ITV

Category: Post Production

  • Banijay Germany and Sascha Rinne Management form joint venture

    Banijay Germany and Sascha Rinne Management form joint venture

    MUMBAI: Banijay Germany is strengthening its group of independent entertainment companies by taking a majority stake in SR Management GmbH. Founder Sascha Rinne remains on board as managing director and co-shareholder.

    The SR Management GmbH has an impressive portfolio of talent from the world of entertainment. Presenters, entertainment/comedy, sports and lifestyle are among the core areas of the agency. In addition to talent management, the company has been increasingly focusing on the production of its own content for the past two years. Since 2018, its own content team, led by Tobias Holtkamp, has been designing exclusive formats and series for various brands, media providers and online platforms. Under the label “Podcastbande”, SR Management produces The Pochers Here for Audio Now. For the Cologne Sharks, the multi-part ice hockey documentary Unter Haien was created, which is now in its second season.

    This new venture supports Banijay Germany’s ethos of partnering with like-minded, independent and entrepreneurially-managed companies. It will combine the relevant producers and media companies, which Sascha Rinne and his team work with, with the range of TV formats, development, digital marketing and live expertise that Banijay Germany has available across its entities.

    Banijay Germany CEO Marcus Wolter said, “Sascha has been synonymous with the sustainable, strategic development of artists’ careers for many years. He has built up a powerful, well-connected and positioned talent agency. I am very pleased that he has now decided to partner with Banijay.”

    GF SR Management Sascha Rinne said, “The entertainment industry has changed a lot in recent years and we have set ourselves the goal of innovating our agency with it. We see the partnership with Banijay not only as a step, but as a leap into the future. We will now offer our partners and customers an even stronger network – at all levels. Personally, I am very happy to have found the ideal partnership with a big player like Banijay, which on the one hand, significantly strengthens us and on the other, allows us to continue to operate independently.”
     

  • Banijay appoints Dominique Farrugia to head France’s Endemol Shine Fiction

    Banijay appoints Dominique Farrugia to head France’s Endemol Shine Fiction

    MUMBAI: Dominique Farrugia is set to lead Endemol Shine fiction as managing director. He will take up the position starting 2 November 2020 and will now oversee all of the business’ scripted operations and pipeline of premium content.  Farrugia will report to Banijay France's chief executive officer, François de Brugada. In his new role at Endemol Shine Fiction, he will maintain his first-look agreement with STUDIOCANAL on any film projects from his production company, One Again. 

    Francois de Bragada said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome Dominique Farrugia as MD of Endemol Shine Fiction. His experience as a writer, director and producer will be invaluable in building a healthy slate of high-quality, original and ambitious scripted programming. His arrival bolsters Banijay France’s fiction offering and solidifies our position as a go-to for all genres.”

    Farrugia joins Banijay France’s production label from STUDIOCANAL, where he was deputy managing director. He has been with STUDIOCANAL since 2017. Beginning his career in radio at Europe 1 and RTL, he was recruited by CANAL at the time of its channel launch in 1984.

    Farrugia also co-founded the comedy quartet, Les Nuls, he then took up a position behind-the-camera, making seven films. In 2002, he became managing director of CANAL and its programming, before becoming President. From there, in 2003, he founded production company FEW (Farrudg Entertainment Worldwide) before signing a partnership with EuropaCorp in 2012 on feature films.  EuropaCorp then appointed him director in charge of its French-language output. 

    To date, EndemolShine Fiction has been recognised for its involvement in Papa ou Maman for M6; Mention Particulière for TF1; Guyanefor Canal+; Quadras for M6; Mental for France.TV Slash; Le Pont du Diable for France 3 and Faux Semblants for France 2.

  • Screenwriters Association announces nominees for Web Series category of SWA Awards 2020

    Screenwriters Association announces nominees for Web Series category of SWA Awards 2020

    MUMBAI: Screenwriters Association (SWA), the Indian guild of screenwriters and lyricists has announced the 13 nominees for the original series category of SWA Awards 2020. These series were nominated over three sub-categories: best original series – original comedy, best original series – original drama and best original series – adaptation.

