Cine Lab workshop ends on positive note
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 31 2022: Even as Manipur has been struggling to make its headway in professional film schooling with the Manipur State Film and Television Institute (MSFTI) remaining inoperative so far, the 6-day Cine Lab has proven to be beneficial to professional as well as non-professional cinematographers.

Participants of the Cine Lab have opined that the cinematography workshop will help in compensating the absence of professional training facilities in the state.

The workshop was organised jointly by Manipur State Film Development Society, MSFDS and MSFTI in connection with the yearlong Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema.

Acclaimed cinematographer and filmmaker, Mazhar Kamran engaged the participants in the technical sessions, and imparted hands on training since March 26 .

Participants were introduced to different lighting conditions and space as demanded by the theme of the workshop.

In an interaction with reporters, All Manipur Cinematographers' Association (AMCA) publicity secretary Boong Konjengbam, who has over 25 films to his credit, said that the Cine Lab served as a refresher course for the experienced cinematographers.

Highlighting the hurdles of film production in Manipur, he said that people here are still managing with meagre resources and lack of facilities for world-class equipment.

Boong also expressed gratefulness to MSFDS and MSFTI for organising the workshop and giving the cinematographers, who are mostly self-taught, a rare opportunity to polish their skills.

Nevertheless, Boong stressed the need for Manipur to have its MSFTI fully functional at the earliest so that cinematography enthusiasts can hone their skills through proper schooling.

Even though such workshops and trainings have proved to be beneficial the 6-day long Cine Lab was not enough to cover the vast scope of cinematographic art, he conceded.

Meanwhile, cinematographer and editor Raikhan Jajo of Hamleikhong in Ukhrul district expressed desire for MSFDS and others concerned to organise such workshops and master classes in other districts as well.

Raikhan, who has so far worked on seven feature films and two short films, said that for the workshop, he along with a friend lodged themselves at a relative's house in Nagaram area of Imphal.

"We didn't want to miss the opportunity of learning from the acclaimed cinematographer and his gaffer.

That's why we made it a point to attend," he added.

The workshop participants along with cinematographer Mazhar went to Phayeng village on Wednesday for outdoor location training.

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