My experience while shooting the documentary as well as anchoring the event was just brilliant. In spite of wearing a pair of hot pants and walking around I never even for once heard a lewd comment. People were just so docile and well mannered. I enjoyed every moment when I was on stage and the crowd took me to a different world all together. I just loved being in Karbi Anglong, what a wonderful place it is…
For the first time ever I felt as if I made a big blunder by saying yes to this documentary. There were too many people involved to control the situation. My dealing with Aiyushman was very clear cut. I will produce and direct the documentary and Eastern Beats will buy it from me, and naturally they will have the copyright to it. Miji asked me to give him a budget for the film and I told him the an x amount and he readily agreed to it. BUT Mr. AIYUSH had a major problem with the budget (honestly speaking I have never even though of doing a documentary on such a low cost). Sukanya, Miji, Morningkeey- these 3 people were communicating or rather miscommunication of a completely different tangent was happening. But Mr. Aiyush was nowhere to be seen in the picture. Its like those big banner movies, where you have a big star cast posters and banners being put up, but actually the hero is someone else. (what a pathetic simile…sorry). After 2-3 days of irritation, confusion, THREATENING (Aiyush passed on a message through Sukanya saying he will sue me, if I do the documentary and sell it somewhere) and constant phone calls I finally decided not to do the documentary at all….I AM DONE WITH YOU GUYS HONESTLY. I was emotionally too drained out when I heard Aiyush saying all that. I in a way trusted him, I consider him a special friend in my life. But why is he behaving in such a juvenile manner. Do you guys even know how to produce a documentary, and how much of hard work one has to put in?
Finally after all that emotional drama and saga, we came to this pathetic condition that I will have to use their studio, their editor n all other stuffs and I will be paid by eastern beats for “my not so hard work as a director”. (Till date I failed to understand what is the issue with Aiyushman and what will happen if Miji pays for the documentary, as I was made to understand that he is very much a part of eastern beats)…BUT there is more to the story than meets the eye…..ha ha ha
Situation A: Have you heard of a absolute software called VELOCITY? Morningkeey asked me to use their studio which does not have FCP. I cant even imagine how miserable documentaries would look without Final Cut Pro. Believe me when I say this FCP can do wonders!!!
Situation B: I had to use their editor, and not my darling creative fellow Hiranya.
Situation C: I am to incorporate some old footage of eastern beats music society formerly known as “rocka rolla” and their activities. And those footages are to be collected by me from one guy who stays way out of Guwahati.
Situation D: I am suppose to finish editing and submit the first cut edit in 2 days time. And it must include the voice over and music.
Situation E: I am all alone coordinating everything. Unfortunately Tina ba was busy with another very important project. BUT people who should be around were just ordering me from else where.
Day in day out I was working at the studio. I finished editing at 4 am in the morning. And believe me I rushed directly to the airport since I had a flight to catch to Mumbai at 6.45 am.
IMPRESSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND LESSONS TO BE LEARNT: I like doing things my way. I may not be an award winning director or a movie producer, but whatever I have produced and directed so far have been good and critically well acclaimed. And I also know the fact pretty well that I am creative enough, otherwise I can not sustain in this industry, and I don’t have to be a shrink to establish that fact through “Passi’s Creativity test” on myself.
Honestly I don’t like too much of interference in my work. However I am not arrogant and I take constructive criticism in a positive manner. But the concept of space is big time lacking in our so called media society I think. So this constant ordering definitely demoralized me and I could not concentrate well
YES most Important lesson I Learnt- KEEP PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS COMPLETELY OUT OF PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS, specially while working with people in Assam.
SPECIAL acknowledgement: Thanks John da for doing the narration and voice over. You have a brilliant voice. Your diction is just so perfect for a voice over.
Rupam-for all the encouragement you provided me while doing my work. Your presence during those 2 days did make a lot of difference.-being there at the studio just to say hi or be it those phone calls to find out how I am doing. Rupam truly you are a darling.
Tina ba-thanks a million for having that faith and confidence on me…mmmmuuuaaahhhh love you tones!
GARY- U R My SOULMATE and I need not say anything more than that.
Mom and dad- thanks for staying awake late for me, to pick me up from the studios. (thanks for funding me as well...mmmuuaaahhh)
p.s-all the characters are real, but however the opinions expressed are subjective and it is subjected change!!!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
My journey to Karbi Anglong and BEATS CONTEST 2009
I think this is my eleventh attempt to write my blog on the recently concluded Karbi Anglong Beats Contest. Whenever I make up my mind to write, some distractions usually surround me, at times in the form of Miffy or Muffin, at times food, at times boredom and yes of course sleep. But finally today I have decided to pen down my thoughts before venturing into anything (even if its in the form of dark fantasy with chocolate sauce or Caramel Popcorn, hah!)
