FTII courses ready to roll with revised syllabus

PUNE, NOV 8: The most radical restructuring of the academic programme of the Film and Television Institute India FTII since 1961, which...

PUNE, NOV 8: The most radical restructuring of the academic programme of the Film and Television Institute India FTII since 1961, which sparked off protests and student strikes in the recent past, will finally be implemented from February 1, 2000.

The focus of the revised syllabus, which for the first time, offers techno-savvy, integrated instead of separate courses in film and television, is an attempt at overcoming the 8220;artificial divide between the two media created in the campus over the years, by different objectives of the film and television wings of FTII, their separate faculty, space and infrastructure in the campus.8221;

Though fees have been hiked from Rs 2,500 to 15,000 per year, its present director Dr Mohan Agashe calls it a minimal raise, saying, 8220;The Institute would have to shut down if fees were not hiked,8221; and justifying it by describing the expenditure of Rs 4.5 lakh per student borne by the FTII every year. FTII presently faces an annual resource crunch of almost Rs 1 crore, from its non-planned budget of Rs 6 crore.

8220;You can no longer speak independently of the film and television media,8221; says Agashe, describing the need to integrate the two streams and to provide the latest in computer-aided technology to equip students with enhanced job opportunities.

The revised syllabus, prepared by a 12-member committee of FTII faculty over five months, has done away with final-year-end written examinations, and reduced the thrust on classroom teaching, for the focus is on 8220;learning by doing and continuous assessment,8221; says Agashe. Divided into three units over three years, 80 seats are available for the basic course in film and television, which qualifies one for the second-year specialisation 12 seats each in a certificate course in direction, film and television cinematography film and television, audiography film and television and editing film and television. The final year post-graduate diploma offers a specialisation in any of the above fields, with eight seats each. This year, students have to submit a project proposal for a 20-minute film and television programme each.

Those who fail to qualify for next year, or wish to discontinue can avail of jobs as generalists in film and television, says Agashe, since the syllabus teaches you to operate as a professional in both fields. 8220;An effort is on to develop a system of internship in the final year, to forge a liaison with the industry,8221; he says.

Other proposed courses, which depend on recruitment of staff, which Agashe says will take place next year, are an advanced diploma in digital media, advanced diploma in production and management, and an advanced diploma in television engineering.

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With the revised syllabus approved by the FTII8217;s academic council and governing council, the written examinations for the basic course will be held in 11 centres on November 14, and interviews are slated for December. What is crucial for successful implementation of these changes is strongly motivated staff and students, and peace8217; more than anything else, says Agashe.

With even the hike in fees insufficient to generate adequate resources, the FTII will start conducting short-term professional courses in film and television, which will be finalised in 2000. These include courses in script writing, art direction, production management, animation, and television engineering.

8220;We are trying to develop a category of professionals to conduct these courses and interact with the faculty and students,8221; says Agashe. The funds generated will be channelised toward purchasing and maintaining infrastructure, like the new computerised media laboratory, for which purchases have already begun.