Subhash Ghai unveils his dream project ----Whistling Woods International,

Asia’s largest film institute to commence courses in July 06 –

Few people know that Subhash Ghai , a graduate from the Film & Television Institute of India,Pune (FTII) came to Mumbai with starry aspirations. He even starred in a film opposite actress Archana. When his filmi career didn’t really take off, Ghai took up direction. He has given the Hindi film industry not only some of its biggest hits, but also some of its best talent- from Jackie Shroff, Meenakshi Seshadri, Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala and Mahima.

Not for nothing is he known as the Showman….Ghai has a keen eye for talent, is an exceptional filmmaker and has a ear for melodious music. Of late he has also been promoting young and talented filmmakers , like Nagesh Kukunoor who made the stunningly successful Iqbal under Ghai’s Mukta Arts Banner.

Ghai unveiled his dream project Whistling Woods International, a first of its kind – the largest film, television and media arts institute in Asia, all set to commence its first academic year in July 2006.

Based in Film City (Goregaon, Mumbai) and promoted by Mukta Arts Ltd., Whistling Woods International will provide world-class training across all technical and creative aspects of filmmaking and television, and animation in its first phase with regular two- year intensive hands- on training and develop a research and development centre in software.

The institute will be headed by Dean Kurt Inderbitzin, a producer-director himself from Los Angeles with twelve years experience in developing, writing, directing and producing movies and TV shows for major studios, cable companies and the networks, including CBS, ABC, Lifetime, NBC, TBS, TNT, HBO and Warner Brothers Network, in all formats, High-Definition, digital video and 35 mm film.

Other key faculty including Shyam Benegal (Chairman Academic Council), Aruna Raje ( VP, Academic Affairs), Naseerudin Shah( HOD, Acting), Ashish Kulkarni (HOD, Animation) were also present on the occasion and expressed in one voice, “Here is a true platform to change the face of entertainment and media industry through the next generation of content creators”.

Besides the dean, HOD’s etc, there is also an advisory board of the institute which has top names from the industry who are and will be associated with the institute in some way or the other. The advisory board members have been visiting the institute and taking interest in various aspects. The advisory board members who have visited the institute in the last few days include Karan Johar, Hema Malini, Rakesh Mehra, Shabana Azmi.Veteran actor Dilip Kumar, Shabana Azmi and Ashutosh Gowariker were present at the launch of the institute.

Ghai,who is Chairman, WWI said, “Whistling Woods International is my way of returning to the industry what it has taught me over the last 27 yrs. Whistling Woods will act as a stepping stone for anyone who wants to make inroads into the world of Television, Cinema and Animation. WWI will have the very best to offer at par with international standards, be it technology, faculty and resources and we are fortunate to have such a strong team to take this institute much more higher standards very soon.

He further added, “I also thank all those friends, professionals and especially the Chief Minister and Cultural Minister of the Government of Maharashtra & Film City who have supported WWI with equal passion and commitment”.

Whistling Woods International will combine educational and research facilities, with the lineage of one of India’s most credible production houses Mukta Arts Ltd behind it. The Institute will offer state-of-the-art training facilities and an internationally developed and structured curriculum, and through affiliations with top film schools/experts to bring the best faculty from around the world to India to train new talent.

Kurt Inderbitzin, Dean, WWI, said, “We are absolutely devoted to putting our students first and giving them the creative freedom, the technical skills, the business edge, and yes the connections and know-how to build careers in the film and television industry”.

The full-time, two-year program provides 84 weeks of comprehensive training and hands-on experience in specialised realms of filmmaking ranging from Cinematography, Direction, Editing and Business of Film & Television to Sound Recording & Design, Screenwriting and Acting.

Whistling Woods International has been designed with state-of-the-art equipment to train students on top-of-the-line digital and analogue systems. The institute’s contemporary formats stem from the fact that only the best available infrastructure and environment can aptly prepare students for the technological transformations sweeping the industry..

The institute has technology partnerships in place with Apple, SONY, Digidesign, AMD, NVIDIA, Belden, etc., enabling us to offer our students the very best in technology advancements. The student community at Whistling Woods International would also have the unique opportunity to experience technologies and systems long before other students and professionals do, as the institute will include an onsite R & D centre which would work as a potential Beta Testing Site for its technology partners.

Workshops/short term courses tailored specifically to meet the needs of practicing industry professionals who wish to upgrade their skill levels and particular creative proficiency, be it concerning aesthetics, film and music appreciation, photography or a selection of other non-technical subjects will also be on offer and plans are underway include Art Direction, Animation, Digital Media and Radio within three years.

Built at the heart of the Indian film industry over sprawling 20 acres of land at Goregaon Film City, with access to the core and crème filmmaking fraternity, students will have International facilities to meet every need. WWI will also have on-campus training facility, encouraging students from all over the world to enroll .Applications are being processed now and the courses will commence on 15^th July 06.