    Nominees for Best Series – Original Drama are:

    1.            Richie Mehta and Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh for Delhi Crime

    2.            Suman Kumar, Sumit Arora, Raj and DK for The Family Man

    3.            Abhishek Yadav, Saurabh Khanna and Sandeep Jain for Kota Factory

    4.            Abhishek Sengupta, Biswa Kalyan Rath and Hussain Haidry for Lakhon Mein Ek Season 2

    5.            Alankrita Shrivastav, Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti for Made in Heaven

    Nominees for Best Series – Original Comedy are:

    1.            Maitreyee Upadhyay, Nayana Shyam and Preksha Khanna for Adulting Season 2

    2.            Devika Bhagat and Ishita Moitra for Four More Shots Please!

    3.            Ashish Manchanda, Chirag Ratna Singh and Shreyasi Sharma for Girls’ Hostel

    4.            Akarsh Khurana and Sumeet Vyas for Tripling Season 2

    5.            Ajaydeep Singh and Manish Kumar for Virgin Bhasskar

    Nominees for Series – Adaptation are:

    1.            Asad Hussain (Dialogue), Deepa Mehta, Patrick Graham, Suhani Kanwar and Urmi Juvekar for Leila

    2.            Dhruv Narang, Nihit Bhave, Pooja Tolani, Varun Grover for Sacred Games Season 2

    3.            Marston Bloom, Sumit Arora, Tanuja Chaturvedi (Hindi dialogue) for Selection Day

     SWA general secretary Sunil Salgia said, “It’s a new world, a combination of TV and Film. It gives scope for the writer to explore the world around the characters a bit more, to explore the minds of the characters, to weave a web of new ideas, and this is where a writer can be innovative and experimental. The writers have shown promise in this genre and I foresee a tough competition amongst them on this platform.”

    The 13 nominees were selected from 43 entries received by the SWA Awards committee from Hindi language web series released in 2019. Three jury panels, each comprising three eminent screenwriters, assessed entries in their respective sub-category. The final winners will be announced in an online awards ceremony on 27 September 2020.

    Please read more coverage on SWA  

    SWA Web Awards spokesperson and screenwriter  Manisha Korde said, “Writing for web-series is complicated owing to its unique structure; which is like man-animal hybrids of Greek mythology. Web series need intensity of the cinemas, expanse of the TV shows and brisk span attention to ads. This youngest medium, barely a few years old, poses greater challenges than its seniors. It's a tough field out there. All the nominations are equally good and it will be interesting to see who wins the first SWA screenwriting award for web!”

    SWA is holding the first ever SWA Awards on the occasion of its diamond jubilee year in 2020. Since they are judged by knowledgeable screenwriters and lyricists, these awards promise to become the most coveted validation for writers in India, much like the awards of other prestigious international writers’ guilds and literary organisations.

    The nominees spoke to SWA, reacting to the announcement:

    Nominees for Best Series – Original Drama

    Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh: This is my first every nomination and I can’t imagine it being more befitting than this. To be valued by the members of SWA is a prize in itself. I thank each one of you for finding my work worthy of being shortlisted in this category.

    Raj & DK: So excited to be nominated for the SWA awards! It's a great initiative by the association to introduce the awards this year. This is a shot in the arm for original content creators and lends authenticity to the writing awards. Really looking forward!

    Suman Kumar: Thank you SWA for nominating The Family Man in the first ever SWA Awards. It feels great that my writer colleagues recognise our work. Big thanks to all the fans of the Family Man.

    Sumit Arora: I am extremely happy to know that I have been nominated for the first ever SWA awards. There has been some excellent work in the web space off late and it’s a privilege to be nominated amongst all these brilliant minds who have created that work.

    Abhishek Yadav: Really glad that SWA has taken the initiative to organise awards entirely focused on the craft of screenwriting. It’s also special because Kota Factory has been shortlisted as one of the five nominees. Really thankful to the jury, SWA, team Kota Factory and the audience. Cheers!

    Sandeep Jain: When I received the email regarding nomination for SWA Awards 2020, I was working on something and suddenly for a moment everything stopped and I felt extremely grateful. I still remember the day when I got my SWA card to register my first short film script. And now I’m very happy to receive a nomination from the same body. I feel this is a great initiative because this is the most respected body for us writers and acknowledgement from them means a lot to us.

    Abhishek Sengupta: To be nominated by a jury comprised of stalwarts who have mastered the craft of writing, is an honour that can be rarely matched. I would like to thank SWA for this honour and commend them on the first screenwriting awards to recognise the importance of the art of writing.

    Biswa Kalyan Rath: Very excited about finally having an SWA awards. It has been long overdue and writers deserve much more. Hoping that this will have a great impact on the community as a whole.

    Hussain Haidry: I am glad to know that SWA has initiated these awards, and it is quite assuring that it will have as objective as possible an approach in appreciating people working for Indian cinema. I am honoured to know that I am nominated in the first ever SWA awards, that too as a screenwriter.

