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Band of BOYS
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When others of their ilk are dancing away the evenings, a group of young filmmakers display their creativity in documentaries and short films, writes SUBHA J RAO
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CREATIVE MINDS
THEY BUSTLE about the roadside, setting up cameras and getting their cast to pose for their maiden shot. Before you dismiss them as a news crew like most people do, hold on for a second.
These are a band of inspired boys who are passionate about shooting documentaries and short films on subjects that catch their fancy.
One of them, Venkatesan, is now shooting a documentary on gypsies who vend earthenware on the roadside.
Drawn from a clutch of colleges in the city, most are students of Visual Communication. Some, with degrees in science and engineering behind them, have swum against the tide to make a mark in this field.
Bharadwaj and Venkatesan belong to the latter group. The former is studying to become an engineer, while Venkatesan has completed his degree in information technology in from the PSG College of Technology.
He is now Creative Director at Campus Images, a college of film animation technologies.
This eclectic lot has also formed the CIFA (Coimbatore Independent Filmmakers Association) to establish itself as a serious group. Browse through its website at www.cifa.2ya.com
The boys make the most of their basic equipment - 4 Nikons, two Panasonic Mini DVs and a few other tools. "Thankfully, we are allowed to use college equipment for furthering our skills. That helps," say Shakti, Sripathy, Satish Krishnan, Krishnaraj and Ananthasankar of the Department of Visual Communication, Dr. GRD College of Science.
A still from their film
The group of boys met during shoots before like passions brought them together.
Ask them if getting parental approval was difficult and they pause before admitting that it was initially so.
"Parents tend to think there is not much scope in this field. But, they are not completely against it, they still encourage us," says Krishnaraj. His father, Kuppuraj, agrees. "I am now supportive, and encourage him. But, I was initially sceptical."
Sripathy is to make a film titled "Dhisai" on career and students.
Into its third version now on a higher budget, he wants to use the opportunity to expose the futility of choosing a career that does not utilise a person's talents.
What these youths want is exposure; that others see their work. For Sripathy, that dream may materialise, with the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Manchester saying it is interested in beaming his work in colleges and schools.
Documentary film-making is not cheap. A film can cost anything between Rs. 450 and Rs. 4,000 to make.
This when, no salaries are paid. So, it comes as no surprise to learn most of these boys are from the upper middle class, where this expenditure does not pinch the pocket much.
Sakthi is to shoot a film on counselling and therapy soon. And, his father, he says is his biggest help.
Dr. Soundarrajan says he is "very interested in Sakthi's career and doesn't mind footing the occasional bill."
But, the youths say they don't trouble their parents often for money, even if it means compromising on quality once in a while.
Evening jobs and short-term projects bring in the much-needed pocket money, which is quickly invested in another film.
That has resulted in the group shooting 13 movies in the span of a year.
Vijaya Sivam, Venkatesan's mother says the family has been behind all his efforts. "He tries his best not to ask us for money, but we are always willing to help him out."
The dedicated bunch of film makers say they have learnt most technical jargon on-the-job and want to use this as a launch pad to enter the world of movies.
"Why can't educated people enter the film industry," asks Sripathy.
What has this career taught them? "To learn to respect people and be humane," quips Venkatesan.
Some of their documentaries have been sent to the National Geographic Channel and Dubai Media City for perusal. Krishnaraj's film has been screened at the Max Mueller Bhavan in Chennai.
Prominent among their creations include works on child labour and "Shubh Yatra", on the Indian Railways. Forthcoming projects include one on the Komarapalayam blind orchestra.
Ask the boys what help they expect from society and they say in a chorus: "Be respectful towards all professions and don't look at documentary film making as something weird. Treat it like just another career option."
Contact Venkatesan at 98422-77124, Bharadwaj at 98422-21890, Raameshwar at 98942-69690 and Shanmugharaj at 98430-55554
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