WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL TO STREAM SHORT FILMS MADE BY ITS STUDENTS ON DISNEY + HOTSTAR

Mumbai, June 29th, 2020: Whistling Woods International (WWI), Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts institute, in its collaboration with Disney+ Hotstar, India’s largest OTT streaming platform, has been streaming entertaining and thought-provoking short films created by the students of WWI to viewers of Disney+ Hotstar.

While a few short films are already currently streaming on the platform, over the coming weeks, more selected films will be uploaded on a regular basis and will be available to the viewers under the ‘Short Films’ section. Newly uploaded films can also be found in the ‘What's New’ section.

Through a unique teaching methodology, which combines academic rigour with practical experience, the students of WWI receive an unrivalled education in film, communication, and creative arts. This experience has seen the institute’s students and alumni contribute immensely to India’s media and entertainment domain, and led to the creation of several highly-acclaimed, award-winning films, many of which have been chosen to be featured on the platform.

Covering a wide range of genres and topics, the short films to appear include Alaksha, a fast-paced drama set against the backdrop of the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai, also the winner of The Perfect 10 award at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, 2018; Hoop Diaries, a 2014 sports drama centred around the story of a girl overcoming a deeply personal trauma; Manorath, inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s short story ‘The Postmaster’ and winner of the Best Screenplay award at the Pune International Film Festival, 2015, among others.

Commenting on the announcement, Meghna Ghai Puri, President of WWI, said, “Whistling Woods International is extremely proud to announce its association with Disney+ Hotstar. Through this venture, viewers across India can choose inspiring and thought-provoking films created by our talented students. By providing a platform to these aspiring filmmakers, to be able to showcase their work, we hope to inspire future generation of artists to pursue their dreams, and follow the institute's motto of Do What You Love.”

The films which have already been featured on Disney+ Hostar include Film City, Kanchey, Aalav and 500 Rupay, which has received 7 awards, 6.5 million YouTube views and a nomination in Filmfare.

Whistling Woods encourages viewers to watch these student made films on Disney+ Hotstar to see what India's next generation of filmmakers have put out there as part of their filmmaking education.

WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCED DATES FOR THE FOURTH ROUND OF ONLINE ENTRANCE EXAMS FOR 2020 INTAKE

Mumbai,June10^th, 2020: Whistling Woods International (WWI), Asia’s premier Film, Communication and Creative Arts institute, has announced the dates for the fourth round of entrance examinations for its 2020 intake. The registration for the entrance exam for WWI’s full-time degree and diploma programmes will close by June22, 2020, while the online exam procedures is scheduled for June 25^thand 26^th, 2020, respectively.

The classes are slated to start from the month of August, 2020.

WWI offers degree and diploma programmes accredited by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Asia's oldest institute for professional social work education. The entire entrance examination process will be conducted online, keeping the safety of the applicants on priority, amidst the ongoing global health crisis.

The schedule follows below:

Last Date to Apply	June 22, 2020
June 25, 2020	BSc/BA Filmmaking | Advanced Diploma in Filmmaking | BA Screenwriting | Diploma in Screenwriting | BA Acting | Advanced Diploma in Acting
June 26, 2020	BA Music Production & Composition | BBA Media & Communication | Post Graduate Diploma in Media & Entertainment | Post Graduate Programme in Event Management & Experiential Marketing | Integrated BSc/BA + Post Graduate Diploma in Animation | Integrated BSc/BA + Post Graduate Diploma in Game Design | Integrated BSc/BA + Post Graduate Diploma in Visual Communication Design | BA in Fashion Design
June 27, 2020	Reserve day for any student who missed on the previous dates.

Rated as one of the most ‘Influential Institutes of India’ by Forbes India, the institute has over 2200+ alumni successfully working with various media organisations, film production companies, and fashion houses in India and around the world. Through an academic curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience, state-of-the-art technology at the institute, and a globally recognised teaching staff, WWI produces globallyqualified graduates in every field across the media and entertainment industries.

 Aspirants can visit www.whistlingwoods.net to fill the online admission forms to undertake the entrance examination.

