Four emerging film and trailer editors in the Tamil industry open up on the tricks of the trade.
Behind a good movie, there are not only directors, actors and cameramen, but also editors who make the movie flow easily. Cutting the footage at the right frame for the right sequence is not child’s play. Though there is little recognition in this profession, there are many who enjoy working behind the scenes to deliver something new. We bring you some of the emerging movie editors of the Tamil industry, who are passionate about their art.
Deepak Bhojraj
Creating trailers
Movie editor, director and producer, Deepak Bhojraj has edited the trailers and songs of ‘Yuva’, ‘Guru’, ‘Raavan’ (Hindi) and ‘Raavanan’ (Tamil).
In the Tamil industry for 15 years, the Mani Ratnam fan says, “If the movie is about the youth, you edit in a different pattern to bring in that effect onscreen.”
About the challenges of current cinema, the alumnus of Coimbatore Government Arts College says, “In Kollywood, there are still few professional scriptwriters. Most of the directors write the script themselves.” When asked if he hopes to direct movie in future, the former assistant director says, “I have directed ad films like Aircel, Pothy, Fairever cream and Nyle cold cream. I have several ideas for movies.”
Praveen Anthony
Bollywood Calling
When he was in the 11th standard, Praveen Anthony edited the footage of a school function. There was no looking back. Working under top editor, Anthony Gonsalves, Praveen is a Kamal Haasan fan. “I go through every shot before I edit.When I edit songs, I try to bring in the shots that best suit the songs,” he adds.
Anthony has edited Gautam Menon’s ‘Nadunissi Naaygal’, ‘Ko’, ‘Vaanam’ andVikram’s latest movie, ‘Deiva Thirumagal’. The 22-year-old assistant editor also reveals that he is editing the Hindi remake of ‘Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa’, starring Prateik Babbar and Amy Jackson, which is expected to release in September, 2011.
Bhuvan Srinivasan
Working 24/7
In Kollywood for three and half years, Bhuvan has edited many movies like ‘Shaitan’, ‘Urumi’ and ‘Thanga Meengal’. Raised in Chennai, the BCom graduate from Loyola College reveals that he discovered his talent after his friends complimented him on editing a college video. The diploma student from LV Prasad Film Academy shares his thoughts on the demanding profession, “On regular days, we edit from 9 am to 7 pm. But when the movie is about to release, we have to work 24/7. ”
Bhuvan Srinivasan is currently editing the Karthik and Trisha starrer, ‘Saguni’.
Praveen KL
Born with it
The BBA student from Madras University started editing at a summer job and went on to receive the Tamil Nadu State award for editing for Venkat Prabhu’s ‘Saroja’. The movie editor who has also worked with Discovery Asia Pacific for nine years, believes that editing is in his blood. “My father and cousins who have been working in the Tamil industry for decades, inspired me to get into Kollywood,” say the Anurag Basu fan.
Speaking on the pros and cons of Kollywood, Praveen adds, “Some of the producers and directors are still attuned to the old way of making a movie. But the technology used in the industry is as advanced as Bollywood and there are good movies being made like the recent Dhanush starrer, Aadukalam.”
His trademark style of editing? “When you cut shots, it has to be just as smooth as blinking,” explains Praveen, who is currently editing the Ajith and Trisha starrer, 'Mankatha', and 'Aravaan', starring Pasupathy.