    Alankrita Shrivastav: I am honoured and incredibly thrilled that we have been nominated for the first ever SWA Awards for writing Made in Heaven. It is a very special show and working on it has been the most collaborative and fulfilling experience. And to now be recognised by one’s fellow writers feels wonderful. I hope that in the years to come, this culture of encouraging and appreciating our contemporaries continues.

    Nominees for Best Series – Original Comedy

    Maitreyee Upadhyay: Entering the Screenwriters Association is like Aladdin entering the cave of wonders. It is daunting. The walls of SWA are filled with names that make me shake in my tiny shoes. And instantly I feel like an impostor, a street-rat, like Aladdin. To think that our words have been nominated for an award by this building, well, it’s like the word goddess is asking me to keep meeting the blank page.

    Nayana Shyam: I’m so grateful and honoured to have been nominated for this award. It means so much more to me because of how special this show is to me and my fellow writers.

    Preksha Khanna: SWA Awards will help give due recognition to one of the most important, and often side-lined parts of the entertainment industry – the writers. I am deeply honoured to be nominated in the first edition of the SWA awards and hope that this tradition continues in the years to come.

    Devika Bhagat: These awards mean so much more as they are judged by our peers – fellow screenwriters. Peer recognition is something I strive for. Writing Four More Shots Please! was an amazing and creatively fulfilling experience. Getting this nomination and sharing it with my co-writer and friend, Ishita Moitra, is the icing on the cake. I hope to continue to do good writing in the future and live up to the expectations of my peers.

    Ishita Moitra: To be acknowledged for your work by your own peers is possibly the highest accolade of all. SWA has always been a beacon of hope and strength for us screenwriters. The Association stands for justice, impartiality, equality, free and fair liberal thought. So, when they choose to celebrate and honour excellence in screenwriting, it sure means something.

    Ashish Manchanda: Existence is painful, the world is going downhill and the society will blow up in its own face one day. Content is a better escape from all that than drugs and alcohol. Good content helps one feel belonged and relate with and find solace in other people's problems and at times forget about their problems. And to craft good content it takes dedicated creators who painstakingly go through endless loops of creation and destruction. Kudos to team SWA for recognising and rewarding such talent in the creative team. Thank you for including team Girls' Hostel.

    Chirag Ratna Singh: I am very grateful, flattered and honestly a little surprised to be nominated for the first ever SWA awards! Considering the competition, it is indeed a great honour to be recognised by people who genuinely understand and appreciate the craft of writing. Here's hoping this tradition continues. Thank you!

    Akarsh Khurana: Being nominated by your own peers and the fraternity you belong to is the best feeling ever. I’m so glad that SWA has taken this initiative. Particularly now that we are valuing content more, and writers are coming back to the fore. Also, being nominated for Tripling is just the icing on the cake. I loved writing both seasons of this with my friend and co-writer, Sumeet Vyas. It gave us a chance to be personal, and funny, and most importantly, free to create.

    Ajaydeep Singh: SWA Awards will not only uplift the morale of our writers but also, I am sure this award will be one of the most prestigious ones in the forthcoming years. We were in need of an honest and unbiased jury and SWA has stepped in at the right time. I am deeply honored and thankful to the jury for nominating my show Virgin Bhasskar.

    Manish Kumar: It's my immense pleasure to be nominated and that too for my first show. The power of words is often felt than seen. This award just reassures me that people truly appreciate the beauty of imagination. This is my first project, my first labour of love and to see it nominated, has filled my heart to its brim and my cup runneth over. I hope in future many more are inspired by this honour and we build a tribe that is creative, impactful and authentic.

    Nominees for Best  Series – Adaptation

    Asad Hussain: There are days when writing is like a river in full flow. And then there are days when it feels like a burden, a rock that refuses to budge. It is discipline and rigour as well as inspiration and intuition. All these shades of emotion are familiar to writers, which is why it feels truly special to be nominated for this honour by a group of fellow writers. Thank you for considering my work for this award, and for providing recognition for the role of writers in the industry.

    Patrick Graham: I've been a proud SWA member since 2011 and I'm really thrilled that such an awesome organisation has begun their own awards function. Writing is the foundation to any good series or film and it's important that writers receive the recognition, credit and fees that they deserve for their work – SWAs fight for these things tirelessly. I'm very grateful to receive this nomination and I'm excited to see how the quality of writing within our industry is getting stronger with every passing year.

