Tamil Short Film 'Full Stop' - Lessons from Production

These are a few lessons we learned after we finished shooting our latest Tamil short film, 'Full Stop'. You can watch it HERE. The idea for this film came about a year ago, when we repeatedly saw unconscious alcoholics in the middle of the road, completely oblivious to the reality around them. So we thought what would happen if we did something about it. So there...we made this film for fun, to tickle our production bug. A few things we thought might be worth sharing, especially if you want to know more about the filmmaking process. Anyways...

1. Always be in touch with filmmaking, especially production. Makes you grounded to the reality of the chaotic beast that is. The last shoot we had was about 5 months ago and shooting after that gap was like a wake-up call, a reality check. We scrambled a bit to a delayed start and then got on track. So keep scripting and shooting.
2. While working with new actors, always block-rehearse(Characters’ movement and positioning in relation to each other with dialogues) before getting them in front of the camera. If your actors are new, this is very important. Otherwise, you are likely to spend more time on this during the shoot.
3. Create Storyboards…highly recommended. Unless you are extremely confident and trained in conceiving and executing shots, create storyboards.
4. Create a Shot List. That is, what shots you need in a particular scene. Say if the Lead Character touches something, you write that down and say whether it's a Close-up shot or a medium shot or a long shot. And if you can match it with the Storyboards, great, do it.
5. Stick to your Shot List. If you must improvise with extra shots, do so minimally and don’t go overboard just because you are shooting digital and have resources at your disposal. If you want extra safety shots, include that in your Shot List.
6. Find and work with people who are passionate, sincere and with a collaborative mindset. Especially those who believe in the vision of the project. While most obvious, this is something you should always be aware of.

New Tamil Short Film - 'Full' Stop

Here's our new Tamil Short film 'Full' Stop...ENjoy!
http://youtu.be/bxoy-1CBD28

Men of Burden - Acclaimed Documentary Film on Cycle Rickshaws in Pondicherry, India

Folks
Back in 2005/2006, we made our first ever feature-length documentary film ‘Men of Burden – Pedaling Towards a Horizon’, about Cycle Rickshaw drivers in Pondicherry. It was during our rudimentary years as filmmakers...when we didn’t know a thing, of course, we still don't, but then it was more like, not even knowing the general aesthetics and techniques of filmmaking. We went by raw instinct, a deep socially bent instinct that certain things should be captured and made a story out of, because those stories(with certain issues) haven’t been told before. Our ‘style’ was more influenced by a gut-feeling arising out of society’s many foibles – issues that were conspicuously stark naked, yet completely invisible to all of us. So we thought filmmaking was a tool to bring those naked truths out, a power to change things in the world and thoughts like that. Well, a lot has changed since then. But ‘Men of Burden’ was and is, a film close to our hearts, because we didn’t set out to ‘make’ the film, it just organically happened. We took out our cameras and just started shooting the raw, roadside lives of the Cycle rickshaw men who lived in abject poverty, following them for weeks, before we could ascertain what exactly we were doing. In fact, it took us 9 months from start to finish, before it was ready.
‘Men of Burden’ was officially selected and had its World Premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles at Arclight Hollywood theater, then at the Stuttgart Film Festival in Germany and the New York Indian Film Festival and some more. It was a film that opened our eyes to the many realities of our world. So, here’s one of our first works as filmmakers. Of course, we had done a couple of short films before but…here you go. Some of you may have seen it(on Internet Archive) but we just uploaded it on Youtube. Do watch/share it and let us know what you think about a little part of our work.
Directed by Raghu Jeganathan
Co-directed by Earthling Koushalya
Produced by Ramesh Mourthy, Accessible Horizon Films
Cinematography by Mohandass
Music by Steve Gorn
Link here also...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3Fjf_nNfyM

Our New Short Film 'Full Stop'

