Memoir by Satyajit Ray, one of the greatest filmmakers, on how he managed to shoot the scenes of a film which included a tiger.
Filmmakers who found their place in the history of films -
1. Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film was born on 16 April 1889 to Hannah Chaplin (née Hill) and Charles Chaplin Sr. at East Street, Walworth, in South London. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, The Tramp, and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry. His career spanned more than 75 years, from childhood in the Victorian era until a year before his death on 25 December 1977, in Manoir de Ban, Switzerland.
“You'll never find a rainbow if you're looking down”
―
―
Source - Wikipedia
2. Akira Kurosawa - Akira Kurosawa was born on 23 March 1910, in Shinagawa City, Tokyo, Japan. He was a Japanese filmmaker and painter who directed thirty films in a career spanning fifty-seven years. He is regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. Kurosawa entered the Japanese film industry in 1936, following a brief stint as a painter. Kurosawa directed approximately one film per year throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, including a number of highly regarded (and often adapted) films, such as Ikiru (1952), Seven Samurai (1954) and Yojimbo (1961). After the 1960s he became much less prolific; even so, his later work—including his final two epics, Kagemusha (1980) and Ran (1985)—continued to receive great acclaim, though more often abroad than in Japan. Kurosawa is often cited as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. In 1999 he was named "Asian of the Century" in the "Arts, Literature, and Culture" category by AsianWeek magazine and CNN cited as "one of the [five] people who contributed most to the betterment of Asia in the past 100 years". He passed away on 6 September 1998 at the age of 88 in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan.
“This is probably true of human life everywhere - a light exterior hides a dark underside.”
― Something Like an Autobiography.
Source - Wikipedia
3. Adoor Gopalakrishnan - Adoor Gopalakrishnan was born on 3 July 1941. He is an Indian film director, scriptwriter, and producer and is regarded as one of the most notable filmmakers. Gopalakrishnan pioneered the new wave in Malayalam cinema during the 1970s. In a career spanning over five decades, Gopalakrishnan has made only 12 feature films to date. His films are made in the Malayalam language and often depict the society and culture of his native state Kerala. Nearly all of his films premiered at Venice, Cannes, and Toronto International Film Festival. Along with Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen, Gopalakrishnan is one of the most recognized Indian film directors in world cinema. has won the National Film Award 16 times, next only to Ray and Sen. He also won the Kerala State Film Awards 17 times. He was awarded the State honours Padma Shri in 1984 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2006. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2004 for his valuable contributions to Indian cinema. In 2016, he was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award, the Kerala government's highest honor for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
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Project Tiger - Satyajit Ray
Project Tiger is an article by Satyajit Ray, one of the greatest filmmakers in the world. He narrates how he managed to shoot the scenes of a film which included he managed a tiger. He had witnessed a shooting 20 years ago in Disney Studio in Hollywood.
Credits - English File Elementary Unit 2 Short film California, Hollywood, LA
First Bell Online Class - 15 - 6 August 2021
Satyajit Ray (1921 – 1992) was an Indian filmmaker. Ray was drawn into independent filmmaking after meeting French filmmaker Jean Renoir and viewing Vittorio De Sica's Italian neorealist 1948 film Bicycle Thieves. Ray directed 36 films, including feature films, documentaries, and short films. He was also a fiction writer, publisher, illustrator, calligrapher, music composer, and film critic. He has also authored several short stories and novels.
Project Tiger is a memoir by Satyajit Ray (an article from 'childhood memories')
What is a Memoir?
A memoir is a collection of memories that an individual writes about the moments or events that took place in that person's life.
Reading Section -
No one can beat Hollywood when it comes to making films with animals in them........
Scaffolding Questions
1. How did Ray begin his article?
Answer: No one can beat Hollywood when it comes to making films with animals in them.
2. What is this article about?
Answer: Making films with animals.