About Whistling Woods International

Whistling Woods International (WWI) is Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts Institute. Founded by one of India’s leading filmmakers – Subhash Ghai, WWI is one of the largest and best media institutes in the country. ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ has rated Whistling Woods International as one of the Ten Best Film Schools in the world. The institute was also awarded Excellence in Creative & Performing Arts at the 6th FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards 2019. WWI offers courses that vary in duration from 1 year to 4 years catering to all major verticals of the Media & Entertainment industry, namely Acting, Animation, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Event Management, Game Design, Music, Producing, Production Design, Screenwriting, Sound Recording & Design, Visual Effects, Media Management, Fashion Design and Visual Communication Design. All the courses are accredited by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

Whistling Woods International, Laadli & UNFPA join hands to encourage families to strike a balance and #ShareTheChores | The video composed and narrated by ace filmmaker Subhash Ghai is part of a wider awareness campaign against domestic abuse

Mumbai, April 28th, 2020: Whistling Woods International (WWI) has always taken pride in fostering a culture of social responsibility amongst its faculty and students. As Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts institute, WWI is committed to giving back to society and building a better tomorrow for the future generation. In light of the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing lockdown of our nation, WWI has partnered with Laadli, a girl child initiative of Population First and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to promote the cause of gender equality in house hold chores.

In support of this noble cause, the students and faculty of WWI have created a poignant video to highlight the plight of women across the country. With their families confined to the house, women are now forced to carry an even heavier burden – that of running their households while also silently absorbing the pressure and stress of the situation. This video encourages the entire family to strike a balance, extend their support, and #ShareTheChores.

Commenting on the initiative, Meghna Ghai Puri, President of WWI, said, “Gender equality is always of paramount importance, but it has become even more vital during this lockdown. WWI is extremely proud of its students and faculty for partnering with Laadli and UNFPA to spread this message, and we encourage every family to share their household responsibilities equally.”

The centrepiece of the animated video is a stirring voiceover of a poem, composed and narrated by WWI Founder and Chairman, Subhash Ghai. Featuring women from every walk of life, it depicts them single-handedly running their households and caring for their families. As it draws to a close, it leaves us with a powerful question – “What is our excuse for not sharing the chores?”

Dr. A.L.Sharada, Director, Population First, said, "Whistling Woods International has been always been open to mainstream gender into its activity. At this very crucial time of Lock down they are lending their full support  beseeching people to share the chores at home through this thought provoking film. A big thank you to WWI. We expect more and more institutions to join us in this endeavour. The video is part of a wider awareness campaign against domestic abuse. Since the start of the lockdown, women's helplines have been witnessing a drastic spike in the volume of calls received regarding domestic violence. Through this initiative, Laadli and UNFPA  hope to draw attention to this issue and encourage families to come together during this time of crisis.

Ms. Argentina Matavel Piccin, Country Representative UNFPA India, reiterates the importance of sharing household chores says, “Gender equality begins at home with us. It is never too late to correct the imbalance. Let's share household chores, respect and treat women and girls as we would men and boys”

As a thought leader on corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the media and entertainment education domain, WWI has been at the forefront of several key movements and causes. These efforts have fostered an atmosphere of social awareness, responsibilty and caring amongst the staff and students of WWI, and seen them contribute their time and expertise towards the betterment of the nation and the world.

WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCED DATES FOR SECOND ROUND OF ONLINE ENTRANCE EXAMS FOR JULY 2020 INTAKE

Mumbai, March 25^th, 2020: Whistling Woods International (WWI), Asia’s premier Film, Communication and Creative Arts institute, has announced the dates for the second round of entrance examinations for its July 2020 intake. The registrations for WWI’s full-time degree and diploma courses will close by April 06, 2020, for the Schools of Filmmaking, Media and Communication, Event Management, Music and Actors’ Studio  and by April 14, 2020 for the Schools of Animation & Game Design, Fashion and Design.

WWI offers degree and diploma programmes accredited by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Asia's oldest institute for professional social work education. The entire entrance examination process will be conducted online, keeping the safety of our applicants on priority, amidst the ongoing global health crisis.

