2 Year Diploma in Motion Pictures - Sound Recording & Design

Diploma by Whistling Woods International Mumbai View Contact

Starting from: INR 12,00,000 Per Course (Taxes Included) Request Info

 Sound Recording & Design - Overview

The 2-year Diploma in Motion Pictures - Sound Recording & Design Specialisation is divided into 2 parts 

Foundation Program:  6 months

Preceding the Sound Recording & Design specialization is the Filmmaking foundation programme. In this program, students are thoroughly immersed in the full spectrum experience of developing and producing films. The Filmmaking Foundation Program introduces students to motion picture creation, fusing theory instruction with project assignments and complete productions. Students learn the language of motion picture production, explore fundamental techniques and learn some of inputs in acting, cinematography, directing, editing, producing, screenplay writing and sound. Students learn theoretical concepts in class from filmmaking faculty, but more particularly through production experiences with this faculty as seasoned mentors. Additionally, in WWI's several screening facilities, students regularly watch globally produced motion pictures, discuss the same and learn fundamental creation concepts in Film Appreciation, Music Appreciation, International Art Literature & Culture, and Production Design. Students apply these skills through developing and producing their own films. They develop the crucial filmmaking team skills necessary for industry success.

In the Filmmaking Foundation Program, students make 3 motion picture projects on Digital Video format:

1. My First Project

2. Continuity Motion Picture

3. Foundation Motion Picture 

Specialization - Sound Recording & Design: 18 months

Credit Points : 52 

The Sound Recording and Sound Design specialisation trains students in all the essential technical elements of sound and instills in them a profound appreciation of the enormous aesthetic contribution sound makes to a motion picture's production. Students gain a comprehensive knowledge of sound design and the role of sound in any creative audio-visual endeavour. 

Students specialize with a focus on recording and editing principles in the following areas:

- Live synchronous sound on motion picture locations

- Microphone techniques and boom operation

- Recording and mixing for motion pictures in digital surround formats

- MIDI recording and applications

- Digital multi-track music recording and mixing

- ADR and Foley

- Sound editing and soundtrack design

- Audio sweetening and mastering 

While being initiated into the fundamentals of editing and working on exercises thereafter, students get the opportunity to work on equipment that is top-of-the-line, which places them at par with the industry standards in terms of technical expertise. Students are instructed on professional equipment and studio facilities and become proficient in handling a range of equipment including:

- Portable Location Recorders

- Pro Tools and Fairlight digital audio workstations

- Large and medium format analogue and digital audio mixing consoles

- Dynamic and multi-effects processors

- Software-based MIDI instruments, sequencers and editors 

From the initial sound design, through on-set recording, dubbing and sound editing to the final motion picture mix, in the institute's Dolby Mix Stage, students are trained to approach every challenge with creativity and professionalism. On completion of this programme, a graduate will be able to manage the entire sound workflow for motion picture, television, commercials, documentaries and live events. 

Diploma Motion Picture

Diploma Production - All students of all specialisations are part of a program-culminating Diploma Motion Picture production experience. Ranging from 30-seconds to 10 minutes, each film may be fiction, non-fiction or an ad-film and is shot on either 35mm Film stock or High Definition format. Each student plays the role of Head of Department for minimum 1 film in their chosen area of specialisation. In addition, they would also play the role of an assistant to one or more of their fellow students in 1 or more such diploma productions. These diploma productions are an expose to the real world of Motion Picture production with autonomy provided to the crew, subject to project parameters and guidelines of the Indian Censor board. This is a unique opportunity for students to apply their education & skills learned over the past yr & a half, under supervision, and in an environment that is as close to the real world of motion picture production as possible. Several of the Whistling Woods diploma productions are sent to festivals across the world with many of them having gained critical acclaim. The diploma film is a WWI Alumni’s biggest calling card.

*The above information is subject to change by the discretion of the Management.

