Learning Film Making, through low cost, user friendly gadgets

I  had an idea three years back by seeing different gadget (Mobile phones, Cyber-shot camera and handy camera) and  I was deeply interested to apply my thoughts and idea to produce short films with the help of these user friendly gadgets.  Technology is changing everyday and due to reasons we can avail many gadgets from the market which is having features of video recording and video data can be easily transferable through data cable or memory sticks or memory cards.

Shooting through these friendly gadgets was easy but I not knowing the crafts of film making so started to have training on it but I was used to capture many events, journey through my camera and always found something was missing in these videos; that is crafting of film making.

God had given me chance to fulfill my dream to learn crafts of film making from Impulse (Kavita Joshi, workshops on Film Making). So time was to test the idea which I wanted to work on (low cost film making with the help user friendly gadgets and software.) My first lab was to test my idea with the students of class 7^th from Push Niketan School,  Dhampur, Moradabad. With the group of 12 children who were eager to learn film making and in the workshop they have made two short films called friendship and homework.

Wow, happy to see the results of the three day workshop, what to do next, shall I keep doing film workshops of these kinds not a bad idea. Started deep thinking the uses of this kind of film for people who really may be interested to learn it, wanted to use it for their work purposes.

This will be useful for the students who wanted to pursue for the film making or media, for NGO’s or development organizations to create an awareness for their programs, issues, outcomes, case studies, maybe useful for researchers to present their researches through video or film forms. Video documentations, to boost up the creativity amongst students, student’s or school /college projects, online product marketing, online promotions, for short film contest etc.

So, another workshop came in my way with 17 youths of colleges which was organized by Nehru Memorial Museum and Library with the partnership with Filmbooth. In this workshop, five short films were produced namely, soch, where is water? Roti, We are Fairies and Just a rupee. These films have the special screening at eight international short film festivals on the millennium development Goals.

Few more films are in the pipeline with the B.EL.ED (Bachelor of elementary education) students of Delhi University.

Participants receive 24+ hours of training in which they conceive, direct, shoot and complete short films. In the process, they are introduced to the basics of film craft – Storyboard, Direction, Camera work, Sound & editing. They get hands on practical training in shooting with cyber shots digital camera, handy camera, editing on window movie maker, storyboard and more.

Gadgets used for this kind of films are not professional and hence lot of the technical limitations exists in the user friendly gadgets like no control over the extra unwanted voices, wind sounds, zooming issues, and qualities of films etc. Qualities of films are based on the megapixels of the video camera. More mega pixels produced good qualities of films. One can work with the mobile phones video camera too, but clarity of the films may be not very good during projection on the bigger screen, so, for good quality of video recommended above 5MP (Mega Pixels).

You can learn making short films like documentary, fictions, docu-drama, and narratives. Learn the very basics of film making through friendly gadgets within 24+ in just Rs. 2500. Contact me at paramjeetbernad@gmail.com

Get ready with light, camera & action.

Dampara’s Mr. India: CRC Team went to Ghatsila

On 27^th evening Mr. kantha Singh was feeling well and had some medicines from their people who came along with this children. But some how there is no sign for recovering his health from the medicines. He has stopped having food and started having lite food like bread and milk and nothing else.

I took him to the doctor who has done the checkup Mr. Kantha sing and found that’s his platelet’s counts were very low and suspected to have complicated Malaria and suggested not to do travel in this conditions.

CRC team has stopped him along with his wife and one of the members Chandani Nath. Rest all the children went on 1^st November with CDPO of Jharkhand and the one of the teacher Mr. Krishna Kumar.

Kantha singh’s treatments were started immediately at RML Hospital on the same day after the recommendation of the doctor. He was admitted for good five days got cured from the disease. Our NMML staff Mr. A.Selbam was one of the people who have helped out of the way on one call during the hospitalizations from emergency ward to Private ward of RML.

