Filmmaking is an arduous and time-consuming process. It demands unwavering passion for the subject, as this passion is what keeps one motivated through the numerous challenges and obstacles.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I grew up in Delhi and completed my schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya on New Mehrauli Road. This school, which catered to the children of parents with transferable jobs in the Defense Forces, was my educational base. My father, an employee of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), also had a career that kept our family moving frequently, so it made sense for my sisters and me to attend this school. It's noteworthy that the school was situated right next to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and during my school years in the late 80s, access to JNU was easier than it is today. The free atmosphere of JNU was incredibly captivating to young minds like ours – it felt like stepping into a new world.
I was an average student, with a strong sense of curiosity. Academics didn't interest me much at that time. Now, I find myself deeply engrossed in literature, history, politics, geography, and physics. Looking back, I regret not having this wisdom and intellectual curiosity during my school days. I believe that, if I had been as I am now, I would have excelled in my studies.
Today's children are fortunate as they have easy access to information and knowledge. When I realized my passion for filmmaking, there was no clear path or guidance available within my family or social circle. I reached my current point through trials and errors. I'm essentially a product of two cities – Delhi played a pivotal role in my early development, while Mumbai, my "Karambhoomi," has been instrumental in shaping my current self. Mumbai inspires and motivates me as a filmmaker. From the time I completed my course in film production at "Xavier Institute for Communication (XIC)" in 2000 to the exciting scripts I'm working on in my second stint in the city, Mumbai has played a significant role in my journey.
2. How and when did you realize your passion for creating films?
I can't precisely pinpoint when movies found their way into my heart. During my last years in school, I discovered a deep attraction to films, even though I didn't have a profound understanding of them or know how to enter the industry. Unsurprisingly, my choice of profession was met with horror by my mother. She was hesitant to discuss it with our extended family and friends and hoped I would outgrow this passion by the time I finished my graduation. To be fair, her concerns were not baseless. Filmmaking was far from being considered a stable career choice, particularly in a middle-class household focused on security.
I chose to study English literature at Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University, because it seemed natural given my interest in movies. In hindsight, I hold my choice of English literature in even higher regard now. It introduced me to the art of storytelling through writers like Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway, and V.S. Naipaul. During my college days, I also embarked on a course in still photography at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, which opened my eyes to the world of visual language and grammar. Around the same time, I started participating in theatre with a small group in Mandi House, New Delhi. This exposure introduced me to the short stories of Manto and Premchand, and I even had the opportunity to do a workshop with the renowned pantomime artist Niranjan Goswami, culminating in a stage performance. All of these experiences intensified my passion and laid the foundation for my journey as a budding filmmaker. By the time I graduated, I was well beyond the point of no return, much to my mother's disappointment.
3. What are the essential skills for a successful filmmaker?
The Digital Age has democratized filmmaking. Anyone can be a filmmaker now, given the advanced capabilities of smartphone cameras and free editing software, not to mention the reach provided by platforms like YouTube. However, I place great value on formal training in the craft of filmmaking. In the past, many acclaimed filmmakers around the world were not formally trained because filmmaking was in its infancy during their time. They observed the masters of their era, absorbing as much as they could before making their first movies. They challenged the norms of their time, introducing techniques like close-ups, shallow depth-of-field, perspective in set design, and sound design – all of which are now fundamental to filmmaking
Today, filmmaking is an advanced art form, and engaging in formal training to solidify one's craft is entirely justified. It's important to read both fiction and non-fiction works to understand the art of storytelling, character development, and pacing. Staying updated on the latest camera technology, editing software, animation, and special effects techniques is vital because filmmaking is a technically demanding field. Moreover, filmmaking encompasses multiple art forms, including literature, photography, performing arts, fine art, music, editing, and marketing. To excel as a filmmaker, one must have a nuanced understanding of these art forms. Given the considerable costs associated with filmmaking, understanding film distribution and marketing is key, as a successful prior film can make it easier to secure funding for the next project.
One of the most critical aspects of filmmaking is building a team and networking. Filmmaking is fundamentally a team effort, with the director and producer serving as leaders at the top of the pyramid. Effective networking with like-minded professionals can lead to future collaborations, furthering one's filmmaking career.
