Career in Filmmaking: Theatres or OTT — content is key to script success, says Gautham Menon

The second leg of Mission Admission, The Times of India’s virtual conclave on new and emerging courses and careers presented in association with Bennett University, focuses on alternative careers. In the session on filmmaking live-streamed on Sunday, director Gautham Vasudev Menon spoke about the power of edgy content and ‘on set’ experience:

How vital is an academic background in filmmaking?
After I finished engineering, I didn’t want to spend another few years studying films, so joining a filmmaker seemed like the wiser thing to do. Today, most people find a stream that would provide the academic backing. But if you’re studying a non-film subject and still have a fascination for visuals and stories, a good start would be to work on at least one film with a filmmaker. I advocate this for anyone looking to start a career in the industry – irrespective of their academic background – because this is how you learn hands on.

In this age when shooting something of your own has been made easy with the advent of technology, how does the ‘on set’ experience take your own craft a notch higher?

It’s a tough world out there and one that’s driven by stars. For your vision to go across, you need to be technically sound and have strong communication skills. Not just that, in the first few weeks of working on the set, you learn what you’re capable of. No matter how well-planned you are, there are always things that you can’t control. Likewise, on the edit table, you learn about music, post production and so much more.

OTTs are looked at as a highly democratic space. But with a deluge of original content releasing on the platforms alongside big screen projects stalled by the pandemic, how does one make a mark online?

I completely believe in, and love the theatrical experience, and think that it can coexist with the OTT space. OTTs have made way for a lot of small films with great content, but what makes the cut remains the same – irrespective of the platform – and that is content. Whether it is a producer or an OTT head you’re pitching to, it’s the newness and honesty in your story, narration and imagery that give you the edge. It is for the same reason that Kannada film like KGF, with its refreshing visual imagery, appealed to people across the country.

How important is it for one to be able to write & direct?

Content is the most important thing today. Producers want to be sure that you can bring a big actor on board, so that the money they put in is justified. You have to be a writer yourself, have access to one, or set up a writer’s room for your first film itself so that you have access to content. I believe in the writing completely, and go to shoot with at least 70% of the script at hand. Without this, I wouldn’t even think about approaching an actor.