::: Star Campus :::

Workshop

Lights Camera Action

Sumaiya Ahsan Bushra
Photos: Star

Film making has come a long way in our country. From the phenomenal makings of Agun Er Prosohmoni to the current productions like Meher Jaan and Guerilla, it is evident that Bangladeshi films are indeed marking their territory in the world of great films. In order to take our country one more step forward, The Daily Star in affiliation with Standard Chartered Bank, under the project of Celebrating Life, has organised a Film Workshop.

This workshop will be conducted for three months, beginning in the month of August; the workshop is carefully designed to set the first two months for theory and the third month for practical work. The selection process is also extremely rigorous, in the sense that out of the 30 participants selected, only 15 will last; out of which three groups will be formed consisting five members each. These groups in turn will be directed by three course facilitators who are famous directors of Bangladesh, namely, Amitabh Reza, Nurul Alam Atiq and Mejbaur Rahman Sumon.

(From left to right) Amitabh Reza, Nurul Alam Atiq, Rafi Hossain (Festival Director), Mahfuz Anam (Editor and Publisher), Bitopi Das Chowdhury (Head, Corporate Affairs, SCB) and Mejbaur Rahman Sumon.

On this note, director Amitabh Reza says, “It is really exciting, because it is a great opportunity for these young people to learn the art of film making. The best part is that we are planning to make around four great films of 20-30 minutes duration. This will be phenomenal because we will witness new creations in the making. However, when it comes to film-making teaching techniques, we have asked some of the greatest men in the industry to come and teach these participants.”

The camera, script, film history, marketing and distribution experts along with experts from other related fields will come and teach the basic theories of film-making. Zahidur Rahim Anjan will be teaching film history, while Zakir Hossain Raju will be talking about film theory. In addition, Ratan Paul will conduct lectures on film sound and Rasheed Zaman on camera theory. Also, the organisers are planning to bring the great Indian Film music director Shantanu Moitra on board for this workshop. The organisers of Celebrating Life are also hoping to bring in Film and Media professionals to conduct particular sessions as well.

The 30 participants are all young aspiring film-makers with the same dream of making it big in the world of film-making. Most of these participants are either students, teachers or working in different organisations. In addition, since the programme is free of cost, the participants are expected to make the most of it by attending the classes regularly. However, in order to maintain the orderliness of the workshop, the organisers have decided to construct and implement strict rules on attendance and participation.

Humaira Bilkis, a participant, expressed her opinion on this film workshop. She explains, “It is a great feeling to be part of this workshop. The way this course has been designed is excellent. This will be helpful for me in a way because I plan to do my Masters in Film and Television programme next year. I certainly have a lot to learn. However, there are very few women in this workshop. If more women participated, then it would have been positive and I personally believe women should be encouraged to participate in such workshops." Alrazy Sonet from Narshindi, opines, “Atiq Bhai's representation on the first day of film screening was great. I learned one main thing, that is, film-making is an art and it must be felt from the inside. However, it completely depends upon me, whether I learn something or not. But, I think it should be a great experience all in all.” In addition, Mijanur Rahman Biplob from Khulna says, “In the two days of classes, assignments have been given; everything has been explained very clearly. I believe it will help us achieve our dreams.”

In conclusion, it can be said that such workshops have been organised before, but what is unique about this is the diversity and the structural design of the course. With an aim to make Bangladesh as successful in film making as other nations and to nurture the inborn and inherited talents of so many, this is certainly a great initiative.