Stalemate- the making

No Lights, No Sound, Camera, Only ACTION:

This is my first ever Blog in all respect and moreover this gives me an added pleasure to start with something which I will cherish for a long time. It's my first short film named 'Stalemate'.

To start with I would like to add few things about myself; I am from Pune, a software engineer by profession with a zeal for films and music. I haven't got an opportunity for a formal training in film-making. The idea of making a short movie was very instinctive yet it was bubbling in my mind for a long while.

The Decision:
This instinctive decision made me to buy a mini dvd handycam. This handycam is very much responsible for the entire visuals of Stalemate. Gradually the time came to finalize on a subject and get rolling. This was pretty tough, as I had a bundle of topics rushing through my mind. During those days, my cousin Arun, also one of the actors in this movie, used to visit my place. I just narrated the theme of Stalemate; he really liked it and assured me he will be a part of it when Stalemate is ON. Not only Arun, but my best friends who do not belong to the creative field did like the concept which gave me the much needed impetus to write the script on STALEMATE.
----------------------------------------------------
PRE- Production Starts:
The Script:
Writing scripts is like writing a poem to me. I don’t know how I get engrossed in the script and complete it at one go. For Stalemate, the initial draft was made in a day. But after doing many reviews, it took me a month to finalize the script. The initial draft of stalemate missed a vital link between the characters, which was made realized to me by one of my friends, Shyam.

Hunting Actors:
As the movie was based on three characters, I was looking out for three actors. I had Arun in my mind for the second character and he was ready for it when I narrated the theme in detail. Arun helped me out to find Chintan. Chintan, friend of Arun, as the name suggest Chintan is one of those characters which matched with my third character. I narrated the theme to Chintan at a busy restaurant, where we both were not comfortable discussing it. It took some time for me to find my first character. Initially, one of friend was planning to do this character, but in the eleventh hour he found it difficult to join me. After some days, I was fortunate enough to visit one of my friends profile in orkut, some force made me to call up this guy to play the first character. He is Vinayak, on our first meet Vinayak told me that he was shocked to hear that I was making a movie. Vinayak did like the concept and was ready to join in. Apart from these three artists, my mom arranged six child artists for this project.

Technicians:
Initially, I assured my budget (meagre) not to extent a certain limit, so was not keen to hire professionals for this project.
Camera Work: The worrying factor for me was the camera work. I looked in for cinematographer via various sources who would adjust to my financial constraints, but in vein. Eventually, I took that responsibility and now it seems that this decision would turn costly for me.
Sound: As this project was a silent movie there were no headaches regarding sound.
Editing: One of my friends whom I met via orkut showed interest to edit this film.
Music: Till this time, I was wandering to find a good music director!!

THE POOJA:
My Script was ready, artist were finalized, so it calls for a POOJA. It was October 2nd 2006, aka Dry day, we started with a small pooja at my place. All the artists gathered at my place for the pooja, Chintan as usual was late. After the pooja, I put forward my script to the artist and my friend who was about to do the editing of this film. The script contained a shot division of around 100 shots. I recall Chintan asking “Why we should read the whole script, I am not able to understand or visualize what u have written?”. This made my friend to throw light on STORYBOARD. That was the first time I realized storyboards plays an important role not only in animation but also short movies. I empathize with Chintan, as he was struggling, yawning while reading my boring script. Later on, all the artists got a chance to question the script, it was a tough time but at the same time a lesson for me to tackle any doubts which the actor has it in his/her mid. In all it was a very good way to start as all the artists were convinced with my answers and were pumped up to kick start this project.
PRE- Production Ends:
----------------------------------------------------
THE SHOOT Starts:
I never imagined that the shoot for my short movie would extend for 4 months. I started my first shot with Arun’s climax scene. We did the re-shoot of those scenes in a span of 2 weekends. The first one was not satisfactory because we tried to use green fluorescent lights. The shot looked ugly and it made me feel that lighting is in all a different strategy in film-making, which I need to learn but not now. After this, I purchased a slate to differentiate shots. Also would like to thank Jitu, Manya, Vikas for lending me their homes for a day's shoot. These guys always encourage me when I approach them with my script or story, they would listen to it and give their comments.