Sound Recording & Design - Faculty

Head Of The Department

Rakesh Ranjan
A graduate of FTII Pune, Rakesh has been working alongside the leading directors and producers of Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata for the last 33 years. His Audiography credits to date cover 140 Hindi released feature films. He has worked in international documentaries for BBC and CBC. He pioneered the incorporation of digital technology in all aspects of motion picture production in India. His professional achievements include four Filmfare awards, seven nominations and two wins for Screen awards, three nominations and one win for Zee awards and one IIFA awards for films such as Aitraaz (2004), Aks (2001), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998), Pardes (1997), Barsaat (1995), Damini (1993) and Taal (1999). He is also the Guest Faculty at FTII and SRFTI.

Testimonial by HOD:
The Sound Recording and Sound Design course in WWI has a simplified and scientific structure. The entire course is practical and industry oriented. The students get to learn and do hands-on practice on world-class professional equipments. This makes the students well equipped to face the industry and its demanding standards.

Faculty
Sudipta Basu
Bhaskar Roy
Tanmoy Basu

Guest Faculty
Anchal Srivastav         
Vinod Subramanium        
Resul Pookutty        
Anup Dev
Kuldip Sood
Hitendra Ghosh
Aloke De
Nakul Kamte
Jagmohan Anand
Pradip Suri

Payments

Notes / Benefits / Penalties / Refunds:

1. All amounts are payable, unless mentioned otherwise to ‘Whistling Woods International Limited’ by cheque / demand draft / NEFT / RTGS / online transfers. Details for online transfer of funds are as under:
WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Bank Name : PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK
Branch : SEEPZ, Andheri (E)
A/c no.: 1253009300009473
IFSC : PUNB0125300
SWIFT : PUNBINBBBSZ

2. Of the amounts payable in each instalment, certain payments will need to be made to parties representing the University that is granting the degrees. You will be intimated of such party names and the split in payments to be made on a semester basis. Further, Examination Fees, as payable to the University are additional and will be payable on a semi-annual basis.

3. Service Tax as applicable (currently 12.36%) is included on all payments made to Whistling Woods International Limited. Service Tax has not been levied on the security deposit. Payments made to other parties directly may not attract Service Tax as per current rules / guidelines, but the same are subject to change. Further, any additional taxes if levied by the government / taxation authorities would need to be borne by the students. Appropriate timely intimation of any additional payments in lieu of taxes would be given to students.

4. The Semester 1 instalment includes security deposit, wherever applicable. This is non-interest bearing and refundable on course completion or withdrawal, subject to deductions.

5. All amounts are listed in Indian Rupees. The same amounts are payable by both Indian and International students. Non-Indian nationals who cannot make payment in Indian Rupees may make alternate arrangements with the Whistling Woods accounts department.

6. All payments made by Indian nationals must be accompanied by the Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the payee, without which fees will not be accepted.

7. All fees are as mentioned are for the course and are simply being collected over 5 instalments. The semester-wise payments are not specific to the semester or reflect the value of the course completed till then. They are simply broken up to reduce the burden of paying large amounts on the student.

8. For the Certificate Course in Filmmaking (Online) under the Whistling Woods Virtual Academy - Admission will be confirmed only after all documents are verified and Course Fees are paid. Course Fees once paid are non-refundable. Further, Students need to finish all modules and successfully complete all tests before a period of 2 years from the date of course commencement, failing which the student would need to re-enroll in the course in order to get the certificate of completion.

9. The ‘Acceptance’ payment is payable within two weeks of being accepted into a Whistling Woods International course. If a student is accepted within two weeks prior to course commencement, this is payable on registration day.

10. The ‘Acceptance’ payment is non-refundable, although it can be carried forward to the next intake for a maximum of 2 intakes, subject to management approval.

11. Semester 1 fees are payable on Registration day, which may be a few days prior to the day of course commencement.

12. All other instalments are payable on or before the first day of each Semester, except for the final Semester.

13. All payments listed under the Final Semester of each course have to be paid 1 month before commencement of the final semester OR before completion of the Semester preceeding the last, whichever is earlier. E.g. For the Diploma Course in Direction, the amount of Rs 300,000/- listed as Semester 4 payment has to be paid by the student before completion of Semester 3 or 1 month before commencement of Semester 4, whichever is earlier.