On 5 December Kantha singh discharged from the Hospital and from Children center two people along kantha singhs and his wife and one member went to drop them to their village. Kantha Singh was happy that he got cured.  Before leaving Delhi I have Given him Small token of Rs.25, 000/ which was given by one of the board Member of NMML Mr. (   L.C. Jain           ).

Once we have reached to the Tata Nagar Jamshedpur Media people have interviewed the Kantha Singhs and us also, at the village we met children once aging and they have welcomed us with the flowers and by washing our feets (as this is tradition in the village) and having a cup of Lemon tea. Ledha Village was almost 70 k.m., from Tatanagar. We have reached their in the evening almost spent an hour while talking and looking the situation where children live, study and sleeps.

These were the days when elections are happening so lot of patrolling by armed force were happening in the area and that is why we have to get back to the town for the safety reasons though we (I and my colleague Anita) wants to stay back with the children. Never mind after all we have to get back from the village to hotel where we had night stay was planned and hotel rooms were booked.

Next Morning we have traveled our own by local sharing jeep from Dampara to Tata Nagar where again two rooms were booked for us in the Hotel at Bistupur. We stayed for that day as we have to catch the train next day in the evening. I thought to meet Deputy Commissioner of that area Mr. Ravindra Kumar Agarwal with whom I was constant in touch for the visit of children from Jharkhand to Delhi and he was one of the person who helped to book the railway tickets for the children which was later reimbursed from the NMML.

I have taken an appointment with him for the next day for 20 minutes as he was also very busy due to the elections. I and Anita went and had meeting with him and thanked him for all of his help. After having some more talk about the program we left for the station and board the tarin for Delhi.

While coming back from the place had the wonderful flashback of the program and thought lucky to be reachable with various kinds of children groups in our Indian continental. I feel that what the unity with diversity. This memory will be remaining memory forever and we all may meet again.

Dampara’s Mr. India:Children participated in Dhanak Din Bal Mela

NMML was celebrating 120^th Birthday of Nehru Ji entire month of November and its annual Dhanak Din festival for children and youth for three day from 27^th to 29^th of December. Children have joined this program on 27^th after noon till 29^th November. They have learn so many things and participated in various activities in the mela. They have participated in video ghar, canvas painting, t-shirt painting, learned the pottery etc., and also have performed their regional santhali songs at the stage.

Have participated in the closing ceremony of the Nehru Imprint on 30^th November and presented souvenir to Prof. Mridula Mukherji. They had fun while interacting with various group of children, penguin who was giving message for stopping climate change, seeing magic show and having food and fruit chaats and lot more. We have organized specials puppets show for them and they have liked it show much everyone face was sparkling and happy looking face was telling every moments of their visits of Delhi and having this grand mela and meeting with the president.

The Day has come when they have to get ready for their home, their village on 1^st December morning. They all have packed their stuffs and requesting to take care of their father Kantha Singh. They left with tears in their ice by saying ‘pranam chacha Ji aap hamse milne hamare gaon aana’ (Good bye uncle, please do come to meet us to our village).

Dampara’s Mr.India:Meeting with President of India

The day has come when we have to meet with the president of India Pratibha Patil, Children from Dapara Vikas Samiti had got invitation from Children Center of NMML and same time from the president house so this program was tie – up for this meeting.

Morning around 10 a.m. we all have reached at the president house and security check has been done. After security check we have taken to along with 3 to 4 officials from Rastrapti bahwan for the refreshments. Refreshments have been served with the music played by musicians and guitarist. We all went to see the Mughal Garden of the Rastrapti Bhawan. We saw the musical Fountain, which was initiated by our former president of India Abdul kalam Azad. Along with the fountain we can hear music based on our freedom struggle. We have also got chance to see the entire Rastrapati bahwan and the places where minister takes oath, where Padam shree and Padam vibhushan award given to the people, dining hall where food served based on the lights and at one time 140 people can have dinner on that dining table, in the dining room paintings of all the formers Indian presidents have been decorated on the wall of Presidents house..

