ITV

Category: Production House

  • Poonam Wahi launches her own production house – PWF

    Poonam Wahi launches her own production house – PWF

    Mumbai: Poonam Wahi, a seasoned executive producer with over two decades of experience in the film and advertising industry, is thrilled to announce the launch of her own production house, PWF (Poonam Wahi Films).

    After spending a couple of years at Lintas C:EX, where she honed her skills in producing high-quality content, Poonam has now branched out to start her own venture. Prior to Lintas, she was producing at Chrome Pictures, and prior to Chrome as a freelance producer with Equinox Films and Highlight Films. While freelancing she worked on feature films like Lakshay, Sarkar Raaj, 3 Idiots, One Night with the King, Darjeeling Limited, The Fall, Doors to the Seven Star to name a few.

    PWF is a dynamic content house that embodies Poonam’s vision for creating innovative and impactful storytelling. With a diverse portfolio of esteemed clients, including corporate giants like Reliance, Adani, Tata, and Danone India, as well as emerging disruptors like Swiggy, PWF is poised to make its mark in the industry.

    At PWF, collaboration is at the heart of the company’s ethos. Poonam has forged partnerships with industry luminaries from Bollywood icons like Akshay Kumar to culinary maestros like Chef Ranveer Brar, crafting compelling and impactful content that leaves a lasting impression.

    “I’m excited to bring my expertise and passion to the forefront and create unforgettable stories that captivate audiences worldwide,” said PWF founder and executive producer Poonam Wahi.

    With a team of passionate and dedicated professionals, PWF is committed to delivering top-notch results while fostering a culture of joy and camaraderie. Whether it’s brainstorming sessions or on-set collaborations, the team brings a unique blend of professionalism and enthusiasm that makes every project not just successful but also enjoyable.

  • Shooting in Brazil has never been easier

    Shooting in Brazil has never been easier

    With its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture, Brazil has become an increasingly attractive destination for filmmakers worldwide. However, navigating the intricacies of filming in Brazil can be challenging for those unfamiliar.  

    Brazil

    Relying on a company that takes care of every step of visa acquisition, assists with the team’s arrival at the airport, and speaks the local language allows the focus of the contractor to remain where it should: on creating compelling content for their audience.  

    Story Productions

    That’s where Story Productions comes in – the company has experience in hosting teams from various countries, specially India. In addition to orchestrating the entire production in Brazilian territory, it boasts an extensive menu of locations to cater to all creative demands and budgets.  

    Story Productions

    Story has a comprehensive pre-production platform in place to ensure everything is organized, sparing the team from working long hours. The crew also undertakes meticulous casting work, catering to the needs of various types of productions, whether it involves famous actors, extras, or dancers.

    Please find on the links below a sample of the Bollywood productions Story Productions has assisted with last year and enjoy the music, the dance, and the stunning locations featured!

     

    Co founder and Partner Nick Story said “We help our clients create narratives with real impact, through documentaries, reality shows, journalistic coverage, commercials, corporate videos and branded content.” He further said  “Story Productions offers full production services for international producers wishing to film in Brazil. We are well equipped to work on all kinds of projects, whether you’re making music videos, a documentary, a TV show, a feature film or corporate videos, we can help!”

    Planning to film in Brazil? Get in (https://www.storyproductions.com/contact-us) touch now! If needed, Story has an Indian partner who speaks Hindi to support you. (+91 9833844682) 
     

  • Something Special & TAICCA partner to co-develop and co-produce new unscripted IP

    Something Special & TAICCA partner to co-develop and co-produce new unscripted IP

    Mumbai: Something Special, Seoul-based number one independent* international format agency, and the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) are excited to announce a dynamic partnership to co-develop and co-produce new unscripted intellectual properties (IP) over the next two years. This collaboration is set to begin by the end of June 2024.

