ITV

Category: Film Production

  • Optimystix Entertainment finding creative ways to maintain social distancing on air

    Optimystix Entertainment finding creative ways to maintain social distancing on air

    MUMBAI: Television shoots that were suspended due to the Covid2019 pandemic have now resumed following the necessary guidelines issued by the Maharashtra government. Sony SAB fans can now rejoice as the shoots for all shows have now resumed and will be back with new episodes soon. On 29 June, Sony SAB's light-hearted family entertainer show Tera Kya Hoga Alia and Balveer Returns started shooting.

    Optimystix Entertainment creative head Nikul Desai tells indiantelevision.com that the production house is ecstatic to start shooting. The company is also prepping up for a singing show named Taare Zameen Par for Star Plus and Disney+ Hotstar.

    He says that owing to the pandemic filming pattern will be changed. Things will be looked at from the lens of multitasking with people, contestants and the crew. A lot of television work like scripting, dialogues and direction used to happen on the spot. But, that way of working has changed now. A lot of pre-production work with the team and actors are done well in advance. 

    “Due to various SOP measures and guidelines, we get less number of hours in a shift to complete the shoot. It means the output could be hampered, considering a smaller number of crew and other technicalities,” says Desai.

    He also mentions that there won't be major changes in the script of Taare Zameen Par. The company will now also showcase a few stories revolving around the lives of contestants who have been positively or negatively affected by the pandemic.

    The first set of the auditions of Taare Zameen Par happened before the lockdown, now the second set of auditions will happen online.

    “We are currently figuring out ways to maintain social distancing on the show. Like earlier, judges having a banter, fall over each other or hug contestants and bless them; those will not happen. We are finding out creative means and ways to bring the fun quotient in the show. The idea is to follow all the norms and yet not hamper the emotional side of the show," he shares.

    There will be minimal mention of pandemic and lockdown, but the production house is not too keen to mention Covid2019 in its shows as it believes audiences are watching television to refresh their minds. No one likes to be reminded about a pandemic.

    For Balveer Returns, VFX, edit team and other technical teams are working from home.

    Artists are given scripts in advance to save time and rehearsals are happening over Zoom calls. So, when the actors are on set, they have a fair idea about the shoot and the studio ends up saving some time.

    He also points out that actors are travelling with their own vehicles. Apart from that writers, people from post-production are mostly working from home. The production house is also providing sanitised vehicles for people who used to travel by public transport.

    There is no fixed date for the telecast as they need to be sure about the banks of the episode. August is a likely period.

    Optimystix Entertainment’s lockdown special show Kuch Smiles Ho Jayein… With Alia starring Anusha Mishra and Balraj Syal is off air now. According to Desai, it was a short series with just five episodes as it was the need of the hour. The studio is now focussing on its prime fiction show.

  • Locomotive Global’s Sunder Aaron on “Seeker” & upcoming projects

    Locomotive Global’s Sunder Aaron on “Seeker” & upcoming projects

    MUMBAI: Sunder Aaron’s Locomotive Global develops, produces and distributes Indian-themed TV projects for both the local and international markets. The company has now partnered with Sameer Nair’s Applause Entertainment and Gurinder Chaddha’s Bend It Films & TV for an international drama series named Seeker. Meanwhile the company is focussed on creating IPs and acquiring content.

    Elaborating more on this co-production and the series, Locomotive Global co-founder and principal Sunder Aaron tells indiantelevision.com that the story ideas and characters were created by him and Chaddha a couple of years ago. It was only recently that they approached Sameer Nair’s Applause Entertainment for the project. “Sameer has some terrific ambition for his company and the projects that they are doing and they are going to be doing going forward. So, it’s a really terrific firm,” he adds.

    The story is at the initial stage where the writers are busy in drafting the script. According to Sunder they will be ready to roll the camera by around the first quarter of 2021.

    Sunder also mentions that the shooting will happen in India as well as abroad. He says, “The story is based on the background of India. However, internationally, audiences and viewers are interested in authentic storytelling no matter where it comes from. First and foremost we want the viewers in India to enjoy this show, but I am sure we will find global audiences as well. We will get the primary idea of shooting location once the script is completed. Post that we can finalise the locations and do the recce. In season three we will take the story abroad. We have thought about creating multiple seasons of this show.”

