MUMBAI: Indian television has, for long, suffered from a shortage of writers who could pen down the 1,000 or so episodes that Hindi GEC dramas demand. Of course, efforts are being made by the Film Writers Association, institutions such as Whistling Woods and companies such as Star India (which has an in-house writing programming).
Another player is entering the fray: film veteran Ramesh Sippy, who has given the industry the classic TV series Buniyaad in the eighties. Now, he has set up the Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema & Entertainment (RSACE) which has partnered with the Mumbai University’s-affiliated Garware Institute of Career Education & Development.
On offer to students are courses in script-writing, film art, film production, VFX and animation. Those who complete the three-year course will be awarded a degree in their respective courses.
Entrance tests to be eligible for admission to RSACE are to be held on 28 April 2107 and 8 May 2017. Candidates who get through for the bachelors course will need to cough up Rs 5 lakh a year for each of the courses, excepting scriptwriting, the fees of which has been pegged at Rs 3 lakh a year.
RSACE institute is bridging the gap between theory and hands-on knowledge.
Former DD Mumbai Kendra head honcho Mukesh Sharma who retired recently says, "My moto is working for the students, working with the students and working on the students. Associating with Mumbai University and Garware Institute of Career Education and Development will help students to get the recognised degree.”
Adds RSACE MD Kiran Juneja: “Ramesh Sippy has a lot of experience in the industry. So, he wants to share it with the world, and every aspirant in the film industry seeks to hit the road running from day one of their careers. Twenty students at a time is our prime focus, so that we can invest an equal quantum of time on everyone, which will help us deliver the best in the business," she added.
The RSACE board includes: Ramesh and his wife Kiran, Hema Malini, Rohan Sippy and Manmohan Shetty. The advisory council members include big names from the industry such as Kamal Hasan, Sonu Nigam, Vidya Balan, Kabir Khan and many more.