    This strategic partnership was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 17 June 2024, during the LEAP co-development event in Seoul. This event was a result of a collaboration between TAICCA, Something Special, and AR Asia Productions (previously announced), aimed at enhancing Taiwanese unscripted creativity by mentoring Taiwanese producers and further developing their ideas.

    Under the terms of the MOU, Something Special and TAICCA will engage in discussions to develop Something Special’s own original paper formats IP for Taiwanese productions. The collaboration will explore diverse co-production opportunities, including working with Taiwanese producers and production companies, engaging Taiwanese celebrities and non-celebrities, and producing shows in Taiwan.

    TAICCA chairperson Homme Tsai stated: “Korean variety shows continuously innovate, providing fresh experiences. Their diverse content captures global attention and resonates with audiences. Taiwan also boasts its unique culture and creative talent. Through this collaboration, we hope to enhance the cultural and technical exchange between Taiwan and Korea. We are excited for more international audiences to discover Taiwan through audiovisual content, and to see more Taiwan-specific content shine on the international stage.”

    Something Special president & EP Jin Woo Hwang stated: “We are pleased to announce this collaboration with TAICCA, with our experiences working with government agencies and international partners, we are more than happy to take part in building the next step of Asian original content.”

  • Weekend Unwind with Sumit Productions founder Sumit Sahni

    Weekend Unwind with Sumit Productions founder Sumit Sahni

    Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind—a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.

    In this week’s session, we have Sumit Productions founder Sumit Sahni

    Without further ado, here it goes…

    Your mantra for life

    Embrace each day with a heart full of gratitude and a mind open to possibilities. Remember that challenges are opportunities in disguise, and every setback is a setup for a comeback. Strive for progress, and treat yourself and others with kindness and compassion.

    A book you are currently reading or plan to read

    Not a reader

    Your fitness mantra

    Eat healthy. Stay active

    Your comfort food

    Dal roti

    A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down

    “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs. This philosophy encourages me to find passion in my endeavours, as genuine enthusiasm and commitment are essential for achieving excellence and fulfilment.

    Your guilty pleasure

    Having Hookah

    The last time you tried something new

    Created a wedding song

    A life lesson you learned the hard way

    Being where I am today wasn’t easy for me. I became a self-made person very early due to a lack of resources I had to start earning. I did small jobs, did not complete my education, and learned through my way of life to be here.

    What gets you excited about life?

    Travel makes me excited

    What’s on top of your bucket list?

    I want to capture all the countries of the world through my lens.

    If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

    Do everything with passion. Love your work. Be compassionate with people

    One thing you would most like to change about the world

    If I could change one thing about the world, it would be to foster global empathy and understanding. Many of the world’s problems, from conflicts to social injustices, stem from a lack of empathy and understanding among people of different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. By promoting a culture of empathy, we could bridge divides and address issues such as discrimination, inequality, and violence. Encouraging individuals to see the world from others’ viewpoints would lead to more compassionate and inclusive societies, where cooperation and mutual respect are the norms. This shift in mindset could pave the way for more effective solutions to global challenges, fostering a world where everyone feels valued and connected.

    An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times

    Meeting people of all age groups. And learn from their experiences motivates me during tough times.  

    What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?

    Spending time with my child lifts my spirits when I am down.

    Your go-to stress buster

    Spending time with my wife and friends. Going out on outings.

  • Jigsaw Pictures crafts exceptional content across various formats

    Jigsaw Pictures crafts exceptional content across various formats

    Mumbai: Over the past 19 years, Jigsaw Pictures has crafted some exceptional content across various formats, consistently pushing creative boundaries. With nearly two decades of experience, their passion for storytelling & quality production shines through in every project be it any long-format content or shorter content TVCs or Digital films.

    Having produced/shot over 500 TVCs, short films, digital films, corporate films, and music videos worldwide, Jigsaw Pictures embraced long-format storytelling about a decade ago with their first feature film along with Reliance Entertainment. Now, Jigsaw Pictures, in collaboration with Viacom18 Studios, recently had the release of their latest web series, “Murder in Mahim,” streaming on Jio Cinema.

