[Aaj-ke-naam] existing films

[Yousuf]

Dear friends

While our deadline for the completion of new films on Aaj-ke-naam subjects is away in August, we are getting some information about the already existing films, as well as a demand for such films for screening earlier than August/Sept. Should we think of collecting the existing and well-known films (that do not need any editing/rework) and curate them in some sort of package, so that we can meet some of the existing demands. Our immediate need would be the schools that open in July. Plus, I have been interacting with some college students and other activists in various places who are keen to show such films. In any case if we start now, we would at least be able to finish cataloguing and assembling the existing material, and save the time on them later.

 

I have the following suggestions:

 

-         To begin with, we could be to make a database of the ready films. We first ask the filmmakers to submit the details/synopsis about their films along with some visual material/photos, and we post all this data on a website with a search facility. We can then ask the people who are interested in watching/screening these films, to visit the site. In case they are interested in a particular film, they could directly get in touch with the filmmakers and request for a copy of the film, or invite them for a screening. So in a way, we will be liaisoning between the demand and supply. This database can also be used for all the work-in-progress to get an idea of which films are at what stage. (I am sure parts of Magic Lantern database of current films could be utilized for this). We can build an automatic database system on a website to track all the work. This database would have an interface or a form to be filled in by the entrants, and submit. To get an idea, please see this webpage where we were earlier trying to build a similar system for another purpose. http://www.cc-india.org/form1.htm .

 

-         Secondly, we invite filmmakers to send their ready films to a central location as soon as possible (say by 15th June), along with synopsis and other details, plus photos. If we can find an inexpensive way of making VHS copies ourselves, then we ask for the Beta/DV master. Otherwise we should request the filmmakers themselves to make multiple VHS copies and send to us, so that we can distribute them around. We can prepare a print catalogue of the films with synopsis etc. and start sending them to the places that need them currently.

 

Please suggest.

 

Yousuf

 

 



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