As we get closer to release. I wanted to share the journey of Bangaru Kodi Petta (BKP). Wanted to talk about people, I got to meet, bond, hate (ok not that.. lets stay positive :) and overall who have made me and the film better. This journey will be from the inception to writing, raising funds, shooting, post and finally preparing for release.
Today’s blog goes to Venkat Kacharla & Kishore Kotni (my catalysts).
Venkat and Kishore (V & K) were my bouncing boards. I work really well when am with others, rather than sit by myself and think through. A lot happens as I narrate the story to others. Right from a thought, I start sharing with others. It could be my atta, my mom, cousin and friends from the film fraternity. I also remember telling the story to my niece Sruti, just as she was having her breakfast, before heading out to her school. Within that short time, I was trying to see, does the story have enough to hold a 12 year old’s interest. It’s not that every story needs to do that.. but for me kids are a good barometer. You have to tell it with only the key points in mind.. that forces you to search for the key points. I think i told her a 10 minute version... and i could see that she was reacting to the right elements. That was one additional push to keep me going with that story.
As I sat with V & K discussing, I had a very high level spec in mind of what I wanted to make.
An engaging story, vs a packaged entertainment.
A big heart.
It might not be loud humor... but it should bring a smile.
Multi-plot: motivated by the fact that if someone does not like one track..there will be 2 other tracks for them to enjoy. I know a crass reason... i am being honest :)
I had a few characters that I wanted to explore.
I wanted to make a movie along the lines of GO, 11:14. The classic multi-plot movies. We watched them, we studied them. Made spreadsheets (made kishore do that :) and looked at how the stories moved from one to another and how not to make it episodic but rather a cohesive journey.
Venkat was instrumental in creating the scenario of how the three stories came together in BKP. I took that part and then set out to write the story leading to it, and post that. I knew this story would be about the new india..the malls, the clash of consumerism and a traditional culture, access to lifestyles we cannot afford, greed... and taking shortcuts where as life has it’s own cut!
The fascinating part of the writing journey is that, though creative, at some point, it’s like any other work. You cannot be waiting for inspiration. I found that if facing the empty page is difficult, then fill it. Fill it with thoughts, ideas, no form or even grammar required. And when am stuck I would write about how to write :). My friend Raj Nidimoru would also help me a lot when I would overwhelm myself with the writing process. There were times, i would call him and share where i am and to assign homework to me. I would blindly listen to him till my fog got cleared. An example is, he would say, write a 4 pager and by tomorrow evening. I would blindly do it and in that process unclog the flow.
There are so many of you with your own creative energies waiting to get out. Find your catalysts. Find that person, process or explore what your catalyst is. Do that, and engage that catalyst. There is a lot of that creative energies that we so desperately need, it could be in raising a family, to better how your home looks, to make your neighborhood a better place to live. We are built not to have a functional existence, we are designed for a greater good. Engage it, find your Catalyst!
The MystMagical:
This section has no rules... could by inspiring, funny, video, photo, my favorite kitchen utensil etc ... : )
Today its
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRqhoy4AVIM&list=FLYN3QG9yfSwt4YELOcr3PDg&index=10
more soon,
Raj Pippalla
Today’s blog goes to Venkat Kacharla & Kishore Kotni (my catalysts).
Venkat and Kishore (V & K) were my bouncing boards. I work really well when am with others, rather than sit by myself and think through. A lot happens as I narrate the story to others. Right from a thought, I start sharing with others. It could be my atta, my mom, cousin and friends from the film fraternity. I also remember telling the story to my niece Sruti, just as she was having her breakfast, before heading out to her school. Within that short time, I was trying to see, does the story have enough to hold a 12 year old’s interest. It’s not that every story needs to do that.. but for me kids are a good barometer. You have to tell it with only the key points in mind.. that forces you to search for the key points. I think i told her a 10 minute version... and i could see that she was reacting to the right elements. That was one additional push to keep me going with that story.
As I sat with V & K discussing, I had a very high level spec in mind of what I wanted to make.
An engaging story, vs a packaged entertainment.
A big heart.
It might not be loud humor... but it should bring a smile.
Multi-plot: motivated by the fact that if someone does not like one track..there will be 2 other tracks for them to enjoy. I know a crass reason... i am being honest :)
I had a few characters that I wanted to explore.
I wanted to make a movie along the lines of GO, 11:14. The classic multi-plot movies. We watched them, we studied them. Made spreadsheets (made kishore do that :) and looked at how the stories moved from one to another and how not to make it episodic but rather a cohesive journey.
Venkat was instrumental in creating the scenario of how the three stories came together in BKP. I took that part and then set out to write the story leading to it, and post that. I knew this story would be about the new india..the malls, the clash of consumerism and a traditional culture, access to lifestyles we cannot afford, greed... and taking shortcuts where as life has it’s own cut!
The fascinating part of the writing journey is that, though creative, at some point, it’s like any other work. You cannot be waiting for inspiration. I found that if facing the empty page is difficult, then fill it. Fill it with thoughts, ideas, no form or even grammar required. And when am stuck I would write about how to write :). My friend Raj Nidimoru would also help me a lot when I would overwhelm myself with the writing process. There were times, i would call him and share where i am and to assign homework to me. I would blindly listen to him till my fog got cleared. An example is, he would say, write a 4 pager and by tomorrow evening. I would blindly do it and in that process unclog the flow.
There are so many of you with your own creative energies waiting to get out. Find your catalysts. Find that person, process or explore what your catalyst is. Do that, and engage that catalyst. There is a lot of that creative energies that we so desperately need, it could be in raising a family, to better how your home looks, to make your neighborhood a better place to live. We are built not to have a functional existence, we are designed for a greater good. Engage it, find your Catalyst!
The MystMagical:
This section has no rules... could by inspiring, funny, video, photo, my favorite kitchen utensil etc ... : )
Today its
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRqhoy4AVIM&list=FLYN3QG9yfSwt4YELOcr3PDg&index=10
more soon,
Raj Pippalla