    In today’s fast-paced world, where most lengthy content often goes unnoticed, Jigsaw Pictures aligns itself with unique, relevant and engaging content like Murder in Mahim. The show was among the top 5 most viewed content last week. Given the show’s theme of LGBTQ issues and human relationships in today’s environment, it will be interesting to integrate the show’s message into relevant panel discussions, offering an interactive platform for viewers to engage with the content and foster meaningful dialogue. Hence if popular but relevant social media handles and digital platforms of media outlets help spread these messages it could resonate with the viewers.

    From their debut web series “Thinkistan (a show on the Indian advertising industry) – S1 & S2” partnering with MX Player, and collaboration with Reliance Entertainment on the feature film “Sooper se Ooper,” the production house has offered the audiences with innovative narratives. Currently, after the production of an 8-episode thriller web series with Viacom 18 Studios and a docu-reality show for a leading OTT platform also with the same studio, Jigsaw Pictures continues to elevate storytelling, blending innovation with an unwavering commitment to excellence with their other long-format shows. As they continue to work on TVCs & Digital films for various brands along with creative agencies.

    Jigsaw Pictures founder & producer Rajnish Lal expresses excitement not only for the release of “Murder in Mahim” but also for the ongoing success of Jigsaw Pictures and their upcoming projects. He states, “We are thrilled to be a part of the team that has taken ‘Murder in Mahim’ to audiences worldwide. Collaborating with our esteemed partners Viacom18 Studios and Jio Cinema, known for their creative excellence and expansive reach, has been a fantastic journey. This thrilling tale – with layered characters & screenplay has been unveiled & is drawing very positive responses. But we’re equally excited about the future endeavours of Jigsaw Pictures.

  • Avi Armoza buys back Armoza Formats from ITV

    Avi Armoza buys back Armoza Formats from ITV

    MUMBAI: Avi Armoza made big news when he announced in 2019 that  he was selling lock stock and barrell the production and formats company that bears his name to ITV Studios. Now, the spotlight is once again on him with his new announcement that he was buying back Armoza Formats from the UK production major. 

    The only difference is that the latter will own the catalogue it had acquired while Armoza will have ownership over all future formats it develops as well the exclusive right to produce ITV Studios formats in Israel. So around 100 titles including Still Standing, Marry Me Now and The Four will be the property of ITV, while ongoing productions between the two will have the status quo maintained. Among these are: the Israeli version of the ITV format Love Island which is about to begin airing on Free TV, three seasons of Come Dine With Me, and two seasons of the game show The 1% Club for Kan 11.  Additionally, a new Arabic language version of Come Dine With Me is in production and The Chase in Arabic is being developed, as well as the original Armoza production, Cooking Up Memories, which is now on air for Makaan.

    “Adapting to the changing needs of the market – exploring and finding new ways to do business has always been at the heart of Armoza Formats. I’m excited for the next chapter,” says the feisty Israeli creator Avi. 

    “I’m really pleased to continue to work with Avi as he represents our catalogue of award-winning formats, ” says ITV Studios managing director international production Lisa Perrin.

  • “VisualDub has been built in India by NeuralGarage using its own original research”: Mandar Natekar

    “VisualDub has been built in India by NeuralGarage using its own original research”: Mandar Natekar

    Mumbai: NeuralGarage is a technology startup in GenAI & is the brainchild of IIT Kanpur alumni Subhabrata Debnath, Subhashish Saha, Anjan Banerjee, and media & entertainment veteran Mandar Natekar. It is one of the few startups from India that is building core tech with original research and developing its own models in the audio-visual domain. The startup’s flagship technology, VisualDub, addresses a significant challenge in dubbed content — the synchronization of visual and audio cues – ensuring a harmonious viewing experience across languages through visual dubbing and lipsync.

