Gerua
In the crucible of creativity and academia, emerged a transformative endeavour - a short film born of collaborative ingenuity and resourcefulness. As part of my final semester pursuits within the realm of BA (Hons) Media and Communication, this project crystallized into an inspiring cinematic spectacle. As the curtain fell on penultimate semesters, the groundwork for advanced filmmaking was laid through lectures and demonstrations, setting the stage for an ambitious culmination.
Role
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In the symphony of filmmaking, I assumed the mantle of a Producer, orchestrating a multifaceted narrative through meticulous planning and unswerving determination. My penchant for harmonizing diverse elements into a coherent whole propelled me towards this pivotal role. Yet, within our collaborative cosmos, every member's contribution resounded with equal significance. While responsibilities were distributed, each role's steward bore the weight of its triumphs and trials.
Working Process
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There was a particular essence of Indian astrology and astrologers that had to be communicated through the screen - the ones interested in this scene to be shown as a bit of local, lower middle-class public that is gullible. My job was to help communicate this through production design seamlessly. So eclipsing mere coordination, my purview expanded into filmmaking's very essence. Even by crafting a meticulous schedule around actors' commitments and crafting an atmosphere conducive to creativity, the shoot became a symposium of collaboration. Also, contending with distance and continuity, resilience prevailed as scenes unfolded seamlessly. Challenges, though formidable, yielded to our fervent tenacity.
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Location Scouting
References for Production Design
When it came to the publicity phase, we had to use a substitute actor to shoot the stills for the posters and since the subject wasn't familiar with the film, multiple set elements were used to create the posters. The movie's title "Gerua" means a shade of orange colour so that had to stand out predominantly. For the shoot and editing, I handled the entire process on my own since the team was juggling with multiple things related to the ultimate output. As the final frames crystallized, an intricate web of 14 minutes distilled into a succinct, impactful tapestry of 5 minutes with an in-tune poster up front.
 Poster Idea - 1 |  Poster Idea - 2 |  Poster Idea - 3 |
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 Poster Idea - 4 |  Poster Idea - 5 |  Poster Idea - 6 |
 Poster Idea - 7 |  Poster Idea - 8 |  Poster Idea - 9 |
 Poster Idea - 10 |  Final Poster Design |
Along with the poster design, I also handled the animation title animation for the film and production house. Since the name of the production house was an insider joke, with our professor calling our humour "so stupid" playing as our BGM, I opted for a very child-like, simple animation consisting of doodled bobble-heads sheepishly tumbling on to the screen. That was my first foray into using Adobe After Effects.
The reel's resonance transcended the auditorium, etching an indelible imprint on its audience. Applause reverberated through the spaces as our creation stood tall among its cinematic peers. The meticulously designed set and meticulously etched characters became the protagonists of praise. The plot twist, intricately hinging on an actor's appearance, left the audience collectively breathless, a testament to the narrative's enthralling power.
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In the tapestry of filmmaking, I wove threads of direction, lighting, and sound with equal precision during filming and editing phases. The curtain closed on the film's journey with the poster and animation, bearing my hallmark. The impact echoed through appreciative reviews and gasps of surprise, attesting to the fusion of imagination and meticulous execution that defined this labour of love.