RADIO SARGAM INTERVIEW: SUBHASH GHAI

●Congratulations on launching the film, television & media arts institute ‘WWI’ in India!
Thank you.

●How did the idea cross your mind to open a film institute?
Being in the industry for more than 26 years, having learnt so much myself and the love & affection that I received over the period of years; I felt that it was time to give back. The Indian Film Industry is one of the biggest film industries not only in India but world over and it produces almost more than 200 films in a year. With younger generation going for career in film & TV there was a need for a school, which would cater to their demands. With changing times I also felt that a school with the latest state-of-the art infrastructure and international standards would largely benefit the youngsters who want to study the art. Our country is full of talent and what they require is a direction to showcase the same. With proper education and guidance, I firmly believe that we would be able to produce films, which are accepted worldwide.

●What type of programs does Whistling Woods International offer?
The Whistling Woods International course is an intensive two-year program in which the full range of filmmaking skills are taught at appropriate professional levels. Learning is based around exercises and short films with emphasis on a hands-on approach. During each term, these film exercises become more technically sophisticated, more considered and more complex in their ambitions. The full-time two-year program provides 84 weeks (approximately 3800 hours) of comprehensive training and hands-on experience in filmmaking. The curriculum is designed in such a way that it has a balance of Arts, Technology and Business as that is essential for a real career in the real world. Currently seven disciplines are offered which are: ‘Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Production, Sound Recording and Design, Screenwriting and Acting’.

●What would be the criteria for enrolling the students?

The applicant needs to have a 10 + 2 in any discipline. The admissions have begun online and the prospective students should fill the forms online visiting our website http://www.whistlingwoods.net.

●How has the syllabus been designed to attract the students?
A broad-based curriculum, designed with the expert guidance of the distinguished Australian Film, Television and Radio School, offers students a modern, thorough and balanced course and a doorway from which to enter the entertainment industries. With a well-rounded Foundation program and concentrated Specialization programs in seven disciplines, the Whistling Woods International Institute for Film, Television & Media Arts provides unparalleled training in all aspects of filmmaking and television production – the aesthetic, the technical and the professional.
Multiple approaches to learning provide students with an exciting choice of educational programs, distilled from the best available both in India and internationally.

●How would the Whistling Woods International be different from the other film-television institutes spread across the country and globe?

WWI would provide an in-depth study in the art of film-television making. Being affiliated with the international schools of this genre, we would be able to provide the students the best of study maintaining the international standards pooled in with local intelligence. International faculty will be invited all year round as visiting lecturers. The biggest advantage is that of its location - WWI is located in Film City – the heart of Bollywood. This would enable the students to get hands on experience of filmmaking with on-locations visits, guest faculty etc. As a part of the practical, the students would be taken on the sets, which would help them understand and get acquainted along with the classroom academics.

●For a layperson who does not know even a little about films and television business but is passionate to join this world, how can WWI help him/her achieve his/her goals?

The courses are designed in a way to teach the students right from the basics. There is a foundation course that students need to undertake before they venture into specialization. This intensive five-month program teaches in an integrated approach…all the elements of filmmaking. There is a lot of talent in our country and it needs to be streamlined. Meeting the needs of a vast pool of untrained talent eager to acquire the technical skills and creative acumen needed for entering India’s burgeoning entertainment industry, WWI will offer international standards of education and expertise through a uniquely Indian perspective.
For others who just wish to broaden his/her appreciation and understanding of the arts, short courses in aesthetics, film and music appreciation, photography and a selection of other non-technical subjects are available.

●For the professionals who are already attached to the entertainment industry, has WWI designed any sort of programs for them to improve their skills?
Whistling Woods International will offer workshops tailored specifically to meet the needs of industry professionals already working in the film and television industries who wish to upgrade their skill levels. These courses target a specific skill set on particular creative proficiency. These will be termed as continuous training programs.

●In a country, where majority of the people are poor, how do you see WWI can run aptly?

In today’s world there is a very visible shift happening with the young generation. As opposed to earlier days when filmmaking was not regarded as an apt profession let alone studying the same, today’s generation are opting for alternate careers – fashion, films etc. more and more avenues are opening. There is a widespread demand for a school of such an international standard in India that will provide the necessary education and learning. The pricing strategy that WWI will follow is designed considering all the factors.

Parents recognize that investment in the child’s education yields the highest return in the long run. This is why we see such a large number of students going overseas for good education although such education is very expensive. WWI would offer an option for Indian and foreign students for high value education at costs significantly lower than the International market.