    Since its inception in July 2021, NeuralGarage has evolved strategically. After a year dedicated to research and development, and building the technology for commercial use, the company launched VisualDub in May 2023. A successful fundraising round in October 2022 paved the way for building a robust core engineering team, leading to collaborations with more than 10 large global clients.

    Building for the world, the company targets a diverse clients & partner base, including film studios, directors, production houses, advertising agencies, OTT players, broadcast networks, and media entertainment companies. Additionally, the company engages with media outlets covering the AI space, technology, and deep tech, establishing a comprehensive outreach and strategy.

    NeuralGarage has an ambition to take VisualDub to a global audience by refining its go-to-market strategy and securing further rounds of capital to fuel expansion and innovation. The company has received notable recognition, including being ranked No. 2 at ‘Pitch Fest’ during TechSparks’23 and was a part of YourStory’s Tech30 for 2023. Other accolades include NASSCOM Emerge50 (ranked No. 1 in the media category 2023), Amazon AWS ML Elevate 2023 cohort, and NASSCOM GenerativeAI Foundry. Currently, NeuralGarage has a dedicated team of 20 professionals driving its vision and mission forward.

    Indiantelevision.com had the pleasure of conversing with Neural Garage co-founder & CEO Mandar Natekar. In this interview, he offered plenty of valuable insights into the company’s operations and vision.

    Edited excerpts

    On identifying the need for VisualDub in the audio-visual domain

    Consider for a moment that you are watching a Korean film with English audio. Your audio input is English while your visual input remains Korean since the visual spoke expression does not match the audio. VisualDub solves for this visual discord, so now when you watch a Korean film with English audio, you feel as if you are actually watching a film shot in English itself. With localization content becoming the biggest currency for the content creation industry, this problem of Visual Discord is amplified exponentially. VisualDub was built to specifically solve this at scale and make content accessible seamlessly to every single person in the world in a language of their choice and which looks truly native and authentic visually in every language.

    On the technological innovations behind VisualDub that differentiate it from existing solutions in the market

    VisualDub has been built in India by NeuralGarage using its own original research and foundation models and without using third party wrappers. This tech is completely proprietary and is patent filed. It has been built specifically to cater to high impact industries like Films, Streaming, Broadcast Networks and Advertising where preservation of resolution and sync of the original is of paramount important across temporal and spatial movements including background and talent IP. The technology delivers at 2k resolution on pre shot footage without the need to create 3D models or avataars and works across screens of every size from theatrical to mobile phones. This differentiates it completely from any other tech available.

    On the role does original research play in the development of NeuralGarage’s models for VisualDub

    Original research ensures that you are building the tech from a top-down approach, and it’s built with a single focus of specifically meeting the high capability demands of the industries you are building for. Unlike horizontal tech that meets some requirements of many industries with generalized models, VisualDub has been built as vertical SaaS to meet all mandatory requirements of key industries like Films, Streaming Platforms and Advertising. We ensure that we are at the forefront at innovation by staying focused on original research that leads to differentiated tech innovations.

    On considering the diverse applications of VisualDub in the entertainment and content creation industry

    Currently we are offering it as a service to select large customers to ensure that technology is used correctly to deliver the right results and creates a playbook for the industry. Our ultimate goal is to create a desktop version of our VisualDub that can be licensed across both individual and enterprise level solutions depending on the size of the business and the annual contracts. We are currently raising capital to be able to move in the direction.

    On NeuralGarage anticipating VisualDub revolutionizing the content creation landscape and some potential impact you foresee it having on the overall quality of dubbed content across languages

    The biggest problem in dubbed content is the visual discord that makes it unrelatable and unauthentic. Content today is monetized across multiple revenue streams, and this is achieved through dubbing. This opens up massive global geographies for content monetization. With VisualDub, dubbed content as we know it ceases to exist. Now with technology it actually gives studios, streaming platforms to create content in every language without incurring additional production cost! VisualDub will allow you to shoot in one language and recreate it authentically in every language on earth without making it look like dubbed content.

