When Bharat Narayan Foundation for Arts in Bengaluru presented Woody Allen’s Death as a tribute to the American film-maker, none would have guessed that 90 per cent of the actors were drawn from workshops conducted by director and actor Avinash Daniel, an alumnus of the New York Film Academy. The unprecedented demand for film workshops has led to the city hosting nearly two dozen workshops in film making, acting and theatre every year. “There are a couple of film institutes in Bengaluru, but there aren’t professional film schools as in Mumbai, Delhi or Pune,” says Avinash. “That is one reason workshops are filled up as soon as they are announced.”
Avinash, who completed his engineering from BMS, has worked in theatre from 2005. The 29-year-old is conducting two workshops spread over eight weekends that will cover acting and film making. “Our workshops are hands-on with film grade cameras and recorders, and industry-grade software for post-production. You gain professional knowledge and can make ads, features, documentaries and films. In colleges, media students have film as one of the subjects, but lack practical assignments. At the workshops apart from acting and filmmaking, we also offer voice, mind and body exercises that is always useful.”
The Meisner technique of ‘living your role’ and music therapy where you listen to mood appropriate music to prepare for your role is part of the workshop. Talking about his reason for offering these workshops, Avinash says, “I made up my mind to give back what I learnt.”
Apart from exercises and practical training, the workshop also includes film screenings. “That is where one observes the making of films and gathers audience reaction to analyse what people want.”
Unlike the West, Indians take fewer risks according to Avinash. “The mechanical mind-set had to be delicately handled at workshops for personality development. I added it in my curriculum along with what I have learnt in production, direction and acting.”
The workshop starts from October 28 at Ashirwad, St. Mark’s Road. For registrations and details contact 8197978484 or 9343367681
