An exclusive television and radio channel, advertisement for a new director and promises of a slew of new short-term courses that should take out the country’s premier film school out of the red.That is the latest buzz from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) campus as it readies for the first meeting of the newly constituted FTII Society on Tuesday morning. On the agenda is the election of a governing council that will in turn elect the academic council. Without these two bodies work at the FTII could grind to a halt.‘‘The I&B ministry has cleared the proposal to start a new TV and radio channel that will cater to an audience in a 50 km radius,’’ says stand-in director Prem Matiyani. The channel will provide a platform for the students to showcase their talent as well hone their skills in ‘‘real time production work.’’From films made at the institute to TV and radio production work, it may also serve as a channel to earn revenue through advertisements. ‘‘The government has sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for it and we have all the equipment we need,’’ says Matiyani.Other changes will include greater use of 35 mm stock instead of the usual 16 mm. ‘‘They need to become professional film-makers so they might as well as use 35 mm,’’ says Matiyani.Matiyani has spent a hectic two months in preparing for the first meeting of the society. ‘‘The society was put up two months ago and on May 27 Vinod Khanna was appointed as its president and chairman of the governing council.’’ He is expected to clear several new courses slated to take off next year, including an acting course in January and script-writing course in October. A few hiccups came when Gulzar, nominated as a society member, wrote back a ‘‘polite no.’’Matiyani has also brought back films on campus. From a dismal three films it will now be six per week ‘‘provided they have a quorum of at least 25 students.’’ Also on the cards is an annual exchange programme that will see staff and students going abroad to pick up more skills. Refresher courses to cater to professionals that will also help earn revenue have also been proposed.
