‘Documentary is a powerful medium’: Professor Rakesh Katarey

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) organized a week-long workshop on “Documentary Filmmaking” from the February 26 to March 1.

The resource person of this workshop was Professor Rakesh Katarey, Dean, College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dayanda Sagar University, Bangalore.

Throughout the workshop, Professor Katarey dealt extensively with the various characteristics of filmmaking like scenes, shots, sequences and also with a wide array of basic filmmaking technicalities like the basic principles of the usage of the camera, the utilisation of sound, the techniques of editing and various other aspects.

Professor Katarey also emphasised on the importance of a documentary as a powerful medium of faithfully representing truth and reality as it is a medium where minimal human intervention is carried out during the documentation process.

He also briefed the participants on the various types of documentaries and the ones they can choose to best suit their intended purposes.

The participants were given practical examples of whatever they were taught with the aid of footage from various mainstream movies and music videos where the techniques employed in them were analysed.

Further, they were also given a hands-on experience where they were made to click photographs and shoot videos. These photos and videos were examined by Professor Katarey who then pointed out on the various areas where improvements can be made.

The participants expressed their delight at having been part of this workshop and stated that the workshop had indeed helped them understand the technicalities more deeply.

N Silhenba Singh, a student from the Department of Social Work said, “The programme helped me look at filmmaking from a technical point of view. Although I have been making videos, I was not aware of the fundamentals of filming. This programme will help prevent me from making mistakes in the future and also help me grow in my professional practice.”

The inauguration of the workshop was attended by Dr Glenn Kharkongor, Chancellor, MLCU accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr Vincent Darlong, the Registrar, Dr Marina Marwein, the Dean, Academics, Dr . Jennifer War besides other office bearers.

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