    As far as direction is concerned, Chaddha will direct the pilot episode. Post that, depending upon the requirement, she may direct other episodes as well.  Typically, in a premium scripted television there is not one director. So in the case of Seeker, Chaddha will be the lead director who will make sure the tone and quality that she sets in the pilot episode gets followed by the other directors.

    The production house is in talks with multiple Indian and international directors. It is a hour-long ten-episode series. No production will happen overseas. As Applause Entertainment is the main studio, they will hire the line producers and simultaneously look after production work in India.

    He further adds, “Sameer has a very creative team at Applause, Gurinder and my company, the three of us will be looking at hiring key people. It is a joint production effort; we are producing it together. Casting will be done when things are finalised as there are many characters and we need to go a little deeper into things.”

    According to Aaron, funding will be done by Applause Entertainment.

    “We will put our series on a premium broadcast channel platform. We are also talking to several OTT platforms," he adds.

    By the first half of 2021 Locomotive Global will be ready with close to four premium television series that ilwill be taken to production. He says, “There are a number of shows which are under development. We are constantly acquiring IPs. We have acquired the rights of American series named Ray Donovan from CBS Studios International that will be remade in India. It will be mostly done by 2021.”

    The Making of Star India, was acquired by Locomotive Global Inc. in partnership with Sidharth Jain's company Story Ink. Sidharth Jain and Sunder Aaron  are producing the project together.  He is using the book as a primary source material for another scripted drama series set in the late 90s and early 2000s. He thinks that a lot has happened at the beginning when Star TV came to India. At the launch of the industry a lot of stories and shows were made on Silicon Valley and the internet boom but nothing on Indian television.

    He says, “I think the Indian television is an extraordinary story waiting to be told. We are adapting it in a way that will fictionalise that era and period. It will be something like Succession and Mad Men. We have started the development and we are working with writers but it will take some time.”

    Addressing the challenges that he foresees in the coming future, he notes that the most obvious challenge is production getting back up and accessing key talent.

    “Presumably, people will begin full-fledged shooting by the start of new year, but then it will be difficult to get technical talent. A lot of actors will be unavailable because they will be booked. Another important thing is to find another shooting location apart from Mumbai. We will have to look at other places where we can shoot like Hyderabad and Goa. I am doing a film project in Goa.”

    Aaron’s Hindi general entertainment channel Q India has also been severely impacted by the pandemic caused by Covid2019. Q India is completely advertising supported and it faced many challenges in terms of viewership and advertisement.

    He concludes, “We do not charge a subscription fee for the channel. We were on the verge of a lot of good projects but that got stalled due to pandemic. We are constantly working to evolve the channel under challenging circumstances. Despite the pandemic and the set back, I am sure I will get out of this situation. We were planning to create vernacular channels but that has got pushed now.”

  • SPN obtains govt permissions to resume production

    SPN obtains govt permissions to resume production

    MUMBAI: After a brief hiatus following the nationwide lockdown in India owing to the COVID-19 situation, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has obtained all relevant government permissions to resume production for its television, film and OTT businesses in India.

    The network is working closely with its production partners to ensure shoots resume in a controlled environment with strict compliance to all necessary government rules, regulations and safety protocols.

    At SPN, health, hygiene and sanitisation are taken very seriously, and the network is doing all that it can to ensure the safety of its cast, crew and production partners. Other than cast and crew members, visitors will not be allowed on the sets.

    Moreover, SPN is actively extending its support to the Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC) in containing and minimizing the adverse impact of the pandemic on our industry. Firmly determined to extend full support to the fraternity in these difficult times, the network has undertaken the following specific initiatives:

    1. Effective July 2020 uptil December 2020, full payments of the cast and crew will be released within a 30-day time frame

    2. 100 per cent of the proposed insurance cost for the cast and crew will be borne by SPN during the Covid pandemic

    Producers working with SPN, have been asked to strictly comply with all guidelines issued by the government and local authorities and ensure that they are not flouted in any manner whatsoever.

  • Fazila Allana, Sandiip Sikcand on new shooting rules for Telugu show ‘Gorintaku’

    Fazila Allana, Sandiip Sikcand on new shooting rules for Telugu show ‘Gorintaku’

    MUMBAI: Earlier this month the Telangana government granted the permission to resume film and TV shooting as well as post-production work all over the state. While there are challenges there is also relief for being able to start work with safety measures. SOL India – Banijay Group founder and MD Fazila Allana and producer, creative director and actor Sandiip Sikcand have resumed shooting for their Telugu show Gorintaku. According to them, shooting during the pandemic is challenging but not impossible. 

