Script writing and Film making Summer workshops in Bangalore

Script writing and Film making course in Bangalore

May and June, 2016

Weekends only

Free intro talks 

Manjushree Abhinav, a film-maker, novelist and teacher, is organizing the 9th batch of the course in film making, from concept to screen, on Saturdays and Sundays over two summer months, May and June'2016,  in Bengaluru. Manjushree has taught at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, NID ( National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad), and Srishti, Bangalore.

This Weekend batch organised by Manjushree Abhinav has a great faculty, reasonable fees and a convenient location. It gives people the opportunity to learn film-making without leaving their jobs or studies.

So you can now follow your dreams while taking care of your responsibilities.

COURSE CONTENT

Creative Writing 

Since this course deals with fiction films, we would first tap the biggest reservoir of stories : an unblocked storehouse of memories and emotions. We will also understand the structure of the conflict-resolution story, and we shall dip into the Navarasas. The aim of the workshop is to dig out the blocks that hamper the sprouting of the creative juices and fuel the love of writing towards an intense and natural discipline. It will help the beginner as well as the writer who is stuck in the middle of a story, a script, a film….Students will get assignments to work on during the week, and they will be expected to write a short story by the end of the workshop.

Scriptwriting 

The story we have structured in the creative writing workshop, we will stretch out into an audio visual script. We will understand the elements of Scriptwriting: Characterization, Plot, Structure, Theme, etc. 
We shall also be watching world class films and understand how they have been structured and written. 
Students will get assignments to work on during the week, which will be reviewed in class. By the end of the course, students will write a short script in the prescribed format.

Acting workshop 

It is only when we our-self get liberated from inhibitions that we can direct others. A theater professional will conduct this workshop, which includes body work, skits, and loads of fun. Most of the times, the short films that we make at the end of the course are enacted by the students themselves.
 So students have a great time performing for each other, and this exercise basically serves as a pre-curser for the experience of directing the short film. 

Screen Grammar 

The various elements of shot-taking: Image Size, Camera Angles, Camera Movements, Lighting, Camera Speed, Stocks, Graphics, Colour. The Rule of Thirds & the Golden Points. 
Lenses. Depth of Field and Selective Focus. Maintaining continuity, the imaginary line.

Screen grammar is the practical knowledge on which a script is made into a shooting script.

Camera Practicals 

 

Basics of how to use a digital camera will be followed by shooting a twelve shot exercise to understand the rules of screen grammar hands on. 
A professional camera person will conduct this class. 

The Elements of Editing

 What we have shot we will now edit on Final Cut Pro, an editing software. 
So we will experience the entire process of scripting, shooting and editing. The basics of screen grammar, like continuity, will thus become clear. 
We will also talk about how the history of Editing is synonymous with the development of language of cinema. A professional Editor will conduct this class.

Making the short film 

 The final project of the course will be to make short fiction films. The best scripts will be selected from the scriptwriting course, and students will make groups of five to make their fiction films.
Here is one of the films we made in the first batch. Its called , The Skipping Rhyme. An old man gets an answer to a deep question from a little girl.You can watch other student films here : http://storygram.in/student-films/

CONTACT : You can also email us at  manjushree.abhinav@gmail.com for more information. or call +91 98254 76446.

VENUE : Shall be put up asap.

DURATION : The course would span across two months of weekend classes, from  beginning of May to end of June, 2016.

FEE STRUCTURE

The film making course includes creative writing, script writing, acting workshop, camera practicals, elements of editing,  and making the short film, during two months of weekend classes.

The total fees for this course is INR Twenty two thousand and eight hundred, (Rs.22,800/).The course fees cover the classes, the visiting faculty's fees, the cost of making the student film, and study material like books and cds. 

Manjushree Abhinav’s Film making Course is right for you if you are:

• A Newcomer: The course would equip you to enter the Film and Television Industry as an assistant director or to make short films independently.

• A Mediaperson who’s learnt on the job: You would benefit from learning the basics formally and getting your fundas clear.

• A Professional who is already working in the Industry in another capacity: It would help you become a full-fledged director.

• From the Corporate Sector: The course would add to your qualifications since films are a very important medium of corporate communication & advertising.

• Animators will understand film making, which is an important aspect of animation.

The benefits of joining this Film Direction Course

• WEEKEND CLASSES: Full-day classes on Sundays, so you can pursue your dreams without forsaking the responsibilities of your work or studies.

• WELL-DESIGNED SYLLABUS: More than 50% of class time would be devoted to hands-on film-making, so that you learn how to transform your ideas into films that light up the silver screen. While the course is practical-oriented, the theory portion would help you develop a sound understanding of the basics of story-telling and film-making. You will also be watching many world class films to appreciate the different aspects of the teaching. The visiting faculty will be from reputed institutes like FTII, SRISTI School of Art and Design, Chitra Kala Parishad, etc.