I met Aiyushman a week before the Karbi Anglong beats contest. In our so called meeting we discussed everything but the documentary on the beats contest 2009. I first met Aiyushman sometimes in the month of March 2009 in his office as I went there to give a write up on Joshua. On that day I barely interacted with him. After that I did see him couple of times in the local music concerts and rock gigs, but never exchanged more than just a smile or a hi.
For so many years I knew Aiyushman as a sincere journalist who is the features editor of The Sentinel. He is this really cute chubby cheeked guy (not too many guys like to be associated with the word “cute” and Aiyush is no exception here!!!). We had quite a meaningful conversation on different aspects of life. He is someone with a lot of substance unlike a lot of hollow and fake human beings I interact with everyday (well.. no pun intended)
I reached the Railway Station little ahead of my scheduled time. I was super excited about my journey to Karbi Anglong as this was my second train journey in life. Met Aiyush, Morningkeey ( another interesting character…I shall talk later about him), Sukanya ba and the rest of the gang outside the station and we proceeded towards the platform to board the train. All most 20 of us were traveling together towards our destination Diphu to witness the Karbi Anglong Beats Contest. Dark Horizon, Brutal Agitation and Death On The Horizon (D.O.T.H) - these 3 bands were the guests bands who will perform at the Beats Contest.
Not very often we realize the beautiful place we live in. Assam is literally an uncrowned jewel and its pristine and untouched beauty in terms of its culture, landscapes and traditions is remarkable. While the train moved crossing peddy fileds, misty mountains, lush green jungles I realized how blessed I am to be able to witness the breathtaking beauty of my place. Northeast is indeed a paradise unexplored. Now I genuinely feel that I have many more reasons to stay back in Assam..huh
So finally reached Karbi Anglong and checked in into the govt. guest house. I shared the room with Susan-a journalist from Dimapur. By the time I reached the guest house I was famished and I had SUNGA PORK (didn’t bother at all about my pimples…but later I cribbed and I cribbed and cribbed)
The beats contest kicked off at around 4 pm, as a part of Rontheyang Festival of Karbi Anglong. 10 local bands were fighting their battle for the Karbi Anglong Beats Contest 2009 winner’s trophy. The quality of the musician was really amazing and worth a remark. The beats contest was organized by Eastern Beats Music Society in association with Rontheyang club. The contest was held in memory of the people who lost their lives in the serial bomb blasts of Assam on the 30th Oct. 2008. It was a tribute to those innocent souls who lost their lives.
Aiyushman asked me anchor the beats contest and the peace march. I was not at all prepared for the show, so I had to let do with a pair of shorts, a t shirt and a pair of boots. And the worst part was that I didn’t have my Mac and Clinique make up products with me…booo hooo hooo. But I managed to look gorgeous anyway…(when I am writing this blog you must remember that my self esteem was really high.. )
I started on a very emotional note and narrated the devastation of that dreadful day of 30th Oct. 2008. “Mothers lost their sons, children lost their fathers, for some families life simply stopped moving, maybe their sole bread winner of the family fell a victim in those blasts. More than 150 people died for no fault of theirs. Poor daily wage laborers and vendors were packing their stuffs to go back home to be with their family, wife, their children. Hoping to provide the best things possible to their family. Those fathers never returned home. Lives of many were shattered. Their dreams and hopes died an untimely death. 30th Oct. 2008, a day which can not be erased out from the minds of anyone living in Assam. Violence and terrorism are not new to us. But violence of such intensity has definitely shaken us. Through this musical journey we want to tell the whole world that Music is the universal language we all need to speak and not violence. Music has the power to bring communities together. Music is not confined to any region or community; it speaks the language of the soul”.
The peace march began when 5000 candles went up in the air to pay homage to the victims of the Assam serial bomb Blasts. For me it was truly a touching moment, when I saw people literally in tears, specially the youngsters. It left me with a feeling of hope for my state. I felt as if through music we will be able to heal the world, as if through music we will be able to overcome our insurgency and terrorism problem.
I met Aiyushman a week before the Karbi Anglong beats contest. In our so called meeting we discussed everything but the documentary on the beats contest 2009. I first met Aiyushman sometimes in the month of March 2009 in his office as I went there to give a write up on Joshua. On that day I barely interacted with him. After that I did see him couple of times in the local music concerts and rock gigs, but never exchanged more than just a smile or a hi.
