Shooting Stars 2007 – an Update

3 Feb. Now that the students have submitted their short films for the Shooting Stars 2007 competition, they must be keeping their fingers crossed. In all there are TEN entries. [For some more details visit the "Films" page in this blog].

We have already submitted the films to THREE experts from the field. In fact, two of them messaged me to say that they received the courier, whereas I met the third one today, in person.

If the evaluation comes within ONE week, we will have our Film Festival at the earliest, (may be even this month) before you get tired of waiting… Hence, boys and girls, keep your fingers crossed (once again!)

Dhwani Released

6 Jan. It was a dream come true. Dhwani, the bilingual student journal of the Dept of Journal was released by Mr S Nandagopal, senior correspondent of The Times of India. At the inaugural were present Rev Fr Eugene Lobo SJ, principal, Fr Richie Rego SJ, editor in chief of Dhwani, and Ms Suman Mendonca, staff, besides the eager students.

Journalism is not only about writing, it is much more, said Mr Nandagopal. He was referring to the newest issue of the student journal. Its presentation is equally importnat, he said, referring to Dhwani’s soft colours, picture collage on the front page, and also the overall design of the paper. He expressed happiness over the way students get a chance to express and cultivate their talents.

Rev Fr Eugene Lobo referred to the various activities the Dept of Journalism conducts and the way students have been learning because of this. Cultivate loyalty, he said. That is brand Aloysius was the tenor of his chat with the students.

Fr Richie conducted the proceedings during which was the issue released by Mr Nandagopal.

Dhwani is a bilingual biannual student tabloid produced by St Aloysius College. It is completely produced by the students of Journalism (final years), along commercial  lines to get a first hand experience of their probably future assignment. The students decide on their team, issue theme, articles/ write-ups, advertisements, editing, lay out and design, and also distribute the same in the College and around.  This way, they are able to apply/ check their classroom learning and learn from experience, too.

For this purpose, the students write articles, get others to write them, translate, click photos, edit them, edit the articles, translate editorial material, design the entire issue  (8-12 tabloid pages), and also look into its financing. Some of them had to stay back in the Department for long hours during the day and night, too.

Kudos to the students who have slogged to dream and make their dreams come true in the form of this colourful issue. Good going to you.

For photos, click: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65963340@N00/

Suddha Screened

18 dec. For many, including Sai Krishna who acted as Ravi in the film, it was a great moment watching the famous film Suddha, directed by P N Ramachandra.

Sai Krishna, who acts as the bad boy Ravi and Sujata who acts as his sister-in-law living in Mumbai (who comes for suddha), were the attractions of the movie screening at St Aloysius college show organised by Al Madhyam, Dept of Journalism.

The film deals with the dynamics involved in conducting suddha or  cleansing rites after the death of a person (house lady) in a household. The film takes place in the fast changing society of Marnad (near Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada). In the meantime, land reforms have added a new dimension to the saga of caste living: the freed low castes now own the lands they till the other day. Ravi’s father has a keep from the lower caste, and Ravi tries taking revenge on the dalits. But before he could succeed, the dalits chase him like never before. Well, earlier they would not dare speak a word against such landlords!

It is all about changing times, changing society, changing relationships in  a household. In the bargain, suddha never takes place, and the widower father also dies! Now they have to conduct the cleansing rites of both their parents, together! [In the photos are seen Fr Richie Rego (1), Mr & Mrs Sai Krishna (2) and Sai Krishan with Sujatha (3)

(One of the) Poster Girls of Art Beat – Raisa from II Yr Journalism Engrossed in Making a Poster

(One of the) Poster Girls of Art Beat – Raisa from II Yr Journalism Engrossed in Making a PosterOriginally uploaded by richiersj.

Community radio stations get the nod

DH News Service New Delhi:

Get ready to welcome the friendly neighbourhood radio station that will give voice to you and your concerns. After a long wait, the government on Thursday gave green signal to community radio stations (CRS) by non-profit organisations and educational institutions in a move that could give a platform to the voiceless.

However, the Union Cabinet, while taking the decision in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, barred individuals, political parties and their affiliate organisations, including their students’, women’s, trade unions and such other wings, from setting up CRS.

Also restricted are organisations operating with a motive to earn profit and bodies banned by the Union and state governments.

Basic principles

Giving details of the decision, Information & Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said a community-based organisation that satisfied a few basic principles would be eligible to set up radio stations.

It should be explicitly constituted as a ‘non-profit’ organisation and shall have a proven record of at least three years of service to the local community.

“It should be designed to serve a specific well-defined local community, it should have an ownership and management structure and is reflective of the community that it seeks to serve, and it must be a legal entity registered under the Registration of Societies Act or any such relevant act. The programmes for broadcast should be relevant to the educational, developmental, social and cultural needs of the community,” Mr Dasmunsi said.

