Shri Saravanan delivered the lecture on cinematography, editing and its techniques. He had an in-depth knowledge on camera, its techniques, cinematography and editing techniques, which he shared with the participants.

Shri Ravindra Parameshwarappa, a film director, demonstrated the various abilities required for filmmaking using several short clips from different movies, which helped the attendees grasp the craft of cinema. The group studied about Content and Script Writing, Art Direction, and Direction.

Shri Raghu, from Panasonic, helped with the handling of the cameras. All three faculties stayed with the participants and enriched their knowledge. The day-one training went on till midnight 11:30 pm due to the enthusiasm of the participants and faculty alike.

Shri Roopendra Achaar also took one session to explain the role of art direction and shared his experiences. The second day was a hands-on training on all aspects of film making in which all the participants were involved and shot a short film, which involved all the process of Film Making, right from Screen Writing, Story Boarding, assembling the crew, Casting, Costume Design, Location Scouting, Props, Lighting, Shooting the Film, Editing and Sound.

Crafting a Captivating Narrative: This section will explore the fundamental building blocks of a compelling story. You'll learn about:

Three-Act Structure: This classic model breaks down the script into clear stages: Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution. You'll understand how to introduce your characters, establish the central conflict, develop the plot points that drive the story forward, and deliver a satisfying conclusion.

Character Arcs: Learn how to create characters who evolve and grow throughout the story. We'll delve into techniques for crafting believable motivations, desires, and flaws that drive their actions.

Conflict and Stakes: No story is complete without conflict. Explore different types of conflict (internal vs. external, character vs. character) and how to raise the stakes to keep your audience engaged.

Theme Exploration: We'll look at uncovering the underlying message or idea your story conveys, adding depth and meaning beyond the surface plot.

Delving into Diverse Genres: The world of cinema is filled with a variety of genres. This section will take you on a journey through some popular ones and explore techniques for writing effective screenplays within each:

Comedy: Learn how to craft hilarious dialogue, create slapstick moments, or develop a witty narrative structure for a comedic film.

Drama: Explore the art of portraying serious themes, building emotional tension, and crafting characters facing difficult choices.

Thriller/Suspense: Dive into the world of building suspense, creating red herrings, and keeping your audience guessing until the very end.

Horror: We'll look at different subgenres of horror (psychological, slasher, supernatural) and techniques to create a chilling atmosphere and evoke fear in viewers.

Science Fiction/Fantasy: Explore building fictional worlds, creating believable technology or magic systems, and crafting narratives that take place beyond the realm of reality.

Industry Standard Formatting: Formatting your script correctly is crucial for professional presentation. This section will cover:

Script Software: Explore popular screenwriting software options and learn the basic formatting principles they utilize.

Scene Headings: Understand how to format scene headings with proper slug lines, including scene location, time of day, and interior/exterior information.

Dialogue Formatting: Learn the correct way to format dialogue elements like character names, dialogue lines, parenthetical actions, and scene directions.

Page Length: Understand industry standards for page length to ensure your script is presented professionally.

Mastering Natural Dialogue: This section will equip you with the tools to write realistic and engaging dialogue that sounds like real people talking. You'll learn about:

Subtext and Nuance: Dialogue isn't just about what characters say, but what they imply. We'll explore how to convey subtext through subliminal messages and unspoken emotions.

Dialogue for Character Development: Learn how dialogue reveals a character's personality, background, and motivations.

Dialogue for Plot Progression: You'll discover how to use dialogue to move the story forward, create tension, or build relationships between characters.

Voice and Dialect: Explore techniques for writing dialogue that reflects a character's unique voice, considering factors like age, social background, and regional dialect.

Body language is a foundational element of acting that enables actors to communicate emotions, thoughts, and intentions without the use of words. In the workshop, Sri Suchendra Prasad focused on how an actor's posture, gestures, and physical movements contribute to the authenticity of their performance. Participants explored how even subtle shifts in body language can create powerful non-verbal communication with the audience. Emphasis was placed on understanding how body movements must be controlled, intentional, and aligned with the emotional state of the character being portrayed. From expansive gestures to minor facial expressions, actors were taught how to utilize their physicality to enhance their storytelling ability.

Genre plays a pivotal role in shaping an actor's performance, as it dictates the tone, style, and emotional depth required for a role. Whether performing in a comedy, drama, horror, or fantasy, actors must adjust their body language, voice, and emotional intensity to suit the specific demands of the genre. For example, comedic acting often requires exaggerated expressions and heightened energy, while dramatic roles demand more nuanced and controlled emotional deliveries. Understanding the genre helps actors align their performances with the story’s mood, ensuring their portrayal resonates with the audience and fits seamlessly within the narrative world.

Voice modulation refers to the art of controlling the tone, pitch, and volume of one’s voice to suit the emotional tone and intention of a scene. Sri Suchendra Prasad emphasized that voice is a tool that actors must master in order to create a fully realized character. Participants practiced altering their vocal delivery to express different emotional states, ranging from anger and joy to fear and sorrow. Exercises focused on how to project their voices effectively in both intimate and larger settings, ensuring clarity in dialogue delivery. The workshop underscored how mastering voice modulation allows an actor to be versatile, able to switch between roles, emotional tones, and even accents with ease.

One of the core challenges in acting is developing a deep emotional connection with the character. In the workshop, Sri Suchendra Prasad guided participants through methods of accessing their own emotions and channeling them into their performances. Actors learned to cultivate empathy, enabling them to fully inhabit the psychological and emotional world of their characters. This process of emotional discovery involved memory-based techniques, imagination, and mindfulness, helping actors become more sensitive to the emotional journey of the characters they portray. The goal was to foster emotional authenticity, allowing actors to move beyond surface-level portrayals to deliver deeply felt performances that resonate with audiences.