14. Transfer of fees across / between courses is subject to management approval, on a case-by-case basis, and per conditions as under:

- If a student changes specialisation mid-course from a course with a lower fee to a course with a higher fee, the fee difference, on a retrospective basis (for the semesters already completed), is to be paid by the student before commencement of the next Semester.

- If a student changes specialisation mid-course from a course with a higher fee to a course with a lower fee, no refunds will be made retrospectively for fee differences, if any in the Semesters already completed, and, irrespective of such differences, fees payable for future Semesters have to be paid as per the fee policy.

15. Once a Semester has commenced, all fees paid / payable before that Semester are non-refundable. Any fees paid in advance for future Semesters will be refunded, along with the security deposit paid, subject to deductions, should a student leave his/her course mid-Semester.

16. If a student wishes to withdraw from the course between 2 semesters, he has to convey the same in writing to the Dean and the Manager – Administration atleast 2 weeks prior to Semester commencement. After such date, entire fees payable for that semester will be applicable.

17. For 2-year & 3-year courses, students electing to pay the total tuition fees before Semester 1, will receive a waiver of Rs. 25,000/-.

18. Any scholarship extended to a student will be used to reduce the fees payable for the final Semester of his/her course.

19. Following payment lapses will attract a penalty of Rs. 5,000/-:

- Delay in Fee Payment - a delay of even 1 day will attract this penalty per month.

- In case of each act of cheque bouncing / dishonour of cheque.

- All delays due to non-acceptance of fees on account of PAN unavailability.

20. We have Institute provided health insurance at a fee of Rs. 2,800/- per annum. This is mandatory for all students as they are covered under a group insurance policy.

21. The on-campus cafeteria managers will charge an advance to every student a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Five thousand only) per annum for meals in the campus Cafeteria. This amount, payable in advance, will allow each student food credit points, which can be availed at the cafeteria for meals.

22. During orientation week each specialization will provide a book/supply list of items that will need to be purchased. Students opting for the Producing specialisation would need to acquire an Apple (Macintosh) laptop and Movie Magic Budgeting & Movie Magic Scheduling software. While the laptop prices are not standard, the cost of Movie Magic Budgeting & Movie Magic Scheduling is discounted & subsidised for WWI students and is fixed at US$ 99/- each.

23. Whistling Woods is currently undergoing litigation with respect to its campus in Filmcity, Mumbai and there is a possibility that for any courses that extend beyond July 2014, the classes / activities beyond that date may be carried over at an alternative campus of the institute. However, before the same is put into effect, adequate intimation / notice will be given.

24. Adjustment of students’ dues / outstandings against advances / deposits may be considered by management at its discretion on a case-to-case basis.

25. Excessively delayed fee payments may be cause for cancellation of admission.

26. Fee Policies as above are subject to change at Management’s discretion. Appropriate notification after change of the same will be given to all students.

Whistling Woods International

The Institute

Founded by one of the India’s leading filmmakers – Subhash Ghai and is promoted by Mukta Arts Limited & Filmcity Mumbai. Whistling Woods International(WWI) is Asia’s largest Film, Television, Animation and Media Arts institute, providing world-class education in all technical and creative aspects of filmmaking and television.

Whistling Woods has also been rated amongst the top 10 film schools in the world by ‘The Hollywood Reporter’, alongwith institutes like NYU Tisch, NFTS, FAMU & AFTRS. WWI was the youngest school to be featured in that list.

The WWI Mumbai campus is located inside Mumbai’s film & television production hub ‘Filmcity’, and offers courses that vary in duration from 1 year to 3 years, both full-time and part time in nature. All the major specializations of the Media & Entertainment industry are catered to, including Acting, Animation, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Producing, Screenwriting, Sound and Media Studies. WWI also offers India’s first MBA in Media & Entertainment and India’s first MBA in Media & Communication.