Now time came when we have to meet with the president. Kantha singh and Prof. Mridula Mukahrjee, director of NMML (Nehru Memorial Museum and library), welcomed the President Pratibha Patil. President have spent some time with the children and then Mr. Vagish Jha Moderator of the day who works as the Coordinator of the multimedia library at NMML has started the program by giving introduction about the entire venture and invited one Girl Bharti, who has shared about their day to day work in the village of Dampara. One Boy Tarun has shared the entire Experience of Delhi Darhsan and visiting NMML and Rastrapati Bhawan and meeting with president Madam. They said they never thought of this day even in dream ever. But they all have enjoyed this trip.

Kantha singh have shared his entire experience about starting his orphanage in the villages and shared that how he is facing problem of raring these children without any kind of support from anywhere and asked support from Madam President. How his children home is got burnt in the fire and with the help of community and some well wisher, he was able to rebuilt his house. He has asked Madam Support for his children.

After that Madam president came forward and given blessing to the children and the Kantha Singhs work and said he is doing ‘Punya’ work and will surely people will come forward to help him. She has also appreciated the work which done by the Children Center and shown her interest to take out some time to visit children Center. She has given Rs.50, 000/ as contribution to Mr. Kantha Singh.

Prof. Mridula Mukherji has given vote of thanks and a small token from the NMML to Madam President also invited her to take out some time to visit NMML, which used to be the first Prime Minister house Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

Photo sessions with the children and people who were involved in this entire process got snapped with Madam President and then everyone had the lunch at the president house, which will be, remain forever in the hearts of the people. This was grand day for all the team members who work hard for this day and one of the unforgettable memories in life. Madam President has spent 20 minutes with children but given a message that how she cares for the people of India and having the soft corner of children of India.

Dampara’s Mr. India:Delhi Tour

This entire day we all have to go for the Delhi Darshan. We all have ready for this program and went towards Chandni Chowk. Bakrid was almost near so we saw lot of goats and lams were waiting to be sold at the roadside. We met our friends or the Resource Person Mr. Lokesh Jain who has conducted the Sessions for the children. We have decided to visit Bird Hospital and the Lal quila and then Qutub Minar.

Birds Hospital was the good example to show love towards birds. Children have shared that this is almost new for them. They have seen people who kill birds and having it but here in the hospital people were saving birds and caring for them. They have also interacted with the one of the Jain Baba who has given them Prasad to eat. Next we have been to Lal Quila and seen Museum of freedom struggle and the other important place inside the Lal Qila like Diwan-e- Aam and Diwan-e-khas etc. children have related Lal quila with Chacha Nehru as they were staying and being told about it during NMML Museum walk.

We were back to NMML Canteen to have our Lunch at Kutty Ji Canteen and then went towards South Delhi to see Qutub Minar. Had lots of photograph and information and also spent some time to play there in the Qutub Minar campus. We back at The NMML Campus around 7p.m and started preparing our presentation for next Day when we have to go for the meeting with Our President of India Mrs. Pratibha patil at the Rastrapati Bhawan.

 

Dampara’s Mr. India: First day at first Prime Minister House

It was first day when children were got up quite early may be with excitements, and was ready for the day. I saw the happiness on their faces when they saw Peacock in the back lawn of Nehru museum while going to Kutty ji canteen for breakfast. They all were thrill and tried to capture the pictures of the peacock. They have started asking questions before the museum visit that, are we going to see zoo?, and are going to see Qutub Minar and Lal Quila? , This is lovely place and so many other questions about their visit.

Children were completely ready but also little tired, as they have slept at mid night. We have shared the entire programs for the day and what they have to follow during their stay (the ground rules). I must say children were much disciplined so; I need not to worry for any rules which were breakable by them.

