Zero Budget Filmmaking from Shekhar Kapoor

Zero Budget Filmmaking from Shekhar Kapoor

"‘How do I become a film maker, I’ve been struggling to do so for so long ?’
How often have I been asked that question.
“is that a Video you are running on your cell phone ?”
“yes ”
“Do you have access to some form of editing system on your computer or on the cell phone ?”
“Yes”
‘Do you know how to upload to youtube or hundred of other similar sites ?”
“Of course,”
“Then do just that, and you are film maker, right ? You’ve just created, edited and distributed your own film for no money”
I see doubt cloud his face. I swear I am not just getting rid of him. It’s a serious, relevant answer.
” You are not asking me the right question, are you ?”
“Means ?”
“You are not asking me how to become a film maker, but asking me how do you become a famous film maker, get a theatrical release, right ?’
He looks really sheepish, for more often than not, that is what is on people’s mind. For that is the only way they see it.
” It took me 12 years of knocking on people’s doors to make my first film, Masoom. If I had this technology it would have taken me 12 days”
You want to sing. You then want to then be a singer. And then you want to be Lady Gaga. You want a record deal. What happened to just singing for the pleasure of it, for the passion of it ? Especially now as you can sing and put it out there for people to participate in your passion ? I collaborated with Midival Punditz and Karsh Kale to put my poetry to their music. We just put it out there on SoundCloud and thousands have heard and appreciated. We did it for the joy of it. At zero cost.
And why don’t we see that simple answer as possibly the right answer ? Because we are stuck in another world. In a world of yesterday. I believe that technology and it’s practical use is more hampered by an addiction to the old ways and culture, rather than technology itself. Our desires tend to cling to us, even though technology is creating fundamentally different ways for us to express them.
Lets talk film. The 35 mm film when first developed had very low light resolution. So artificial lights were needed to boost illumination. That limitation then became the art of film itself. The art of lighting the face. The art of lighting the set etc. A relationship between silver halide and light. A limitation became an art. It always does. Technology often provokes an expression of art, and the limitations of that technology itself creates the culture of that expression.
On film we rehearse a shot, then the actors leave the set, as the Director of Photography lights the set. Once done then the actors come back on the set and we take the shot. Do you have any idea of how long that takes ? Other than actors having to recreate the rehearsal again, possibly loosing the absolute passion of the moment ? Digital has changed all that. Even some consumer models are more light sensitive than our eyes. Lars Von Triers and his colleagues started the Dogma 95 movement , which were a bit extreme and the movement has faltered since. It disallowed even music and props. But technology has developed leaps and bounds since then and I really wonder why Hollywood film budgets average out at $ 100 m each.
It’s the old model. Today a child can make a film and put it out there for people to see. And they are. I judge an annual world wide competition called ‘One minute to change the world’. One minute films often shot on cell phones on the environment. Some of the most innovative ones come from kids. Really. I often tell my friends in Hollywood (and myself) that our competition is not from each other. It is from those kids that do not carry the burden of the past and are adapting so fast to new technology and the Internet, that one day the theaters may be empty . Other than a few successes, the box office take is directly proportional to the amount of money spent on marketing. No wonder Hollywood is banking more and more on pre sold franchises and on 3 D.
There is a new model available. Where you make a film by your own passion. Like you paint, or write poetry. Or write a book. It is possible now to make that zero budget film, and put it out there for the world to see. Not every story you write will be zero budget, but hey (I say to myslef) there are stories you would like to create that are possible on a zero budget.
I must practice what I preach. Lets just go out and express our passions

Sympathy you can earn any time, jealousy you have to earn

sympathy you can earn any time, jealousy you have to earn

Butterfly Wings Film Shows

'Butterfly Wings' has been selected for We Care Film Festival 2010. Screening of film will be at 15 venues in 9 cities in India.
More details at http://www.filmmakeronline.com/index.php?p=1_28_Up-Coming-Shows

RELATIONSHIP

One of the main aspect of human being which makes human life distinct from other species is relationships. Animal have no problem with relationships. They don't go for any counselling,neither tribal society have problem with relationships. More advance society faces the challenge of relationship.If a relationship is based on personal needs then it will not last longer.When need is fulfilled at emotional level,physical level then mind will look for something else from somewhere else. If the relationship is from level of sharing then it can last longer. If you know to row a boat then you can row any boat. If you don't know to row a boat then by changing the boat can not help, Changing the relationship does not solve the issue of relationship. Sooner or later you will be in the same situation in any relationship. We have to look some where else, deep with in us from where we start relating.What is our relationship towards us? Who are you to yourself? Do you know ? often we think "I am single,I am so bored being with my self.. So I need a companion,I need a relationship" .You are so bored by your own companion. How much boring you will be for someone else? Two people bored with themselves getting together, they boar each other.Love and boredom have something in common. What is it? Repetition. Go on repeating something then you get bored. Same thing is for love. You go on repeating " I love you..I love you". Say once that's enough. Some people write their lover name at trains,buses etc. Spiritual practice is also a repetition. Chanting a repeating same mantra. First it creates boredom and brings boredom in you. When you sustain boredom then spring of love gets open. When you realize that you are source of love and you are at giving end and not receiving end. Only and Only then your relationship can blossom.

My Short Film

My Short Film 'Expression' is selected for Director's Cut Film Festival ,Delhi)

All are invited
RUSSIAN CENTRE OF SCIENCE AND CULTURE Jointly with INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDO-RUSSIAN YOUTH CLUBS And COMMON PEOPLE FOUNDATION Organizing

"RUSSIAN & INDIAN CONTEMPORARY CINEMATOGRAPHY" FILM SCREENING

Film dedicated to the memory of Famous Russian Film Actor Alexander AbdulovOn30th May, Friday, 2008 at 5:30 pm onwards

&

DIRECTOR'S CUT A Short Film FestivalOn31st May, Saturday, 2008 at 5:30 pm onwards At Russian Centre of Science and Culture24, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi-110001
Entry Free