    On your aspirations in terms of market penetration and becoming the go-to solution for audio-visual synchronization in dubbed content

    VisualDub has been made in Bharat for the globe. It solves a very pertinent problem for the entire Entertainment, Media & Content industries across the world and we intend to be the default technology for the post production pipeline across these industries. We are creating a new category “Visual Dubbing” in the post production workflow and VisualDub will define this through original innovation and globally scalable use cases.

  • TAICCA Selects Something Special and AR Asia Productions for LEAP Creative Lab Project

    TAICCA Selects Something Special and AR Asia Productions for LEAP Creative Lab Project

    Mumbai: Something Special, a Seoul-based #1 independent international Format agency, and AR Asia Productions, a Hong Kong-based regional production company, announce their selection by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) to spearhead the LEAP Creative Lab project. This initiative aims to elevate the creativity of Taiwanese producers through immersive learning experiences and collaborative development opportunities.

    Entitled LEAP, this year-long project will be led by Something Special and AR Asia Productions, with activities throughout 2024. Divided into two integral parts, LEAP comprises a Master Class in Taipei and a Creative Development Workshop in Seoul.

    The Master Class in Taipei is scheduled for the second week of April, from the 10 to the 12, offering a comprehensive three-day program. A select group of 50 producers and companies have been chosen to participate in this exclusive event. Renowned instructors from South Korea will converge in Taiwan to provide invaluable insights on creating unscripted shows and maximising their international appeal.

    Following the Master Class, the Creative Workshop will be held in the latter half of 2024. From the initial cohort of 50 participants, eight standout companies will be selected for intensive mentoring by Korean professionals. Together, they will develop new unscripted IPs to foster innovation and cross-cultural exchange within the content creation landscape.

    InSoon Kim (EVP & head of content, Something Special) stated: “We are honoured to be chosen by TAICCA, along with AR Asia Productions, for this exciting initiative. LEAP represents a unique opportunity to nurture talent, facilitate knowledge exchange, and cultivate fresh creative perspectives within the Taiwanese content industry.”

    Anne Chan (CEO of AR Asia Productions) stated: “We are excited to collaborate with Something Special and TAICCA on this transformative project. LEAP underscores our shared commitment to fostering creativity and driving innovation across borders.”

    LEAP promises to not only enhance the capabilities of Taiwanese producers but also strengthen ties between Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong within the global content ecosystem. Through immersive learning experiences and collaborative development initiatives, LEAP aims to empower content creators to reach new heights of creativity and global success.

  • FridayFictionFilms: Redefining filmmaking for social impact and corporate collaboration

    FridayFictionFilms: Redefining filmmaking for social impact and corporate collaboration

    Mumbai: FridayFictionFilms,  a film production house, is celebrated for its unparalleled dedication to storytelling that transcends the ordinary. With accolades gracing its shelves, including the esteemed Limca Book of Records, FridayFictionFilms reigns supreme, masterfully crafting narratives that not only entertain but also inspire change. Their repertoire spans from blockbuster commercial ventures to soul-stirring shorts, each imbued with a profound sense of purpose. FridayFictionFilms is renowned for its unwavering commitment to social causes.

    Whether it’s shedding light on pressing societal issues or igniting empathy through the lens, every frame they capture is a testament to their dedication to making the world a better place, one story at a time.

    Indiantelevision caught up with FridayFictionFilms -founder and CEO Tanmay Shah to talk about the challenges he has encountered as a filmmaker advocating for social causes and the unique approach his company takes in collaborating with brands to create impactful commercial films while staying true to its commitment to social good

    On the inspiration behind establishing FridayFictionFilms

    After I made my first film, I felt a lot could be done beyond what I knew. This medium can be explored to not just make films about social issues I am exposed to but can cater to individuals, companies, and brands already working towards a cause they care about. It’s also quite humbling and inspiring to listen, talk, and see how things operate at the grass-roots level. An accumulated sum of all this made it clear to start FridayFictionFilms and make films that matter.