 Following the registration, the online entrance examinations are scheduled to take place on April 8, 9 & 16, 2020. April 08, 2020 will see examinations for the following courses, namely BSc/BA in Filmmaking; Advanced Diploma in Filmmaking; BA in Screenwriting; and Diploma in Screenwriting. The exams taking place on April 09, 2020 are for the BA in Music Production & Composition; BA in Acting; Advanced Diploma in Acting; BBA in Media & Communication;  Post Graduate Diploma in Media & Entertainment; and Post Graduate Programme in Event Management & Experiential Marketing. On April 16, 2020, the examinations will be conducted for Integrated BSc/BA + Post Graduate Diploma in Animation; Integrated BSc/BA + Post Graduate Diploma in Game Design; Integrated BSc/BA. + Post Graduate Diploma in Visual Communication Design; and BA in Fashion Design.

 Rated as one of the most ‘Influential Institutes of India’ by Forbes India, the institute has over 2200+ alumni successfully working with various media organisations, film production companies, and fashion houses in India and around the world. Through an academic curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience, state-of-the-art technology at the institute, and a globally recognised teaching staff, WWI produces globally-qualified graduates in every field across the media and entertainment industries.

 Aspirants can visit www.whistlingwoods.net to fill the admission forms online to undertake the entrance examinations.

 For more details please refer the below table:

Date
April 06 & 14, 2020	Close of Applications
Online Entrance Exam
April 08, 2020	BSc/BA Filmmaking | Advanced Diploma in Filmmaking | BA Screenwriting | Diploma in Screenwriting
April 09, 2020	BA Music Production & Composition | BA Acting | Advanced Diploma in Acting | BBA Media & Communication | Post Graduate Diploma in Media & Entertainment | Post Graduate Programme in Event Management & Experiential Marketing
April 16, 2020	Integrated BSc/BA + Post Graduate Diploma in Animation | Integrated BSc/BA + Post Graduate Diploma in Game Design | Integrated BSc/BA + Post Graduate Diploma in Visual Communication Design | BA in Fashion Design

IMPLEMENTING SAFETY MEASURES AGAINST COVID-19, WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL TO CONDUCT SESSIONS AND ADMISSIONS PROCESS ONLINE

Mumbai, 19^th March 2020: Reflecting on the unprecedented global health crisis we are facing, every organisation’s utmost priority is the safety of everyone associated with it. Whistling Woods International (WWI) is equally working towards the well-being of it’s students, faculty and staff, taking significant precautionary measures to ensure that the WWI community is following the practice of social distancing earnestly.

To safeguard its students and employees’ health and well-being, all classroom teachings including masterclasses, workshops, and guest sessions and on-campus official activities stand postponed until further notice. However, along with their safety, the education of its students is yet another key responsibility WWI has to fulfil. And to achieve the same the institute has left no stones unturned. Whistling Woods International has put technology to the best use to ensure its students’ education is not compromised, owing to the absence of a formal classroom environment. The institute continues to conduct online sessions for its students, assuring their curriculum stays uninterrupted.

Ardently following the practice of social distancing, even the faculty and staff members continue functioning within the safety of their homes, using technology as an enabler to stay connected with the students and fellow colleagues, irrespective of the distance barrier. For that matter, Whistling Woods International is using its customised ERP system, WWI Automated Resource Planner (WARP) to manage all its academic and administrative day-to-day activities. With the help of technology and WARP, faculty and staff continue to be available to their students, for any sort of mentorship and assistance, bridging all distance and time boundaries.

Yet another vital decision WWI has taken to ensure the admissions process stays unaffected is to conduct the entrance exam online for the July 2020 intake. In the light of the epidemic spread, WWI will be conducting the entire process of the upcoming April round of entrance exam online, to ensure the safety of its applicants.

Whistling Woods International wishes everyone stays safe and healthy and is taking active measures to ensure everyone comes out of this challenging time stronger.