Civil society and voluntary organisations, state agriculture universities (SAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras, registered societies, autonomous bodies and public trusts registered under Societies Act or any such relevant act for at least three years will fall under this category.

Educational institutions have also been allowed to set up radio stations, he said.

The Cabinet authorised the I&B Ministry to finalise the terms and conditions and procedures for the purpose.

“A strong and vibrant CRS system will enhance pluralism and sustain diversity of cultures and languages, strengthen decentralisation and participatory governance and enable dialogues within communities, and enable dissemination of information to the rural communities on issues related to agriculture, education, health, social welfare, etc,” he said.

Pasted from Deccan Herald, in the interest of media students.

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov172006/national22275920061116.asp

In & Out of SAC – Around Though…

11 Nov. It’s exams & holidays time at SAC; what better time could I get than this to update myself, get going with my research? Yea, that’s precisely what I am doing. Studying in greener environs around Mangalore, beyond the familiarity of SAC Campus.

Today, of course, had a change of time-table: paid an official visit  to Manipal; it was good, refreshing and tiring, both together! And to travel through that Suratkal road! I almost got ripened!

That reminded me of Arron, Sandhya, Dale & Tanvi’s documentary on roads: Where is the Road? They are right – there is no road. If you have any ideas to screen these four short documentaries, made during the Documentary Workshop, for the public and
authorities, kindly come up with some ideas. It will be worth the effort.

“Shooting Stars-2007″ Back in the Limelight

Film Making Competition

 

Dept of Journalism is back – back with a bang!

It’s all for the right reasons!

The Department proudly announces Shooting Stars – 2007 : Second Edition of the Short Film Making Competition followed by Film Festival of Short Films made by SAC Students.

 

What’s New:

• This new edition of Shooting Stars includes the ENTIRE COLLEGE; any student of the College is welcome to take part in the competition – UG & PG!
• The Competition comes up with trophies for winners, and keep-sake certificates for all the participants
• Handsome incentive to regional language movie makers
• Technical assistance to all the participants

 

Guidelines:

1. The theme of your films has to be in keeping with the general theme prescribed by the organisers.
2. General theme: Youth & Shaping of a Better Society. Under this broad theme, you are encouraged to explore themes like substance abuse, alcohol consumption, ragging, violating traffic signals, mutual respect for each other, gender sensitivity, care for the disadvantaged, infanticide, quest for the spiritual, education and building a better society, love/ respect for seniors/ parents, communal harmony, justice & equality, etc.
3. Violence and obsenity has no place in such a project.
4. Duration of your film 5-10 minutes
5. Your film could be a fiction or documentary
6. Other than in English and Hindi, you are encouraged to make your films in Kannada or Konkani; but they are to be sub-titled in English
7. You are required to BOOK your topic and submit your script and also the technical crew BEFORE 15 December 2006 with Fr Richie Rego or Ms Suman Mendonca (Dept of Journalism).
8. Entry fee: Rs 200 per team per film to be paid in advance.
9. You can be involved in making any number of films; each film is a new entry.
10. Any student of the College is eligible to make use of the Journalism Studio equipment, on prior booking and advance payment of the equipment rent. You are also required to deposit your College ID card for the period you use the equipment.
11. Rentals: Camera – Rs. 100/ shift; Editing Machine – Rs. 100/ shift; Lights – Rs. 25/ shift; Tripods – Rs. 25/ shift.
12. Shifts allotment (1) 8.30 a.m – 3.15 p.m.; (2) 3.15 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. Equipment must be returned IN TIME & and in GOOD CONDITION.
13. Once you shoot your footage (in case of studio cassettes), you are to capture it immediately and free the cassettes. Similarly, you need to edit the footage at the earliest and free the computer space for further usage.
14. Only the film’s technical teams will have the opportunity to handle the studio equipment; not the actors.
15. The team leader is responsible for checking the equipment-condition before taking charge of it and returning it in good shape. You are solely responsible for any damage caused to the equipment.
16. You are free to borrow cassettes from the Department; but for better preservation/ safety of your footage, you are encouraged to buy your own cassettes.
17. Production and post-production of films during class hours is discouraged; in case students miss attendance, it will not be given to them.
18. Last date for submitting films in CD or DVD (preferred) format is 14 Jan. 2007.
19. The films are “Produced by the Department of Journalism”, and hence are property of the Department.
20. Facilities available with the Department: Single CCD Video Cameras, Non-Linear (digital) Editing Machines, Dubbing Facilities, Lighting, and Tripods.
21. Incentives to Kannada film makers: Camera rentals – Rs. 75/ shift; Editing Machine – Rs. 100/ shift; other charges remain the same.
22. Incentives to Konkani film makers: Camera rentals – Rs. 50/ shift; Editing Machine – Rs. 75/ shift; other charges remain the same.
23. To avail the special incentives your complete script has to be submitted either in Kannada or Konkani. Moreover, the film director must be a FLUENT SPEAKER of the language of her/ his film.
24. Non-journalism students must bring their student ID card and the College Calendar along with them whenever they approach the Organisers.
25. The winners will be awarded trophies, while all the participants receive a keep-sake certificate.
26. You will get a rare opportunity to show your films to BIG, PROFESSIONAL film makers/ experts and get their comments on your films!
27. All the participating films will be part of the Short Films Festival to follow in February – March. You will be a part of the Media Glitz that surrounds this competition and the festival.
28. Jury Panel’s decision is final and binding.