The first thing, was important to know about the place where they have stay for next almost a week. So, children should be aware about the place as NMML is a having big campus of 44 acres so it is important to know where are the general things like, toilets, drinking water, what are the area accessible for everyone.

After the brief round of introduction about the area they have to go for the museum walk to enhance their knowledge about the museum and the history of the place where they were staying. Museum walk was taken by Anita Mahato and Seema Rana Jaswal. Children were able to understand speak in Hindi. But they were comfortable in Santali and Bengali. Anita is familiar with the Bengali language and she had conducted the museum walk for the children in the Bengali language. They have liked the museum walk and enjoyed it. After this they have met with the CRC team and have interaction with them.

As they were feeling tired and to relax and sleep for rest of the day. The rest of the sessions were postponed and they went for relax. In the evening, they have enjoyed football playing and the mehfil and the art work which they have done based on their visit to the Museum.

I have given every ones a handbag from the NMML side. During distributions of bag they have decided to call me uncle (Chacha Ji) behind this they have shared why they want to call me chacha ji because they were living in the campus of Chacha Nehru so they will remember me through him always. After having masti with Dholak songs, dance and sharing their experience they have gone to have the sweet Dream.

Dampara’s Mr.India:Visited New Delhi with his children

Children Center was ready for children visit at Delhi for the DostiResidential camp and started to have the series of meeting and the email conversations with the OSD Archana Datta for the meeting dates. During this entire updates I was in constant touch with Mr. Murty and my children center team. Almost after two months we have got the meeting dates to have meeting with president madam. I was the first person who felt so happy when meeting was fixed. It was like I have achieved something big in my life and relaxed for the programs.

As during this process I have received one email from OSD Archana Datta that Deputy Commissioner wants to bring children from Dampara to New Delhi for the meeting. As program was already set up I have spoke with Deputy Commissioner of Jamshedpur Dampara district and have spoke about children center plan. He understood what I have discussed with him and as I have requested him to book the train tickets for 40 children and other 5 volunteers including Kantha singh would be easier through him which will be reimbursed later. He has also appointed CDPO (Child Development Project Officer) and one teacher from his area for the visits at Delhi.

40 children from the age group of 4 to 14 years along with Kantha Singh and the volunteer’s s were ready to be in Delhi from 24^th November to 1^st December. And the dates of he Meeting with the President of India on 27^th November from 12 to 12.20 PM. Children were also invited to see the Mugahl Garden and the president house and for that we all have to reach to the Rastrapati Bhawan at 9.45am.

This was first time in children life when they were about to travel by the train to the Capital of India and that too the campus of the first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru House. Which is now, known as NMML (Nehru Memorial Museum and Library). Children Center is a new Initiative by the NMML from last three years, which comes under the modernization project of NMML. Their first journey by the train was Tata Jammu Tavi express, which reached at Old Delhi on 24th midnight. I (Paramjeet Bernad), Jaya, Jai Prakash and Orko have welcomed the team with garling the flower and offering sweets. As we have already have arranged the bus from Old Delhi railway station to NMML, we have boarded the bus and reached at the NMML Campus and had dinner from the Kutty’s ji canteen at the midnight. As children were fond of rice they have ate it and went off for sleep.

Dampara’s Mr. India:feeds 42 Orphan children

An article published in the Hindustan Times National Newspaper “Dampara’s Mr. India begs to feed Orphans”. Children Center team has read the article and discussed it bring them into Delhi for a week tour in the Dosti Residential camp and also link them to various other institution in Delhi who can help them to sustain their work in the long run.

Children center team has emailed to Mr. B. Vijay Murty who brought it out this story in front of the nation. He was constantly in touch with the children and Mr. Kantha Singh who look after all the 40 children. He has accepted the offer.

