Master of Arts (M.A.) in Direction (HNGU)

A Director is the creative, driving force who picturises the script on celluloid. He/She needs a thorough grasp of the total process both, technical and creative. Besides coordinating and motivating the entire unit, He/She must be a good observer and story-teller, understanding the psyche of the masses and society at large.

The wide-ranging course covers story-telling methods, screenplay interpretation, Film & TV narratives, editing, cinematography, use of story board, casting, directing performers, use of sound and music and filming of songs, dance and action sequences. Students will direct various projects, while emphasising on cooperation, interaction and communication among various disciplines, leading ultimately to the diploma project.

The Courses have been designed to impart education which is value-based as well as need-based. Various values are built during the foundation programme while various needs of the programme are fulfilled during the specialisation in a particular discipline. This value and need-based education gets synthesis during group projects, which is essential for a teamwork in Film making and Television production.

Apart from developing aesthetic sensibilities and imparting skills related to various disciplines of film and television technology, our teaching approach is 'learn by doing' where a student has hands-on training and understands the nuances of work. Our emphasis is to teach the students 'how to think' rather than 'what to think'.

The content of all the courses is relevant to the prevailing state-of-art technology and is subject to upgrading from time to time, depending upon the current trends and relevant skills required in the professional world.

Schedule

The entire programme for Master's Degree courses is divided in four semesters spread over two years.

Semester - I

The six-month Foundation Program (FP) is compulsory for all, irrespective of specialisation. Emphasis will be on introducing the students to all aspects of film & television production (Direction, Acting, Script writing, Editing, Production Design & Management, Cinematography, Audiography). Students learn about the entire production methodology and integration along with a basic understanding of other disciplines. The purpose is to inculcate values of team work, where all are important and each is dependent on the other. FP also teaches the hierarchy existing in film making.

Students will be divided in groups of eight to ten, and will make a low-cost digital production to understand creation and implementation of a concept. Each person shall handle all tasks by rotation.

Emphasis is also given on various cultural aspects of cinema, including the history of cinema, film and music appreciation, Indian history, society and culture, introduction to fine arts, aesthetics and other performing arts among other things, to form an intellectual base of the student and the communication skills are enhanced, along with personality development.

Semester - II & III

In the second semester, students are taught specialisation subjects and practical exercises related to their chosen area. Students from various areas would form groups to carry out time-bound projects and exercises. Theory and practicals are also taught. Exercises are individual as well as group-based. Each course has two elements, skill learning and skill application in groups. In the group exercise, each person utilises his/her skill for a common end result, through discipline, coordination and collaboration.

In the third semester, exercises continue with emphasis on projects and deal with short films, commercials and musicals. Students are familiarised with the finer differences between films and video, along with special effects and lighting. They also prepare for the projects of the next semester.

Semester - IV

The fourth semester constitutes solely of projects. Groups are made similar to the Foundation Programme, but this time for a documentary or short feature film (10-20 minutes duration). By this time, all skills would have been learnt. Each group will make a final professional product, followed by a two month internship to work in a studio.

The Graduation award ceremony shall be conducted at the successful completion of the course.

The admissions will be in the month of April every year.