THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), which is on a high after its Chitranjali Studio bagged three state film awards for 2008, is all set to lure the big producers back to its fold. The KSFDC has announced the ‘Chitranjali Super Plus’ credit package to attract Malayalam cinema’s elite producers.
To opt for the super plus package, a producer has to pay Rs two lakh.
``Those who have joined the package will be offered all facilities for shooting, including camera and negative,’’ KSFDC Managing Director N. Ayyappan said.
They can also avail of all post-production facilities, including DTS Mixing, the Managing Director said. These pre- and post-production credit facilities, which incorporate telecine and negative coating, are estimated at Rs 25 lakh. The biggest advantage is that the producers need not submit a bank guarantee of Rs 5 lakh, as in the case of other SFDC schemes, or even sign a tripartite agreement involving those who buy the satellite rights of the film.
The credit facility, however, is limited to established names. ``Producers who regularly make films can opt for the super plus scheme. It is also important that these films should involve known directors and technicians,’’ Ayyappan said.
The scheme is specifically aimed at getting back big producers to work in Chitranjali. ``Most of the established banners have ceased to use Chitranjali’s facilities. This credit facility, we hope, will attract them,’’ the Chitranjali Studio Manager said.
The other big advantage is guaranteed exhibition. ``All films made under this package will get guaranteed screenings in the ten KSFDC theatres across the state,’’ the KSFDC MD said.
Quality-wise, Chitranjali is on par with studios outside the state. It won the Best Processing Laboratory Award for the services it offered to ‘Bioscope’, the film that won the Special Jury Award. Besides, the best editor and sound recordist awards were won for work done by Beena Paul (Bioscope) and Krishnan Kutty-Harikumar duo (Oru Pennum Randanum) at the Chitranjali studio.
``The cream of the technical awards were bagged by us,’’ the Studio Manager said.
The first film that had been registered under the scheme is ‘Kadaksham’, produced by A V Anoop under the AVA Productions banner. The film, directed by Sashi Paravoor, will have as its cinematographer Ramachandra Babu.
trivandrum@epmltd.com