In 2008, FILM 15 will be teaming up with Bollywood super star Mayur Verma (from Mumbai) and famous Bollywood writer/director Sneh Lata Verma to make a film. The project will be an exciting opportunity for young people to take part in the production of a film of international interest and also take main roles acting alongside other professionals. The project will nurture a range of skills including acting for Bollywood, Bollywood dancing, Bollywood film appreciation and all production aspects of the filmmaking that FILM 15 usually specialise in.
FILM 15 are looking for about sixty young people aged between 8-21 to take part in the acting/dance side of the project and twenty different young people aged between 14-21 who would like the opportunity to be directly involved in the making of the film.
We hope to run the project for 8 months from March-October 2008. About sixty young people will take part in Bollywood acting and dance workshops run over twelve weeks. These workshops will be open to anyone aged 8-21. From these sixty young people, nine will be selected for main roles in the Bollywood film we make. The remaining group will then continue to train intermittently to deliver a traditional Bollywood dance scene at the films finale. Some of this group will also fill positions as extras and supporting actors. Mayur and Sneh have trained over 500 students the art of acting (in London) and many today have very successful careers in films, TV and Stage. Their Academy was featured in BBC World News and has been voted as providing “the highest standard of training” by top Bollywood celebs participating as guest teachers. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the young people who will be immersed in BOLLYWOOD – from casting, to scripting, to location. Mayur Raj Verma himself will act as the main lead in the film which will ensure that the participants have more than a fleeting experience of working alongside a Bollywood film star. Through Mayur’s connections in the industry we are also hoping to secure a leading lady from Bollywood, Nina Wadia [grandmother in Goodness Gracious Me], and Ruth Jones [writer and actress in Gavin and Stacey, and stars in Little Britain] for roles in the film.
Alongside and parallel to the Bollywood workshops, up to twenty young people will be given the opportunity to study film production with FILM 15. The aim will be to prepare the group to produce the Bollywood film. The FILM 15 Production team will be responsible for every aspect of production including: writing, directing, camera, sound, lighting, co-ordinating, props, costumes, pre production and post production. The group will be trained to use a Sony HVR-Z1E HDV. They will also be trained to use Final Cut Studio for post production. Alongside all the technical training and experience the group will get, they will also learn about the structure and historical context to Bollywood stories and grasp an understanding of Bollywood film culture in general.
Ninety percent of this film will be shot in Mid Wales, around the Corris/Machynlleth/Dolgellau area. The film will tackle issues surrounding village life in ex mining communities in Wales and tells the story of a young boy’s struggle with his true identity. Thrown into this mix will be the arrival of a Bollywood superstar who brings his infectious Bollywood spirit to the sleepy little village and stirs up one hell of an international controversy. The film will be both heart felt and funny, with all the expected Bollywood flavours. Ten percent of the film will be shot in India [in Mumbai] as the story links the Bollywood character back to his life there. This will be an opportunity for twenty young people to gain real insight into the process of filmmaking and have their creative ideas developed in a professional way. For some of the twenty who earn their position as key makers in the production, it will also mean they will have the chance to visit Bollywood itself.
Film 15 is an experienced organisation that delivers a range of film related activities in Mid Wales. As an organisation we pride ourselves on supporting the production of high quality films that reflect, in the most authentic way, the creative spark and musings of young people today. The finished films are all original and span a wide range of genre and technical delivery.
For more information please contact Emma Macey at info@film15.org.uk or download an application pack (see right hand column of this page) in November or return the expression of interest slip in our downloads.
