CHAPTER 1: PROJECT TIGER (MEMOIR)
Summary
Project Tiger is an article by Satyajit Ray, one of the greatest filmmakers in India. In this article he depicts how he managed to shoot the scenes of a tiger in his film. He says that animal actors are treated well in Hollywood films.
While he visited Disney Studio he could see that a dwarf was used as a stand- in for the protagonist dog. All trained dogs earned money also as the human actors got. Every animal in Hollywood was well trained. Alfred Hitchcock used many trained ravens in his film named Birds. The pretty impressive sight was that around fifty birds were perched in a row on a specified spot obeying the command instantly.
Ray decided to begin his film Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne which included a tiger. He had to meet the manager of Bharat Circus company in Calcutta in order to get a tiger. His crew began shooting at Notun Gram with the help of the circus ring master Mr Thorat. Many villagers gathered behind the camera before the shoot began. Thorat had ensured two tigers instead of one. If the first tiger had failed they could have used the second one. The tiger behaved violently when they opened the cage and even Thorat couldn't control that. Gradually the tiger became quiet and they could take enough shots.But it was only later they could understand that the camera had failed to take videos.
Ray later resumed the shoot of his same film Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne at Boral,a village near Calcutta. This time the tiger behaved properly for the shoot and they could finish it off successfully. Ray clearly illustrates the effort the filmmakers like him take while shooting the scenes of animals in film.
1. Imagine that Ray writes a letter to the Chairman of Animal Welfare Board of India informing him the details of the shoot and ensuring him that the rules will be strictly adhered to. Draft a likely letter.
Ans.
Satyajith Ray
Film maker
Flat No. 102, New Delhi
22 May, 2018
The Chairman
Animal Welfare Board
New Delhi
Sir,
Subject: Seeking permission to get a tiger for a film
We are planning to make a new film named ‘Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne’. As per the script, we need a tiger for the same. We had met the Manager of Bharat Circus. He has agreed to give a tiger with the ringmaster Mr.Thorat. The shooting will take place at Notun village.
We have taken utmost care for the shoot. We will shoot the scenes of animals only according to the strict rules of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Hence I kindly request you to issue the permission letter.
Thanking you
Satyajith Ray
2. Draft a likely notice that was published in the news paper in need of birds
NOTICE
BIRDS WANTED FOR FILMS
28 May, 2018
A variety of trained birds, especially ravens are required to make the film ‘Birds’. Owners of these birds can contact the film maker before 5pm, on 15 June, 2018. Attractive reward will be given to the selected owners of the birds.
Alfred Hitchcock
Film Maker, Alfred Pictures
United States
Mob: 0099900005
3. Conversation between Ray and the Manager of the circus company
Ray : Good morning Mr. Manager
Manager : Morning Mr. Ray. Warm welcome to our camp. Please be seated.
Ray : Thank you. Sir, we are planning to shoot a film. We need a tiger to shoot our new film.
Manager : How can I help you, sir?
Ray : Could you give a tiger from your circus camp for two days?
Manager : Of course. When do you need?
Ray : Next week
Manager : I will supply two tigers for you with the ring master Mr. Thorat.
Ray : Thank you very much Manager.
Manager : Welcome.
CHAPTER 2: MY SISTER’S SHOES (SCREENPLAY)
Summary (Review)
This extract “My Sister’s Shoes” is a script of the world famous Iranian film maker Majid Majidi. This script contains a few scenes from his notable film “Children of Heaven”. The main characters are a small boy Ali, his sister Zahra, their parents and a shop keeper.
The first scene is of a cobbler’s shop where Ali is watching the cobbler mending his sister’s shoes. Ali takes the shoe and moves out of the shop. The Scene-2 shows the inside of the bakery. Here, Ali collects some nan. In the third scene, Ali reaches a vegetable store and buys some potatoes. He keeps his bundle of shoes out while taking potatoes. A sweeper arrives with his cart and takes away the bundle along with other garbage. Ali searches for his lost shoes in the shop. When he scatters vegetables, the shop keeper drives him away.
The Scene 4 shows a room in Ali’s house. Ali and his sister Zahra are reading books. Zahra cannot go to school without shoes. She is worried. They communicate this by writing in a notebook. Communication between their parents is also heard in the background.
The director has used visual imagery to describe the poverty of the family. The background details show their critical financial condition. Both Ali and his sister have to study by sitting on the floor. Some vessels and clothes in the background also indicate the poverty of that family. The sound of a hammer in the story gives the feeling that they are living in a busy area.
CHAPTER 3: BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND (SONG)
Appreciation / essay / review of the song Blowin’ in the Wind
The song of protest Blowin’ in the Wind is written by the famous American singer and writer Bob Dylan. This song became an anthem for the American Civil War Rights and anti – war movements. Through a series of questions and answers, the singer is making a plea for peace.
The fear of war is prevailing in the present day society. It is believed that a boy can become a man only after going to war. Before achieving peace, we have to fight war many times. The weapon will be used many times before they are banned. The mountain in the second stanza symbolizes the pride and ego of those who like war. According to the poet, the desire for war will not last for long. It will sink into the sea someday. The poet says that there is a discrimination against the Africans. They are treated as the second class citizens though they are living in a ‘free’ country. The ‘sky’ in the third stanza indicates ‘freedom’. We have to face the wars many times before we get freedom. The government remains deaf to the sorrows of the commoners.
Each stanza of the song contains a refrain,
“The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind”
This refrain indicates that a drastic change is imminent and inevitable. The poet has used very simple language in the poem. Yet they are very much powerful. This song raises questions about war, peace and freedom. Bob Dylan believes that the answers are there, but, no one dares to find them.
