On the basis of my own little personal experience with Bollywood and then as an AD in one Malayalam Feature Film (NO! I don’t understand Malyalm but joined the crew as a trainee assistant director), I have been planning to write this article for long and today got the peace to write it. Initially, when I wanted to assist someone, people told me so many stories about ADs that I got confused and wasn’t sure of their work. So I decided to throw some light on the issue, after, I got to know something. Just remember two things; first, we are talking of common people here, who don’t have any connection in the Industry or enough financial backing. If you are lucky to have someone in industry or money as some of the stupid actors, directors, etc., then, there is no need to read this article. Second, whatever I have mentioned is generally true but there are no rules in this game. People will try to tell you some horrifying stories as nobody wants to increase competition but you have to make your own way.  I was lucky to have met great guys and AD’s like Manish Shahi, Kapil Sharma, Arunab, and Rahil who helped or tried to help me in every possible way. Also, I made really great friends like Bakul Thakkar, Anirudh Jatkar, Prakash Bare, Anirudh Nakhare, etc from the industry, at FTII ( Film and Television Insititute of India)  and VIMS (Vikshi Institute of Media Studies, Pune), who have been very supportive and encouraging. See! What I am trying to say here is that it’s all up to you and there are no general rules or guidelines and you can always break and make new rules. You just have to make your own way.

I have mentioned the route for Assistant director but it’s quite the same for any other department. It will give you a good enough Idea.

Filmmaking in India

One of the very surprising facts about the Indian Film Industry (Sum of bollywood, tollywood, kollywood , Bhojpuri etc ) is that we haven’t still allowed Hollywood movies to capture Indian Market. Indian films hold a share of almost 90% percent whereas the rest of the world is trying to save its film Industry from Hollywood. Indian Industry produces about 1200 films every year, which is a mindboggling figure. France has made it mandatory for theatre owners to showcase 50% of French films in their theatres.  All thanks to our Indian directors who have been making films our way. It’s also interesting to know that Indian films are very popular in Arab countries, SAARC, JAPAN, Brazil, and so on.

Unfortunately, there have not been many schools of filmmaking in India except FTII, SRFTII, etc.

Initially, people used to assist some directors and later became directors or other technicians. So basically you join one of these studios e.g. Mehbob studio, RK studio, etc., watch and learn. In those times, no scripts or dialogues were written. It used to start with an Idea and then develop. Bollywood till the late Nineties used to take 2 years to make a film. That’s why you must have noticed Salman Khan’s hair length changing many times in the same film. It solely depends on your perseverance and conviction to move ahead. You assist someone and then one day he might produce your film or recommend you to a producer.

Later Film and Television Institute of India, was established but then the seats were very limited. Also, the focus of this institute has been to develop Artistic cinema and not on the filmmaking business.  Most of FTIIian’s have struggled in their career for the same reason. 

In India, everybody wants to be either a cricketer like Sachin or a filmmaker like Spielberg. Considering the glamour and larger-than-life picture many people, without any knowledge of films, come to Mumbai every year to get exploited by Studios and Production Houses. Behind all the glamour there is a lot of hard work and pain. During production, everybody works for almost 14-20 Hrs/per day for days (we worked for almost 15-18 hrs a day to complete the whole film in 25 days). Being a film graduate gives you an opportunity to get a relatively easy entry but initially, everybody almost works for free. It’s not a thumb rule though. In fact, in this industry, there are no rules. It totally depends on you. It’s one of the unorganized sectors where everything is possible and impossible at the same time. The good news is that it’s changing. 

Filmmaking as a process has evolved, so much, over the years. Now you just need an idea to make a film. All thanks to the evolution of Digital filmmaking. Blair Witch Project and paranormal activity are very good examples of that.

Last few years, we have seen a few corporate entering the film industry and things have been slightly changing. Directors like Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj, Dibankar Banerjee, etc have been supported by UTV Spotboys.

One thing you should remember is that filmmaking is a business more than an artistic pleasure. Most of the producers are basically VC’s who want to double or triple their money. Trusting a fresher or someone new is relatively tough but then, there are no rules, Again!

The completion is tough and only the fittest survive here. Most of the people here would not want to increase the competition for them, they do not teach or guide you. You have to find your own ways and means. It’s a mean world with no place for weak people.

Entry into the Filmmaking World

 My sales experience helped me personally. One has to be very aggressive in his approach. In about a month’s time, I had nos. of the directors and famous Ad’s ( thanks to Manish Shahi and a few of my Film Appreciation course Friends). I met many known people and finally could crack one of the RGV’s production films (people had told me that it takes 6 months of struggle to get a film initially, especially when you don’t have any connections) but when finally they called me, I had reached Kerala for the Malyalm feature film. OK! That’s the important rule, you should take whatever comes first because tomorrow is very uncertain here.

There are three ways to Enter

a) You join some production house or assist someone for years before you learn the craft and make your own film.

b) You graduate from film school or take some formal training and then join the industry 

c) You learn from a film school or your own ways and then go independent.

There are two verticals in Bollywood.

A) The Players, follow the Traditional school of filmmaking which is basically the absence of concrete planning, specialized departments, etc. Though it has slightly improved over the years. These days most people have bound scripts but still, there is slight ambiguity and confusion in the whole process.

