FILM MAKING COURSE

India enjoys the position of being the largest producer of films in the world. In 2009, India produced a total of
2961 films on celluloid that include a staggering figure of 1288 feature films. From the time the first full-length
motion picture was produced in India in 1913 Raja Harishchandra by Dada Saheb Phalke the Indian film
industry has traversed a long and interesting road. Today as many as 30 film production companies are listed
in the National Stock Exchange of India, making film making a commercial venture. The Indian media and
entertainment industry is poised to witness an unprecedented growth, from the existing size of $ 11 billion (Rs.
450 billion) at a compounded annual growth rate of 18 per cent to reach $ 25 billion (Rs. 1 trillion) by 2011.
And this offers a vast opportunity to those desirous to make a career in the film industry. The film industry
offers a number of avenues: cinematography, film production, screenwriting, acting, film direction, editing,
sound, music direction, lyricist and so on. As compared to yesteryears, when apprenticeship was the only
training, today several institutes offer film making courses that train aspiring students in their chosen field. Not
that hand on training can be replaced or a course means a sure success in the mercurial film industry but a
course in film making will certainly provide a foundation that will give a head start in the highly competitive
industry and a diploma from a well respected institute will at least open doors in an industry where you are
as good as your last successful film.
Today the prospects in the field of film making has extended beyond feature films to stretch to documentaries,
newsreels, Promotional films, TV commercials, music Videos etc.
So what are the pre requisites for a student seeking admission in a film making course. The most important
is a creative bend of mind. An artistic flair combined with a good visual and communication skill is essential.
Leadership quality and an ability to work in a team will also be an added advantage.
A film making course of any reputed institute will include in its curriculum film production, film theory, digital
mediaproduction, and screenwriting. Film history courses and hands-on technical training are usually
incorporated into most film school curricula. Technical training may include instruction in the use and operation
of cameras, lighting equipment, film or video editing equipment and software, and other relevant equipment.
Film schools may also include courses and training in such subjects as television production, broadcasting,
audio engineering, and animation. It is best to gather a basic understanding of all aspects of film making
before specializing in a particular stream.
Some of the specialization that a student may opt for include: film direction and scriptwriting, cinematography
or editing and sound.
For scriptwriting students are expected to have a good flair for writing and excellent command over vocabulary
and for direction to have an exceptional sense of leadership and motivation as compared to other areas of
specializations as directors have to organize a team, lead and motivate them towards film production.
The course in cinematography is taught mostly in the digital format. The students should have a good flair for
understanding optical mathematics and sensitive towards moods of lighting, colour and textures. An able
cinematography will have the skill to learn how to read a screenplay, interpret the directors vision to capture
the image. A cameraman needs to develop leadership qualities to deal with light boys, camera assistants,
negotiating with equipment hirers.
Editing is the key to filmmaking. Although in most of the schools it is taught in non linear console but in some
leading institutes like the FTII, students are also taught in the linear mode to teach the basics. Some institutes
also combine editing with sound as it is an integral part of film editing.
The scope after completion of a film making course are wide. Freelancing is still the best option. Alternatively
one can join a production house, advertising agency, television channel. A large number of opportunities have
opened up for filmmakers in India due to the boom in the media industry and with the multiplex culture
spreading in India. Several filmmakers also get to make small budget movies to carve a niche for themselves in
the film fraternity.