Wooohooo folks…a bit of an announcement… we just wrapped up our new short film called ‘Full Stop’ which we shot last month. This time, Accessible Horizon Films in association with Yatra Multimedia will be launching the co-production in a public event in Pondicherry/Auroville. Not only that, our new film will be part of a larger Open-Air Film presentation(including the screening of 2 other short films) slash cultural(dance) event organized by Yatra Arts Foundation. More details on that later. But for now, here’s the first look Poster of ‘Full Stop’.
Context of the film: In Tamil Slang, a ‘Full’(Oru Fullu) means ‘a Full bottle of liquor’.
Having said that, Full Stop is sort of a comic caper quickie (or whatever) set in the exclusive world of Alcoholics in Tamil Nadu. So what happens when a ‘Full’, an unidentified Alcoholic and 4 mysterious women come together? Damn it Yo! You connect the dots!!!
Or just come to the show directly and bring your film-lover friends too. It’s a free event. And folks in and around Pondicherry, do get down there. The film is also a PSA made in the larger public interest of…well, you watch it.

Penned & Orchestrated by Raghu
Players – Yatra Srinivassan, Lakshmipriya Chandramouli, Earthling, Nandhini, Stella and Oshiva
Story by Earthling, Created by Ramesh Mourthy
Cinematography by Mohandass, Assistant Camera by Rajaram and Prakash Dhanagopalan
Art by Mithran and Bharath
Production Support by Yatra Team.

Venue: Yatra Arts Foundation, Near NuCreation Sports Ground/Swimming pool, Kuilapaalayam, Auroville. Call us for directions.
Date: Sunday, June 29th, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m.

24 Reasons Why Animal Rights Activists are like Super-heroes!

Having watched/read a considerable number of Super-hero movies/comic books and having spent considerable time with Animal Rights Activists, I couldn’t help notice some strong similarities between the two. And finally compiled this list(of course, not exhaustive) after a bit of deliberation. So, the big question is, ‘Are you a Super-Hero?...Are you Punk?’!

1. They have dual or multiple lives. By day, a human, by night a masked super-human. In this case, unmasked and at any time of the day.

2. They can spot a Sick or Needy animal miles away.

3. They can identify the sound of a distressed Animal among the thousands of Traffic horns, city noises and people’s chatter.

4. They can sense trouble even before it happens and are highly proactive. They are extremely sensitive to and aware of their surroundings.

5. They can communicate with Animals(or those in despair) and sense their slightest pain.

6. They are truly fearless and are not afraid to fight for the Voiceless/Powerless/Animals under any circumstances.

7. They are looked at in awe by the common people, for the wrong reasons.

8. They get criticized by and are under-appreciated by the public for not doing all they can. Not that Activists give a damn about being appreciated, they just fucking don’t care about what people think. Because they think being sensitive to animals should be a BASIC human trait.

9. People will never ‘get’ them and their sensibilities. In fact, people will think they are crazy or weird.

10. Sometimes, they don’t want their Super-sensitized, super-human powers anymore and just want to be a normal person(ignorant of the world around them) but when trouble strikes, they are the first to rush forward – no matter what! They know they are doomed to bear the burden, but also know that without them, the sufferers have no way out.

11. They sometimes crave a normal life but know that they don’t have a choice. It’s either them or the voiceless Animals can never be saved.

12. They know and understand that they are out there in this cruel world for a reason, a larger purpose.

13. They know they perpetually have to swim against the tide and are only one among tens of thousands and they have to take on the world at large single-handedly when the need arises.

14. They are as fearless as they are vulnerable. Because many a times, they carry a sense of guilt for not being able to save them all.

15. This one’s for the ‘hard-cores’. They will even put their lives at stake for the seemingly smallest and insignificant beings around them.

16. They cannot sleep peacefully when there’s so much suffering around them.

17. Their minds become preoccupied especially when they sense or see some animal in despair on their way to their normal work. That is, even during urgent situations in their normal life, they can’t concentrate when they’ve seen an animal in pain.