The full-time faculty of WWI is a body of academics and renowned industry professionals like Subhash Ghai, Rajen Kothari, M Krishhnamurthy, Rob Reece, Anjum Rajabali, Rakesh Ranjan, Ashmaki Acharya, Somnath Sen, Samar Khan, Prashant Naik, Yusuf Mehta, Dhananjay Khore with regular guest lectures by leading Indian & International filmmakers, actors & technicians like Ashutosh Gowarikar (Director of oscar-nominated ‘Lagaan’), Farhan Akhtar, Ashok Amritraj, Shyam Benegal, Naseeruddin Shah, Danny Boyle (academy award winner for Slumdog Millionaire), Rajkumar Hirani, Rakeysh Mehra, Vishal Bharadwaj, Farah Khan, Nagesh Kukunoor, Shelley Page (head of international outreach for Dreamworks Animation), and several more. Students at Whistling Woods, hence, have a unique opportunity to interact on one-on-one basis with some of the most successful professionals in the Indian film industry.

The courses at WWI are designed to ensure that the students’ learning is collaborative and industry oriented. The curriculum at WWI is a unique hybrid of theoretical and practical aspects and ensuring that the creative dovetails well with the business aspects. All students also undergo rigorous study in several co-curricular faculties like Film Appreciation, International Art Literature Culture, Production Design & Music.

These unique elements in the curriculum & the teaching methodology have seen WWI’s student body growing over three times over the past three years. Further, almost 15% of the student body now comprises of International students, from the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Vietnam and others who choose WWI over the multiple film-studies options available in their own countries.

The Institute is also highly committed to ensuring that its students move into the industry in creative and rewarding areas of employment. WWI alumni are currently working at several leading media organisations like Aamir Khan Productions, Annapurna Studios, BIG Animation, Balaji Telefilms, Dharma Productions, Dreamworks, Excel Entertainment, Fox Star Studios India, Mukta Arts Ltd, Percept Picture Company, Prime Focus, Rajshri, Red Chillies Entertainment, Reliance Mediaworks, Rhythmn & Hues, Star TV, Technicolour, Walkwater Film, UTV Motion Pictures, Yashraj Films and several more.

In early 2011, The Sony Media technology Center – a global Center of Excellence established by Sony Corp. & WWI and located at the WWI campus in Filmcity, Mumbai was inaugurated by Sir Howard Stringer (Chairman, CEO & President, Sony Corp.). Sony has recognised WWI as a leader in the Media & Entertainment education sector in Asia, decided to partner with the institute for setup of the same. This follows Sony’s two other centers in London & LA and is the only one that has been setup in association with another organization, the first two being standalone centers. The Sony Media technology Center (SMTC) at WWI will focus on new and emerging technology in the fields of High Definition filmmaking, 3D filmmaking, High Definition Exhibition and HD Broadcast. Sony has equipped the WWI Mumbai campus with the latest technology in both HD filmmaking & 3D filmmaking and will also be stationing on campus their global subject matter experts from whom WWI students would learn a great deal.

In 2010, WWI was accepted as a full member of CILECT (Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinéma et de Télévision) – a global association of film schools, which lays very high standards on admitting members (there are only 150 members of CILECT). This membership has enabled huge expansion in WWI’s international operations with student & faculty exchanges been planned with the best film schools in the world. In the past as well, WWI has initiated affiliations with several global film schools, including first-ever-in-India activities like International student co-productions. Some of the schools that we have undertaken these activities with are Deakin & Griffith in Australia, Bradford College UK, Syracuse University USA & NYU Tisch Asia.

In a major step in secondary education in India, WWI was invited to partner with India’s premier High School Board - the CBSE board by the Ministry of Human Resource Development - Government of India to design a Media Studies curriculum for the country’s primary High School board (the CBSE board). WWI has prepared the curriculum, teaching methodology & is undertaking teacher-training for the ‘Media Studies’ elective in the 11th & 12th grade.

With the Mumbai campus operational since July 2006 and the student body having grown from 90 to 350 over 3 years, WWI is strongly looking at expansion both in terms of course verticals and campuses.

The above is just a snapshot of what Whistling Woods International has achieved in the short span of five years and the institution strongly marches on its way to fulfilling it’s goal – to be the institute of choice for media education globally.