WWI ALUMNA, ARATI KADAV'S 'CARGO' IS MAKING WAVES AT VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS

~ THE TEAM OF THE FILM VISITED THE INSTITUTE FOR A MASTERCLASS WITH THE STUDENTS ~

Mumbai, March 12^th, 2020: It was indeed a special moment for Whistling Woods International (WWI), as the Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts institute, hosted the cast and crew behind 2019 science fiction hit ‘Cargo’ for a unique masterclass session. Comprising primarily of alumni of the institute, the occasion saw the attendance of graduates Ms. Arati Kadav, the writer, director, and producer of the film; co-producer Mr. Zain Matcheswalla; actor Mr. Nandu Madhav; visual effects artist Mr. Zenish Mehta; cinematographer Mr. Kaushal Shah; costume designers Ms. Rashmi Khatri and Mr. Abhay Bharat; and production supervisor Mr. Shray Gupta. They were joined by other crew members of the film including Mr. Shezan Shaikh, responsible for the background score, postproduction supervisor Mr. Akash Banerjee, sound designer Mr. Anish John, and editor Ms. Paramita Ghosh. The insightful masterclass was moderated by Mr. Rahul Puri, Head of Academics at WWI.

Mr. Rahul Puri began the session by introducing the guests, highlighting the role played by WWI alumni in the creation of the film, stating, “It's a proud day, with so many people from WWI seated upon the stage across all our batches and departments. The film was even shot here at Whistling Woods International; hence, there is a very strong connection of the school with this film.”

The floor was subsequently opened to the audience, with the eager students posing a host of questions. The first had to do with the inspiration behind the film, and the various genres it drew from. In response, Ms. Arati Kadav highlighted her love for writing and her fascination for building worlds brimming with fantasy and magic. She said, “I am a very ordinary person in real life. But when it comes to writing stories, I love creating a fantasy world. Every civilization talks about mythological aspects because that's what you make sense of the world. So that's why I had a lot of attraction to such kind of stories.” She went on to describe the role her heritage played in her stories, saying, “As an Indian telling science fiction stories, I questioned what are the unique things that I bring to them, what is it about my culture or my upbringing that I bring to them.”

Describing her role as the director, she listed extreme will power and collaborating with the right individuals as the key factors to her success. When faced with a question on the evolution of the script, Mr. Zain Matcheshwalla offered his opinion, saying, “She gave me the script and I read it. It was really amazing. A few weeks before the shoot, we were arguing about this Raksha world and stuff, but she believed in it and we went ahead.” The conversation then progressed to the design aspect of the film, with the director listing her design influences, “I love retro tech.  I referred to the tech of the 50s and the mechanism of the jelly fish. For this film we show real NASA spaceships; the only things we took from there were Designer costumes and logos.”

With the session coming to a close, Ms. Arati Kadav shared a closing piece of advice with the eager students, “While making a film the best approach would be, try and pick a few things that you can really do well, rather than trying to do a lot of things and end up doing average job.” Mr. Rahul Puri delivered the vote of thanks for the presence of the cast and crew of the film, as the students showed their appreciation with a round of applause.

Cargo tells the story of a senior astronaut and the relationship he builds with his new assistant, as they interact with different cargos on a daily basis – consisting of dead people. Cargo had its premiere at 2019 MAMI Film Festival. It will have its international premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in Austin, Texas; the Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival; the Chattanooga Film Festival, in Chattanooga, Tennessee; and the Sci-Fi Film Festival in Sydney, Australia. The film will also be competing in the Avant-Garde and Genre categories at BAFICI, the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema 2020.

THE FIELD OF ARTS REQUIRE CONCENTRATION AND THINKING. SO, DISCIPLINE IN THE AGE OF CONNECTIVITY IS IMPORTANT,” SHARED MR. KHALID JAMAL AT MASTERCLASS FOR WWI SCHOOL OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION

Mumbai, March 11^th, 2020: Whistling Woods International (WWI), Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts institute, recently hosted communications professional, Mr. Khalid Jamal, Director at Orion PR & Digital Pvt. Ltd. for an informative masterclass session. Held exclusively for the students of WWI’s School of Media and Communication, and moderated by faculty member, Ms. Oindrila Purohit, the media veteran shared his career journey and insights in the ever-evolving media domain.

