The Enchantment of Film: Discovering the Magic of Cinema A Film Appreciation Workshop with Aspi Mistry
“A FILM IS NEVER REALLY GOOD UNLESS THE CAMERA IS AN EYE IN THE HEAD OF A POET.”
– Orson Welles
Everyone loves a good movie.
But when you study film language, a magical thing happens: you turn movies into films. What is the difference between movies and films?
Cinema has its own unique universal appeal and language. Even without “language”, or sound, most good films make perfect sense. But to be able to appreciate how a film casts its spell, there needs to be an understanding of the key elements that make a film and how they mesh together.
Film language has its own vocabulary and grammar. The story of the evolution of the language of cinema is a part of this appreciation and is to be found in the history of films.
This “Film Appreciation” Course is an attempt to make you aware of the potential of cinema and how it empowers the artist and the audience.
Hopefully, by the end of the course, you will have a deeper appreciation of the potential of cinema as an art form.
In this 3-Day workshop we shall be learning about the elements that go into film-making: shots, sequences, composition, movement, lighting, plot, editing, and more.
In addition to examining the technical aspects of film, we will also analyse the storytelling techniques used by filmmakers, including the use of structure, characters, symbols, and metaphors.
We would be doing all this by watching and discussing films, feature and documentary, video tutorials, and even writing a film review or two.
So, to go back to the beginning. What is the difference between movies and films?
We’ll start the workshop with trying to understand this question. Do come prepared with your answers!
About the Teacher: Aspi Mistry after obtaining his post-graduate Diploma in Mass Communications from the Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, worked as Programme Coordinator, producing prototype TV programmes for an Adult Education (Literacy) Project for Television – A project jointly organised by Xavier Institute of Communications, Bombay City Social Education Committee, and Bombay Television Centre (now Doordarshan).
He has also worked in Documentary Film Production as Assistant Director, Scriptwriter, Commentary Writer, and Assistant Editor. Most of the productions were for the Films Division of India.
Aspi is a student of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and a Board Member of the Siddhartha’s Intent Society. A socially engaged political activist since his student days, and a lover of literature and films, in 2003, he founded the Dharma Rain Centre in Bombay, which regularly organises teachings for the Bombay Sangha, by teachers such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Geshe Lhakdor, and many others.
Dates: 10th April to 12th April
Location: Deer Park Institute, Bir, H.P.
Timiming 9:00 Am – 12:00 Pm & 2:00 Pm – 5:00 Pm