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Tag: Film Companion

  • TakeTen is back for its second edition, but with a twist!

    TakeTen is back for its second edition, but with a twist!

    Mumbai: The first successful edition of the Take Ten initiative, a workshop and competition by Netflix and Film Companion to discover and support emerging Indian creators from varied backgrounds, provided a stage for 10 new filmmakers to shine.

    This year, we are again partnering up with the aim of finding and nurturing the talent of five new series creators.

    The new batch of storytellers will be given an exciting opportunity to:

    • Attend exclusively curated workshops by some of the best creative talent in the industry like Prashant Nair, Raj Nidimoru, Gazal Dhaliwal, Varun Grover, Utsab Nath, Tanuj Chopra, Sanyukta Kaza, Pranav Thakkar and Sidharth Meer.
    • Make a fully funded pilot for a series with a grant of Rs.12 Lakhs each.
    • Get a chance to be featured on Netflix India’s Youtube channel

    The competition is open for submissions at the official Take Ten website: https://www.taketen.in/  

  • Ormax Media, Film Companion to launch ‘O Womaniya!’ report in June

    Ormax Media, Film Companion to launch ‘O Womaniya!’ report in June

    Mumbai: Media consulting firm Ormax Media and entertainment journalism platform Film Companion have announced the launch of the second edition of their initiative on female representation in the Indian entertainment industry titled ‘O Womaniya!’. The report will be released in June this year.

     The 2022 ‘O Womaniya!’ report is supported by the Producers Guild of India, Active Telugu Film Producers Guild, Amazon Prime Video, Zee5, Voot, Hoichoi, and SonyLIV.

    Unlike the 2021 report which focused only on films released in 2020, the 2022 edition will also look at the streaming category extensively analysing the major digital-series and direct-to-OTT films, along with theatrical films, released in 2021 across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam entertainment industries, said the statement.

    “The latest edition will also analyse female representation in the boardrooms of the top media and entertainment companies in India, and how the industry can work towards creating a nurturing environment that helps women grow into leadership roles,” it added. 

    “I believe that cinema can shape the world. Which is why inclusivity and diversity is paramount. ‘O Womaniya!’ is our attempt to push the needle to move faster,” said Film Companion founder and editor Anupama Chopra. “We hope that data will trigger conversation, which will trigger change. We are happy to collaborate with industry bodies like the Producers Guild of India and Active Telugu Film Producers Guild, and streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, an important part of India’s rapidly evolving creative ecosystem, to take this conversation forward meaningfully. With multiple industry players joining hands with us for the second edition of ‘O Womaniya!’ we believe we are moving the needle, slowly but significantly on this important subject.”

    “With every edition, we want to expand the ambition of this report, such as covering digital series this time,” said Ormax Media founder and CEO Shailesh Kapoor. “But the section of the 2022 report that I’m keenly looking forward to is on the representation of women in the senior management of Indian entertainment companies. These are the decision-makers who have the ability to shape the industry’s future, and hence, the analysis must start from the top.”

    The initiative has associated with Sunitha Rangaswami who is an independent consultant and has expertise on the subject of gender and women’s economic empowerment.

    “The previous report highlighted how we are missing a trick on promoting gender equality in the Indian Entertainment industry,” said Rangaswami. “I see this report more as a provocation (catalyst) on how each of us can engage in charting new pathways – through small actions and big – to make change possible. And motivate Indian entertainment companies to adopt a whole new gender paradigm in sync with the times we live in. The audience is ready for it…. are we?”

    The report will employ various qualitative and quantitative methods including trailer talk time, Bechdel Test, and more to report the findings.

    “On the corporate side, the report will ask some hard questions on creating equitable opportunities and a supportive environment, while on the creative side it will take a deep dive into the type of content being created, how women are being profiled in it and how it is being marketed,” said the statement.

  • Film Companion brings together experts and enters the education industry

    Film Companion brings together experts and enters the education industry

    MUMBAI: Have you been dreaming of pursuing a career in film, but have been groping in the dark as you are clueless about what to do and how to do? You are confused because there are so many institutions that offer multiple courses. But how to check their authenticity and credibility is the important question. 

    So here’s the deal you can’t say no to. What if there is a course that has industry-leading modules and taught by known figures from the industry itself? Film Companion has come up with a unique e-learning course aimed at providing hands-on, interactive learning to bridge the gap between academics and the industry.

