About three decades ago, it would have been deemed impossible for youngsters of age between 13 to 17 year-olds to make films. But that myth was shattered after films, made by those who we see running in school playgrounds, were screened at a film festival. They may wear a school uniform and go to science and math classes, yet they know what a 45-year-old film director knows about film-making. And they can actually shoot, compose, edit and market documentary films!

A team of six kids from the Namma Shaale (Montessori school) made around 20 documentary films, with themes ranging from humour to parenting to satire. “I’ve learnt that film making is not roaming around with a camera and shooting things in random. There is more,” said Sathvik Reddy, standing in front of a large screen and answering the audience’s questions. He and his peers screened their films at an event “Film Camp” at the Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College recently.

These young film-makers know how to use the sophisticated editing software like the Final Cut Pro (FCP), without which even Bollywood cannot give finishing touches to their films.

“That Apple machine costs a bomb,” says Sanjay Nambiar. He is the guy who taught the nitty-gritty of film-making to the kids. He is a producer and director who has worked with Joshua Jackson of the teen series ‘Dawson’s Creek’. His feature film ‘Yaanam’ had won many awards.

While the kids were screening their films, somebody from the audience asked them whether they know about lightning effects, camera angles and the likes. Nambiar came from backstage and said, “Those intellectuals sitting behind must know better that it takes an experience of 10 years to know these things. How can you assume some 14-year-olds to be like the director of ‘Titanic’?” Nambiar added, “By the way if you think you can shoot these kids with your enlightening questions, I’m going to shoot you in return because I’m standing right behind them,” he said, and the hall vibrated with laughter.

“It took us 18 hours to shoot a five-minute documentary, but one month to edit it,” says Pooja Kamath, one of the film-makers. “It seems easy to make films but takes a lot of effort. Convincing your actors to do certain things can be a headache,” she said.

“The funny thing is they don’t always behave like you want them to, and to make them understand the script is like climbing Mount Everest,” Pooja explained.

Then it was Sanjay Jha’s turn on the stage. He was the assistant director in ‘Mission Kashmir’ and ‘Khamoshi’. He said it has been quite a ride since he left Bihar’s theatres to jump into the fray – Bollywood. “I saw a train for the first time when I was in sixth grade,” he says. “But my modest background has nothing to do with my ability. If I can become a director, why cannot you or anybody?” He questioned. “One advice to budding film-makers is that they must start from theatres if possible, since it’s easier to jump into films from there. Say, a painter or an acountant may not be able to make that jump,” he said with a smile. But not all those present agreed with him.
What is the future for these kids? “I want to become a tennis player,” said Sathvik Reddy. But K Abhimanyu’s stance was different. “Me? I’m going ahead with films come what may,” he said.

Bollywood has got serious competition now, perhaps not in marketing box-office hits, but in the form of enthusiasm and the spirit to make good films.