Evolving audience, technical advancement democratised film-making: Experts

With an aim to offer a better insight into filmmaking to the aspiring filmmakers, Jio MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival conducted a day-long panel discussion between youngsters and film experts from across the globe titled The Filmmakers Bootcamp here in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Emphasising on the increasing interest in filmmaking among youngsters, Ajit Thakur from Trinity Pictures, Eros International told IANS, "It is the evolving audience who are more open to new and original content. Now, we can see films like 'Aligarh' and 'Neerja' getting box office success and a 100-crors film couldn't even earn 5 crore."

"On the other hand the cost of film making has gone down, so youngsters don't need rich parents to make a film," Thakur added.

Seconding his opinion, Chris McDonald, President of Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, told IANS, "The technology has become cheaper, faster and easier. One can shoot moving images on SmartPhone and edit on laptop. We do not need to have a huge set up for video shooting. That makes youngsters take interest in filmmaking."

"Our audience is well-versed with global culture that did not happen 10 years ago. So even a regular film lover can watch and enjoy world cinema that earlier used to be limited to only film school students. That is how a new audience has created," Thakur added.

"When we were growing up, we didn't have the access to independent documentaries and films as much as the new generations have. Since most of the documentaries were government funded, the perspective and subjects were limited. Now, one can watch everything on Netflix. That's how the audience is getting educated and welcoming new content," MacDonald added.

About actors who start their career with small-budget off-beat films but struggle to get roles in big-budget films, Thakur said, "While the stereotype exists ... it is also true that actors like Radhika, Riccha, Huma want to do meaningful cinema with substantial roles. However, the good sign is, they are doing bigger films like Huma did in Malayalam and Radhika acted opposite Rajnikanth."

"On the other hand, an actor who has done a "Masaan", may not be fit in a "Houseful 3". What we can do is, invest more on meaningful content to make them a big film. The budget makes a film big or small as the fine lines between art house and mainstream is blurring away," he added.

--IANS

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