Guest : Lokiish Todi , Director
"I felt that the message is getting more relevant with humans violating the rules of Mother Earth and she gives tight slap to her children as a lesson from time to time."
How did you get the inspiration to involve in short film making ?
I always use to listen to the stories from my grandmother and mother with great interest as a child in the afternoon and at night before sleeping. During college I use to watch 2 films a day on an average…This passion for listening to story and watching films remained with me all the time and even now, I am very fascinated with fiction storytelling because it gives an opportunity to create a complete world of - story, character, emotion and give a message in an entertaining way. I feel if someone knows how to shoot and edit, there can’t be anything more satisfying than taking the camera, shooting what you want to say and present it in the form of a story (big or small doesn’t really matter).
What do you think as achievement(s) in your career ?
I got Best Actor’s award for a play in City Level during my early days… recently however my short film- Poor Scum has received 1st prize, Popular Category at Gorbatschow Pure Shots competition. Experience wise I worked very closely with Dr. Kamal Haasan during shooting of his film Mumbai Xpress and learnt a lot from him about filmmaking. My film DI training from Singapore, my early experience in Advertisement and my current Production and direct 35mm film print making company from digital images, called Cinevat Mediaworks has helped me a lot on the creative side. I give importance to an understanding and supportive family.
Which do you think as the difficult part in short film making ?
Skill wise, I feel that to know how to tell a good story is a difficult part which one learns with experience, and trial & error… Execution wise for short filmmakers to have a good desired location in the limitation in which they operate, generally seems to be difficult.
"I felt that the message is getting more relevant with humans violating the rules of Mother Earth and she gives tight slap to her children as a lesson from time to time."
How did you get the inspiration to involve in short film making ?
I always use to listen to the stories from my grandmother and mother with great interest as a child in the afternoon and at night before sleeping. During college I use to watch 2 films a day on an average…This passion for listening to story and watching films remained with me all the time and even now, I am very fascinated with fiction storytelling because it gives an opportunity to create a complete world of - story, character, emotion and give a message in an entertaining way. I feel if someone knows how to shoot and edit, there can’t be anything more satisfying than taking the camera, shooting what you want to say and present it in the form of a story (big or small doesn’t really matter).
What do you think as achievement(s) in your career ?
I got Best Actor’s award for a play in City Level during my early days… recently however my short film- Poor Scum has received 1st prize, Popular Category at Gorbatschow Pure Shots competition. Experience wise I worked very closely with Dr. Kamal Haasan during shooting of his film Mumbai Xpress and learnt a lot from him about filmmaking. My film DI training from Singapore, my early experience in Advertisement and my current Production and direct 35mm film print making company from digital images, called Cinevat Mediaworks has helped me a lot on the creative side. I give importance to an understanding and supportive family.
Which do you think as the difficult part in short film making ?
Skill wise, I feel that to know how to tell a good story is a difficult part which one learns with experience, and trial & error… Execution wise for short filmmakers to have a good desired location in the limitation in which they operate, generally seems to be difficult.
Kindly say us about your latest project and what's the specialty in it ?
The short fi lm – Poor Scum is based on the social message of helping the larger humanity who are suffering and not just be concerned about the immediate suffering that we can ‘see’ in our surrounding. Incidentally I made the film in December on the background of Tsunami and when in March Tsunami came in Japan, I felt that the message is getting more relevant with humans violating the rules of Mother Earth and she gives tight slap to her children as a lesson from time to time.
What were all your other project(s) and were there any award(s) / recognition given to them ?
I have made a few short films over the period of 10 years… I feel the first few films are always something that gives one a lot of learning … recently my two short films have been greatly appreciated by the audience, the 1st one Oo! Fxxx ! is seen by around 40,000 + people in 3 months and the second one Poor Scum is seen by 7000 + people in 1 month. The second one also won 1st prize, popu lar category at the Gorbatschow Pure Shots competition.
Was there any unforgettable incident in your life ?
I first came to Mumbai from Kolkata when I was in very young in my uncle’s wedding and I had this feeling… as soon as the train entered the CST station I had a feeling of deja vu. Thought I feel that was more influenced by the visuals of 70s and 90s hindi movies and the charm of Bollywood but the feeling seems to be pretty unforgettable…ha ha ha
What is your reaction if your film is not selected in top 3 in any competition ?
Whenever I make a film, I make it with great passion and 101 % hard work... Once it is completed all I really care is that people should be able to see it and give their feedbacks as I am making it for them… However for me the goal is to enjoy the journey itself not to be in the top 3 of any competition… Although one feels good when a film is selected in the top 3 , but there is a lot of learn ing, when it doesn’t and that constantly helps to improve content and quality in the next film.
What's your future plans ?
I am planning to shoot TVC, Music Videos and other small content for my as well as other production houses. Besides I am writing a screenplay for a feature. Short films will always be on the cards. Whenever I get a good short story idea and a little time… I just want to take my camera and shoot.
Do you think that true talents are been recognized ?
True talent is a difficult thing to be hidden for a very long time… I always feel that everyone gets his own share of destiny at the correct time and place. However there is no straight, easy and single path to recognition. A person with talent can only work hard with passion; try to explore all the new possibilities with a long term vision and keep the faith… sooner or later his talent must be recognized… Where there is a will there is always a way… bu t the question is how many of us are ready to put our entire career and securities at risk to get recognition… for people from outside Mumbai… struggle is a very important part of learning and a reality which no one can deny.
Whenever I make a film, I make it with great passion and 101 % hard work... Once it is completed all I really care is that people should be able to see it and give their feedbacks as I am making it for them… However for me the goal is to enjoy the journey itself not to be in the top 3 of any competition… Although one feels good when a film is selected in the top 3 , but there is a lot of learn ing, when it doesn’t and that constantly helps to improve content and quality in the next film.
What's your future plans ?
I am planning to shoot TVC, Music Videos and other small content for my as well as other production houses. Besides I am writing a screenplay for a feature. Short films will always be on the cards. Whenever I get a good short story idea and a little time… I just want to take my camera and shoot.
Do you think that true talents are been recognized ?
True talent is a difficult thing to be hidden for a very long time… I always feel that everyone gets his own share of destiny at the correct time and place. However there is no straight, easy and single path to recognition. A person with talent can only work hard with passion; try to explore all the new possibilities with a long term vision and keep the faith… sooner or later his talent must be recognized… Where there is a will there is always a way… bu t the question is how many of us are ready to put our entire career and securities at risk to get recognition… for people from outside Mumbai… struggle is a very important part of learning and a reality which no one can deny.
What's your advice/suggestion to budding short film makers ?
I don’t feel I have reached a position to give advice… however I can suggest that take a camera and start shooting… Filmmaking is a practical thing and can be learnt only in a practical way by trial and error… so don’t be afraid to make mistakes and don’t forget to have fun… because that is what will actually keep you going.
What's your view about CDTV ?
CDTV is a great portal for independent filmmakers… I feel they have the same passion for films that any short filmmaker shares with one another… I wish founder, Dhinesh Kumar and his team all the very best for success in all their future ventures and efforts.
I don’t feel I have reached a position to give advice… however I can suggest that take a camera and start shooting… Filmmaking is a practical thing and can be learnt only in a practical way by trial and error… so don’t be afraid to make mistakes and don’t forget to have fun… because that is what will actually keep you going.
What's your view about CDTV ?
CDTV is a great portal for independent filmmakers… I feel they have the same passion for films that any short filmmaker shares with one another… I wish founder, Dhinesh Kumar and his team all the very best for success in all their future ventures and efforts.