4. Your work may cover various genres and formats. What is your favorite genre or format to work with, and why?
In the past, theatrical release was the dominant format, followed by the advent of television, which led some to predict the demise of movie theaters. Contrary to these predictions, movie theaters have not only survived but also thrived, with television becoming a complementary medium. In the digital age, OTT platforms have opened up yet another frontier. Films are often collectively referred to as "content" these days, and various forms like documentary films, short films, new wave or art films, which were once considered niche, now enjoy substantial audiences.
Filmmaking is an arduous and time-consuming process. It demands unwavering passion for the subject, as this passion is what keeps one motivated through the numerous challenges and obstacles. It doesn't make the journey any easier, but it provides the motivation to persevere. The filmmaking process, irrespective of the format, involves finding a story, scriptwriting, forming a team, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution. Depending on the complexity, it can take several months to several years to complete a film. For instance, the Oscar-winning documentary film "The Elephant Whisperers" took years to make, and James Cameron's "Avatar" took a decade from concept to completion, largely because he was creating new technology to bring his vision to life.
Personally, I'm deeply passionate about narrative feature films, and I'd like to believe that I'm genre-agnostic. Some of my all-time favorite films include "Pather Panchali," "Gandhi," "The Godfather," "Tumbbad," "Satya," "Interstellar," "Old Boy," "Inglourious Basterds," "Seven,"
"Arrival," and "The Wrestler," among others.
5. What has been your most significant learning from your job?
Every new story I work on brings a wealth of learning, insights, and perspectives. I consider myself fortunate to be a storyteller, as each story allows me to grow and evolve. While researching and writing a script, I immerse myself in a life vastly different from my own, taking on the personalities of my characters to chart their course. Filmmaking is a profession that revolves around people, and through the exploration of various stories and their transformation into films, I learn about others and myself. It has made me non-judgmental about people; I would not even judge a serial killer. Everyone has their reasons for their actions and choices, and my role as a filmmaker has led me to develop a nuanced understanding of people and events that I may find disagreeable or abhorrent.
6. Which is your favorite book and why?
One of my favorite books is William Dalrymple's "The Last Mughal." This non-fiction work delves into the events of what is often referred to as the first revolt for independence against colonization in India.
History is a contentious subject in India, with numerous interpretations and perspectives on the subcontinent's history making it challenging to form an informed opinion. However, when you come across a book by an author who combines the gift of neutrality with years of profound research and a writing style that transforms historical accounts into a gripping narrative filled with drama, intrigue, and conspiracy, it's hard to put the book down. I'm confident that "The Last Mughal" offers a depiction that's closest to the actual events during the 1857 revolt, which ultimately reshaped the dynamics of colonization in India.
BIO:
Ravi Guria is an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter with over twenty years of experience. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Xavier Institute of Communication (XIC) in Mumbai, India. Ravi has had the privilege of being mentored through collaborative advanced scriptwriting workshops by two renowned industry figures: Tom Abrams, an award-winning screenwriter and director, whose work has been recognized in both the United States and Europe, including an Academy Award nomination, an Emmy Award, and prizes at the Berlin, Cannes, Montreal, and Karlovy Vary Film Festivals. He also received guidance from the acclaimed Hollywood cinematographer Slawomir Idziak, known for his work on movies like 'Black Hawk Down' and 'Harry Potter.'
Ravi's talent as a screenwriter was acknowledged when he was selected as one of the top eight screenwriters in India at the 'Mumbai Mantra CineRise Screenwriting Programme 2014.' His feature film script, 'Mitra,' served as the basis for this recognition. In 2022, he achieved the prestigious 'Platinum Award' for his Short Film Script, 'Obscene Trial,' in the 7 Day Scriptwriting Challenge category at IFP Festival Season 12.
His short film, 'Typewriter,' has garnered multiple awards, including the 'Best Sound Editor Award' at the 14th Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) in 2022, the 'Critic's Choice Award' at the Indo-French International Film Festival in 2021, and the 'Best Cinematography Award' at the Mumbai International Cult Film Festival (MICFF) in 2021. Ravi's versatility extends to the music video realm as well, where he produced a video for MC Dee & D'Evil's song 'Mumba.' This video achieved the '1st Runners Up' position at the Music Video Project Award in 2022, held in Mumbai.
Ravi's excellence in advertising was also acknowledged in 2009 when his ad film for Unilever was honored as the 'Best Film' at MOFILM UK."
Interviewed and Edited by- Pragya Lamba
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