For so many years I knew Aiyushman as a sincere journalist who is the features editor of The Sentinel. He is this really cute chubby cheeked guy (not too many guys like to be associated with the word “cute” and Aiyush is no exception here!!!). We had quite a meaningful conversation on different aspects of life. He is someone with a lot of substance unlike a lot of hollow and fake human beings I interact with everyday (well.. no pun intended)
I reached the Railway Station little ahead of my scheduled time. I was super excited about my journey to Karbi Anglong as this was my second train journey in life. Met Aiyush, Morningkeey ( another interesting character…I shall talk later about him), Sukanya ba and the rest of the gang outside the station and we proceeded towards the platform to board the train. All most 20 of us were traveling together towards our destination Diphu to witness the Karbi Anglong Beats Contest. Dark Horizon, Brutal Agitation and Death On The Horizon (D.O.T.H) - these 3 bands were the guests bands who will perform at the Beats Contest.
Not very often we realize the beautiful place we live in. Assam is literally an uncrowned jewel and its pristine and untouched beauty in terms of its culture, landscapes and traditions is remarkable. While the train moved crossing peddy fileds, misty mountains, lush green jungles I realized how blessed I am to be able to witness the breathtaking beauty of my place. Northeast is indeed a paradise unexplored. Now I genuinely feel that I have many more reasons to stay back in Assam..huh
So finally reached Karbi Anglong and checked in into the govt. guest house. I shared the room with Susan-a journalist from Dimapur. By the time I reached the guest house I was famished and I had SUNGA PORK (didn’t bother at all about my pimples…but later I cribbed and I cribbed and cribbed)
The beats contest kicked off at around 4 pm, as a part of Rontheyang Festival of Karbi Anglong. 10 local bands were fighting their battle for the Karbi Anglong Beats Contest 2009 winner’s trophy. The quality of the musician was really amazing and worth a remark. The beats contest was organized by Eastern Beats Music Society in association with Rontheyang club. The contest was held in memory of the people who lost their lives in the serial bomb blasts of Assam on the 30th Oct. 2008. It was a tribute to those innocent souls who lost their lives.
Aiyushman asked me anchor the beats contest and the peace march. I was not at all prepared for the show, so I had to let do with a pair of shorts, a t shirt and a pair of boots. And the worst part was that I didn’t have my Mac and Clinique make up products with me…booo hooo hooo. But I managed to look gorgeous anyway…(when I am writing this blog you must remember that my self esteem was really high.. )
I started on a very emotional note and narrated the devastation of that dreadful day of 30th Oct. 2008. “Mothers lost their sons, children lost their fathers, for some families life simply stopped moving, maybe their sole bread winner of the family fell a victim in those blasts. More than 150 people died for no fault of theirs. Poor daily wage laborers and vendors were packing their stuffs to go back home to be with their family, wife, their children. Hoping to provide the best things possible to their family. Those fathers never returned home. Lives of many were shattered. Their dreams and hopes died an untimely death. 30th Oct. 2008, a day which can not be erased out from the minds of anyone living in Assam. Violence and terrorism are not new to us. But violence of such intensity has definitely shaken us. Through this musical journey we want to tell the whole world that Music is the universal language we all need to speak and not violence. Music has the power to bring communities together. Music is not confined to any region or community; it speaks the language of the soul”.
The peace march began when 5000 candles went up in the air to pay homage to the victims of the Assam serial bomb Blasts. For me it was truly a touching moment, when I saw people literally in tears, specially the youngsters. It left me with a feeling of hope for my state. I felt as if through music we will be able to heal the world, as if through music we will be able to overcome our insurgency and terrorism problem.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
What happens when two crazy women meet!!!
Hi guys!
what do you think, what can happen when two gorgeous, beautiful, intelligent, creative, capable and independent women meet? There are virtually couple of options to this situation. One is definitely a catastrophic reaction, which comprises of gossips, cat fights, jealousy, endless discussions on boy friends, envy, bitching and so on and so forth. The second option is perhaps slightly rare or rather not a very obvious one....
what do you think, what can happen when two gorgeous, beautiful, intelligent, creative, capable and independent women meet? There are virtually couple of options to this situation. One is definitely a catastrophic reaction, which comprises of gossips, cat fights, jealousy, endless discussions on boy friends, envy, bitching and so on and so forth. The second option is perhaps slightly rare or rather not a very obvious one....
For me and Tina life started rolling.... (well its not that we were stagnant. The wheels were always there, its just that its moving faster and faster now :)...). But some magic happens when we meet. As a product of that reaction bubbles of creativity stems from within. So as a unlikely result of two women interacting some very unique ideas were perceived.
And here it goes....Siang MmiFlicks Productions
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