    Gorintaku is a Telugu daily show that is telecast on Star Maa and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar too.

    Allana told indiantelevision.com that the show was already in process with 200 episodes done before the lockdown. The shooting resumed on 18 June with all necessary precautions like masks, gloves, temperature checks, sanitation and safety protocols being diligently followed. Insurance plan has also been introduced for entire cast and crew.

    In fact, she highlights that hair and make up artists are using PPE kits to ensure maximum safety. Make up products and brushes are different for different actors. Allana also mentions that as per the guidelines introduced by Star Maa, there are no group scenes and too many outdoor scenes are avoided to keep out crowding. Episodes of weddings or large gatherings are not happening.

    Apart from that, there are fewer people in a team. Scripting has been rewritten to facilitate a lot more social distancing. There are no intimate scenes as well so close up chemistry shots are being compromised.

    Sikcand also mentiones that children and elderly citizens are not allowed on the set. If required, elderly people are not asked to come more than four times a month.

    As per Telegana government’s rule  40 people can be there on the set. However, Sikcand shares that shooting is happening with bare minimum people while the rest stay outside the set.

    To make the daily soap more realistic and appealing in the eyes of audience, Covid2019 situation has been included in the script itself. In order to create a bank of fresh episodes, the entire script has been rewritten.

    During the scene, the actors are wearing masks, gloves and are also using sanitizers.

    He notes that it is taking more time than usual to film a scene. “For the safety and security of cast and crew, I don’t mind slowing down the production. As far as audiences are concerned, they want to see something which is real and natural,” he further says.

    Both Allana and Sikcand are hoping that shooting happens smoothly and soon things go back to normal and for now, things need to be done with precautions.

  • The spell of pandemic spills over to writing

    The spell of pandemic spills over to writing

    MUMBAI: Will the Covid2019 pandemic have a direct bearing on the way TV and film script writers churn out their scripts? Now that the Maharashtra government has allowed conditional resumption of film, television, OTT shoots, how are the writers faring? Indiantelevision.com spoke to a few scriptwriters from the film and television industry to get answers to these questions.

    Even if shooting begins, the plotline will have to go for a change; it is not going to be the same as before. Writers face the twin challenges of creating something refreshing that connects with the audiences all the while keeping in mind the numerous restrictions that have been implemented.

    While some script writers want to reflect the current pandemic situation in their writings, a tiny minority feels that it is not necessary to always showcase the reality. And one thing everyone agrees is the role technology will play in the narratives.

    According to Screenwriter Association president Robin Bhatt, many stories can be created keeping in mind the guidelines laid down by the government. With the help of technology, action scenes can also be choreographed. A lot of film scripts have already been written which don’t require any changes, but in the coming days writers will avoid writing crowd scenes or stories where SOP is compromised, he said.

    In future, he says, technology is going to play a major part in cinema. He has already finished one show which is highly technological in nature, with a lot of graphics and animation. Bhatt is currently excited to begin the shoot of Sanjay Gupta’s much-awaited movie Bombay Saga starring John Abraham. Bhatt, who is the writer of the film, says that most of the editing, background score, sound design as well as VFX had started much before the lockdown. As of now, he has not received any directions from Sanjay Gupta to make amendments in the script.

    He adds, “The current pandemic scenario will definitely reflect in my writing because the entire world has changed. The same old narratives of how couples fall in love, tragedy or drama will change. Currently, it is a wait-and-watch situation.”

    Writer-producer Zaman Habib says that until and unless the country emerges out of the risk of the pandemic, there will be changes in scriptwriting accordingly. Scenes with huge crowds or many characters will be avoided. Habib is currently a story consultant for the Star Plus’ show Yeh Rishtey Pyaar Ke.

    Habib points out that the advantage of being a writer is that it is not necessary to be present on sets. A lot of freelance writers, who have left for their hometowns, continue their work through video conferencing and similar apps. “In television, we don’t participate in day-to-day works. So it is not bad for writers but there is going to be a major change on the floor while shooting.”

    According to him, television shows are divorced from reality. But, now writers, producers and broadcasters will want to put the reality out there.

