“Oka chance ivandi sir prove chesukodaniki” (Give me once chance to prove myself), this line shows the eagerness and passion of film aspirants to prove their skills. Filmdom is an industry filled with daily struggle, as aspirants wrangle with uncertainty when it comes to an opportunity to work in films. And the uncertainty increases by proportions if a person is a fresher in the industry.
However, for some new age film aspirants, short films are serving as a path way to this coveted opportunity. City Express interacted with some people who got a chance to work in full length feature films after producers and directors discovered their potential in short films.
One such individual is Abhishek Maharshi who has immense affection for films as a medium and always wanted to join the industry. But he never expected he would land the opportunity so soon. “My friends who are all die hard film aspirants were working on a short film titled Aditi. I wanted to put in my share of effort and so went ahead and acted in it. As soon as we released the trailer, it went viral and was broadcast on TV channels. Producers who were impressed with my work gave me an opportunity to act in two feature films.’’
Apart from this, he is working in an independent film as well. Speaking about short films acting as a path way to full length feature films, Abhishek says that it serves as a portfolio for the entire unit which works on short films, be it writer, director, music composer or camera man.
As a guy working on visual effects for a living, the director of Aditi, Arun Pawar nurtured his dream of directing a short film. But he never thought that his first film will help him land the opportunity to direct three full length feature films.
“I gathered people who had immense passion for films and started working on the short film to showcase my work to directors and producers. And my work in Aditi helped me in doing this,” explains Arun.
With technology in everyone’s grasp, to get noticed in the plethora of short films in the field is no mean feat. So then how does one get one noticed? Abhinav, who is going to act in two feature films says, “It depends on how serious people are about their craft. A person is putting his career at stake and is honest about his pursuits, coupled with conviction about the script chances are high that his work in short films gets recognised.” Abhinav left a cozy software job in a leading company and joined theatre before testing waters in short films.
But in film industry, as the saying goes “You are as good as your last project”, it is tough to survive here. Naren Yadav has acted in around 20 short films. He has also been practicing theatre for the past three years. But still limelight eluded him. It was his work in a short film 6 Pegs which landed him an acting opportunity in a feature film. He warns co-aspirants to be watchful about their moves. “One needs to keep working and improving their skills till one gets an opportunity and continue persisting with their efforts,” advices Naren.
And the opportunities are not limited to the state and country, aspirants are using their work in short films to showcase it to international film makers. One such person is Priyadarshi Pulikonda, who got a chance to work in a Spanish film by showcasing all his short films to the producers. He opines that short films gives one space to experiment with different roles. “Short films give freedom to experiment with characters and scripts. I have essayed roles of a comedian, gay man and that of a driver in short films. I could have essayed such varied roles in full length films only after becoming an accomplished actor. This variation of roles has helped me in showcasing my potential to film makers” states Priyadarshi.
Apart from the opportunities, it is a huge bonus for actors if their talent gets recognised. “After seeing my acting skills in Aditi, director Trivikram appreciated my acting skills and advised me on how to improve it. This appreciation from a acclaimed director gave me immense happiness,” says an elated Abhishek.