3. He presents films which he had seen in his childhood days. Which were they?
Answer: Films with the stunning performance of an Alsatian called Rin-tin-tin and another dog called Lassie.
Adventures of Rin-tin-tin
LASSIE
4. There was something customary in Hollywood. What was that?
Answer: It was customary for actors to be present when the lights were arranged, for they had to show the cameraman how they would walk, or where they would stand, in a particular shot.
5. Who was the protagonist?
Answer: A large dog.
6. What did the dwarf do?
Answer: the dwarf went down on all the fours on a chalk mark on the floor, just like an animal, and the dog skin was draped over him. Then he crawled from one mark to another, and the cameraman got busy
with the lights.
Assignment -
Animal-actors in Hollywood were treated with reverence? In the light of your reading, prepare a write-up.
First Bell Online Class - 16 - 9 August 2021Write Up
Animals held in high esteem
Animal performances have constituted some of the most memorable moments in the history of film from its earliest days. In his memoir 'Project Tiger' Ray argues that 'No one can beat Hollywood when it comes to making films with animals in them. He substantiates this statement with the example of two famous canine actors, an Alsation named Rin-tin-tin and a collie named Lassie.
It seemed as if the director could make Lassie do about anything. Moreover what Ray saw at the Disney Studio in Hollywood added to his greatest astonishments. These animal actors were at par with any other super star as they had stand-ins and a good amount as pay.
During the silent film era, in which the plot was conveyed using title cards rather than synchronized recordings, the animal artists were among the roll of the first prominent silent film stars. They have hailed natural and at the same time dramatic performance ever since.
Today as we enter the new era of unreal images, we witness that animal actors are earning rapturous praises as they are given due consideration because they pull the attention of the audience and make them attentive and cheerful with their funny and amazing concert.
Grading indicators.
1. Suitable title
2. Started with a striking idea
3. Presented ideas using specific and clear language.
4. Sequenced the ideas well.
5. Included relevant ideas.
6. Concluded appropriately.
Animal Actors in films - Video Presentation
Reading Section - Every animal in Hollywood film is well-trained. .....as we managed to do with Bhulo in Pather Panchali.
NOTICE
FEATURES OF A NOTICE
1. Title
2. Content - main idea
3. Contact Details - Whom to contact
4. Date, Name, and signature of the person who publishes the notice.
1. Who is Bhulo?
Bhulo is an animal character in Pather Panchali.
2. From where did he get Bhulo?
Bhulo was a clever police dog.
3. According to Satyajiyh Ray, how should the directors be to get good performance from animal actors?
Directors should have patience.
Write a likely conversation between Alfred Hitchcock and the man who brought trained ravens to the shooting location.
First Bell Online Class - 17 - 13 August 2021Conversation between Alfred Hitchcock and the man who brought trained ravens to the shooting location.
An assignment submitted by one of my students
Man: Sir, excuse me, I saw your advertisement in the daily. You need trained ravens, don't you?
Alfred Hitchcock: Yes, of course. I am glad to meet you. How many trained ravens do you have?
Man: Almost 100.
Alfred Hitchcock: A100! That's really great. Will you make them do the things that I instruct you?
Man: Why not. I can. They are tamed and have undergone good training.
Alfred Hitchcock: We need to take a few shots with them. They should perch together on a line. And then in another shot, they are to chase and attack human beings.
Man: Sure sir. They can.
Alfred Hitchcock: Will they attack our crew members?
Man: No, never. They follow my instructions well.
Alfred Hitchcock: This is what I was expecting. I am fortunate to meet you.
Man: I am pleased and It's a privilege for me too.
Alfred Hitchcock: Thank you so much
Man: It's my pleasure.
Features of a conversation - Refer to the discourse section of this blog.
Events in the memoir
The reverence shown by Hollywood filmmakers to animal actors.
Hitchcock had managed to get a hundred trained ravens by posting an advertisement in the newspaper.
The impressive performance of the dog Bhulo in Pather Panchali.