• STUDENT FILM: You would write and direct a short film. The cinematography and editing would be done by professionals from the Industry, which would be a great learning experience. It would also result in a well-made film which you can be proud of and use as your show-reel as well as submit to film festivals.

• STUDY MATERIAL : The students would be given:

1. Copies of important books

1. Scripts

1. Links to useful websites and free scriptwriting software

1. CDs & DVDs of some important films

• CERTIFICATE: You would be given a certificate at the successful completion of the course.

• FILM FESTIVALS: The student films made as part of the course would be sent to film festivals.

• DEMAND FOR FRESH VOICES: The Indian film and television industry is looking for fresh voices. With the diminishing appeal of the formula masala film, there is a demand for out-of-the-box thinking, for directors who understand the art and craft of film-making. It’s a great time to enter the field!
• 
  

TEACHER'S PROFILE

Manushree Abhinav has authored a novel, 'A Grasshopper's Pilgrimage'.
She is a film maker. She has studied at FTII, Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. She has made several documentary films, and taught various aspects of film making like scriptwriting, making documentary films, video editing, at FTII, NID (National Institute of Design), Ahemedabad, Srishti School of Art and Design, Bangalore.
She has also conducted several creative writing workshops at the Times of India Nalanda group, Bangalore, Ahemedabad and Mumbai. 
You can watch her films and read part of her book at www.storygram.in.

Learn to Film your Dreams!

Creative writing and Script writing in February in Bangalore

SCRIPT WRITING WORKSHOPStorygram is starting a three weekend workshop on script writing starting this Sunday, 12 th February, from 11 am to 6 pm.
VENUE : Pioneer Manpower Solutions, 14/1, 3rd floor, Wood Street, Parallel to Castle street, Ashok Nagar, Richmond Road, Bangalore.
Landmark: diagonally opposite to Sacred Hearts' Church, next to Reliance Trends, near Show Off outlet
All the students will write a five minute script in the Celtex (American screenplay) format during the course. We will learn how to 'show' and not 'tell' the story in the audiovisual language of scriptwriting. We will study how good scripts are written by analysing scenes from good films, by reading the scenes and then viewing them. The theoretical aspects that would be covered are:  Characterization, Plot, Theme, Dialogue writing, Structure, and Flow.

All the writing classes will have ample writing assignments for the students. These assignments will be either read out in class or feedback will be given over email. Since the workshop is spread out over three Sundays, the students will also get homework assignments. The end result of this endevour would be a complete short film script, in the proper audio-visual format.
Fees : Rs. 6,200
Teachers Profile :
Manjushree Abhinav is an author and a film maker. She has studied at FTII, Pune and worked in the film industry in Mumbai for ten years as an AD, scriptwriter, and has made her own short films. After that, she went on to teach at reputed institutes like NID in Ahemedabad, FTII in Pune and SRISTI in Bangalore. She has conducted several creative writing workshops at Times of India. Her films are uploaded on this site. Her book, A Grasshopper's Pilgrimage, is available on flipkart. Manjushree lives in Bangalore, she blogs at www.baktoo.blogspot.com  and her email id is manjushree.abhinav@gmail.com .
CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP
Storygram is also planning a creative writing workshop on 18th February, Sunday, from 11 am to 6 pm.
Fees: Rs 1,600
SOULPEN  1

• A three step ritual to loosen the writers block.*
• Exploring the map of the mind, from oceans to the stars, to write a short story.
• The two approaches to fiction: A ) the American Conflict- Resolution Structure and B ) the Navarasas.
• Secret tools of a writer.**

Participants will be given plenty of writing exercises during the workshop to bring home their understanding of the concepts.

*DEALING WITH THE WRITERS BLOCK

Why do we write? Because we need to tell the story. As children, all of us are born creative. When we learn to talk, there is no difference between imagination and reality. Education encourages us to develop our logic and the creative process takes a back seat. The glimpses of the muse are short and sweet: She comes visiting, she leaves a scene and takes back the movie. Missing the muse, the creative spirit, leads to the writer’s block.

Creative blockage can happen to the best of artists. Although we call this a writer’s unblocking ritual, this exercise is known to help all kinds of artists in getting over their creative blocks. This exercise is self-introspective and at the same time lighthearted. Words get tossed out, opening a series of self traps. Those who are truly interested in unearthing their hidden depths love this exercise.

**SECRET TOOLS OF AN ARTIST

Creativity is not just a hobby. It is a spiritual path. More like a spiritual garden. A garden that is watered with attention and shined on with energy will flower. The creative gardner who is flowing in art carries a bag full of secret tools. I am not talking of the painters canvas and oils. Those you can buy in the shops. My bag is full of attitudes. Devil may care or not, the artist is not an artist without them.

Creative Writing Workshop in Bangalore in October

SOULPEN

Discover and Recover the artist within. Nurture the creative self by art therapy.