18. They realize that what they have is both a Gift and a Curse.

19. They know their work doesn’t stop with just 1 rescue.

20. They know that even with their super powers, they cannot rescue every single one of them. But they would, if they could.

21. Once people realize they have this gift, people expect them to come for their help for every small thing, as if they have a magic wand.

22. If push comes to shove, they(again, for the hard-cores) will choose their super-sensitive, super-human Avatar over their love, passion or anything in their life.

23. They have all lost something precious in their lives.

24. Even though they have this great ability, they are constantly in pain burdened with the suffering of all animals. They realize the true meaning of ‘with great power, comes great responsibility’.

New Promo for New Year for 'Ayynoorum Ayynthum(500 & 5) Tamil Indie Film

Dear folks
This is the 500th Post in our blog and this is also an occasion to share something about 'Ayynoorum Ayynthum (500 & 5)' our Independent Tamil feature film in the dawn of a new year.
A very Happy New Year from all of us at Accessible Horizon Films!
While 2013 has been very eventful, 2014 looks even more promising and we hope it's the same for you.
Also, we are writing to share with you a crazy, exciting new Promo Video for our 'Ayynoorum Ayynthum (500 & 5)'. It's sort of an excuse to reveal the biggest challenge for Independent filmmakers in India 'How do we take our film to the audience?'.
Which incidentally is our LIFE during most of 2013!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OCfCpjXjlA
So do watch it, enjoy and share!
Thanks a lot

Stones of Understanding...

i spin around my stones of understanding every single time...
words words and nothing but words in this reality...
make or break my faith in the rest...
of which i am an integral part...
am i supposed to just undo my understanding every single time..
whenever it surfaces and...resurfaces..and yet again..surfaces??
it takes a huge toll on my existence for all it is worth..
this reality makes it more difficult to deal with..
a fragile being caught in the rapture of the so-called life..
instantly..i create an alternate dimension to move to..
to sustain...to cope...and rebuild the faith..and continue..
in this vague yet intimidating reality...
how am i to keep the stones within..
when getting rid of them makes more sense..day by day! --some earthling

Ardh Satya - Be angry, be very angry!

Exactly 30 years back there was a landmark of a film that stormed the then status quo. It’s called ‘Ardh Satya’(Half Truth) directed by the awesome Govind Nihalani and written by noted playwright Vijay Tendulkar(I'd met him briefly in New York in 2003, without really knowing who he was, to interview him for a TV segment I was producing for a network). I had seen this film in bits and pieces before but today I watched it, as in really watched it, with a more analytical mind. I was and am dumbfounded. 2 reasons. One, the film has a raw gravity that tugs at you while unveiling the nature of human frailties. And two, the film can be seen today and yet seem every bit relevant to today’s society. The ‘system’ we live in right now in bloody 2013. Seriously, what the fuck is going on?! We are still grappling with the same issues(corruption, degradation of women, the disgusting political fabric, shady law enforcement, futile activism) that were being dealt with in the 1970s and 1980s. What does this really say about us? About our system? About our evolution as humans or a civilization? Something is seriously, freaking seriously wrong about the way we are moving forward. Because if we don’t have a paradigm shift soon, you can bet that in the next 30 years, we are still going to be the same situation or maybe even worse. The grey area of morality seems to become bigger and bigger every day with the concept of right or wrong seriously in jeopardy. Personally, we have met corrupt and rowdy MLAs, politically subservient police and many desperately misguided souls trying to wield power over the majority at any cost. It’s time we used our brains because we have the choice to take the baton and lead the next-in-line in whatever little way we can towards a more progressive future. And don't you fucking say that films shouldn't have a message. If you want to understand the context of what I mean, just go watch this. It really makes me angry!