Shooting with Vinayak:
Vinayak is director’s ideal actor. He will listen to director’s suggestions, at times gives suggestions, will follow director’s decision. This lad faced many mishaps personally during the project but he stood up facing all odds helping me to complete the project. I remember the day, when we were already lagging behind our schedule, this guy came to the shoot being ill, still managed to act. Now when I see those scenes, it’s hard for me to spot his uneasiness which he was going through during the shoot. The only thing that can take your nerves his few jargon words like “I am really tied up”/ “ I was about to call you”/ “I am in a meeting, Will call you”. In all it was a good learning experience for me to know vinayak as an artist and as a good friend. Seriously, with the music for this character, I kind of love the character played by vinayak. Good Job Vinayak and Prashant (music director). Also Special thanks for Amit Pathare and Manish Nair for their spectacular effort in sketching out some amazing drawing which help this character to grow and shape out well.

Shooting with Arun:
Arun aka Mannan. He is the nightmare (kidding ;) ) for any director. Arun will give you n number of suggestions before the day’s shoot. End of the day, director is confused. We have altered shots and shoot so many shots just before the actual shoot because of this one great entity, Arun. One thing for sure, he is the guy who was involved actively from the scripting stage to post-production of this project. He was punctual for the shoots but once he is there at the location laziness gets into his blood. So there is a need to pull this guy from the seat for the shoot. Being suggestive he is very shy, I remember the day, when there was a shot where he had to come out of the washroom bare top with a towel over his shoulders. Arun refused to do it, vinayak also tried to convince him but arun was adamant. That shot is there very much in the project, where he imitates big b after coming out of the washroom. There was also one incident when we both went to collect Big B photos which we have given to develop. The girls working there in the photo studio were anxious when they heard that these photos were for a movie shoot. They were curious to know, where the shoot is and other things about the shoot. I was embarrassed and at the same time blushing while answering the girls and arun standing seeing me embarrassed with a mysterious smile on his face. Honestly it’s because of Arun there is an existence for Stalemate. It was fun working with you, Good Job. Thanks a lot Arun.

Shooting with Chintan:
There are two phases when I discuss the experience with Chintan. The first one deal with his curiosity and the other portrays his numb image. During our first schedule, Chintan was full of enthusiasm, suggestive, punctual and full of energy. As we move ahead, I felt Chintan lost a link, was ill and moreover had some personal problems which led to delay in few of his schedules, inspite of being running late. There is no doubt when he is there on set, he will improvise n number of times till the director says ‘a very good shot’. He keeps total faith in director that’s the best part of Chintan. He always used to say that, ‘Suraj, next time plan for a comedy plot’. Chintan was not comfortable doing this role as it was a very tough role also because firstly, it was a silent project moreover chintan’s character was very tricky. But chintan on the contrary has lived my third character. There would be no replacement for Chintan in this project after seeing the movie as a whole. Chintan, Very good job, Thanks. Chintan will be any director’s first choice provided he is punctual and not moody.
THE SHOOT Ends:
----------------------------------------------------
Post Production starts here:
Editing:
Finally, the shooting was done. Now the editing phase starts, Bejoy being my classmate’s friend became the final destination for editing. I mentioned before about my orkut friend who actually did select and arrange all the shots on my instructions, but due to lack of availability, accessibility, I thought of meeting Bejoy. I remember the day when I called up Bejoy and went to his studio. His studio is one of the best in town where you get the feel of professional also creative aspects merging together. I showed him the selected shots, after looking few shots Be-joy yawned and uttered “You have screwed (he used some other diction instead of this word) the grammar of film-making”. I was totally blank as how to react to the statement made by him. After that there was a big confusion between these terms Mini DV and Mini DVD. I was wrong once again. I thought he would avoid working on my project. Fortunately, he took me in confidence and agreed to do the editing. As I was running short of time to submit the final product for a short film festival, Bejoy assured me that it would take less than a week to complete the editing. This way the editing of stalemate started. After two days, the work started. Nitin, one of the friends of Bejoy did the raw editing. It took 3 days to complete the raw editing. Finally when the music was on, Bejoy took on with the final editing and animation. Finally editing was done, it was done in 6 days or so.

