; it’s about keeping a balance. Our cinema awaits renaissance…hopefully the next 100 years of cinema will be more egalitarian and democratic.”

 

Another highlight of the day was Ketan Anand’s session wherein he showcased the unreleased ‘Haqueeqat’ in colour and talked about its colorization process taken into account during the making of the film.  

 

After visiting the WWI campus Ketan Anand said, “Wow, what a place! I would love to do a rewind and start all over again as a student here.” On Chetan Anand’s style of film-making, he added, “real events influenced his cinema a lot.”

 

The highlight of the day was when Maya Entertainment shared a sequence of the under production Sholay in 3D. In the words of a student “Sholay in 3D was a mind-blowing experience for everyone! The immortal train robbery scene was further immortalized at Whistling Woods only at Cinema 100”

 

Besides the above, an innovative workshop on mobile filmmaking was held in the extensive stilt area of the campus. In another hall, a live anchoring and newsroom workshop was taking place amongst other Animation, VFX and Still Photography workshops. Those taking part were seen trying to grasp the learnings to the optimum.

 

The last session of the day was a stimulating panel discussion on marketing of Hindi films. The panelists including Neeraj Roy, Hungama; Vivek Krishnani, Fox Star Studios; Girish Wankhade, Cinemax; Gaurav Sharma, Fever and film maker Samar Khan shared their views and insights in to marketing of films that is an integral part of film making.  The panelists highlighted the extent that producers and directors go to ensure necessary and innovative promotions for their films.

 

The day ended with 50 bicyclists visiting the Exhibition. A club which gets its inspiration from nature rides and saving the environment now soaked in some cinema ride on to greener pastures! 

 

All in all, the second day of Cinema100 was indeed an interesting knowledge filled day!