Acchor Team Interview in Brew Magazine

We (and of course, Accessible Horizon Films) have been featured in the 3rd Anniversary of the Chennai-based BREW Magazine. Dharmesh, our good friend and columnist for the magazine interviewed us recently. A nice little run through. :-)
Click here to read it in its entirety. Page 28, 29, 30.
http://issuu.com/thebrewmagazine/docs/brew_october__13_-_3rd_anniversary_?e=1700121%2F5277987

Towards progressive Independent Tamil Cinema?

Yesterday, attended a significant event on 'Independent Filmmaking' in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. It was a seminar organized by the Cinema Club of Coimbatore initiated by our friend and director Kamala Kannan ('Madhubaanakadai' - Liquor Shop). The key focus of the event was on the Alternative way or the Independent way of making, producing and distributing films in India, more specifically, revolving around Tamil Cinema. Naveen, the director of the recently released 'Moodar Koodam' shared his experiences and challenges of his film's Independent mode of production. When he talked about his film, it was as if he was talking about our film “500 & 5 - Ayynoorum Ayynthum's” production, same struggles, same goof-ups, same everything, it was kind of surreal. And Nalan Kumarasamy, the director of the Tamil hit film 'Soodhu Kavvum' spoke about his experiences of writing(mainly) and directing his films. And finally, the thing that we at Accessible Horizon Films could relate to the most, was Kamala Kannan's ideas on the challenges and resolution(hopefully) of alternatively distributing an Independent film. What we can basically take away from this event are some very interesting alternative thoughts on the future of Tamil and Indian Independent Cinema, which I will write about shortly. And the most startling thing about this was, there were more 200 filmmakers with different levels of experience who attended the event. For a while now, we, at Accessible Horizon Film Collective, have been discussing similar issues with some radically creative people (both filmmakers and various artists) on the future of Indie(Independent) Filmmaking in India. So, hopefully, this is all a step in the right direction. The very fact that there are things like these happening is a sign of more progressive cinema coming up AND reaching the audience. (Above is a production still from 'Ayynoorum Ayynthum)

'Metroxical New York' wins Cinema Paradiso Award

Helloooo hellooo Peeps, exciting news! Our documentary film 'Metroxical New York' has won the 'CINEMA PARADISO AWARD' for great Cinematography, interesting Concept and being a truly International film at the Auroville Film Festival 2013. It has won in the category 'Films made by Aurovilians, residents of Bio-region and Guests of Auroville' and has been chosen among 53 other films in the category. More than the award itself, we had a lot of people in the audience say some really nice things about it. The reason we feel high is that it connected with people at some level, the same way we connected with the project when we created it. Thanks universe, we owe you more exciting work!

Creativity - Mother of Pain

Extraordinary creativity and Pain have almost always gone hand in hand. You know, the issue of Passion vs Practicality...because creative people almost always cannot follow the rules, or the norms or the ‘system’ – because if you are part of the system, then you are not a rebel, and if you’re not a rebel, then you are not creative, because being creative means you have to be a rebel of sorts. It doesn't mean you have to rebel (for the sake of it) to become creative. It’s something innate. Because rebels don’t know they are rebels. So obviously, when you don’t follow what you’re supposed to follow, you can’t sustain yourself easily in this world, traditionally-speaking. It’s a risk that true artists have to take, even at the cost of their future or maybe even their next work of art. But to think of it, it’s the starvation, the risk, the uncertainty, that insecurity, the pain – that artists feel and experience – are fodder for creativity and if I may dare say, genius. It’s like creativity and despair bounce off and feed off each other in this never-ending cycle. And it's really not a fault to be sucked in that cycle. Because as they say, it is by being who you are in a world that's constantly trying to fit you in its mold, is the most liberating. (Art work: Earthling)

Metroxical New York at Auroville Film Festival 2013

Folks, our recent Documentary Film 'Metroxical New York' - A poetic narrative about the underground subway music in New York City and how it forms the basis for a futuristic collective society - directed by Koushalya and created by Accessible Horizon Films is now screening at the Auroville Film Festival. Everyone's welcome and friends in Pondicherry, do make it! It screens on September 19th, 2013 at 7:30 p.m at the Outdoor Venue to be announced by the Auroville Film Festival. Please see their website for details - http://aurovillefilmfestival.org/

