Independent
filmmakers
have
to
start
from
scratch,
says
Chaitanya
Tamhane.
In
a
virtual
'In-Conversation'
session
at
the
51st
International
Film
Festival
of
India
(IFFI),
the
well-known
film-maker
shared
his
views
and
advice
for
'Making
of
Independent
Films'.
How
does
an
independent
filmmaker
zero
in
on
a
budget?
There
is
no
formula
when
you
are
shooting
a
film,
Tamhane
says,
adding
that
he
likes
to
work
from
scratch.
"Finance
is
a
problem
for
most
independent
film-makers.
Multiple
variables
help
in
zeroing
in
on
a
budget.
Shooting
in
a
place
like
Mumbai
will,
of
course,
be
costlier.
It
also
depends
a
lot
on
the
working
style
of
the
Director.
Independent
film-makers
need
to
spend
more
responsibly.
I
personally
assert
a
lot
of
control
on
financial
aspects
of
filmmaking."
Choosing
a
subject
"I
can
only
do
what
I
find
interesting.
Any
film
needs
an
amount
of
optimism
with
hope.
A
filmmaker
needs
curiosity
and
passion
for
exploring
different
cultures".
OTT
vs
Big
Screen
"OTT
platforms
are
like
a
new
lease
of
life
for
independent
film-makers",
says
Tamhane.
"In
India,
practically,
there
is
zero
market
for
my
kind
of
films.
On
top
of
that,
the
marketing
of
the
film
has
to
be
worked
out
properly,
in
order
to
gain
an
audience.
Earlier,
in
the
monopolistic
distribution
chain,
fighting
a
battle
to
win
in
the
market
was
almost
impossible.
However,
OTTs
open
new
windows
of
opportunity."
Speaking
on
the
struggle
of
independent
filmmakers
to
find
an
audience,
he
asserted
that
audience
has
a
responsibility
to
send
a
message
that
there
is
a
market
for
these
kind
of
films.
However,
nothing
can
beat
theatres,
he
says.
"I
don't
think
anything
can
replace
the
theatre
experience.
While
lots
of
cinema
chains
around
the
world
are
struggling
now,
I
would
want
theatres
to
retain
the
same
kind
of
popularity
and
viewers
to
have
the
same
kind
of
experience
as
they
had
earlier."
Experience
of
being
mentored
by
Alfonso
Cuarón
Tamhane
informed
that
he
got
a
chance
to
spend
a
year
with
the
Mexican
director
Alfonso
Cuarón,
while
working
on
the
Oscar-winning
film
Roma.
"It
was
overwhelming,
daunting
to
watch
him
on
the
sets
of
Roma.
It
taught
me
there
is
craft.
The
important
thing
is
having
a
vision.
It
was
an
absolute
pleasure.
This
experience
has
definitely
enabled
me
to
expand
my
vocabulary
as
a
film-maker."
The
Disciple
'The
Disciple',
written,
directed
and
edited
by
Tamhane
will
soon
be
available
world
over,
he
informed.
It
is
a
coming-of-age
Marathi
saga
set
"on
the
fringes
of
Indian
classical
music
and
its
subculture" in
Mumbai.
This
is
his
second
film,
which
not
only
has
the
backing
of
celebrated
filmmaker
Alfonso
Cuarón
as
the
executive
producer
but
is
also
a
product
of
various
cross-border
collaborations.
It
is
shot
by
Polish
cinematographer
Michal
Sobociński;
Polish
independent
distributor,
New
Europe
Film
Sales,
and
California-based
Endeavor
Content
are
handling
its
sales;
Los
Angeles-based
film
company,
Participant,
has
mentored
the
project;
and
the
film
was
mixed
in
Germany.
Being
a
Director
"A
good
director
has
to
be
a
good
manager.
90%
of
the
work
is
just
that.
The
filmmaker
is
the
conductor
of
an
orchestra.
Very
little
scope
of
idealism
in
it."
Responsibilities
of
a
Director?
It
is
to
keep
a
team
motivated,
said
Tamhane.
"You
talk
a
lot
to
a
lot
of
people
all
the
time,
but
you
are
lonely
at
the
top.
If
a
film
fails,
it
is
seen
as
the
Director's
failure.
That
way,
it
is
really
a
lonely
job.
A
film-maker's
life
is
full
of
hustle".
Importance
of
writing
a
script
Script
is
a
blueprint
of
the
Director's
intent,
said
Tamhane.
"The
way
I
work,
I
focus
mostly
on
the
script.
A
film
is
ultimately
about
what
you
are
trying
to
say.
Good
writing
is
much-needed
in
today's
cinema".
The
writing
part
is
a
lonely
process,
feels
the
noted
Director.
Making
a
film
on
sensitive
issues
"There
is
still
so
much
self-censorship.
Ideally
there
shouldn't
be
any
censorship.
There
are
many
film-makers
who
have
found
clever
ways
of
telling
a
story
about
sensitive
issues.
Sometimes
these
limitations
can
make
you
more
creative."
Language
of
the
film
Language
is
a
matter
of
texture,
said
Tamhane.
"I
will
make
my
film
in
a
language
in
which
the
story
flows
better".
He
further
stated,
"Cinema
has
its
own
universal
language.
So,
literal
language
does
not
matter.
People
are
very
much
used
to
watching
films
with
subtitles."
How
important
is
casting?
"After
script,
the
most
important
factor
in
a
film
is
casting.
70%
of
work
is
done
by
having
the
right
casting.
The
reason
we
go
to
watch
a
film
is
because
of
the
human
beings
in
it.
The
viewers
should
be
able
to
empathise
with
the
story
and
the
humans
in
it."
Learning
process
for
a
Director
"I
think
it
is
important
to
keep
working.
But
teacher
is
real-life
experience.
Beyond
that,
one
should
have
conviction
in
their
work."
Importance
of
silence
"Silences
are
important.
If
a
film
is
only
like
noise,
personally
it
doesn't
attract
me
much.
Contrast,
rhythm
and
textures
are
needed
in
a
film."
Longevity
of
a
film
"It
cannot
be
decided
from
before.
Depends
on
viewer's
reaction." However,
keeping
up
with
the
changing
landscape
of
entertainment
industry
is
important
for
budding
Directors,
he
advised.