    Suhani Kanwar: Never before has there been such an urgent hunt for stories and content in the industry. Never before have we screenwriters had so many formats or platforms to choose from. But with all this opportunity, there’s also a pressing need for us writers to really think about what we want to say, why we are saying it, whose stories we want to tell, and how to tell them well. An awards event like the first ever SWA Awards, focused purely on celebrating good writing, is welcome, perfectly timed, and something I’ll look forward to not just this year but every year from here on.

    Urmi Juvekar: I am absolutely delighted with this nomination. There is no better encouragement for a writer than being appreciated by one’s fellow writers.

    Dhruv Narang: SWA Awards are a great initiative, filling a big vacuum for authentic, craft-oriented honours. It is very humbling to be nominated by an organisation so sincerely committed to advancing the cause of screenwriting.

    Nihit Bhave: I’m honoured and excited about being nominated for the first ever SWA Awards. It’s just the kind of boost a writer needs, especially during lockdown when we’re all struggling to create. I would also like to applaud SWA for their initiative towards recognising writing talent and putting their members front and centre. The association has, for long, protected and nurtured us and this is another great way of putting their might behind writers.

    Pooja Tolani: The SWA Awards is great news and a long time coming. It will be a great boost and encouragement for screenwriters to have their craft acknowledged by peers and seniors who know first-hand, just how much goes into writing. Also, we as an industry do need to acknowledge more (and more often), the invisible craft of screenwriting and its fundamental relevance in the filmmaking process – and the awards are a big step in that direction. I’m thrilled to be nominated for the first edition.

    Varun Grover: I am thrilled to be nominated for the first ever SWA Awards in two categories. It's an award for the community by the peers and that makes it extra special. I had decided not to attend any regular film awards because of the way they treat writers and technicians – and it's a great step forward that SWA decided to start awards where writers are in the front and center.

    Marston Bloom: It is always humbling to be acknowledged by one’s peers and that feeling is more pronounced when it comes from a community of writers like the SWA with such a vivid tradition of storytelling excellence. Thanks to the reach of OTT platforms the whole world can now see the incredible quality and ambition of Indian screenwriting and I’m delighted that Selection Day played a small part in this moment.

    Tanuja Chaturvedi: What truly makes this honour so unique is your work is appreciated, evaluated and valued by your peers and betters. To get this nomination, the first time SWA is instituting these awards, is the cherry on my cake. My congratulations to my fellow nominees!

  • Roadies Revolution resumes shoot in Mumbai

    Roadies Revolution resumes shoot in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: The seventeenth season of adventure reality show Roadies started earlier this year in Rishikesh and moved to Himachal just before the lockdown put a grinding halt on all outdoor shoots. However, with all the standard operating procedures issued by the I&B Ministry, the rest of the shoot of Roadies Revolution has resumed in Mumbai starting this month.

    Cast and crew members, on the set, are strictly adhering to protocols starting from social distancing norms to sanitization. It is mandatory to wear masks, face shields and hand gloves. There is stay over facilities for contestants and crew. The contestants who are travelling for the show have been following the necessary quarantine procedures and will be stationed at one place from start to end of the shoot. Also, Covid2019 tests have been done for all the members on the set.

    For an adventure show like Roadies, which requires intense on-ground activity, MTV is ensuring that all shooting locations are equipped with proper medical facilities including an ambulance that would be available on the set at all times. Instead of having a buffet system, all the contestants and crew will be provided with packed food, that would first run through a UV sterilizer.

    The high-intensity tasks on the show will now be conducted in a safe environment under the supervision of professionals, specializing in safety, to ensure that all safety measures are implemented.

    With a daily dose of action and drama, Roadies Revolution is keen on increasing the entertainment quotient for its fans. As the shooting has resumed, the show aims to raise awareness and prioritize safety and well-being to fight against the global pandemic.

    Strict sanitisation procedure presumably began after Rapper Raftaar, who is one of the mentors on Roadies Revolution, along with Rannvijay Singha, Neha Dhupia, has informed that he has tested positive for the Covid2019. He shared the news on 9 September. Raftaar is currently home quarantined. "I wanted to give you an update. I had to go for Roadies and before that, I had to test for Covid2019. Two of my tests were negative, but the result which came today was positive. BMC has asked me to self-isolate," said Raftaar on his Instagram Story.

  • Screenwriters Association announces nominees for lyrics category of SWA Awards 2020

    Screenwriters Association announces nominees for lyrics category of SWA Awards 2020

    MUMBAI: Screenwriters Association (SWA), the Indian guild of screenwriters and lyricists, announced today the 10 nominees for the Lyrics category of SWA Awards 2020. Winners of the best lyricist for feature film and best lyricist for tv serial/original series will be announced in an online awards ceremony on 27 September 2020.

