AISFM to launch Movie Magic Screenwriter course

Annapurna International School of Film and Media (AISFM) is planning to launch a short-term course on Movie Magic Screenwriter which is an easy-to-use screenwriting formatting software. It is a non-profit institution under a Hyderabad-based production house Annapurna Studios.

Developed by US-based Write Brothers Inc, this software will help in formatting a story as per Hollywood standards. The writer can stay focused on the story and its characters without any tension of formatting the screen writing.

It offers the writers over 86 TV templates and 10 standard blank templates for formatting a screenplay, TV show, stage play, radio play, radio show or even a comic book. The TV templates are inclusive of the writer's classic favourites and 25 brand new ones. Enabling text-to-speech, the software will allow writers to hear the character's voice through computer speakers.

Apart from the above said functions, writers can also create a budget while making a shooting schedule from the same software. According to AISFM chief executive officer Kurt Inderbitzin, the institute is going to offer the short-term course within three to four months, primarily to cater to the local industry.

Annnapurna Studios known for producing over 40 motion pictures, has strategic partnerships with Reliance Media Works, SGO-Spain and Light Illusion-UK. It has recently invested Rs 100 crore in the development of five new large-format, fully air-conditioned shooting floors at a 22-acre studio in Banjara Hills.

Located within the studio, the institute will provide the students with access to the entire infrastructure including stage, floors, permanent sets and post-production facilities.

Inderbitzin, who headed the well known Mukta Art's Whistling Woods International Mumbai previously, said that the media industry requires 3 million trained professionals for the film, TV and the advertising industry in the next 10 years.

He said that AISFM will be launching long-term courses such as four-year Bachelor's degree with specialisation in production, editing, photography and other aspects along with a Master's programme in film-making in August. While a degree in animation and special affects would cost approximately Rs 11 lakh, the school will charge a fee of Rs 8 lakh for its Master's programme in film-making. An MBA programme in production management and media marketing to be launched in September will cost around Rs 8 lakh.

The school will collaborate with Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JAN FAU), Hyderabad, for the accreditation of its various programmes. Within a span of a year the school has 100 students in various crafts of film-making, including direction and cinematography. The goal of this institute is to have 1000 students on the campus in the coming 4 to 5 years.

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