●Since the film education is highly expensive around the world, are there any financial aid, scholarships, grants and loan facilities available to the deserving students?

WWI will assist students in acquiring student loans through bank tie-ups. WWI also plans to get industry support to sponsor well deserving students.

●Is this a registered institution?
Whistling Woods International is registered as a company and is a joint venture with the Film City, which is an entity of the Government of Maharashtra.

●What have you planned for the size of a class?

There will be no more than 15 students per specialization class. Our targeted faculty to student ratio is 1:12 which is the norm in all renowned film schools in the world. The low ratio helps faculty give special attention to each student and allows for quality education.

●Would you please spread some light on the faculty at WWI?

The faculty of Whistling Woods International is a rotating body of academics and top working industry professionals, instructors from renowned Indian and foreign film schools and the finest guest lecturers. Much of our faculty rotates between teaching and the real world of production, alternating between classroom and film set. Not a group of fossilized theoreticians in pursuit of tenure, they are instead talented, highly-skilled, working professionals who are currently making a mark in the film industry. This team of skilled and experienced lecturers, trained in the most advanced systems and latest teaching methodologies and proven in real-world productions, offer students a vibrant, far-reaching education.

●Will the students have the chance to receive the lectures from Bollywood personalities in order to gain the knowledge from their experiences?
Weekly sessions with guest lecturers and speakers from a variety of backgrounds enrich the learning experience at Whistling Woods International by offering students the opportunity to round out their education. In addition to noted filmmakers, this program aims at making the students expose to academics and specialists from diverse fields. With a broad spectrum of invitees, from psychologists, anti-piracy lawyers and sociologists to writers, choreographers and musicians, students are offered a substantial enhancement to any ordinary film program in order to foster their overall intellectual growth.
●Does WWI offer internships to the students?

WWI will have a career management cell, which will offer hand holding services to ensure transition of students from the institute to the industry. The career management cell will organize campus interviews, presentation of student films to the industry, establishing one to one project presentation meetings, promote an opportunity website for alumni and many such avenues.

●Since Whistling Woods International is based in the heart of Film City, will the students have the opportunity to meet with the Bollywood stars? And would it be helpful for the students being nearer to the industry?

Yes … there would be visits by the film fraternity as mentioned earlier, also the students would be able to interact with artistes and technicians on their on-location visits.

●The institute is spread over 20 acres of land, what types of facilities have been designed for the students?

We believe that only through teaching and using contemporary formats and cutting-edge equipment we are able to prepare students for the technological transformations sweeping the industry. A mastery of the newest equipment enables our students to enter the global entertainment industry riding the crest of the wave. For the layperson wishing to broaden his/her appreciation and understanding of the arts, short courses in aesthetics, film and music appreciation, photography and a selection of other non-technical subjects are available. The campus will have the latest technology in the form of equipment and state-of-the-art infrastructure in terms of Film & Television studios. (For details please visit http://www.whistlingwoods.net)

●Renowned names in entertainment industry from yourself to Amit Khanna, Shyam Benegal, Dilip Kumar, Shahrukh Khan, Karan Johar to Om Puri, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Ashok Mehta, A R Rahman, Saroj Khan, Shiamak Dawar, Neeta Lulla to Mrs. Smita Thackrey are attached to Whistling Woods International, can we expect to see more celebrities attached to the institute from Bollywood to Hollywood in the days to come?

The entire film industry has been very supportive on this project and I thank them for the same. When the idea originated of setting up the institute within the premises of Film City we received phenomenal response from my peers. The film folks represent every department from acting to direction to costumes, sets, choreography, music etc. Given the exceptional response received, we are certain that more and more names from the industry would come forward also. We hope to bring in international talent giving it a more global approach.

●What sort of future can students see for themselves after they graduate from the institute? Is there any job bank available with WWI or will they have to search by themselves in this biggest and toughest industry where making career is so hard?

Earlier I have given the answer.

●Any future plans in pipeline regarding this institute’s growth, films or new projects like WWI?

Once the WWI brand is established, the effort would be to extend the brand and organize off campus courses both within and outside of India independently or in association with other established and reputed film schools.

Along with starting the Film Institute this year Mukta Arts plans to have a string of movies on the floor. Wait and watch….

●Thank you once again for giving us such a wonderful opportunity to chat with you.

My pleasures.

Interviewed By: Goher Iqbal Punn