FTII to launch several new courses

PUNE: The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), which is attempting to restore its lost glory after student agitations over the past few years, has decided to re-introduce short-term courses in acting, script-writing and television and video.
The immensely popular acting course, which has produced such luminaries as Jaya Bachhan, Shatrughan Sinha and Subhash Ghai, to name a few, was stopped in 1978.According to FTII director Prem Matiani, the institute plans to conduct a one-year comprehensive acting course for approximately 20 graduate students, who have prior experience in acting, from January 2003,
The script-writing course, slated to start on October 2003, will take approximately 10 students. In 2004, the institute will introduce its specially-designed television and video production course for 40 students.
Beginning next month, the institute will also launch its one-month courses in film make-up, set designing, property dressing etc.
In a related development, the newly-elected 27-member FTII Society is scheduled to meet at the institute on June 11. A number of important decisions are expected to be taken at the meeting.
The meeting will be addressed by actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna, who has been nominated for a second term as the president of the FTII society, and chairman of its governing council for three years (starting March 4, 2002).
"Pune was chosen so that the society could get a first hand information on the current state of the institute," Matiani said.
The reconstituted FTII society comprises Jatin Sarkar, director of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute; Deepak Sandhu, head of the directorate of film festivals and; Sai Paranjpe, chairperson of the Children''s Film Society of India.
Actress Jaya Pradha, poet-playwright Gulzar and upcoming director Karan Johar are among the eight members from the "persons associated with films, television, journalism and fine arts category". Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Santosh Sivan, Aruna Raje and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are among the "FTII alumni" category.
The newly-formed society will elect the general council, finance committee and academic council. "The general council is the main body for the smooth sail of the institute. Hence, we need to have a balanced and determined council," Matiani added.
He said that the old syllabus, (1+1+1 pattern) was changed into an integrated three-year course. "Keeping in mind the changing trends of the entertainment industry, the academic syllabus also needs to be upgraded and revised. By July 1, we expect to get a positive reply from the concerned authorities," Matiani said.