Manjeet Singh | PassionforCinema

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Manjeet Singh's Blog

20
Frozen Rendezvous
Kenny and yours truly got an opportunity to meet the cast of Frozen. Here are some conversations we had in audio format:- Danny Denzongpa • Approach to get the correct emotions in a scene. • Gestures in Agnipath • Efforts to get the correct character, body language, behavior. • Karma’s costume. • How was the film unit treated. • Memories of Kishore kumar. • The...
by Manjeet Singh at May 5th, 2009 at 02:05 am
6
Short
It has being more than a year, since I visited Bihar for researching a feature script. The trip was productive indeed. It helped me in completing the first draft. Somebody has said that the first draft is always thrash. To an extent the saying turned out to be true. But it did give me a foundation to work on and its still evolving, while I try to gather funds for this...
by Manjeet Singh at March 1st, 2009 at 10:03 pm
0
Los Olvidados
A fore-runner of City of God made in 1950 by Luis Bunuel ! 4.5/5 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042804/
by Manjeet Singh at January 11th, 2009 at 08:01 am
96
Dibakar unplugged
[PFC Note: Audio contains strong language] Dibakar does not mince words while talking about Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye and cinema in general. This piece of discussion includes the following in order:- -Answers to complaints about, “ story nahi hai yaar”.(There is no story) -Emotional pornography, cumshots, corruption in audiences mind. -Richa Chadda’s driver’s...
by Manjeet Singh at December 9th, 2008 at 11:12 am
14
RED announces ‘Scarlet’ and ‘Epic’!
Red has got loads of attention, without much publicity. The information comes from their website and spreads across rapidly to the people concerned without any advertising efforts. When RED one was announced, it was perceived as a scam. But now 100s of features are being shot including the world’s most recognized directors going for it. Few months back a weird announcement...
by Manjeet Singh at November 24th, 2008 at 08:11 am
39
Old Hindi Songs. Relishing their magic!
Old Hindi songs are loved by almost everyone. And everyone has his own favorites. There have being lot of times, when sitting with a group of friends, we start remembering the old gems, singing them, discussing our favorite singers. Quite often in discussion we debate, who was the greatest or who was better. No one can conclude anything from these discussions or rather...
by Manjeet Singh at September 24th, 2008 at 10:09 am
37
Paintings…n Cinema
The school days are so vivid in our memory. Apart from the masti n fun, some nerdy questions. What did I like in school days? Hmm…Drawing, painting and science. What did I hate the most? Languages! Did not really enjoy mathematics that much as it required little bit of practice. May be the instinct for visual art, got me closer to cinema. Once I tasted more of it in...
by Manjeet Singh at July 3rd, 2008 at 03:07 am
2
Cannes 2008 official selections
Talking about Cannes, reminds me of Chetan Anand's Neecha Nagar, the Indian film which won the grand prize in the very first year of this film fest in 1946. Recently the film was screened in Mumbai. The print has its own story. A film personality found the print lying with the bhangarwala (junk dealer). He brought it for dirt. I guess there is no other print and doubt...
by Manjeet Singh at April 29th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
45
MAMI FILM FESTIVAL 2008
Its time of the year for the International Film Festival of Mumbai popularly known as Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI) Fest. The opening ceremony will be held on the eve of 6th March, whose entry is by invitation only. The movie screenings will start from 7th of March. The people who want to register can pay 500rs for the pass and should not forget to bring a passport...
by Manjeet Singh at March 5th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
4
The Lives of Others
The film begins, with a Stasi (East German Security agency) lesson on interrogation, involving the psychology of the detainee. If he is lying or not. The focus soon shifts to a drama theatre, where spies are keeping a close watch on a set of people. Such is the beginning of the film that engrosses the viewer to observe, what is going on, made to think. A very mature way...
by Manjeet Singh at February 25th, 2008 at 02:02 am
27
In Bihar..Lakhi Sarai to Nevada
A trip to Bihar came up. The place I wanted to visit so much for personal and work related reasons! Lakhisarai city would be my base camp. From where I would move to places of relevance. The very first morning it was decided to go to a small village in Nevada (and you think Americans are original) district to meet an important person. A Maruti van would be the mode...