Reading section - Yet, a dog might be difficult, not impossible to handle. ....... No, we could not allow that to happen.
1. Who did Ray approach to get the tiger for his film 'Goopy Gyne Bhaga Byne'?
Answer: the manager of Bharat Circus company.
2. What would be the likely conversation between Satyajit Ray and the Manager?
Answer:
Satyajit Ray: Good morning
Manager: Good morning sir, Please be seated. What can I do for you?
Satyajit Ray: I am Satyajit ray. I have got an appointment with you at 10 am.
Manager: Sir, I am eagerly waiting to meet you. Actually, I am an ardent admirer of your films. By the by, would you like to have a cup of coffee?
Satyajit Ray: Oh, thank you very much. Would you mind coming to the point very straight?
Manager: Please go on sir.
Satyajit Ray: I'm in search of a tiger for our upcoming project. can you arrange a trained tiger for us?
Manager: It's my pleasure. We have three trained tigers in our company. I shall introduce you to our ringmaster, Mr. Thorat. He will give you a detailed account of the tigers.
Satyajit Ray: Oh, it's very kind of you. Thank you very much.
Manager: My pleasure sir.
3. Where was the shooting taking place?
Answer: Shiuri in Bhirbhoom.
4. What was the tiger supposed to do?
Answer: the tiger had to come out of the bamboo grove into an open space, pace gently for a while, look at the camera if possible, and then go back.
5. Guess the missing part of the conversation between Satyajit Ray and Mr. Thorat.
Satyajit Ray: Good morning Sir,
Mr. Thorat: Good morning, How can I help you?
Satyajit Ray: ...........................................
Mr. Thorat: Yes, Sir... but... what do you expect the tiger to do?
Satyajit Ray: Let me be clear ................................?
Mr. Thorat: I think it's possible.
Satyajit Ray: Can you set the tiger free in the bamboo grove?
Mr. Thorat: I am not sure.... Actually, I haven't let him out of the cage on his own.
Satyajit Ray: Is it? Oh my God! If so our plans will go down the drain. As our script, Goopy and Bhaga should be petrified by the appearance of a ferocious tiger.
Mr. Thorat: Excuse me, sir... Can you be more specific?
Satyajit Ray: If the tiger can't be let free, the scene will not be realistic...........................
Mr. Thorat: True ... It's out of logic. .. but... let me think about it.
Answer: a. Can you provide a trained tiger for the purpose of a shooting?
b. It should come out of the bamboo grove, pace gently for a while, look at the camera, and return... enough. Is this possible?
c. How could Goopy and Bhaga be terrified by seeing a tiger controlled by its trainer?
6. Were our plans will go down the drain? What made Ray feel so?
Answer: Tiger's trainer should not be sen with the animal. goopy and Bhaga could not be shown as frightened if the animal was accompanied by a man.
7. Activity: Character Sketch
Mr. Thorat - Mr.Thorat was from South India. He was a ringmaster. He had the features of a Nepali. Mr.Thorat was well built. He was in his forties. The scar on his forearm was caused by a tiger.
Question Words - What, where, which, when, who, whom, whose, how long, how far,etc.
Worksheet - Framing questions
1. Goopy and Bhaga are the main characters in the film. ( Question word - Who?)
Answer - Who are the main characters in the film?
2. Satyajit Ray wanted a tiger? ( Question word - What?)
Answer - What did Satyajit Ray want?
3. He went to Bharat circus in search of a tiger? (( Question word - Why?)
Answer - Why did Satyajit Ray go to the Bharat circus?
4. I will bring the tiger in a lorry. ( Question word - How?)
Answer: How will you bring the tiger?
Assignment -
1. Do activity 3 given in page number 70.
2. Write a letter on behalf of Satyajit Ray to the chairman of the animal welfare board of India informing the details and seeking permission for shooting.