    Nominees for Best Lyricist for Feature Film are:

    1.            Ankur Tewari and Divine for Apna Time Ayega in Gully Boy

    2.            Amitabh Bhattacharya for Kalank title track in Kalank

    3.            Divine and Naezy for Meri Gully Mein in Gully Boy

    4.            Varun Grover for Ruan Ruan in Sonchiriya

    5.            Manoj Muntashir for Teri Mitti in Kesari

    Nominees for Best Lyricist for TV Serial/Original series are:

    1.            Shekhar Astitva for Title track in Radhakrishn

    2.            Zama Habib for Ek tum chup, ek chup main in Isharo Isharo Mein

    3.            Shashank Kunwar for Pet bechara in Kulfi Kumar Bajewala

    4.            Majaal  for Rooh in Lakhon Mein Ek Season 2

    5.            Majaal  for Nishaniya in Laakhon Mein Ek Season 2

    Congratulating the nominees, SWA general secretary Sunil Salgia said, “Ask anyone abroad about Indian films, the response will be, ‘Oh, Bollywood! Great songs and dances!’ Songs give a unique identity to our movies and surely there are no songs without lyrics. Talent that can say a thousand words in a few, in spite of their struggle to write poetry beyond the hook phrase and which can be heard and remembered in the noisy world, deserves applause.”

    The 10 nominees were selected from 146 entries received by the SWA Awards committee from Hindi language films and TV serials/original series released in 2019. A jury comprising of eminent lyricists such as Amit Khanna, Ila Arun, Kausar Munir, Mayur Puri and Panchhi Jalonvi selected the nominees after a thorough individual and joint evaluation process.

    Lyricist and spokesperson for the SWA lyrics category Shellee said, “It is difficult to imagine films such as Awara, Mera Naam Joker, Guide, Pakeeza, Mughal-e-Azam, Teesri Kasam without their songs. Songs are the ornaments that adorn our cinema. Their fragrance lends beauty to our ordinary lives. I congratulate the nominees of SWA Awards 2020 and wish them the best of luck.”

    The Screenwriters Association (SWA),was formerly known as Film Writers' Association (FWA). It is a Trade Union of screenwriters and lyricists who work for Films, TV and digital media in India. Authors, novelists, playwrights, journalists who aspire for to diversify or join fulltime the mediums of films, TV or digital entertainment, are also members of the SWA. It has been working for the last 60 years to get the Indian film and TV industries to acknowledge the central role of writers through collective bargaining, legal assistance, mediation and settlement of disputes and education.

    SWA is holding the first ever SWA Awards on the occasion of its diamond jubilee year in 2020. The members aspire to continue this award function for many more years. Since they are judged by knowledgeable screenwriters and lyricists, these awards promise to become the most coveted validation for writers in India, much like the awards of other prestigious international writers’ guilds and literary organisations.

    The nominees spoke to SWA, reacting to the announcement:

    Nominees – Best Lyricist for Feature Film

    Song: Apna time ayega | Film: Gully Boy

    Ankur Tewari: It is an honour to be nominated in the Best Lyrics category and I am thrilled to be in such esteemed company with Divine and the other nominees. I would like to thank SWA for this opportunity.

    Song: Meri gully mein | Film: Gully Boy

    Divine: Of all the tracks I have written till date, Apna time aayega and Meri gully mein have arguably had the biggest impact not just for me or Gully Boy, but for the Hip-Hop movement as a whole in India. Meri gully mein is close to my heart as the original release truly put the sound of Mumbai on the map. We have never looked back since.

    Song: Meri gully mein | Film: Gully Boy

    Naezy: I am delighted to have been nominated for "Meri Gully mein" by SWA Awards 2020.  This song is very special to me and I feel honoured that it has been nominated in the Best Lyrics for Films category.  My best wishes to SWA for their first ever Awards and also to all the fellow nominees.

    Song: Kalank title track | Film: Kalank

    Amitabh Bhattacharya: I am honoured and humbled to receive nomination in the Best Lyricist category of the first SWA Awards, the only award of the writers, by the writers and for the writers. My gratitude and best wishes to Screenwriters Association. I am really excited and I look forward to the ceremony.

    Song: Ruan ruan | Film: Sonchiriya

    Varun Grover: It's an award for the community by the peers and that makes it extra special. I had decided not to attend any regular film awards because of the way they treat writers and technicians and it's a great step forward that SWA decided to start awards where writers are in the front and centre. Now the stage is ours. So are the microphone, chairs, victories and defeats and joys and sorrows.