    On the significant gap in your YouTube channel’s content, particularly the last video titled ‘Horn ok please’’; Are you currently involved in the development of new projects

    After the successful completion of the 52 Films Project, we started working on real-life stories. We moved from fiction to nonfiction and made two short documentaries, one feature-length documentary, and many in collaboration with NGOs. These films garnered 33 international film festival awards and ran across continents. This also led us to work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through CWAS (Centre for Water and Sanitation) in India and Circulate Capital to fund innovations in ocean recycling and upcycling in Southeast Asia. Currently, we are working on two short documentaries and a feature-length documentary about the art and craft of local artisans.

    On the challenges that you have faced as a filmmaker, especially in advocating for social causes through your work

    What I have realised over the past decade in making films with social causes is that we have to be deeply invested in the cause or have a mindset towards progressively weaving the voice of the film towards a larger goal to be able to bring about any real change of any kind. If the film only leads to a space where it will be stuck at the same point as the cause itself, I guess it won’t be able to transcend the block. This entire process then becomes quite challenging because now how much to deal with stakeholders beyond the film and how much to pursue beyond making the film becomes an interesting self-journey.

    On FridayFictionFilms collaborates with brands to create impactful commercial films while maintaining its commitment to social good

    Brand and social good can also be a subtle introduction. It has to come out in company communication internally and externally and not necessarily always as leading the front for a cause voice. It could be more implementation-driven by showing how a brand first cares as an establishment and how it cares for and manages its employees and stakeholders and builds trust in the market. We bring out these subtle underlying aspects of brands and include them in the narratives we build for them.

    On FridayFictionFilms setting itself apart from other film production companies in terms of its USP

    We at FridayFictionFilms, utilise film as a solution and not just as a service. We use film also to simplify a lot of internal communication between companies and brands. The process of making the film goes even beyond making the film, it becomes a step towards bringing together the underlying values of the company to its employees and stakeholders and gives everyone more ways to connect with company goals and objectives. 

  • Buffalo Soldiers launch their film division – Eating Potatoes

    Buffalo Soldiers launch their film division – Eating Potatoes

    Mumbai: Buffalo Soldiers, celebrated as the rising maverick agency of 2023, is stirring the pot in the production world with their latest venture, Eating Potatoes – a cutting-edge production house focused on TV commercials (TVCs) and long-form productions for OTT platforms and documentaries.

    The agency has also elevated Saurabh Dubey, who heads video & production at Buffalo Soldiers, as co-founder of this exciting new venture.

    “India is at the cusp of a visual content revolution. For the next 20 years, the hunger for new content will become insatiable. With Eating Potatoes, we’re diving deep into the world of visual storytelling. Our aim is to craft narratives that resonate with today’s audience, from gripping TVCs to compelling OTT web shows and documentaries,” said Buffalo Soldiers co-founder & CEO Sumon K Chakrabarti.

    Recently, Eating Potatoes showcased its prowess by producing four TVCs for Parker in India, launching the brand’s new proposition #UNWRAP. The creative was handled by Buffalo Soldiers while Eating Potatoes led the production from start to finish.

    Eating Potatoes’ newly appointed co-founder Saurabh Dubey, said: “We are thrilled to blend our creative expertise with top-notch production quality. Eating Potatoes isn’t just a production house; it’s a hub for innovation in storytelling.” “We’re here to cook up some truly innovative content that resonates with today’s audience,” added Dubey, who also directed the 4 Parker TVCs recently.

    The production house is currently evaluating a few scripts for a potential thriller series. Eating Potatoes is poised to become a powerhouse in content production, with an eye for compelling narratives and high-quality production values.