If you are coming to a film school, you need to have a knack for storytelling,” says Sougata Bhattacharya, controller of examinations and film research officer at Calcutta’s Satyajit Ray Film and Research Institute (SRFTI).
We are on the issue of who should ideally join a film school. Everyone loves to relax and unwind with a film on the weekends. That hardly means everyone should go to a film school. Oftentimes students join these courses for the wrong reasons. Just watching and discussing films is not enough to get you through the gates of a film school and beyond.
According to Bhattacharya, there are mainly four aspects of film-making that students pursue at SRFTI, namely film direction, editing, sound direction and cinematography.
Recently, they have added a course on film producing too. Says Bhattacharya, “Previously, everyone thought that the job of a film producer is to simply provide funds.” He explains that part of the producer’s job entails pulling funds from various sources, and not necessarily becoming the funding source.
Apart from these traditional roles, students at film schools also learn acting, art direction, animation and technical aspects related to television and
OTT platforms.
Can just anyone specialise in these niche areas? “We would assume someone applying for animation will have some basic drawing skills,” says Bhattacharya. Similarly, someone applying for the cinematography course should have an idea about how to hold and manoeuvre a camera.
Most of the courses at SRFTI and FTII (Film and Television Institute of India, Pune) are postgraduate-level.
He says, “We get applicants from various educational backgrounds but we always look for students who have a basic understanding of cinema, built on their personal interests.”
So, is it really necessary for those who aspire for a career in cinema to enrol in a film school? After all, India’s many film industries are full of actors and directors who have never been to any film school.
There are also many old-school actors and directors who are very vocal about how they think their craft cannot be learnt in the classroom.
Bhattacharya does not disagree. However, he points out how difficult it is for a student from a non-film background to get her or his first job in the industry. A film school education gives you the much-needed stepping stone.
Bhattacharya says, “During the programme, we acquaint you with cinema from different parts of the world, sharpen your eyes towards its craft and hone your critical thinking. You will get access to rare books and films in our library that may not be available to you otherwise.”
At institutions like the FTII and SRFTI, seasoned actors and filmmakers often come as guest lecturers, offering students the chance to interact and build their network. “A film aspirant, opting not to go to a film school may well take 10 more years to get the kind of exposure and network that our students get in their initial years,” says Bhattacharya.
In their final year, students are required to make their own short films. These are often showcased at popular film festivals across the world. “Our students’ films have gone to the Cannes Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, Busan Film Festival, Indian Panorama International Film Festival and Kolkata International Film Festival, to name a few,” says Bhattacharya.
Such opportunities themselves can become valuable career-building blocks.
However, one must keep in mind that even short films require a certain amount of investment. Can most students afford this kind of exercise? Bhattacharya refrains from making a sweeping statement but he does talk about how students at SRFTI get some amount of monetary assistance.
Government-funded institutions like FTII and SRFTI charge a subsidised fee. Many of our students opt for student loans. We also offer merit-cum-need scholarships to worthy candidates,” he adds. The institutions also cover a large chunk of the expenses that students incur while making films in the final year of the programme.
However, even with every opportunity going in your favour, you may not find yourself making a comfortable income for years to come after graduation. Schools such as these do not come with guaranteed placement offers. Bhattacharya explains that many from the film fraternity do not even believe in “jobs”.
A film school graduate might have to spend years honing the craft and waiting for that one perfect opportunity.
The film industry tests one’s patience and favours those who can persevere. In those years of struggle, one’s passion for the art has to be strong enough to keep one going.
As Bhattacharya puts it, “Our expectation from you is more than just bagging a job in the film industry.” He continues, “At SRFTI, we unlock the world of cinema for you. And then we expect you to go out there and put your own mark on it.”
Last updated on 27 Aug 2024