Working with Bejoy:
Bejoy aka Be-Joyous aka Superman is a true businessman who fits in very well with the creative medium. It’s advisable to work with Bejoy, as he is cent percent professional. He is very transparent when dealing with financial part, which makes you comfortable. To start with during our first day of editing, Bejoy appointed Nitin to edit my project. I was kind of worried to know this. But Nitin was a total surprise. He did the raw cut in three days or so. I was comfortable working with Nitin and I made my mind to work with him till the project is finished. Later on, Nitin was not available and Bejoy took over the project. Now the same uneasiness crept in my mind. This time Bejoy too surprised me providing final touches, title animation and sound recording. With the final touches, my project looked far better. During the entire edit there was the perfect ambience I mean a creative one, thanks to his studio. Also thanks to Sumeet for correcting my English grammar used in this project for titles. The only thing that can worry anyone about Bejoy is his hand made coffee. It takes a big heart to drink his coffee, hahaha. Thanks to the boy in Bejoy’s studio who used to serve good coffee and tea. In all it was very good experience to know and work with Bejoy. Good Job and Thanks Bejoy!

Music:
As it happened with Be-joy, Prashant Pillai was not the first destination for music. Through Rohit I came to know about Prashant. Immediately I called Prashant, he was on vacation somewhere in Delhi. When I talked with him, I don’t know why, I felt this is the guy I was looking around for months. Prashant has a very humble tone, which can please any beginner moreover he was very eager to know in detail about the project when he heard it in brief. He wanted me to upload the script and few scenes. I sent him the script via mail; later that evening I got the message from prashant that he liked the script. I was much eager to meet this guy because there are two things Firstly he sounded more passionate about this project and secondly there was a common connect between us i.e. AR Rehman. On his return, I met at his place, I remember I was more excited to know that this guy has worked with Rehman Sir. It was like for me not prashant but Rehman Sir sitting before me.
Prashant Pillai is not only a good music director but at the same time a very good perceiver of the final product as a whole. Almost all his suggestions helped the project tremendously be it editing, music, titles, cd cover design, marketing the product and so on. One of the critical suggestions from prashant was to shorten the movie, make it crispy, fast paced. In short, Prashant Pillai is a total package of valued ideas which helps any director during post production.

Working with Prashant:
Music was the integral part for this movie, as this was a silent movie. While meeting Prashant, I was very confident that my project is in safe hands. While leaving, he just made me hear the first tune which he has composed for this project. It was fantabulous!! I was very happy, excited and at the same time tensed how the music comes out for all the three characters. After submitting him the ruff cut I just asked him ‘can I come tomorrow while you do the music?’ he replied ‘No, come on Wednesday!’ I was like embarrassed and worried how the music will shape out. That Wednesday I called him up, he replied that he is doing the final touches and will be ready by tomorrow. Thursday came, I was at his place, the music was played along with the visuals. When it was done, he asked me “how is it?” I was like short of answer but still replied “It’s different”. I was expecting something else. But what I heard was way ahead from my expectations. Prashant also arranged a guitarist, Prakash Hariharan who played his part from chennai. Prakash did a very good display of his skills and I thank him personally for the efforts he had put in for this small project. The tune which prashant played during our first meeting is not included in the final version and I am very disappointed. There were some eleventh hour changes in music in some area which later enhance the project to the next level. In all working with prashant was like working with a mentor who is there to point your mistakes and moreover come out with good suggestions. Prashant, your contribution to this project was very vital. Good job, see you soon.
Post Production ends here:
----------------------------------------------------

Project Completion:
On March 27, 2007 Stalemate was completed. Thanks to all who were actively and passively involved in this project. Would like to know from you all (Actors, Musician, Editing) how you felt working with me.

----------------------------------------------------

POWERLESS PREMIERE STORMS

After completing the project, I thought of packaging my project to add authenticity to our team work before the premiere. The CD layout design was made by Prashant and was given for printing in the nearby digital printing shop. After cutting many CDs and with the collective efforts from my brother and sister, we packaged our project. Now I was all set to announce the schedule of the Premiere.