An Artist's Rite of Passage

This has been said before and will be said again by many. But of course, I won't stop myself from saying it. Every artist that has gone against the grain, at many points in their lives, must cross certain difficult and excruciating phases, in order to move on to better and brighter things. When you think about it philosophically, it seems like just another epiphany, where we can go 'wow here's a truth of life'. But to actually undergo those phases and especially during those periods, is something inexplicable that can make you numb. Sometimes, the pleasure of doing something you really love against all odds comes with the extreme pain of it not realizing its original intention. Though there are bigger, better, brighter things coming along the way, sometimes you feel like you are in a vaccum. I think we are at such a crossroads, right now.

Ayynoorum Ayynthum (500 & 5) Team Interview

Tamil Cinema website Behindwoods.com Interview. Dass is missing.

Ambiguity

It's sort of a quiet turbulence right now. Of course, a lot of contemplation towards where we're going. Personally I've always loved the uncertainty - to put it better, uncertainty has always loved us. But this, this phase, has been remarkably sordid but as they say, character-building. It always feels good when we philosophize about an event or concept BEFORE or AFTER it happens - but WHEN it happens, DURING the event - it's something of a vortex. Pulling you in deeper and deeper with no understanding of what, how, why and when. After that, an ambiguity sets in, like you are murky waters, submerged-floating, in a slow current, drowning but not quite yet...trying to find that glimmer of light that lets you know where the surface is - to get a breath of air, a big gasp and after that - a semblance of sense, sanity in this wide world.

The Dark side of Pondicherry

This is a post that should have been put up days ago but here it is. There will be more updates coming out on this, but for starters...
On the night of April 1st, 2013, around 20-30 Pet & Stray Dogs were brutally attacked with steel wires and pipes and thrown into a van by a group of unidentified young men(on the orders of someone influential). They are suspected killed or disposed off, left to die in a far away location from Pondicherry. Of these, some of the dogs are physically disabled and had been brought back to life after months of treatment and have been cared for by the residents including us. The Local police station on 19th April finally agreed to file the FIR and the case has been taken up with much resistance from various directions.
A group of us have been running pillar to post (to Politicians, Govt. Officials, various Police stations etc) trying to get them to start the investigation, find the location of the Dogs and bring justice to the Animals - so that further incidents like this never happen. Right now, we need People, NGOs or other Influential Animal Lovers from outside Pondicherry to put pressure on the Pondicherry Government and Police Department to act. Or if your friends are Journalists or Media people, please get them to cover the issue and bring attention to this issue. Or if you are an NGO or individual with clout, please start calling in on the Pondicherry authorities INCESSANTLY and from various angles and get them to take action.
(And this is not just about Dogs, Cows have been recently subjected to extreme abuse too)
Let's DO SOMETHING. Any specific messages, you can email pondypaws (at the rate) gmail DOT com

Yeee-Haww! Knight Hopper New iPhone Game App!

So who’s feeling a bit Horsey now? Or who wants to become a Knight overnight? Or who’s in a mood for some mind-crunching chess?
Anyway and anywho, we have to give a new shout-out to a new thingie created by our very own…drum-rollll…Ramesh Mourthy…ta-daaa…for creating, designing and releasing his new iPhone/iPad Game App called the ‘Knight Hopper’. So if you are wondering what in the name of heaven IS this, hop no further, coz you can hop all you want when you play the game.
Yes ladyies and gentilmen, Knight Hopper is a new game from the Accessible Horizon stable that can put your mind to the test. It’s now available all over the world for download, upload, overload, whatever. Dare to ride the horse and get your Knighthood by playing Knight Hopper! And dare your other friends/gaming-geeks to join in on the fun by sharing this with abandon.
Here’s the link: http://goo.gl/i4KAh
GAME DESCRIPTION
So you think you know to play chess? THINK AGAIN... Knight Hopper's challenge is to cover all the squares with the knight, without landing on any square twice. The knight must visit each square exactly once and in accordance with the chess rules.
Chief Architect/Master Geek – Ramesh Mourthy (the guy who gives the Geeky touch to team Acchor)
Design Director/Photoshop Wiz – Earthling (yeah, yeah the pseudonymous artist whose work is at display in Auroville)
Stable Assistants/Cutting & Otting – Raghu and Dass(who did all the menial labor for the above 2…GRRR)
And folks, do Rate and give your feedback about the game at the iTunes store - Knight Hopper.

