News production assignment (Video Sample)

Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Mangalore University.

Year: - 2006-07

Despite the minimum access to the department’s studio and softwares needed for producing a 'professional look' news program, this project as part of our practical assignment was prepared at the MCJ studio and editing done in my room at the university's men's hostel.

Trivia:-
1. At that time, students were not allowed to bring computers/laptops in the hostels.
2. Keeping the PC unit hidden was another great skill I achieved. :) I emptied my cupboard and placed the LCD monitor along with the CPU on the first rack and after using it had to put a lock so that hostel mates will not be alerted with the news that "Robert is keeping a PC!"
3. The truth cannot be hidden forever. So, news soon spread about 'Robert's PC' and thankfully no one alerted Dr. Uday, the warden.
4. After the breaking news, MBA and MTA students brought new laptops! Soon, I realized I had become a revolutionary leader :)
5. The editing of this video took me almost 3 weeks as I had to assemble some video editing and 3D Graphic softwares on my own. Luckily, Nishanth was ready to sit by my side for hours together.
6. There was no teleprompter so we had to write down the news stories on chart papers.
7. Our anchor and team member Ms Remya brought her brother's laptop to make the scene look more professional. The laptop was on switch off mode :)
8. The shooting was completed with over a dozen 'cuts' and 'retakes'.
9. An advertisement shot was ripped from one of my Hindi DVDs.
10. Production team members:- Robert, Nishnath, Remya, Princy Thomas.

Black Swan

Black Swan

English (A) Cast: Natalie Portman, Barbara Hershey, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel Director: Darren Aronofsky

Nina (Portman) an aspiring ballerina has the gift to make it big. However, she is afraid to fail and also succeed at the same time due to pressure and insecurity after being offered the role of Black Swan in ‘Swan Lake’ by manipulative choreographer Thomas (Cassel).

As the date draws near Nina instead of resting works hard to put a good show but her mental health begins to deteriorate. She begins to see another dancer Lily (Kunis) as someone ready to snatch her role. Disturbed, she soon loses touch with reality.
Black Swan is a masterpiece like last year’s horror flick, Paranormal Activity. You’ll never want to see it again, alone, because of its self inflicting methods, grueling, tragic, obsessive and graphic gripping scenes. It is a mixture of beauty and horror.
The story of a woman who wants to succeed in her career is appreciated but what ultimately forces her to do is too graphic for young minds. You have a clear interplay of beauty and the beast. Some scenes like bleeding fingernails, bony spines and skin scratched raw are nightmarish.

When it comes to the acting, the cast perform pretty well. And to prove this, Portman was given the Best Actress award at the Oscars. Portman can deliver a frightening look and a fragile wannabe dancer at ease. Her flexibility and ability to transform from a shy, soft spoken lady to a disturbed dancer is realistic. One can only see a frightened dancer and not the actress in her. Kunis and Cassel lend strong support.

Despite this, this film is rather slow and you have stretched your patience  to see the climax. Strangely, the wait is not in vain.
Black Swan is a bold, disturbing, captivating and extremely intense thriller – definitely not for the faint-hearted.

By Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald

 

The King’s Speech

Based on Queen Elizabeth II’s father King George VI (aka Bertie), who stammered in public, it was adjudged the Best Film at the 83rd Oscars.

The king wants his son to speak well. So, he lets him speak on his behalf during the Empire Exhibition at Wembley, London, in 1925, but Bertie let him down. But his wife (Carter) never gave up and seeks the help of Lionel Logue (Rush), an Australian speech therapist to train her husband who is second in line to the British throne.

After their father’s death, Edward ascended the throne but soon abdicated it to marry his love, divorcee Wallis Simpson. Left with no options, Bertie takes up the responsibility of the crown as King George VI at a time when his country must stand against Hitler’s Germany. Will the King’s voice be powerful enough to command respect and unity of the Empire when tongue-tied George is yet to overcome his own fears?

Director Tom Hooper aided by excellent script (David Seidler) and three great stars makes an inspiring and lovable film. The human touch with a feel good message throughout the film adds value to the royal drama. The King’s Speech is superb and engaging.

The King’s Speech English(U) Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter Director: Tom Hooper

Read more reviews Here

True Grit

English(U/A)

Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin

Directors: Ethan & Joel Coen

This western flick based on Charles Portis’ novel by same title is about 14-year-old girl Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) quest to kill her father’s murderer Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Let down by court she finds the unlikely companion in one-eyed gunslinger US Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Bridges). They are joined by Texas Ranger LeBeouf (Damon), a known talker but reliable man with his gun.

The film lives up to its title -powdered revenge story with love, humour and action since the start. The landscapes look wild and rusty. The cast has acted well. The unlikely story of 14-year-old girl who wanted to avenge her father is itself odd but Steinfeld makes its realistic with two well know actors Damon and Bridges by her side.  This film will appeal to both new age and old cowboy film fans.

For more Reviews Visit Deccan Herald

The Fighter

The Fighter English (A) Cast: Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams Director: David O Russell

Based on a true story, Dicky Eklund (Bale), local boxing hero of Lowell in Massachusetts, after beating Sugar Ray Leonard is trying to make a “comeback”. But taken over by drugs he finds it difficult to meet responsibilities towards himself and his younger brother Mickey Ward (Wahlberg) who wants to become a champ himself. So, Mikey, as suggested by girlfriend Charlene (Adams), left his family and  strikes a deal with other trainers. Even as Mickey leaves his family to concentrate on his career a question lingers on as to whether he make it on his own, or does he need the help of his rather unreliable older brother? This action biopic has a number of surprises. It begins like a documentary which ultimately merges into main storyline partly to give an impression that this story is for real. Director Russell employs a standard action format. Mark Wahlberg  and Christian Bale showcase their acting prowess. Each of the characters from their parents to other family members are not just standbys. They all played their role in making a champion. Go, meet The Fighter.