The guest began the session by upholding the importance of preparation, while venturing on the path to success, by stating, “Do your work well, however, ensure your homework is done even better.” He elaborated on this statement by explaining that in the era of instant knowledge available on the internet, common sense and foresight are the PR professional’s best tools. As he emphasised, “If you are not one step ahead, you are not required.”

Upon being questioned by a student on the skill set required to succeed in the field of PR, he shared, “The field of arts require concentration and thinking. So, discipline in the age of connectivity is important.” He went on to narrate three key skills highly sought after in the industry – the ability to create content, reputation management and preserving a brand’s image, and a capacity for media mobilisation and storytelling.

The discussion subsequently evolved to cover the impact of globalisation on PR. In response, the guest outlined the enduring nature of certain forms of storytelling, such as oral media and direct interactions with the public. However, he also noted the impact that consumer revenue has had on the field. A growing demand for value-added content by the audience has led to a great deal of innovation across mediums and domains, and forever altered consumption patterns. 

With the session drawing to a close, Mr. Khalid Jamal shared his insights on the way forward for PR, revealing, “PR gives you a new challenge all the time, so you have to be anticipative and prepare for it. Be sensitive to geo-political practices. And establish the truth in crisis.”

The session came to an end with a token of appreciation presented to the esteemed guest, as the students displayed their appreciation with deafening applause.

About Whistling Woods International

Whistling Woods International (WWI) is Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts Institute. Founded by one of India’s leading filmmakers – Subhash Ghai, WWI is one of the largest and best media institutes in the country. ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ has rated Whistling Woods International as one of the Ten Best Film Schools in the world in 2014, 2013 & 2010. WWI offers courses that vary in duration from 1 year to 4 years catering to all major verticals of the Media & Entertainment industry, namely Acting, Animation, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Game Design, Music, Producing, Production Design, Screenwriting, Sound, Visual Effects, Media Management, Fashion Design and Visual Communication Design. All the courses are accredited by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

FROM SKETCH TO SCREEN – WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL’ MASTERCLASS EXPLORED FUNDAMENTALS OF ANIME

Mumbai, March 2^nd, 2020: Whistling Woods International (WWI) hosted Japanese animation legend, Mr.Mugumu Ishiguro as he conducted an exclusive masterclass for the students of WWI’s School of Animation and Game Design. Over the course of a detailed session Ishiguro-san, the Co-founder and first president of globally renowned animation studio, Doga Kobo, explored the fundamentals of anime and highlighted its hidden depths and traditions.

Following the introduction of Mr. Ishiguro-san to the audience, the session began with the screening of ‘Naughty Princess and Snobbish Frog’ – a classic of the anime genre that the acclaimed animator had helped create. Taking to the stage, Mr. Ishiguro-san revealed that he had come to India to introduce and advertise his movie, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama. The eager audience were subsequently treated to a glimpse of his masterpiece, and an AV that detailed the creation and critical reception of the movie.

Reflecting on the experience of creating the film, he shared, “It was a very nostalgic experience. This story was made at least 40 years ago.” He went on to describe the story behind the creation of the film, saying, “The Ramayana was written by Mr. Yugo Sako, a documentary writer working with Japanese broadcasting corporation, Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK). Mr. Sako came to India for a documentary and at that time he thought that this story seems to be good and let’s make a film on it. It took about 12 years and 15 million images to make the film.”

Following this revelation, Mr. Ishiguro-san highlighted the difficulties the production team overcame during the creation of the film. As he noted, “For animation, the most difficult thing is to draw many people. It takes a long time to draw a person. You are learning animation and doing animation so you must be knowing that how much efforts must have been put in.” He also emphasised the cultural challenges faced by the animation team, and their impact on the creation of the film, saying, “It took long for the people of Japan to understand because the story was from India. It was not their native story. So, to imagine the characters and to draw those anime was a difficult task.”