    Nominees – Best Lyricist for TV Serial/Web Series

    Song: Ek tum chup, ek chup main | TV Serial: Isharo Isharo Mein

    Zama Habib: I am thrilled to know that my song has been nominated in the Best Lyrics category by SWA Awards. It feels great and special because the award is from the writing fraternity for the first time. Writers choosing the best of writing is always a great and satisfying idea.

    Song: Pet bechara | TV Serial: Kulfi Kumar Bajewala

    Shashank Kunwar: An artist’s biggest motivation is appreciation, and it is really special when it comes from the people who understand the finer nuances of the art form. I want to congratulate SWA for giving shape to this award. In the times of lockdown and pandemic, it is comforting to feel that one is not working in isolation. Thank you, SWA!

    Song: Title track | TV Serial: Radhakrishn

    Shekhar Astitwa: I am happy to hear that SWA will hold the first ever SWA Awards 2020. I congratulate SWA for organising these prestigious awards and extend my best wishes to my fellow nominees.

    Songs: Rooh and Nishaniya | original series: Lakhon Mein Ek Season 2

    Majaal: Writers are travellers and SWA is the wisdom tree which stands tall and steady. It bears fruit for the hungry and provides shelter when the weather is testing. And now a ‘never-seen-before’ flower has blossomed on this benevolent tree – SWA Awards – to bless the ones destined to travel further. I feel fortunate for being nominated for the first ever SWA Awards. It has inspired me to keep travelling on.

  • Elizabeth Raposo exits Paramount Pictures

    Elizabeth Raposo exits Paramount Pictures

    MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures president of production Elizabeth Raposo has exited the studio. This move comes after Emma Watts has taken the leadership of the motion picture group.

    Raposo had served in the top role for three years. Her departure from the company was announced in a note to staff authored by Emma Watts, the studio's newly installed motion picture group president under Paramount CEO Jim Gianopulos.

    Raposo played a pivotal role in movies like  Rocketman, A Quiet Place, Mission: Impossible—Fallout and Bumblebee. She has also been part of the latest Star Trek films and the upcoming Top Gun: Maverick. She took over as production president following the exit of Marc Evans.

    "With her great taste and incredible talent relationships, Liz has been instrumental in many of the company’s past and recent successes," Watts wrote in a note to staff that referenced the many films Raposo has been involved with. "We thank Liz wholeheartedly for her many years of service and countless contributions to the studio, and wish her the very best," Watts continued.

    Raposo has been part of the studio for 15 years. Prior to this, she worked at Darren Aronofsky's Protozoa Pictures as director of development.

  • CINTAA comes out in support of actors, upholds dignity of women

    CINTAA comes out in support of actors, upholds dignity of women

    MUMBAI: Cine And TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) has released an official statement in support of the actors that are being attacked by news organisations. The statement read, “News Media, an integral part of the media and entertainment Industry has been outrageously vehement these last few weeks, in attacking men and women from the actor’s fraternity.”

    According to CINTAA, news channels are treating actors as if they are participants and instigators in an alleged conspiracy around Sushant Singh Rajput’s death that has occupied headlines recently in the public domain.

    The association feels it is important for news organisations to realize that one cannot function as a self-appointed judge, jury and executioner.
     
    It read, “In an attempt to boost viewership ratings, the catastrophic repercussions are ignored. That itself is reason enough for all to seriously introspect and put an end to the ill-informed debates and personal opinions being voiced by all and sundry. Without prejudice, the Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTAA), which represents the actors Community for over six decades, thought it befitting to break its silence in retaliation to those who are out to defame and slander its members.”

    CINTAA believes that till the time that the truth is not unearthed, a person's reputation should not be maligned, their livelihood should not be snatched away, their self-esteem should not be trampled upon and their integrity should not be questioned.

    It also mentions that actors are cultural ambassadors of this nation and the country's core values are shared through them with the rest of the world.

    Read the entire statement here:

     “CINTAA is one of the strongest Unions in the Film Fraternity. Our ideology is truly secular and it fosters true brotherhood, no matter what caste, creed or religion any member belongs to. As the fifth largest member of the International Federation of Actors-Performers Union (FIA) our voices and statements are valued world over. For us it is heartening to say that many of our Actors have been a recipient  of the Padma Shri/Padma Bhushan  awards coupled with many National & International citations. We belong to an intelligent, respectful and educated class and our body of work in the world of Entertainment stands second to none, even in the Global Arena.”