Planning for Premiere:

As the pooja for this project was performed on a auspicious day (Dassera), I thought of concluding the project on some auspicious day. After checking with Mom, I found that April 15th 2007 would be the day to celebrate 'Stalemate' as it was a new year(Vishu) for us (Keralites). It's time to fix some venue for the premiere, I enquired at some restaurants nearby but their rates were sky-high. So thought of organizing this event at my place. I shortlisted the guest who were keen to join me for the premiere. After shortlisting I fired a mail to all the guest (the biggest blunder was yet to happen). After sending the mail, I just scrapped everyone to check their mailboxes. At some point of time I thought of capturing the whole event in my miniDVD handycam by making a video blog. The following night, I had a chat with one of orkut friends Sagar to help me out with the video blog. He was excited and assured me that he will take up the responsibilty for this video blog. After this I decided to arrange some snacks for the guest, so I ordered some snacks at a local bakery nearby. The plan was very well designed and I was waiting for the premiere eagerly. Two days before the premiere I thought of preparing a PPT file for the guest before the show begins. This presentation (.ppt file) contains all the still images taken during the shoot and I compiled it in such a way that it added the feel of a premiere. To display the show on a big screen a projector was arranged by my brother.

The Premiere Day:

I was waiting for this day for atleast a month or so because I was very excited to see my actors anxiety as they were not actively linked during post-production. The premiere was the day for them to see their work in totality. That day afternoon, as I was arranging the projector, Arun landed and it was good to see him, that assured atleast one guest for the premiere. I didnt had sleep the day before because of the premiere, so thought of taking a nap after a heavy feast at home on the occassion of new year. But still during that short nap I was uncomfortable maybe the nervousness before the premiere. I waked up with a SMS of Sagar stating it's wind storming at his place and wanted to confirm the same at my place. At my place it was clear sky all around. After few minutes Sagar called me up to say that he would not turn up for the event as it was raining at his place. I was like ... taken back with his message but at the same time I understood his difficulties as he has to travel far to my place. This was the first setback before the premiere. At 6pm I was ready with presentation running upfront on my front room via projector with the background score of Srinivas, the mandolin whiz. At 6pm Chintan made it what others failed... Yes Chintan was ON TIME. He was accompanied with his cousin. Later on my school friend Manoj also came. Then Sudha one of close friends, being part of my choreography troop joined in. Lastly Vinayak, the guy who warned me to confirm whether Chintan will be on time, arrived. Now the setback of this premiere follows, Out of 15 guest only 7 turned out. Few of them didnt received my mail, few of them had other plans and the rest stuck in wind storm. It was a disappointing start for the premiere, but nevertheless we started the show. Everyone was glued to the big projection onto the wall. All were seriously engrossed in the movie. When the climax started, POWER GOES......!!!! I was kind of shackled. Everyone is sitting in complete darkness. Arun helped to lit one candle and to our surprise we were realised by my mom that there is windstorm happening here at my place. I was totally thrashed by this unnatural occurence. We all sitting in dark discussing the part which we have visualised. I was more curious to know from Manoj,Sudha and Chintan's cousin as they were not related to the making of this project. Snacks were distributed to cover this dark time.

The Release:

I was about to release Stalemate after the premeire but due to natural interruption in the premiere show, I thought of releasing Stalemate to cover the dark gap in order to bring all the viewers out from stalemate of darkness. I brought a CD box with red ribbon tied from my room, all were surprised to see all this. I announced that STALEMATE IS RELEASED and the ribbon cut was performed by mom. It was a special moment for all of us and I hope even GOD liked it because when mom picked up one CD from the box electricity was back. I distributed the CDs to all the artisit and I thought they were very happy to see the final stuff in their hand.

STALEMATE RELEASED ON: 15 th Arpil 2007.

This is not the end of this blog, will capture other events like:
1) Marketing ventures of Stalemate
2) Feedback from viewers
3) Future Plans

------------------------------

CREDITS:


Actors (in alphabetical Order)
Arun Menon
Chintan Kapasi
Vinayak Mohanlal

Child Artists (in alphabetical order)
Abhishek Sunil
Divya Umeshkumar
Malavika Pavithran
Manish Kurup
Rohit Kurup
Shreya R Nambiar

Drawing Artists:
Amit Pathare
Manish Nair

Planning and Coordinating Team
Indira P. Nair
Sandhya S. Nair

Editing and Visual Graphics
Bejoy Peter & Nitin Mhaske (Media Matters)

Music
Prashant Pillai

Guitars/Mandolin
Prakash Hariharan

Story, Script, Cinematography, Direction
Suraj Nair

------------------------------

Thanks All,
-Suraj Nair