by Manjeet Singh at January 13th, 2008 at 02:01 am
6
6th Asian Film Festival
Its time for the annual Third Eye Asian Film Festival.It would be the 6th addition of the festival. This year the Asian Master selected is Akira Kurosawa, with a retro on Tapan Sinha. Competition section consists of debutant Asian filmakers, who have submitted their first or second film. For details please visit:- http://www.affmumbai.com/ The films will be screened at...
by Manjeet Singh at November 1st, 2007 at 08:11 am
53
Our Independent Cinema
How does one define independent cinema in our country? What budget limit would make a film indie? How does one control the budget to make it viable? What are the avenues available to sell the film, after it is made? How can we make more people aware of the meaningful films being made here and make them reach? Questions like these have been popping out for sometime now....
by Manjeet Singh at October 23rd, 2007 at 02:10 am
6
Manorama premier- more pictures!!
Here are some more pictures from last night!!
by Manjeet Singh at September 21st, 2007 at 10:09 am
6
Chak de fatheh Mumbai Meri Jaan
Mumbai Meri Jaan’s (MMJ) latest schedule just started. Ashish Shukla and I were keen on visiting the sets. The shoot was suppose to start at 9:00 am in a studio, but was delayed till 2:00 pm, as the unit had to complete the balance outdoor scenes from yesterday. Shooting outdoors is indeed a challenging task. With little control over the elements any amount of planning...
by Manjeet Singh at August 21st, 2007 at 12:08 pm
19
Romancing like Shahrukh Khan!
One Sunday afternoon, after a delicious lunch of Rajma Chaval (red kidney beans and rice), went in to my bed room to find my phone ringing. The name ‘Toto’ was flashing. Toto is Anurag’s still photographer in No Smoking. I pick up the phone and go, “ haan bhai Toto Singh”(yeah tell me Toto Singh).The voice from the other side doesn’t sound like him, it goes,”...
by Manjeet Singh at June 21st, 2007 at 10:06 am
19
A promising new hope for Independent film-makers: Digital Cinema by RED Camera!
Today’s technology is breaking new grounds. Cinema is just another field witnessing the winds of change. Films or rather movies (How can we call them films, when they are shot digitally ) like Collateral, Apacalypto, Star Wars, Sin City, 300…..being shot digitally. But is the present technology cheap? The above mentioned films used professional high end digital cameras...
by Manjeet Singh at May 2nd, 2007 at 03:05 am
10
Honesty in Film Making
“It’s a great film”, we use this term often and,”it’s a really bad film” a little too often? What is there in a film, which strikes a chord amongst audiences? What pisses them off? Off course there will be people who like and hate a particular film. PFC has provided an awesome platform to interact with passionate film-makers. Their company introduced me to...
by Manjeet Singh at April 30th, 2007 at 05:04 am
18
1/60 th sec ——> 24 fps
Don’t understand where to start with. Where does this urge to learn everything involved in film making comes from? Can I control it? Will it really help me in becoming a better director? Why does it keep bothering me? Why the heck I am writing this article? Am I trying to show off my mediocre skills or stupidity? Why do I have to convince people close to me that everything...
by Manjeet Singh at March 23rd, 2007 at 02:03 am
28
Confessions of an AD
The journey of becoming a film maker has taken me to the initial milestone of becoming an assistant director (AD). The team of Ads is headed by Nitesh, who has been associated with Pavan Kaul in television and films, first assistant Himanshu, who has worked in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Lage Raho Munnabhai and Eklavya. The rest of us Justin, Ravi, Prasad and myself are first...
by Manjeet Singh at February 13th, 2007 at 08:02 am
24
NO SMOKING : Prayogshala Mein Prayog
Anurag’s favorite part of the film has started. It’s Baba Bengali’s legacy, with much awaited Anurag’s very own Gabbar, Paresh Rawal taking the centre stage! An old deserted mill touching the east sea coast in Colaba is the stage for Prayogshala. Its became a favourite spot for Bollywood after the dock scenes of ‘Hum’ and ‘Agneepath’ were shot. For films...
