The First Scene + Bad Luck Govind Case-Study + AB 'Palti'

At least as of now the films are playing online on Bheja Fry: CC2C and a film that Bhumika mentioned the other day, Bad Luck Govind.


First Scene
It's interesting how it's so imperative that the first few scenes need to be absolutely rock-solid, especially for online viewing; if it doesn't hold you...you just want to run away, which I felt like doing in 'Bad Luck Govind'; in fact CC2C was better, as it's not my cup of tea I stalled watching it further but i wonder if it's really as lousy as every critic is tanning it...a la Tashan and Saawariya.

Well you may have a different take:

Bad Luck Govind
http://www.bhejafry.net/badluckgovind.html

CC2C:
http://bhejafry.net/chandnichowktochina.html

We had this questionnaire which we had to answer before making our final Production II film, asking pertinent questions about the opening shot and other stuff.

Essential Production Checklist


Bad Luck Govind
This is a good case-study as Bhumika and I were talking about the strategy to release Rane Sir's (debut) marathi film, KTL.

The low-profile flick luckily got some PR when there were no big releases at plexes; so...they gave this film a show or two, which he wouldn't have received in a normal scenario. Basically stuck for release.

So...happily the producer-director got the prints ready and the film got a release but...how many people came to watch? Average per show could be 10-20! So not only he had invested moolah on the flick, he put in more to make prints, plus he even got them digital-screen ready.

No idea on how many prints he made (each is around 40K), but as per my rough estimate, he would be peacefully down further by 10 lakhs. So...imagine the loss of the person. And...the challenge - in case your film is not good (which i wonder if anyone would accept!) is how to break even?!

Some learning for making flicks that has no one to hype about:

- make it as low-budget as possible

- if the plot is not stunning, at least the characters have to rock; audience needs to fall in love with them

- do not even think of production, unless your script is gripping

- if you think you have managed an awesome script, then...chuck it and refine it to a much better version (script-analysis is the most economical way to ensure that you have a good product to develop)

Well, they had good luck as they got a good release, but it turned out to be a 'bad luck' really. Now...he shall struggle to make another flick. Unless he can raise finance and get some good 'stars'; else...who would like to put in money on his film.

So...be very, very careful if you venture into production or direction...and at least better have a solid first scene :-)


ABji Ki Palti
Oh yes, i found it funny when AB back-tracked on Slumdog! I did check his site and that particular blog; he definitely needs to write more clearly if he meant something else but am not sure about his (diplomatic) ways.