Art Exhibition 'The Non-resilient Molecule' in Auroville

Hi Hey Hellooo...Peeps
It's been a lil' while. While there were/are a few things up on our platter at Accessible Horizon, we got a bit of a great news to share for now. Between March 15th to 31st, one of our partners-in-crime, 'Earthling'(those of you in the know, know who we're talking about) is releasing her first ever, (conventionally-speaking) Artistic Exhibition titled 'THE NON-RESILIENT MOLECULE' at the Gallery Square Circle, Kalakendra, Bharat Nivas in AUROVILLE.
Since she's way too modest to admit that it was she who created the various pieces of Acrylic on Canvas, she declares them to be from the Infinite, but only channeling through her, Earthling.
So we want to give a shout-out to all you out there to arrive in class, uncoil your creative nerves, talk away asking intellectual questions, discuss the hyper-amplified ramifications of art on society and and…enuff!
Anyways, ok now, really, just come, come ONE, come ALL! And have a blast with us during the 15-day show! The Inaugural date and time is March 15th, Friday at 4:00 p.m at Bharat Nivas, Auroville (inside the Gallery Square Circle, Kalakendra). Just call us if you have trouble finding directions.

Gettin' Leh'ed!

SECMOL - Short Documentary Film - Ladakh, India
In 2012, during our 33-day backpacking trip in the Himalayas, Ladakh(of course) was an eye-opening, mind-altering drug-stop. I say mind-altering because it really was one hell of a trip to yonder-land, or should I say, a different planet altogether. And vacation is a bad word to use here, because if you are taking a trip to the Himalayas, especially Ladakh, it is an adventure that will rattle your bones(literally and figuratively) and your core. It will change the way you look at things, people and what-the-hell - life itself.
And during the stop-over there, we called up our then-new friend, Sonam Wangchuk, the revolutionary extraordinaire and a simple man with a singular vision. We didn't know much about him then, as we were wondering where really we were heading when we took the taxi to Phey, about 18 kms from Leh city. We only knew that he was the founder of SECMOL(Student's Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh) which was founded in 1988 by him and a group of young Ladakhis with the aim to reform the educational system of Ladakh.
It is rumored that Sonam Wangchuk is the real-life Phunsuk Wangdu, the character played by Aamir Khan in the Hindi film, 3 Idiots. But anyways, during our stay there and our interactions with him, his team and the students, we realized that there's a lot than meets the eye. We observed that students identify themselves with their Ladakhi culture, as Ladakhis, and rarely do they associate themselves with the Pan-Indian identity. Like hell that's necessary. But well, let's get to this.

This short profile documentary film was shot in 2012 as a way of bringing to light the result of the efforts of Sonam, who has created waves in educational and cultural reform. We filmed this during our 1 week stay at SECMOL, volunteering for them, teaching Ladakhi students and culturally exchanging ideas and basically having a great time with them.
A couple of changes to the above film:
1. Rebecca should have been labelled Volunteer Advisor/Instructor instead of Co-founder as labelled above.
2. The volunteers for ice-skating are from various countries in the world as opposed to just US or Canada, as mentioned above.
Camera provided by Subheer from Always Outbound.
Created and presented by us, yours truly, the Accessible Horizon Films team.