The conversation subsequently turned to the economic considerations behind the production of anime, and the challenges faced by the industry in the modern era. “When I was young, maybe some 50 years back, making animation and making robots and selling them was the dream of young people. Now the story is totally different. Nowadays there are so many different works available, not only anime.” The guest also stressed upon the value of building a team with various strengths, on both the business and production fronts, saying, “When you’re thinking about an animation, you should think about how it will earn business. Whom to sell, what are the requirements, all these things should be considered before you start any work. Some people are good in managing economics, and some people are good in making the animation. There should be a teamwork between them.”

With the session drawing to a close, the spellbound students had one final request for the master – to hear stories of his interactions with anime titan, Mr. Hayao Miyazaki. Mr. Ishiguru-san was happy to oblige, saying, “He was very quick. His speed of drawing pictures was very high, however, he used to work with many animators, and he used not only his own animation works but also from different freelancers. He also used to manage direction also.” He further elaborated on Mr. Miyazaki-san’s visionary style of direction, stating, “He would see the animation drawn by other people, taking a stapler, he would pin it. So according to him, it was not important to see whether the picture is good or bad, but whether it's drawn with different idea, or different way of thinking, that was important for him. So, while directing, different situation, or feelings, also needs to be considered.”

On that uplifting note the session came to an end. As Mr. Megumu Ishiguro was presented with a token of appreciation for his invaluable insight, the students expressed their gratitude with a round of thunderous applause that filled the auditorium.

About Whistling Woods International

Whistling Woods International (WWI) is Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts Institute. Founded by one of India’s leading filmmakers – Subhash Ghai, WWI is one of the largest and best media institutes in the country. ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ has rated Whistling Woods International as one of the Ten Best Film Schools in the world in 2014, 2013 & 2010. WWI offers courses that vary in duration from 1 year to 4 years catering to all major verticals of the Media & Entertainment industry, namely Acting, Animation, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Game Design, Music, Producing, Production Design, Screenwriting, Sound, Visual Effects, Media Management.    

WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES DATES FOR FIRST ROUND OF ENTRANCE EXAMS FOR JULY 2020 INTAKE

~ WWI offers degree and diploma programs in Film, Animation & Game Design, Acting, Media & Communication, Fashion Design, Visual Communication Design and Music Production & Composition, accredited by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences ~

Mumbai, December 5^th, 2019: Whistling Woods International (WWI), Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts institute, has announced the dates for the first round of entrance examinations for its July 2020 intake. The application registrations for WWI’s full-time degree and diploma courses will close by December 11, 2019.

Following the registration, entrance examinations are scheduled to take place on December 13 & 14, 2019. WWI offers degree and diploma programs accredited by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Asia's oldest institute for professional social work education. The examinations will be conducted at Whistling Wood International’s Filmcity campus at Goregaon East, Mumbai.

Rated as one of the top 10 best film schools in the world by The Hollywood Reporter and the Best Creative & Performing Arts Institute at the 6^th FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards 2019, the institute has over 1900+ alumni successfully working with various media organisations, film production companies, and fashion houses in India and around the world. Through an academic curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with first-hand experience, state-of-the-art technology at the institute, and a globally recognised teaching staff, WWI produces industry-ready graduates in every field across the media and entertainment industries.

Students can visit www.whistlingwoods.net to fill the admission forms online to undertake the entrance examinations.

For more details please refer the below table:

Date
11th December 2019	Close of Applications
Entrance Exam
13th December 2019	BA Music Production & Composition | BA Fashion Design | BSc/BA Animation | BSc/BA Game Design | BA Visual Communication Design | BA Screenwriting | Diploma in Screenwriting
14th December 2019	BSc/BA Filmmaking | Advanced Diploma in Filmmaking | BA Acting | Advanced Diploma in Acting | BBA Media & Communication | PGD Media & Entertainment

“My biggest teacher is life and I got the best out of it”, shared Mr. Madhur Bhandarkar during the 5th Veda session at Whistling Woods International

Mumbai, October, 2019: Whistling Woods International (WWI) celebrated it's cultural hub - 5th Veda's 10th season’s finale by conducting an enlightening session with Mr. Madhur Bhandarkar. The award-winning, highly celebrated creative director, scriptwriter, and producer, shared his acumen on filmmaking with an engrossed audience of the acclaimed institute. 

