<p>A filmmaker, producer, lecturer and festival director of International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Films in Germany, Claas Danielsen is one of the biggest names in the international documentary circuit today. </p>.<p>The filmmaker, who is also the Head of Studies of Discovery Campus, an international training initiative for documentary professionals, was recently in the City to conduct a film workshop.<br /><br />“It is good to see that Indian filmmakers are fast catching up the international standards in documentaries. Films that I have seen during the five-day workshop are truly reflecting emotional changes that the country is going through,” says Claas, who was a mentor at the ‘DocWok Workshop’ organised by the Magic Lantern Foundation.<br /><br />As a mentor, Claas’s primary aim was to guide aspiring young filmmakers and to take them closer to their film’s subject. “For those who are planning to create a marvel in documentary filmmaking, should watch as many international documentaries as they can. They should concentrate on every aspect and understand how events have to smoothly flow in the film.” <br /><br />However, he also pointed out that international documentaries are not easily available. “Considering the fact that documentary films are not easy to see, five European nations have together launched an online platform ‘dafilms.com,” informs Claas, who has also planned to start ‘Travelling Festival’ with international documentary filmmakers, who will guide upcoming talent. <br /><br />Recollecting initial days of his career, the international filmmaker says, “Non-fiction movies fascinated when I was a teenager. I started my career as a journalist but love for movies drew me closer to documentary filmmaking.” <br /><br />But what truly drives Claas towards documentaries is their connectivity with the world through emotional stories. “Documentaries are real stories. They are not fictitious. The roots of documentaries penetrate deep down to reality which directly hits viewers,” replies Claas.<br /><br />It is ‘Memories of a Frustrated Hedonist’ which is Claas’s favourite documentary, which he himself directed. “Hedonist is a person who tries to find joy in every phase of life. The film portrays the life of an old woman who always tries to live happily despite several hardships,” says the filmmaker, who last made a film in 1998 and desperately wants to go for direction once again.<br /><br />Claas accepts that documentary filmmaking does not pay well. “It is difficult to get films financed when you are a newcomer. That is the struggling phase where lot of dedication is required which is sooner or later will pay,” signs off Claas, advising aspiring filmmakers to put in their best effort.<br /></p>
<p>A filmmaker, producer, lecturer and festival director of International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Films in Germany, Claas Danielsen is one of the biggest names in the international documentary circuit today. </p>.<p>The filmmaker, who is also the Head of Studies of Discovery Campus, an international training initiative for documentary professionals, was recently in the City to conduct a film workshop.<br /><br />“It is good to see that Indian filmmakers are fast catching up the international standards in documentaries. Films that I have seen during the five-day workshop are truly reflecting emotional changes that the country is going through,” says Claas, who was a mentor at the ‘DocWok Workshop’ organised by the Magic Lantern Foundation.<br /><br />As a mentor, Claas’s primary aim was to guide aspiring young filmmakers and to take them closer to their film’s subject. “For those who are planning to create a marvel in documentary filmmaking, should watch as many international documentaries as they can. They should concentrate on every aspect and understand how events have to smoothly flow in the film.” <br /><br />However, he also pointed out that international documentaries are not easily available. “Considering the fact that documentary films are not easy to see, five European nations have together launched an online platform ‘dafilms.com,” informs Claas, who has also planned to start ‘Travelling Festival’ with international documentary filmmakers, who will guide upcoming talent. <br /><br />Recollecting initial days of his career, the international filmmaker says, “Non-fiction movies fascinated when I was a teenager. I started my career as a journalist but love for movies drew me closer to documentary filmmaking.” <br /><br />But what truly drives Claas towards documentaries is their connectivity with the world through emotional stories. “Documentaries are real stories. They are not fictitious. The roots of documentaries penetrate deep down to reality which directly hits viewers,” replies Claas.<br /><br />It is ‘Memories of a Frustrated Hedonist’ which is Claas’s favourite documentary, which he himself directed. “Hedonist is a person who tries to find joy in every phase of life. The film portrays the life of an old woman who always tries to live happily despite several hardships,” says the filmmaker, who last made a film in 1998 and desperately wants to go for direction once again.<br /><br />Claas accepts that documentary filmmaking does not pay well. “It is difficult to get films financed when you are a newcomer. That is the struggling phase where lot of dedication is required which is sooner or later will pay,” signs off Claas, advising aspiring filmmakers to put in their best effort.<br /></p>
