CHENNAI: As the trend in short films have changed and most yesteryear short film makers feel that the purpose has been lost, City Express talks to Maayan, founder and general secretary of South Indian Short film Makers Association (SISMA), which was started to bring out hidden talents and to train them in the field of short filmmaking.
“Short films are made to create awareness in the society and are a very good way of expression. I made a short film way back in 1991 about the importance of blood donation. Though the concept was appreciated I didn’t have a platform to screen and faced a lot of difficulties. Now everything has become digital and easier,” says Maayan.
There are excellent short films on YouTube but there is no recognition for the good things. “Proper guidance and respect to the original form of short films can only bring back the real purpose for which these films were made,” he adds.
Lights, camera and action! are the three words that drive most youth of today. The development in the cine industry has made direction a sought after dream for them. Short film, a medium which was used to portray the views of an individual on a specific issue, has now been glamourised. Though the craze for making them still remains invincible, its purpose has been lost somewhere in the journey.
“Though we encourage youngsters to take short films, the level of creativity involved in the art is not visible. Nowadays, it has become a trend to just enter the silver screen,” says another short filmmaker.
Many TV channels provide a platform to budding talent to showcase their short films and many colleges have courses that specialise in media. These media courses give the students an insight into direction and short film making. “I did a short film based on a reality genre, in my second year in college. Being a Viscom student, I had the drive to use every single opportunity that was available in my course,” says Srinidhi Raghavan.
Some youngsters also feel that a story that is told to the audience in three hours can be conveyed through short films in just five to 15 minutes. “I prefer conveying a message in six minutes without beating around the bush,” she said.
“Earlier, short films were taken to convey a message to society, but now it has become a ticket to the silver screen. We take short films to show our potential and to have a good portfolio. They are the new gateway to the cine industry,” said Sanjay K Kannappan, the lead actor in a short film crew.
Earlier, taking a short film was a difficult task. Nowadays due to technical advancements everything has become a cakewalk for students who aspire to become a director said ‘Kadhalil Sodhappuvadu Yeppadi’ fame Vignesh. Even students have the 5D camera and other necessary equipment. When I was in college, we had to rent our equipment. It was hard to find sources to even rent,” he added.