The insightful session began with a video on the preaching of Mahatma Gandhi followed by a performance depicting the importance of Khadi, as a fabric, by the students of School of Fashion. 

In conversation with Mr. Subhash Ghai, narrating his journey in the Indian film industry, Mr. Madhur Bhandarkar shared, "I used to work in a video cassette library, delivering cassettes in and around the neighbouring areas as well as at Mr. Subhash Ghai’s place. That's where my journey began. I did not hail from a film background and due to financial difficulties had to do odd jobs. However, films always intrigued me and I used to watch movies of different genres and my love and passion for it kept increasing. I started visiting sets to see the shoots and analyse them. My passion and love for filmmaking coupled with hard work got me an opportunity to assist Mr. Ram Gopal Verma and eventually, evolve in the industry."

Addressing the audience, the stalwarts unanimously agreed that the biggest education is self-education. Elaborating on this thought, Mr. Subhash Ghai highlighted that Mr. Madhur Bhandarkar is the epitome of the phrase. The latter further elaborated to the students that one should take learning from failures and follow their passion to emerge as a winner. He summarised by adding, “Failures puts you on to success.” 

Advising the budding filmmakers and media professionals, he mentioned that the time is apt to experiment in the ever-evolving world of cinema, owing to the availability of various platforms and mediums of communication. He went on to add, “Believe in yourself, as conviction is the most important factor. One should never let their morale down, no matter what.” 

He appreciated the extensive efforts put by Mr. Subhash Ghai in establishing Whistling Woods International, and applauded his contribution to the Hindi film industry. Mr. Madhur Bhandarkar also expressed his gratitude for being a part of the eventful session.

As the day drew to a close, the students of the famed institute were left with a holistic understanding of the domain and a renewed appreciation for the creative field. The guest was presented with a token of appreciation amidst the applause of a packed auditorium.

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Learn Filmmaking online! ~ Whistling Woods International launches new programmes online through WWIVirtualAcademy.com~

Mumbai, September 23rd, 2019: Whistling Woods International (WWI), Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts Institute, has announced the launch of an enhanced version of the WWI Virtual Academy, a pioneering e-learning platform. 

 The new programmes will enable WWI Virtual  Academy to educate film & media aspirants through pre-recorded video and theory based modules. These online sessions will enable students and professionals, alike, to discover their potential in various domains of filmmaking.

Through the merging of technology with WWI’s unique teaching methodologies, the WWI Virtual Academy is designed keeping in mind the needs of professionals, who, owing to various circumstances have not been able to pursue such educational courses. Besides, students who are in remote villages and towns will now have easy access to this specialised field of education.

Rahul Puri, Head of Academics, WWI, said, “WWI was founded with the core belief of providing education in the field of film, communication & creative arts to anyone who wish to pursue it, regardless of their circumstances. This expansion to WWI Virtual Academy will bring us one step closer to that dream. Through this initiative, we are thrilled at the chance to once again extend WWI’s philosophy of ‘Do What You Love’ globally, and provide a platform to media aspirants to pursue their passion.”

About WWI Virtual Academy

The WWI Virtual Academy is an e-learning platform by Whistling Woods International (WWI), Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts Institute. In its continuing endeavour to further the cause of Film and Media education globally,  WWI Virtual Academy offers video-based courses and live online sessions across multiple creative fields. Through the melding of technology with WWI’s unique teaching methodologies, the WWI Virtual Academy allows aspirants from across the country the opportunity to explore an education in the creative arts through a flexible and robust curriculum.

About Whistling Woods International 

Whistling Woods International (WWI) is Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts Institute. Founded by one of India’s leading filmmakers – Subhash Ghai, WWI is one of the largest and best media institutes in the country. ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ has rated Whistling Woods International as one of the Ten Best Film Schools in the world in 2014, 2013 & 2010. WWI offers courses that vary in duration from 1 year to 4 years catering to all major verticals of the Media & Entertainment industry, namely Acting, Animation, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Game Design, Music, Producing, Production Design, Screenwriting, Sound, Visual Effects, Media Management.