Fr Richie Rego SJ, Organiser & Head, Dept of Journalism

Documentary Workshop Comes to a Glorious Close

National Level Documentary Film Making Workshop Comes to a Close

 

30 Oct. The week-long National Level Documentary Film Making Workshop concluded here on Sunday with the screening of three short documentary movies.

 

“There is no difference between any good commercial film and the documentaries I watched today,” said Mr Richard Castelino, the chief guest at the documentary screening programme. He was speaking after giving away the certificates to the participants of the First National Level Film Making Workshop, organised by the Department of Journalism, St Aloysius College, Mangalore, on Sunday.

 

Mr Castelino, a noted director from Coastal Karnataka region, who has directed three Tulu and a Konkani feature films, has won seven awards for his Bangar Patler, a much appreciated Tulu film. He also won accolades for his Konkani film Bhogsane. He applauded the organisers (the Dept of Journalism) and the resource person for the wonderful opportunity given to the participants to learn from this workshop and make use of their creativity and talents on relavant themes.

 

After the screening, participants shared their experiences of this workshop; they articulated their learnings and gains from the workshop. Prof. Radhakrishnan, one of the audience, expressed his deep admiration and appreciation for the films made by the participants of the workshop. He regretted he missed out on such an opportunity!

 

Fr Richard Rego, Head, Dept of Journalism and the president of the programme expressed his satisfaction at the success of the workshop. It was his dream to orgainse such a workshop, he said. The experience of conducting this workshop would go a long way in imparting quality film education, he opined. He thanked all those responsible for making the workshop a success. 

 

Mr P N Ramchandra, noted filmmaker from Mumbai was the main resource person. His maiden film – Suddha was awarded the best Indian film at the Ocean’s Cinefan Film Festival in July 2006. It has also been screened in Croatia and Germany film festivals, besides being selected for Austin Asian Film Festival (USA) which will be held from 8 Novemer 2006. Mr Ramchandra, who attained fame with his first feature length digital Tulu film, has made a number of short films and documentaries. Besides, he also made the much watched teleserial Surabhi (Karnataka episodes). Mr Ramchandra guided the students in using camera, in-door and out-door lighting, non-linear editing, and sound management.

 

The workshop started on 23 October and ended on 29 October evening. Sixteen participants, including a doctor and a lecturer, from Goa and South Kanara attended the workshop. The participants made four films giving wide variety (thematic) to the films made. The groups shot films in actual locations, and made use of candid footage for the documentaries. The subjects of the documentaries ranged from devastating Mangalore riots (Conflict Zones) to the neglect of Sultan Battery (Everybody Says Nobody Does), to the pathetic condition of the Mangalore roads (Where is the Road?) to a peak into fishing life of fishermen in the deep sea along the Mangalore coasta region (A Day Out in the Sea – Trawler Fishing).        : RR

Film Workshop Comes to an End

29 Oct. It was a fulfilling day. The fruits of our labour, sweat and labour culminated in applause.

A Day Out in the Sea – Trawler Fishing

Everybody Says Nobody Does

Where is the Road?

Conflict Zones

That is it. Good work done. More news tomorrow; today is a rest day after the hectic day.

Touching Tomorrow…

28 October. We are almost touching tomorrow. Expectations are rife. Ripe. Tomorrow will tell us one another what we have done.

Well, being on the other side of the fence, I do know what it looks life. But for participants of the Documentary Filmmaking Workshop, it is a day of great anxiety. And to many, anxiety has peaked already last night.

Some of them did not sleep; they preferred to work in the Department the whole night; they left for home at 7.30 in the morning; and were back at 10.00 a.m. What do you call this – anxiety? passion ? craze? dedication? Call it whatever you wish. They are AT IT.

As of now, one group has completed their movie. Second group will complete it any time now (past 10.00 p.m.); the third and the fourth group are working like women and men possessed! They have decided they will not blink their eyes till they complete their project!

I wish all of you are there tomorrow sharp at 11 a.m. to watch these movies – on Mangalore riots, mangalore roads, a day in the sea, and Sultan Batter. It is a public screening. Some VIPs are expected… Mr Richard Castelino, a famous film maker will be our chief guest. Do join in. I would like to see you.