Pre-shoot workshops is the norm today in Mollywood

Mollywood actors are often hailed for their on screen skills.
However, it looks like our new age directors feel that there is enough scope for further polishing, and space to accommodate performance improvement techniques. Pre-shoot workshops are increasingly being opted by M-Town filmmakers of late, involving both experienced and newbie actors working in their projects.Shyamaprasad’s Ivide, VKP’s upcoming untitled film, debutant Lenin’s Kranthi and Jamesh Kottakkal’s Prithviraj -starrer Beautiful Game were recently in the news for their pre-shoot workshops. While they are nothing new in theatre and film industries abroad, we find out why these sessions are increasingly making way into the M-Town space:
To get into the skin of the character
Filmmaker Lenin, who is all to direct the upcoming Sunny Wayne-starrer musical tale Kranthi, says, “We are holding a one-week workshop for actors and its best benefit would be gaining a better understanding of the characters. Moreover, it can also help the director and others involved in the production to get the best combined output. Our workshop is based on the completed script of the film. We would also sit together and discuss the setting and the various characterizations, so that everyone is clear about the story we are trying to piece together.”
Theatre personality Jayaprakash Kuloor, who often holds pre-shoot workshops in Malayalam industry, says, “What I do through workshops can be termed a holistic cleansing process of acting behaviour. There are times when stagnation sets in the way an actor reacts and perceives characters. Through simple tasks, exercises and activities, I guide them towards taking a fresh look at the characters they are going to play.”
In Jamesh Kottakkal’s Beautiful Game, both actors and professional footballers are roped in to play characters. “We have both football practice and acting sessions planned out for a week of the workshop, as that would help everyone to be on the same page while working on the film. This is also expected to save a huge amount of time in getting the technicalities of both the game and acting right while shooting,” he explains.
Veteran actor Prem Prakash, who took part in the workshop for VKP’s film, explains, “What the workshops help with are the ways you ‘behave’ as the character before the camera. Regardless of the number of years in the industry, it can help artistes keep their craft polished and I had a great time attending the session for VKP’s film.”
He gives an example. “In our workshop, we were asked to narrate a sad or happy incident in our lives. As each of us recounted it, the way expressions got wrapped around was taken note of. At times, the tendency was to over-emote, as there was the lingering thought of ‘this is for acting.’ Such flaws were given feedback on and corrected, so that the acting gets more natural in front of the camera.”
Confidence booster, inhibition remover
Vijesh K V, who started off with acting workshops in Mollywood through Anjali Menon’s Manjadikkuru, says, “Through small games and activities, songs and stories, workshops can wipe away various mental blocks the artistes might have, and prepare them to give the natural reactions. In Manjadikkuru, sync sound was used and thus, actors had to learn and deliver their lines and emote alongside, naturally. There were also many child actors involved and to get their innocent smiles and reactions without being blocked by inhibitions, I employed various theatre methodologies in the workshop.”
“Often, I would be present at the shooting set too, especially when there are child actors. We discuss every scene, preparing them to deliver well for the upcoming sequences,” he adds.
Friendships bloom
It’s also a platform where all the technicians and artistes involved in the project get to know each other well. “We have even outings planned as part of the workshop, so that all those working for the film get to know each other better,” Lenin explains. According to filmmakers and those who hold workshops, the exercises also bring in the kind of fun-triggered camaraderie, which might not be formed on a purely professional and film-making atmosphere.
Some veterans not game
While workshops are slowly gaining a firm foothold in the industry, not everyone is in favour of it. “I have been holding workshops for quite a while now and have worked with many filmmakers, but generally its inclusion is not publicised. Experienced actors can at times be not in favour of holding them.Some people even express doubts as to ‘what more can a workshop teach us, that real-time acting can’t’,” Jayaprakash reveals. Prem Prakash also adds, “Such sessions are definitely helpful, but veteran artistes are not always game to go through one as not many in our industry are fully convinced about their effectiveness.”