Whistling Woods International Embraced New Media Trends – Hosted Masterclass on OTT Platforms for the School of Media & Communication

Mumbai, September, 2019: Over the course of an exhilarating day, Whistling Woods International (WWI) showcased its global credentials by hosting a noteworthy masterclasses for the School of Media & Communication (SMC). The session witnessed industry expert share valuable insights on the dawn of the streaming era, and details its impact on traditional viewing patterns and methodologies. As the day drew to a close, the students of Asia’s premier Film, Communication and Creative Arts institute were left with a holistic understanding of the OTT space and a renewed appreciation for the creative field.

The session began with Mr.Chaitanya Chinchlikar, Vice President, WWI, introducing Mr. Ashish Pherwani, Partner, Media & Entertainment Advisory Services, Ernst & Young, to a packed auditorium. Mr. Ashish Pherwani shared insights on the topic of new entertainment avenues and emphasized the need for balance – exploring new creative fields while staying true to one’s DNA.

The conversation subsequently turned to the rise of streaming, and the increasingly prominent role played by OTT platforms. Sharing his insight into the industry, Mr. Ashish Pherwani also shared the importance of advertising revenue to Indian streaming platforms such as Hotstar and Voot, and contrasted it with the subscription based models of Netflix and Amazon Prime. While highlighting the demand for original content in the industry, he stated, “There is a lot of scope for content creation and you guys are the future.” With the session coming to an end, Mr. Ashish Pherwani had a final piece of advice for the young film and media aspirants, “You need more knowledge to survive in this industry. You are in college now, but never stop reading and learning”.

As the session came to a conclusion, the guest was presented with a token of appreciation amidst the applause of a packed auditorium.

About Whistling Woods International

Whistling Woods International (WWI) is Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts Institute. Founded by one of India’s leading filmmakers – Subhash Ghai, WWI is one of the largest and best media institutes in the country. ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ has rated Whistling Woods International as one of the Ten Best Film Schools in the world in 2014, 2013 & 2010. WWI offers courses that vary in duration from 1 year to 4 years catering to all major verticals of the Media & Entertainment industry, namely Acting, Animation, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Game Design, Music, Producing, Production Design, Screenwriting, Sound, Visual Effects, and Media Management.

WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES PLANS TO RELAUNCH IT’S GROUNDBREAKING VIRTUAL ACADEMY

Mumbai, August 2019: Whistling Woods International (WWI), Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts Institute, has announced the relaunch of the Whistling Woods International Virtual Academy, the pioneering e-learning platform. 

This relaunch will enable WWI to disseminate creative arts education through video and theory-based learning modules to aspirants – students and professionals, looking to discover their potential in the various domains of film making. Through the merging of technology with WWI’s unique teaching methodologies, the WWI Virtual Academy is also designed keeping in mind the ask of professionals, who, owing to various circumstances have not been able to pursue educational courses to boost their careers. Besides, students who are located in remote villages and towns will have means to lay their foundation stone in the specialized field of education. 

Rahul Puri, Head of Academics at WWI, expressed his excitement at the announcement, saying, “WWI was founded with the core belief of providing an education in creative arts to anyone who desired it, regardless of their circumstances. The relaunch of the WWI Virtual Academy has brought us one step closer to that dream. Through this initiative, we are thrilled at the chance to once again extend WWI’s philosophy of ‘Do What You Love’ to the entire nation, and offer anyone with a creative impulse the chance to pursue their passion.” 

About Whistling Woods International

Whistling Woods International (WWI) is Asia’s premier Film, Communication, and Creative Arts Institute. Founded by one of India’s leading filmmakers – Subhash Ghai, WWI is one of the largest and best media institutes in the country. ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ has rated Whistling Woods International as one of the Ten Best Film Schools in the world in 2014, 2013 & 2010. WWI offers courses that vary in duration from 1 year to 4 years catering to all major verticals of the Media & Entertainment industry, namely Acting, Animation, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Game Design, Music, Producing, Production Design, Screenwriting, Sound, Visual Effects, Media Management.