Understanding the works of Independent filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar
- Part 4 -

James Khangenbam *

Shooting of Loktak Lairembee - Haobam Paban Kumar

Topic: DOP

Q: What is the concept of DOP in film making?

A: The term DOP which means Director of Photography was not there earlier, they were called just Cameraman. Now in a big production such portfolio was required. Cameraman nowadays are categorized into operating cameraman and the whole planning are done by Director of photography or DOP. A DOP need not necessary shoot camera, an operating cameraman can shoot the film.

Why so many options are created is because of the fact that in a big production, the financial involvement is huge and the risk factor are enormous.

Therefore, in the planning stage like scripting, all decisions are taken. Like how to shoot a camera, what is the angle or lighting style. Therefore, the job title of Operating Cameraman evolved and he will be the one who will be shooting the film on the location. He does not have to mix his thoughts on how to shoot or which angle but be perfect on the given assignment at the spot.

Topic: Producer and Director

Q: What is the difference between a Producer and a Director?

A: The confusion between producers and director is simple. It is not only in the case of Manipur. Cinema comes from the West and the concept of approach is influence by western methods. Now there is a new concept of production designer, it was not their earlier.

Producer was regarded as financier earlier. Over a period of time things evolved and producer became an independent entity. Production is studied in educational set up now, earlier it was not in the curriculum. Producer need to know cinema.

In Manipur, sometimes producer is considered as somebody who invest money since many are amateur.

In the present trend, if somebody likes a film and wants to finance a film, he or she will not be directly allowed to fund the film. The financier needs to be in contact with a producer or engage a line producer, who will handle all the production.

When the financier lost all the fund he invested, the chances of financing a next production becomes very less. Therefore, the right knowledge is needed and hence the role of producer in the industry is key.

Producers have the knowledge of filmmaking. Producers know where the fund is and is very helpful to the filmmakers. Producer is the head of production.

A good producer will not have the attitude of dragging the film in his own ideas, claiming that he secured the financial support of the film.

In Television, the concept of producer was right from the beginning in India but it was not applied in film industry. The concept of production came from the West.

In Manipur, also we are witnessing some changes.

Haobam Paban Kumar mentoring at Asia Pacific Screen Lab Australia, 2019.

Topic: Work in Progress

Q: What is Work in Progress Lab?

A: In India, we have Work in Progress Lab at Film Bazar run by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The lab happens once in a year. In the lab, the filmmaker and his editor attends it. Reputed personals from the industry mentor and give suggestions on your final cut of the film.

If your film is selected for WIP lab at Film Bazar, your film gets highlighted and chances of festival programmers, producers and distributors watching it is high.

My film Loktak Lairembee got the exposure at Film Bazar and it was released worldwide by Netflix. Likewise, there is always a good chance for a completed film to participate in WIP lab.

If you are a producer you need to explore more WIP labs across the globe.

For independent cinema in India most of the filmmakers take up the role of producer-director. If possible, a director should tie up with a producer, it is good because there is film market at Berlin, Cannes etc. One needs to know the business of film by going to the film market.

In Manipur, the distribution is not systematic as of now, a filmmaker has to approach a Cinema hall or a movie theatre for releasing a film and not through a professional distributor.

Current Status

Haobam Paban Kumar is presently making another independent feature film as a producer, scriptwriter and director at the time of filing this news.

See a full photo gallery Part 1 | Part 2


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