    “There are many people who want to shut off their emotions and have lighter moments. But when we write we create different characters with different emotions. So, one just cannot shy away from the reality or what is happening around us,” he added.

    Writer of Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, The Dirty Picture, Kick, Gabbar Is Back and Taxi No. 9211, Rajat Arora said that as of now he has not made any changes in his scripts.

    “As we move forward, only then we will understand what can be executed and what cannot. So, as the shooting begins, we will see if any changes in the script are required. There are certain things which cannot be done while filming as per the current guidelines. But it is just a small part. At the end, safety of our people is of utmost importance.”

    Currently, he is busy working for Ahan Shetty’s debut film. The project is backed by Sajid Nadiadwala. He is also doing the pending work of Jayalalitha biopic  starring Kangana Ranaut.

    Contrary to what other writers said, Arora feels that the current pandemic is so terrible that he doesn't want to show this situation in his writing. “I think no one wants to be reminded of a pandemic. I personally don’t want to dwell on it. Dystopian shows are now today's reality. So, we don’t want to face reality or may watch it on screen.”

  • Film, TV directors’ association requests Maharashtra govt for changes in shooting guidelines

    Film, TV directors’ association requests Maharashtra govt for changes in shooting guidelines

    MUMBAI: The Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) has sent a letter to the Maharashtra government seeking the removal of certain clauses in the guidelines for resuming shooting of films, OTT shows, and television serials as they are difficult to be adhered to. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray recently permitted the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) to resume shooting only if these guidelines and SOPs are followed strictly.

    IFTDA president Ashoke Pandit wrote, “We are glad to note that each and every point that we had presented and discussed in the above meeting has been considered and implemented in the GR released by the government. All the clauses that are mentioned in the GR are in line with the requirements raised by the stakeholders of the Industry. However, we would like to request you to please revisit two clauses mentioned in the GR.”

    One major concern is that any person above 65 years of age will not be allowed to work on the set. This category includes prominent actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, Annu Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Dharmendra, Shakti Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Pankaj Kapur, Jackie Shroff, Danny Denzongpa, Dalip Tahil, Tinnu Anand, Rakesh Bedi, Kabir Bedi and others. It also has legendary directors, filmmakers and writers like Anil Sharma, David Dhawan, Subhash Ghai, Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam and Prakash Jha.

    According to Pandit, this clause is impractical since it would restrict some of the great luminaries of the industry.

    Another major concern highlighted by Pandit is the availability of doctors and nurses stationed at each shooting premises.

    The letter notes that Maharashtra is already facing issues due to non-availability of the doctors and nurses to cope with the increased number of patients from the Covid2019 pandemic and therefore it is not practical to have a doctor and nurse to be stationed at each shooting premise.

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  • Producers in Maharashtra gearing up to resume shooting

    Producers in Maharashtra gearing up to resume shooting

    MUMBAI: Producers are gearing up to resume production after Maharashtra government on Sunday gave the official sanction in this regard.

    The government gave green signal for the resumption of film and television shootings in non-containment zones.

    Indian Film & TV Producers Council chairman (TV division) and Hats Off Productions founder J D Majethia told Indiantelevision.com that producers have started the process to resume shooting of films and television/OTT serials.  

    He said, “Every producer will have to fill up an application form. If someone wants to shoot outside Mumbai, he/she will need to take permission from the district collector. Currently, we are in the process of filling up an application form with all the details that will be uploaded in the course of next two to three days.”

    After filing the application form, the concerned authority will scrutinise the details based on numerous factors like studio space, SOPs, etc. After evaluating the application and depending on the situation, they might be granted permission within seven days, he explained.

    Regarding the exact shooting date, Majethia said it will be finalised after discussing with other producers in two to three days.

    He added that every broadcaster, film producer and OTT platform will have to apply for permission separately. Shooting outside Maharashtra, however, is not allowed. The cultural affairs ministry said that producers will have to conduct pre-production and post-production works by adhering to the rules and regulation laid down by the government.

    Producers will have to apply to the managing director of the Maharashtra Film City in Goregaon, Mumbai, and to district collectors outside Mumbai for resuming shootings.

    Majethia clearly stated that they are filling up the application form after taking into consideration the well-being of everyone involved. He concluded: “Our topmost priority is to safeguard the lives of our people; we are thinking of all possible measures to resume the shoot without risking anybody’s life.” 