Creative Writing Workshops in Bangalore

Soulpen level 1 and level 2

Dates: 1st October, 11am to 6pm, and 2nd October.
(it is also possible to do the second class on Saturday, 8th october)

Cost - The fees per participant, for both Soulpen 1 and 2, is Rs. 2,400/-

Contact - me at manjushree.abhinav@gmail.com or call 9945192862

Venue : PROTOSPACE, No. 6 , 2 cross. M.R.Garden, near Rangabharana Kala Kendra, Sanjay Nagar, Bangalore 560094. (Five minutes from Mekhri Circle)

FOCUS

Writing is healing with words, just as painting heals stroke by stroke. The creative energies flow well with regular scrubbing and clearing out the garbage that clogs our minds.
The aim of the workshop is to dig out the blocks that hamper the sprouting of the creative juices and fuel the love of writing towards an intense and natural discipline. It will help the beginner as well as the writer who is stuck in the middle of a story, a script, a film....
What is the essence of the creative process? What is the source of the artistic impulse ?A film, or a book, is born as a thought, a strong, palpable feeling that tugs. Once identified, this tug can be the link to the big bundle , the one that can stream out as the novel. All you need to do is to catch that thread from your bundle of thoughts and keep puling gently. Maybe you sat with a pen in your hand and tried to write. And maybe your bundle got tight and the thread snapped. Untangling that bundle can be a delicate, at times painful, but ultimately fulfilling creative process.Dealing with the tangled bundle requires something they don't sell in the shops. You can try to use fevicol and stick your bottom to the writers chair. If that doesn't work, come sign up for Soulpen.
Testimonial : Something more than creative writing happened in this class. I didn't realize that I had so much pain stored inside. During the writers block exercise, when Manjushree made us time travel to our childhood, I remembered the three year old girl who would dance, waiting for my father to come home and I wept tears of joy. - Sri Lata M, Oct' 10.
CLASS STRUCTURE
SOULPEN level 1

• A three step ritual to loosen the writers block.
• Exploring the map of the mind, from oceans to the stars, to write a short story.
• The two approaches to fiction: A ) the American Conflict- Resolution Structure and B ) the Navarasas.
• Secret tools of a writer

Participants will be given plenty of writing exercises during the workshop to bring home their understanding of the concepts.
SOULPEN level 2

• Who writes : Sorting out the identity crisis
• Characterization : The backbone of an interesting story.
• Dialogue writing
• Script writing: the audio-visual format.

DEALING WITH THE WRITERS BLOCK

Why do we write? Because we need to tell the story. As children, all of us are born creative. When we learn to talk, there is no difference between imagination and reality. Education encourages us to develop our logic and the creative process takes a back seat. The glimpses of the muse are short and sweet: She comes visiting, she leaves a scene and takes back the movie. Missing the muse, the creative spirit, leads to the writer's block.

Creative blockage can happen to the best of artists. Although we call this a writer's unblocking ritual, this exercise is known to help all kinds of artists in getting over their creative blocks. This exercise is self-introspective and at the same time lighthearted. Words get tossed out, opening a series of self traps. Those who are truly interested in unearthing their hidden depths love this exercise.

NURTURING THE CREATIVE IMPULSE

Why did your grandmother tell you stories when you were a kid? Most likely, to put you to sleep. Why did Shiva dance? To work out his turbulence? What is the purpose of the Nava Rasas? Traditionally speaking, to pass into the Shanta Rasa.
Re -experiencing the turbulence, recalling it, can give you a perspective of how it can be healed. We shall go into both, the happy memories and the traumas that shaped your lives. Re- living is relieving.

SECRET TOOLS OF AN ARTIST

Creativity is not just a hobby. It is a spiritual path. More like a spiritual garden. A garden that is watered with attention and shined on with energy will flower. The creative gardner who is flowing in art carries a bag full of secret tools. I am not talking of the painters canvas and oils. Those you can buy in the shops. My bag is full of attitudes. Devil may care or not, the artist is not an artist without them.

Please note: Creative Writing is the first step of the Script Writing and Film making workshop which will follow the creative writing workshop. Details of the Script-writing and Film making workshop are here and here.

WHAT NEXT
A one month workshop, is a beginning. For those who are committed deeply, I mentor first time writers through their novels. Click here for the post on online mentor-ship. (http://baktoo.blogspot.com/2010/07/online-writer-mentor-ship.html)


TEACHERS PROFILE

Authored a novel, 'A Grasshopper's Pilgrimage'. This book is available in most of the Crosswords and Landmarks, and on flipkart.
I am also a film maker. I studied at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. I have made several documentary films, and taught the various aspects of film making at NID (National Institute of Design), Ahemedabad and also at the FTII.

I have conducted several creative writing workshops at the Srishti School of Art and Design and Times of India Nalanda group, Bangalore, Ahemedabad and Mumbai.

I write for the creative outlet, deep fulfillment and clarity of mind that sometimes comes as a gift with a good session of writing. I teach what I most need to learn.
My films, three chapters of my book, and all my activities are uploaded here: www.storygram.in.