by Manjeet Singh at December 31st, 2006 at 08:12 pm
5
Bhram : Blogging from Madh Island
It took two days to erect larger than life sets on a beach in front of a bungalow in secluded Madh Island. The call time was 7:00pm and went on till the sunrise. It was an elite party set. It required tons of light to illuminate it. Even the coconut trees in the background were lit separately. 30-40 junior artists were called to represent socialites. As the night grew...
by Manjeet Singh at December 23rd, 2006 at 09:12 am
4
From the sets of Bhram
The outsiders think of film industry as extremely risky, where the Stars make billions, while the others are left poor. There are so many money making businesses/professions involved other than acting or directing. One of them is renting out the gadgets used in the films in art department. On the sets of ‘Brahm’ there was a plasma TV, which costed 7000rs/day, a music...
by Manjeet Singh at December 21st, 2006 at 10:12 am
11
BHRAM : Reporting from the sets with Pictures
‘Brahm’ would fall in Drama genre, with addition of thrill, suspense elements. Dino and Milind are playing the roles of brothers. Dino been the younger sibling. The elder brother is a demi God for the younger one. Sheetal, who is playing a super model, comes into the life of Dino. Her past takes a weird journey in a flashback, creating tensions in Dino’s relations...
by Manjeet Singh at December 19th, 2006 at 09:12 am
4
More Pictures from the Sets of BHRAM
{ oz note : here are more pictures from the sets of Bhram, taken by Manjit. Kartik was caught up in work at his office and couldn’t make it to the sets, the next day. So it was Manjit alone getting “all” the attention… Kartik may join Manjit shortly, as soon as his boss at work can give him some breathing space… Oh by the way a short film...
by Manjeet Singh at December 14th, 2006 at 09:12 am
38
Visiting the sets of BHRAM… with pictures
[ oz note : Pavan has been gracious enough to accept PFC's idea of blogging on his sets... it's another rare instance where bloggers are right there on the sets of a movie and blogging their experiences. Manjeet and Kartik having been running to Pavan's sets after their regular day jobs, because in Kartik's words... Pavan's tremendous passion for cinema is contagious and...
by Manjeet Singh at December 13th, 2006 at 11:12 am
43
No Smoking : Pictures from Filmistan Studios
[ oz Note : Sorry Manjeet... I'll use your post for this annoucement. PFC is looking for Hardcore Cinema Fanatics in Bombay. If you are a Cinema Fanatic who follows World Cinema with passion and would like to (1) Contribute to PFC (2) Visit movie sets and meet amazing cine-craftsmen inspite of a hard day at your regular job (3) Are excited to share your experiences with...
by Manjeet Singh at December 8th, 2006 at 08:12 am
26
No Smoking : Pictures from Colaba Shoot
The location was Colaba. The place where I spent my early childhood…It was sort of nostalgic … Today was a day where it took lots n lots of efforts for very little screen time..On screen it might look simple but it just takes so much time n effort to make these shots possible…Pictures will give you an idea of what I am talking about. The sound department was not...
by Manjeet Singh at December 4th, 2006 at 01:12 pm
7
NO SMOKING coverage
A resort in the outskirts of a western suburb was selected for shooting a swimming pool, restaurant, bar and highway scenes. The call time was 2:00 pm and the shoot went on till 5:30 am in the morning. Some unit members have gathered around as early as 12:30 pm on the sets. There were two European actresses in the scenes…Tall with great body and acting skills too…...
by Manjeet Singh at December 1st, 2006 at 11:12 am
13
No Smoking – Pictures from this week
[oz Note:- Manjeet just sent in a few pictures which are being put here. Those who've been emailing who is Gajju, Piyush Mishra - as mentioned in Kartik's last post... they are here in the album of this post. A funny note which I came to know from Kartik: As you know, the movie is being shot in sync sound. Meaning every actor has a mic hanging over his/her head or pinned...
by Manjeet Singh at December 1st, 2006 at 09:12 am