Innovation and technological developments in Films is a given and you have to be up to date with changes, says Professor

The two most important aspects that determine the quality of a program are holistic development and industry readiness. Students must be taught and prepared for a successful career, not only for their first job. In an interview with Shiksha.com, Ryan deMello, professor at Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment, discusses the institute's philosophy for providing students with a high-quality learning experience.

Read the complete interview below

Q: What are the salient features of the teaching methodology adopted by your college? How does this differ from others?

A: A holistic approach towards teaching students an art form like film making is what is needed and that is what we aim for at RSACE. Understanding each student and their approach, nurturing a mentor-student relationship rather than a teacher-student relationship is more important in a course like a film making in order to get the best out of the student’s capabilities and in turn shape their own aptitude and application.

Q: How are you preparing your students to be Industry ready?

A: Industry readiness isn’t a one-time effort rather, it’s a continuous practice. Institutes keep experimenting with new ways and initiatives to help their students become industry-ready. We at RSACE help them become industry-ready, by –

• Making them aware of industry standards and processes with a balance of practical theoretical inputs and exercises.
• Making them aware of the new innovations and developments in films and other related media sectors.
• Giving them real life-like situations that they will encounter and have to find solutions for in a project or on set.
• Sharing with them relevant inputs and study material that they are then expected to replicate and prepare when they will take up film making as a career option and are already aware of set notions and the process, the attitude and attitude needed to succeed in the industry.
• Making them realise humane values that will not just make them better film-makers but also better human beings.

Q: What are the qualities you are looking for in student applicants? What qualities do they need to do well in your course?

A: A skill-set can be taught.  Discipline, focus, single-mindedness and dedication to learn cannot. So, during the complete admission process, we try to evaluate students on the basis of their focus and dedication to learn.

 Students need to be passionate and ready to get into the grind of being a film-maker and industry professional to successfully complete the curriculum.

Q: How do you ensure that your course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

A: By constantly updating myself about new methodologies and innovations in our field, watching, reading and researching new ideas and quality reading and reference material for students to engage with and learn from. Being a practising film-maker also helps as I see and experience this myself and can only teach and share from my own experiences.

Q: Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science & entrepreneurship? How? Could you cite some examples of these?

A: Yes, they definitely are and we try to keep up with the times. Innovation and technological developments in Films is a given and you have to be up to date with changes. We try to learn and teach the same to students so they are aware of how the industry is evolving and changing all the time. We regularly have master classes and work shops for students so they are always involved and try to introduce them to these new developments.