    Some members from the media and entertainment community are also members of parliament and to defame the whole community is far from acceptance. A retired Army officer who has stood on the Borders is  an actor today. A nursing officer who rendered her services much beyond the call of her duty during these pandemic times is also an actor.  In times of any national adversities the actors fraternity have stood shoulder to shoulder to mitigate miseries of people, be it financially, emotionally or otherwise.

    CINTAA, very strongly advocates upholding the Dignity of all women and hence have put in place all the necessary checks and balances at the work spots. Any instances of disrespect to our female colleagues is a matter of serious concern  and we do adopt taking the severest of actions and punishments to the offenders. Pertinent to add that the Me-too movement that emerged for sexual abuse has been very appropriate.

    We, therefore reiterate, that the Industry for the larger part, is a safe haven and yes, we would be the first to acknowledge that like in any other sector, there may exist some bad elements and by recognising and weeding them out, we are constantly looking to improve ourselves.

    However, stretching beyond one’s wildest imagination, the exuberance showcased by some anchors to capture eyeballs is outrageous and without any hard evidence. We deeply condemn such impetuous topics of debate that tarnishes the image of a whole community.

  • BBC elevates Charlotte Moore as chief content officer

    BBC elevates Charlotte Moore as chief content officer

    In her new role, Moore will be the senior leader for BBC content and audiences across all genres and platforms, with the exception of news and nations and regions. Her responsibilities include television commissioning for all BBC network TV channels and BBC iPlayer, radio commissioning and production for all ten national radio networks and BBC Sounds, multiplatform commissioning and production for all children’s and education content, and BBC Proms and Orchestras.

    BBC chairman Sir David Clementi said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome Charlotte Moore to the BBC Board. Charlotte has made a huge success of bringing audiences to our television portfolio—resulting in record-breaking figures for iPlayer and ensuring the BBC can reach audiences beyond the critical linear channels. She will do a brilliant job as Chief Content Officer and be an important asset to the BBC Board.”

    Moore joined the BBC in 2006 as commissioning executive for documentaries. She has held such roles as acting controller of BBC Daytime Television, controller of BBC One and controller of TV channels and iPlayer. Since 2009, she was the commissioning editor for documentaries where she was responsible for strategy and commissioning for in-house and independents across all four channels. Charlotte transformed the genre to produce a huge breadth of original programming, seeking out the best talent to bring the most compelling and inspiring documentary content to a broad audience. From Bafta-winning titles Protecting Our Children, 7/7 One Day In London, Between Life and Death, The Great British Bake Off, Terry Pratchett’s Choosing To Die, The Choir and Welcome To Lagos to hit series like Inside Claridges, The Call Centre, Lambing Live and The Tube.

    In January 2016, she was appointed as controller of TV channels and iPlayer, where she was the creative, editorial and strategic lead for BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and BBC iPlayer, ensuring the channels work in a complementary way while enhancing their distinctive positioning. In July 2016, Moore was elevated as the director of BBC content and controller of BBC One. She was responsible for the creative vision across the portfolio of channels, BBC iPlayer and genres and took on oversight of BBC Sport.

    Prior to joining the BBC, Charlotte was director of contemporary factual at IWC Media focusing on high-profile contemporary narrative documentaries and series for all major UK channels, including BBC Two’s landmark series Stephen Fry: The Secret Life Of A Manic Depressive.  

  • Producers Guild issues statement, slams attackers who are maligning film industry’s reputation

    Producers Guild issues statement, slams attackers who are maligning film industry’s reputation

    The Producers Guild of India (PGI) today issued a statement related to the countless attacks against the film industry. The guild has accepted that the Indian film industry has its own imperfections, but it also highlights that the industry is also one of the most important sources of soft power for the nation at a global level.

    Following the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, celebrities like Kangana Ranaut have re-ignited the nepotism debate and highlighted the drug abuse in Bollywood. While she has been targeting influential filmmakers for favouring celebrity kids, Ranaut recently claimed that 99 per cent of Bollywood was on drugs.

    “The last few months have seen relentless attacks on the reputation of the Indian film industry across all media. The tragic death of a promising young star has been used by some as a tool to defame and slander the film industry and its members,” the statement read.

     “A picture has been painted of the industry as a terrible place for outsiders to aspire to; a place that treats those who dare to enter it with contempt and derision; a murky den of substance abuse and criminality. This narrative is salacious enough for the media to exploit to great effect in order to boost its ratings, readership and page views. But it is not the truth” the guild added.