  • Producers’ association warns against fake news of production restarting

    Producers’ association warns against fake news of production restarting

    MUMBAI: Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) has appealed to people not to fall prey to false and baseless information regarding re-starting of shooting.

    IMPPA in a press release said that they have been informed by many members who have come across messages being spread in the press and social media in the name of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). The official release by IMPPA also mentioned the latest WhatsApp message being circulated in the name of the office-bearers of FWICE.

    According IMPPA, the false news spreading on social media in the name of FWICE states: “Shooting of TV serials shall start from June end for which FWICE has issued guidelines that one inspector and ambulance shall have to be present on sets at all times and though only 50 per cent workers will be allowed to work, the producers will have to pay workers and if anything untoward happens to any worker due to Covid2019, the concerned producer will have to pay compensation of Rs 50 lakh  to that worker.”

    To verify the details, IMPPA spoke to FWICE general secretary Ashok Dubey who informed that all these guidelines and directions circulated in the name of FWICE are totally false and baseless.

    FWICE also confirmed that no such decision or guideline shall be finalized unless all the producers’ association agrees to the same. It also made it clear that the decision to restart shoot post Covid-2019 pandemic shall be valid and subsisting only if the same is countersigned and authenticated by FWICE and the producers’ association and the president of IMPAA.

  • Bimal Parekh joins Rainshine Entertainment’s board

    Bimal Parekh joins Rainshine Entertainment’s board

    MUMBAI: Entertainment company Rainshine Entertainment has announced the induction of industry stalwart Bimal Parekh into its board of directors. Portfolio manager to the stars, co-owner of Mumbai City FC along with Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor, and financial advisor for blockbuster hits like Gully Boy, Bajirao Mastani, Andhadhun, Dangal, to name a few, Parekh joins Rainshine Entertainment to further strengthen its eminent board.

    Rainshine Entertainment creates, nurtures and develops content studios Indian and global audiences.

    Rainshine Entertainment chairman-CEO Neeraj Bhargava says: “We are excited to have Bimal join us on the Board of Directors of Rainshine Entertainment. His years of experience in investment and business, along with his acumen in handling finances of large-scale Bollywood ventures, lend themselves seamlessly to our vision of expanding and scaling up Rainshine. Together we will work towards our vision of bolstering each of our studios, helping them take on bigger and better initiatives, and also spreading Rainshine’s base to international markets. Bimal adds his vast Indian entertainment industry experience and complements our existing group of illustrious non-executive directors, including Arun Sarin, David Johnson, and Michael Montgomery, who, along with him, will guide us on our vision and global initiatives.”

    Bimal Parekh says: “Rainshine’s vision of building a professionally run and scalable content studio is just what the rapidly expanding market needs. Media and entertainment have always been an area of interest for me, and I’m glad I’m associating with an organization that has a sound understanding of the business and the industry at large. Rainshine’s vision and way of building its business aligns with my personal vision of the kind of work I would like to be associated with. I look forward to making this partnership fruitful and worthwhile for all of Rainshine’s stakeholders.”

    An alumnus of Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, with over 35 years of experience, Parekh currently holds board positions in many prestigious forums and organizations.

  • Film & TV Producers Guild CEO Kulmeet Makkar passes on

    Film & TV Producers Guild CEO Kulmeet Makkar passes on

    MUMBAI: May does not seem to have brought with it good news. Early this morning, the CEO of the Film & Television Producers Guild Kulmeet Makkar passed on after suffering a massive heart attack. He was in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, where he had been since the lockdown due to the Covid2019 pandemic.

    Makkar had spent more than three decades in the entertainment industry, with stints at Saregama, and Reliance Entertainment as  founder CEO of Big Music & Home Entertainment.  He was also president & CEO at Shreya Entertainment before taking up the position as Guild’s CEO in 2010.

    Since then, he had been instrumental in working with several industry leaders who served as presidents of the association. And he spent years tirelessly pushing the agenda of the industry to the government and various international television and film bodies.

    One of the prime partnerships he had managed get going  was with the Producers Alliance for Cinema & Television, the UK-body representing independent producers. This has helped facilitate ease of production in the UK and vice-versa.

    Makkar was working on setting up a trust – to which Netflix has pledged to  contribute $1 million – to help the daily wage earners (who have been affected by Covid2019) in the film and television industry.

    He is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.