Just off my shoot. A lot to work on. It is surprising to see so few people understand story. Thankfully I have a D.P. who listens to what i have to say , it helps that one of his close friend a big Tamil Film Director likes my script a lot and hence my D.P thinks highly of me.
Directed Mr Tom Alters today. Am I on cloud nine ? Yes absolutely!
Had a lot of conversation with him today, about Films, TV, Actors, Directors and stuff like that between takes and I am not the guy who hangs out with actors on my set. Thankfully we packed up early today and will watch Dailies today lets see how it looks.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
1st Feature Length Film : Day 1 : With Love, Delhi!
Hey Guys
Finally, it begins!
It feels like your life going in slow-motion, background noise blurred, as I walk home through the roads of Kalkaji an evening before Day 1. The team of A.Ds and P.As working day and night for a week to make it come to reality. I walk with a swagger, I can't fail, not because of my own failings, it is not about me any more. I am not me, I am more than me, many people have put their dreams in my hand. I have a moral responsibility towards my actors who are being launched, or whose reputation is at stake (Mr Tom Alter, Seema Biswasji and Mr. Kiran Kumar). I have a moral responsibility towards my producers who have gone through the grind to raise money. I have a moral responsibility towards my Executive Producer who is 120 films old, handles almost (80%) all Bollywood Films shot in Delhi and has agreed to work in my film because he thinks (his assistant tells me) we have a future. He says he has met too many people to distinguish between the glitter and the gold. He is working full time for a fraction of what he usually makes.
On Day 1 : I walk on the sets, the Cameraman (DOP) agrees to do a long handheld which is very difficult because he has to carry a heavy camera on his shoulders and walk. He does it, first thing in the morning, without suggesting me any modifications and he has shot "Wanted" and lot of other big names. The Sound and Light guys are all very co operative (it comes as a huge bonus that i speak Bangla). My Associate Director works for Ajay Devgan, has been an associate for Rohit Shetty and Mr Devgan. He is very cooperative and does whatever it takes to get things done. They treat me as a guy who knows his job. It doesn't feel larger than life at all, being a Director and all. Yes there are 60 - 70 people who will do whatever I ask them to but it doesn't feel larger than life. Luckily there were always more than 10 people who would do whatever i advised them to and that is what I do, I advise. When the actor and the actress do well in their shots it feels so good, every costume that makes them look better than who they are makes you so happy for them. Yes you love your actors, for when they click you feel like a proud parent. Yes i felt the same way when I directed Street Play for Rendezvous 2005. Felt the same connection today. It is the same connection that makes me so happy today.
Before today i wanted to make this film, to start my journey, but after today I start my journey again not to start my journey but to start the journey of my Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Assistants and P.As. I pray to god (and i don't normally do that) to give me the wisdom to make this film a success, not because I want to be successful (I don't need God for that I am capable myself) but because I want my Actors to be successful. I want every actor who works in my film to be proud of his work. They will not be proud unless I succeed. When you bring food on the table for your family you cannot come home empty handed.
I ended the day thanking everyone who chose to be a part of my film. Will do whatever it takes to gain their trust and respect. I was not born to be a Director I am born to be the Best Director there ever was and I am on that quest. Will be walking the path with the same gutso and enthusiasm with which i have walked on my quest to personal glory in colleges.
Couldn't talk to Mom and Dad, they were visiting NASA. Had a chat with my chacha and he was proud. He told me, my brother (i hate the word cousin) was representing West Zone (Mumbai, Maharastra, Gujrat, Swarastra, Goa) in Under 16 Cricket and is off to Mihali. So i m doubly happy.
Finally, it begins!
It feels like your life going in slow-motion, background noise blurred, as I walk home through the roads of Kalkaji an evening before Day 1. The team of A.Ds and P.As working day and night for a week to make it come to reality. I walk with a swagger, I can't fail, not because of my own failings, it is not about me any more. I am not me, I am more than me, many people have put their dreams in my hand. I have a moral responsibility towards my actors who are being launched, or whose reputation is at stake (Mr Tom Alter, Seema Biswasji and Mr. Kiran Kumar). I have a moral responsibility towards my producers who have gone through the grind to raise money. I have a moral responsibility towards my Executive Producer who is 120 films old, handles almost (80%) all Bollywood Films shot in Delhi and has agreed to work in my film because he thinks (his assistant tells me) we have a future. He says he has met too many people to distinguish between the glitter and the gold. He is working full time for a fraction of what he usually makes.
On Day 1 : I walk on the sets, the Cameraman (DOP) agrees to do a long handheld which is very difficult because he has to carry a heavy camera on his shoulders and walk. He does it, first thing in the morning, without suggesting me any modifications and he has shot "Wanted" and lot of other big names. The Sound and Light guys are all very co operative (it comes as a huge bonus that i speak Bangla). My Associate Director works for Ajay Devgan, has been an associate for Rohit Shetty and Mr Devgan. He is very cooperative and does whatever it takes to get things done. They treat me as a guy who knows his job. It doesn't feel larger than life at all, being a Director and all. Yes there are 60 - 70 people who will do whatever I ask them to but it doesn't feel larger than life. Luckily there were always more than 10 people who would do whatever i advised them to and that is what I do, I advise. When the actor and the actress do well in their shots it feels so good, every costume that makes them look better than who they are makes you so happy for them. Yes you love your actors, for when they click you feel like a proud parent. Yes i felt the same way when I directed Street Play for Rendezvous 2005. Felt the same connection today. It is the same connection that makes me so happy today.
Before today i wanted to make this film, to start my journey, but after today I start my journey again not to start my journey but to start the journey of my Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Assistants and P.As. I pray to god (and i don't normally do that) to give me the wisdom to make this film a success, not because I want to be successful (I don't need God for that I am capable myself) but because I want my Actors to be successful. I want every actor who works in my film to be proud of his work. They will not be proud unless I succeed. When you bring food on the table for your family you cannot come home empty handed.
I ended the day thanking everyone who chose to be a part of my film. Will do whatever it takes to gain their trust and respect. I was not born to be a Director I am born to be the Best Director there ever was and I am on that quest. Will be walking the path with the same gutso and enthusiasm with which i have walked on my quest to personal glory in colleges.
Couldn't talk to Mom and Dad, they were visiting NASA. Had a chat with my chacha and he was proud. He told me, my brother (i hate the word cousin) was representing West Zone (Mumbai, Maharastra, Gujrat, Swarastra, Goa) in Under 16 Cricket and is off to Mihali. So i m doubly happy.
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