Same time many other organizations have approached for help to Mr. Kantha sing’s 40 children through Mr. Murty. It is very interesting that Our President of India Mrs. Pratibha Patil have read the article and given order to the state government for immediate help to these children. Her One of the OSD Mrs Archana Datta have contacted Mr. Murty through her email and came to know that Nehru Memorial Museum and library – Children Center has invited children at Delhi.

Our President of India Shrimati Pratibha Patil expressed her interest to have meeting with the children and the father of all these children Mr. Kantha Singh.

Chirang’s children in Delhi

Just few days before few children along with their coordinators and teachers from an organization known as ANT have visited Nehru Memorial, Museum and Library children resource center for residential workshops. From 12 to 18th of February they have stayed in the campus of our first prime minister house which is now known as museum. The ranges of activities were planed for the children came from Assam, Chirang districts. Some of the activities like Delhi Darshan, Agra visit, meeting and interaction with Delhi children, visit for lunch to staff of NMML, sky watch and planetarium show etc. As we know that there are lots of conflicts are going on at Assam between Boros, Assamese, and Bengal. Children and women are the sufferers of any kind of conflicts and violence always. In a group, 24 were children from different religion, languages and schools and 6 were the teachers and coordinators from ANT. I remember few things during our Delhi Darshan at Chandani Chowk. Chandani chowk is a place where we can see the culture diversity. I think it was a very first time all the children who have visited Mandir, Masjid, Gurudwara and church. It was noticeable that many of the children were not interested to visit church, mandir, masjid or gurudwara. They have stayed outside the gate of that religious place. Later, we came to know their reasons of not to visiting those religious places. It is a kind of social setup where we all taught in certain ways to follow the religions and the customs which creates distance from friends from other religion or some kind of conflicts. Personally I feel to condemn these kinds of teachings which do not allow love or friendship between two people from different religion. It was great residential program and all the children were open with each other from the second day onwards. As initially very few children were talking to each other. At the end everyone has seen the importance of culture diversity exists in our country and most important thing was they all became good friends. I feel proud to be part of such events where I am trying to bring changes in terms love, peace and harmony.

Local food, cultural evening and trekking

Keldi culture and heritage was our next destination of the day. We all have packed our stuffs and left for it, after our breakfast. We have seen the museum and temple in Keldi, had the wonderful local food like, Olagi, lemon rice, curd rice, butter milk etc. my favorite was Olagi and I said in Kannada to “Utta china gide” means food is too delicious. Our local host of Keldi was very happy and we all enjoyed the food too.                                       

“Kinder Jogi” is one of the local performers who have given performance for us at Keldi temple. The performance was in the form of narrating story. The story was in Kannada so some of my team people were doing translation for me. These performers are doing performance since generations.

The performance was too energetic and binding all of us and language was not even boundary for me. Being a performer I could able to understand what they were saying in Kannada. Now government is also using them for awareness program like polio drop, HIV/AIDS program etc.

With a great wonderful cultural evening, our troupe left for the Kanur to halt in the night and for beginning the next day with trekking towards “Rani Chennamma Fort” which was situated in the forest at height of 2000 feet. Trekking is the only way to reach to that fort. On the way of our trekking we all have encountered with lots of leaches which we cannot forget ever in our life. We have seen the Rani Chennamma fort which is almost ignored by the government in sense of preservation. We have seen the arrangements for the water tank at such a height during Rani Chennamma dynesty. Temples within the premises of fort, passed through the tunnel with our mentor Swami.

I forgot to mention that on the way of the trekking we all halt for the bath in a fresh stream. Wow, it was great movement for all of us. We have given various poses for photographs.

We have back and halt for the night at one of the villager house. Next morning we all ready at early morning for trekking to Kanur and from there we all packed to get back to our pavilion Deshpande foundation Hubli. On the way we have also spent 5 to 10 minutes at Joke falls.

With lots of wonderful memories, experiences, leanings, we all back in the artificial life of the cities where we hardly able to see good forest or the lovely nature. Environment which is pure in every sense.