    The most unique aspect about this course is the fact that each module will be taught by celebrated working professionals from the industry. They come with rich experience, having worked in the industry for so long that they can impart the right knowledge to wannabe directors and writers.

    Film Companion believes in the philosophy that providing hands-on learning to discerning students who are eager to make a mark in the exciting world of films. Instead of relying on theoretical studies Film Companion seeks to make the best of valuable industry practices. This unique model is tailor-made for students to achieve optimum knowledge in less time than any other film institute.

    These industry professionals draw from their own experience and examples from their work to impart the practical application of the various disciplines and aspects that encompass the wide gamut of filmmaking.

    Let’s take a look at the various courses provided by Film Companion:

    This first module on ‘Film Criticism’ features some of the best-known film critics from the industry such as Anupama Chopra, Baradwaj Rangan, Rahul Desai and Sucharita Tyagi. 

    These professional critics will break down the finer aspect of film criticism and give the students an in-depth knowledge into the finer aspects of film criticism.

    A total of 10 topics are covered under the Film Criticism module.

    It ranges from ‘Who is a film critic’ to ’How to review a film’. All these four critics give their unique perspectives and insights from their own experiences. Each critic will break down their movie watching and writing process. The module has been fashioned in such a way that the students will be equipped with practical knowledge to enrich their movie watching experience. They will end up as professional film critics.

    The this short course covers ten lessons, which include: writing about films, why is film criticism important, who is a critic, etc.

    The faculty includes some of the acclaimed names in the Indian film industry.

    Ø  Anupama Chopra: She is a film critic, television anchor and well-known author. She has been writing about Bollywood since 1993.

    Ø  Baradwaj Rangan: He is a national award-winning film critic and critically acclaimed author.

    Ø  Rahul Desai: He is a film critic (formerly of Mumbai Mirror, Catch News). His writings encompass everything about film.

    Ø  Sucharita Tyagi: She has been a prime-time radio jockey, interviewer, and writer.  

    To enroll for Class In Session by Film Companion visit: https://www.filmcompanion.in/courses/writing-about-films/

  • Anupama Chopra’s digital entertainment platform ‘Film Companion’ turns five today

    Anupama Chopra’s digital entertainment platform ‘Film Companion’ turns five today

    MUMBAI: Five years back, the entertainment universe got a new platform which took over all spheres to provide us a wholesome deal of narratives and perspectives. Film Companion is a pan-Indian platform for entertainment journalism which offers a 360-degree coverage on everything that’s trending in pop culture. Helmed under the aiges of Anupama Chopra, the main focus of the platform is films ranging across the world of Bollywood, Hollywood, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi and Bengali.

    With an aim at keeping the audience up to date with the what’s happening around, Film Companion carries reviews, interviews, features and masterclasses around cinema while also, covering television, short films, web series, stand-up comedy, cinema-related books and music- which has been a treat to the audience over these five years!

    Expressing her journey through the five years, Anupama Chopra shares, “Film Companion has been a great adventure. The dream was to create a pan-Indian entertainment platform.  It’s been a joy to toil in the trenches with my wonderful colleagues. I have learned so much from all of them. I genuinely think that barriers between the many exciting film industries in India are disappearing. And we at Film Companion are here to celebrate all industries and all cinemas.”

    Holding a massive influence across social media with the pop culture relevance, Film Companion has over 8 lakh subscribers across two YouTube channels – Film Companion and Film Companion South (headed by National-Award winning journalist Baradwaj Rangan). Over the years, many of the interviews under the banner have triggered larger conversations about the industry bringing a narrative shift towards a more inclusive and entertaining time.

    Some of FC’s most talked-about interviews are Roundtable with leading stand-up comics on gender equality and competition in the industry. Secondly, the story of Mumbai watchman Savi Sidhu’s tryst with movies along with a roundtable with film producers on the content crisis in Bollywood as a separate evening.
    Also, very recently, the interview with Sandeep Reddy Vanga post-release of Kabir Singh was another hit amongst the audience.

    Film Companion is led by founder and editor Anupama Chopra, who has over 25 years of experience in entertainment journalism which continues to be the driving force behind the successful five years and the times to come!