The Hindu : New Delhi News : A new film institute for budding artists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 15, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

A new film institute for budding artists

Lakshmi B.Ghosh

Whistling Woods International to start its first academic session from July

NEW DELHI: The showman is back. And this time, with the promise of a place in tinsel world for those passionate about cinema. Having given the Hindi film industry some of its biggest hits, ace director Subhash Ghai is now coming out with his own training ground -- Whistling Woods International.

Being touted as Asia's largest film, television and media arts institute, Ghai's academic venture will commence its first academic session this coming July. To be based in Film City (Goregoan), Mumbai, the institute will provide world-class training in all aspects of filmmaking, television and animation through a two-year intensive programme.

"Whistling Woods International is my way of returning to the industry what it has taught me over the past 27 years. It will act as a stepping-stone for anyone who wants to make inroads into the world of television, cinema and animation. The institute will offer the best at par with international standards be it technology, faculty or resources,'' said the master filmmaker at a press conference here over the weekend.

To be led by Los Angeles-based producer director Kurt Inderbitzin, the institute's high profile faculty will include Shyam Benegal, Aruna Raje, Naseeruddin Shah, Ashish Kulkarni, Anjum Rajabali, Rajen Kothari, Rakesh Ranjan and Umesh Gupta.

And if that sounds big, the academic advisory board and governing council of the institute has names like Anand Mahindra, Kiran Karrnik, Arun Purie, Ashok Mishra, Purnendu Chatterjee, Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan, Hema Malini, Rakeysh Mehra, Shabana Azmi, Dilip Kumar, Ashutosh Gowarikar among others.

Spread over 20 acres at Goregaon Film City, the institute will give students access to the entire filmmaking fraternity. Also on offer soon will be workshops and short-term courses for practicing professionals wanting to upgrade their skills. Plans are also on to introduce courses in production design, fashion design, choreography and radio later.

As Dean Kurt Inderbitzin, puts it: "We are absolutely devoted to putting our students first and giving them the creative freedom, the technical skills, the business edge, and yes the connections and know-how to build careers in the film and television industry".

The programme will provide 84 weeks of comprehensive training in specialized realms of filmmaking.

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