B) The Player who follows the Hollywood school of Filmmaking. More organized and crystal clear operations.

You must have heard that in India it takes 2 years to make a film and 2 months to write a script. In Hollywood, it’s just the opposite. The scriptwriters are paid almost equivalently to the director. Here, the scripts are just stolen, taken, or adapted without paying anything.

The facts and Myth about Assistant Directors

Assistant directors are basically administrators who ensure that the shooting completes in the pre-decided time. They schedule the whole film, decide the number of days required to make a film, make call sheets, and ensure continuity so that the directors are free from this entire admin job and can concentrate more on the creative aspect. You learn over the process but then if you think that it’s a creative process then you are wrong.

A) IF you join someone who follows Hollywood style then following positions as an AD are identified.

1st A.D – The person in charge of scheduling a film. He/She decides how many shoot days are required to finish a film and must finish it in that much time. He/She is also responsible for running/managing a set. This post is highly specialized and the person MUST understand scheduling and SHOULD HAVE managed a proper film set before. Generally, it takes about 3-5 years of GOOD EXPERIENCE as a 3rd and then as a 2nd before you can be one.

2nd A.D – He is 1st A.D’s right-hand man. Does day-to-day correspondence with the production department and is the main link between Direction and Production. Responsibilities include – Making Call Sheets, Daily Progress Reports, and Background Action as per the director and the first A.D. THIS MAY SOUND EASY BUT AGAIN this too needs previous experience of at least 2 films or a lot of commercials (sometimes).

2nd 2nd A.D – Person in charge of Hair/Make-up/Wardrobe. It takes endless coordination between the three departments and the actors. The person must have the confidence to deal with actors and stars. MUST NOT BE STARSTRUCK. One GOOD film experience minimum or a lot of good commercials.

3rd A.D – The person who helps the second A.D set the Background Action and follows other instructions by the same. Also distributes sides (scenes, dialogues) to the crew and the day-to-day Xerox and printing work. Mostly this is where newcomers start but if it is a big movie then they prefer to go with someone experienced.

SET P.A – These are also known as “Runners” in Hollywood. As the name suggests they are supposed to do everything their seniors tell them to do. Counting Background Actors, Distributing Paperwork, Locking up the locations (i.e. controlling traffic) etc. etc. 

Other Positions –

Clapper – person in charge of the slate.

Continuity Supervisor – A very important position. The person keeps a check on various continuity issues. Wardrobe, Action, Props etc. Very Demanding job. Minimum 2-3 film experience

This system is more organized wherein everybody is assigned a particular responsibility. The latest software and technologies are used for scheduling and production.

B) If you assist someone who follows the traditional style: There could be many assistants all reporting to the chief Assistant Director. Chief AD’s role is the same as 1st AD. There are other AD’s who do the same job as 2nd AD, 2nd 2nd AD, etc but positions are not defined and recognized. This system believes strongly that since they are doing charity by teaching you filmmaking, you should be grateful to them for an opportunity and work for free.

In broader terms the work is same but the Hollywood system recognizes the importance of AD’s and pays them well. In my personal opinion, No Director can work without AD’s and thus it’s the right of the AD to get paid satisfactorily.

For a beginner, the payment system remains almost the same but let me tell you that there are no rules. It depends, on whom you are working for and your own attitude. Maybe if we can control the population of India, then it might reduce of inflow of aspiring directors to Mumbai.

From AD To Director

Being AD helps coz you know people and systems and vice versa. You develop contacts with producers and once you have a script and recommendation from your director, somebody will produce your film. At times director himself produce their AD’s Films. You also have the option of UTV and other corporates. Anurag Kashyap assisted RGV and many other directors for years before he made his own film.

Generally, it takes a good experience of 4-5 years to be a first/chief AD. Taking time out from your hectic schedules and writing a script is very difficult. You have to constantly think of your survival in a city like Mumbai which is very expensive. Once you become a chief AD/1st AD, it all depends on your desire to become Director. You should be able to write/find a good story. Few ADs remain AD’s throughout their lives.

If you want to go independent that is also fine. You just need to get some recognition for your work before approaching any producer as you will not have the recommendation of the director. There are many recognized national and international film festivals with very good prize money. Satyajit Ray made his legendary first film “Pather Panchali” in five years while working as a commercial Artist at an advertising company for surviving and producing the film.

I am sure after this brief session; you would have decided to follow your path. Just remember that there are no specific rules. If you have to do it you got to do it. You will have to decide your personal interest. These days you can make a film with your handy cam and laptop. Digital filmmaking is a boon to young filmmakers. All that you need is a good idea. Trust me if you have a good idea then most of the actors or technicians would be more than willing to work for free.

As far as I am concerned, I have decided to go Independent. It will take time, maybe a few years before you will see my first feature but patience is the key and there are no shortcuts. 

SO CHOOSE YOUR OWN WAY AND REMEMBER THERE ARE NO RULES

Bibliography: a) Post by Mr.SHAKUN BATRA, known 1st AD, in his Facebook group

                        b) “BRAND BOLLYWOOD” by Derek Bose

P.S :- Republishing another article written in 2010