     “Like any other sector, there is no doubt that the film industry has its imperfections, and there must always be an ongoing attempt by any industry to improve upon itself, learn and evolve while weeding out unsavoury elements or improper practices that hold it back. But to paint an entire industry with the same brush is a gross misrepresentation of reality,” the guild further said.

    On the positive aspects of the industry, the guild shared, “The film industry employs hundreds of thousands of people, boosts travel and tourism and is one of the most important sources of soft power for India across the world. It has entertained hundreds of millions of people for over a century and has brought joy, honour, and glory to the nation. It has welcomed and embraced talent from across the country – from the worlds of literature, poetry, art and music – and has drawn them in to create a unique cinematic language.”

    The statement read, “This has ensured that we are one of the few countries in the world to still have a vibrant and thriving local film industry across multiple languages, despite the decades-long onslaught of Hollywood.” It also mentioned that the industry has always contributed generously to national causes in times of need, and has offered its resources – name, recognition, time and funds – whenever needed.

    The guild also agreed that it’s not easy to enter the industry.

    “We do not negate the personal experiences of anyone from the industry, and undoubtedly many of those entering the business and seeking to establish themselves have faced numerous hardships, struggles and disappointments in the course of building a career here. But that is no different from the challenges and obstacles faced by new entrants in any field that they are not born into – be it politics, law, business, medicine or the media,” the guild further added.

    It said, “However, a concerted effort has been made to single out the film industry as one that specifically inhibits and prohibits new talent from the outside from thriving. This could not be further from the truth.”

    The letter also mentioned that there are scores of talented actors, directors, writers, musicians, cinematographers, editors, sound designers, production designers, costume designers, art directors, and numerous other film professionals across multiple disciplines who had absolutely no connection in the industry, but they have flourished and done pathbreaking work, which has redefined Indian cinema.

    The statement further read: “Being born into the industry most definitely affords you the privilege of access and a first break, but after that it is up to each individual’s talent, hard work and drive to propel them forward. This is a place that ultimately rewards your talent, work ethic and ability to connect with an audience – regardless of your religion, gender, caste or economic strata.”

    It agreed that the industry is undoubtedly more difficult for an outsider to get that first chance to display their talent. However, with perseverance, persistence and a little bit of luck – it could be achieved.

     “These are difficult times for our country and the world, so rather than venting our fears and frustrations on each other with vile and vicious trolling, it is more important than ever to come together instead of tearing each other apart. Members of the industry on both sides of this debate, especially women, have been subjected to rape threats and death threats. This is unacceptable and must stop now,” the statement said.

  • Panorama Studios expands its footprint by setting up an office in Ahmedabad

    Panorama Studios expands its footprint by setting up an office in Ahmedabad

    MUMBAI: Fresh from the success of Khuda Haafiz, Panorama Studios has expanded its footprint in the country by opening an office in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The huge milestone comes for the leading production and  distribution house after having produced over 50 films in Hindi and other regional languages and distributed over 500 films in multiple languages across India and overseas.

     The new office is an addition to the existing three offices (in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore) that Panorama Studios operates from, within India. It has been established in Ahmedabad for the production, marketing & distribution of Gujarati films as an addition to their existing slate of releases.

    Panorama Studios, in association with VCS Industries Limited, will jointly run operations in order to provide the said services to the producers & exhibitors of Gujarat with the expertise available locally. The entity will offer a wide range of services including production, distribution, marketing, social media marketing, online and offline PR, publicity design & audiovisual campaign, P&A support, co-production support, in-film branding, co-branding for ready films, etc.

    Panorama Studios director Abhishek Pathak says, “We at Panorama Studios are very positive and excited about having planted a new arm of business in Ahmedabad. It is one of the most vibrant cities in India and we hope to cater generously to its populace. This new office will be an extension of our voice in cinema for the Northwest region.”

    Panorama Studios managing partner Murlidhar Chhatwani says, “We are glad to be able to set a base in a city that is culturally rich and is so perceptive to cinema. Gujarati cinema has evolved to a great extent and tapping into the talent and craft that comes from there will fortify our repertoire.”

    VCS Industries co-founder and directors Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel said, “Just one great partnership with the right production & distributor company like Panorama Studios will have an incredible impact on our business horizons with the film market leading “VCS” Company in Gujarat. Insiders of the Gujarati film industry have had to travel to and from Mumbai for solutions such as marketing, movie release, overseas distribution, etc. Gollywood producers will have easy access to these solutions with our new office in Ahmedabad."