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First Bell Online Class - 18 - 17 August 2021Answer
Features of a Formal letter is given in the Discourse section of this blog
Reading Section - Mr. Thorat found a solution. .......... We stood around foolishly, watching a new strange kind of circus which we were getting to see for free! the camera was still standing onits three legs but the tiger was showing no sign of making its way there.1. What was Mr. Thorat's suggestion to control the tiger?
Answer: Mr.Thorat suggested tying a thin wire around the tiger's neck.
2. Why the wire should be thin?
Answer: If the wire was thin enough, it would be visible to the camera.
3. What was the next problem with tying the tiger with a wire?
Answer: the hair on the tiger's neck would be flattened by the wire and it would be visible on the screen.
4. What was the solution found by Ray?
Answer: To make a collar made of tiger skin and fix the wire to the collar.
5. What was the scene?
Answer: the first meeting of Goopy and Bhaga, and the appearance of the tiger.
6. Why was Ray surprised when the cover of the cage was removed?
Answer: There were two robust tigers instead of one.
7. Why did Mr. Thorat bring two tigers instead of one?
Answer: If the first tiger couldn't follow the instructions, he could use the second one.
8. What were the precautions that the crew had made?
Answer: a) took a thin, long wire.
b) fixed one end of the wire to the collar which the tiger was wearing.
c) tied the other end to a strong iron rod fixed on the ground.
9. Something unexpected happened. What was that?
Answer: When the tiger came out of the cage, it behaved frantically.
What are the essentials needed for shooting a film?
1. SCRIPT ( series of incidents written in form of a scene)
2. SHOT
- Establishing Shot - large area -
Mid Shot - a bit closer
Close Up shot - More detailed view
Extreme Close-Up shot
Eye-Level Angles
Low Angle Shot
High Angle Shot
4. CAMERA MOVEMENTS
Panning -
Tilt up - from bottom to top movement
Tilt dowm - movement from top to bottom
Dolly shot - fixing the camera on a trolly and moving it forward or backward
Ariel shot, drone shot etc
Activity
Assignment
You were present at the shooting location at Nothun Gram and witnessed the whole incident, how would you narrate the incidents to your mom at home?
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First Bell Online Class - 18 - 25 August 2021Narration
At the Shooting Location
Mom, do you know what happened today? I had gone to watch the shooting of Mr. Satyajit Ray's upcoming film 'Goopy Gyne, Bhaga Byne'. The location was in our village and the set was arranged near a bamboo grove. When I reached the location, there were nearly 25-30 people over there. After a lot of protests and requests, the film crew allowed a few of us to catch glimpses of the scenes sot. The actors playing the roles of 'Goopy' and 'Bhaga' were ready for the shooting. Then I found Mr. Ray talking to a man who happened to be the ringmaster of Bharat Circus. They were deeply immersed in a conversation regarding some serious topic. Suddenly a lorry arrived, and something was covered with a cloth. When the cloth was removed, I really got dumbstruck as I saw two robust tigers in a cage on the lorry. Even you wouldn't have been able to believe what you saw Mom!.
Once the spectators saw the tigers inside the cage, they started to make a hassle in order to get a clear view of them. Meanwhile, the cameraman, the cinematographer, etc were very busy fixing the cameras in the right position. tey seemed to be quizzical about the position of the camera so as to get the tiger along with the actors and that too in the background of the bamboo grove.
As soon as the camera setting was fixed, the audience was requested to stand as far away as possible. Then as I was observing his surroundings, do you know what caught my eyes mom? I saw a five-foot iron rod fixed on the ground about thirty feet away from where the tiger was supposed to take a walk.
As I closely surveyed, I saw a thin wire extended from the iron rod and its other end was very neatly attached to a collar on the tiger's neck. I think it was meant to control the tiger. But what fascinated me was the fact that the collar around the tiger's neck was made up of tiger's skin! A perfect camouflage! In this way, o the screen the spectators will never be able to understand how the tiger was kept under control. What a brilliant idea!
Soon the ringmaster called out to his men to unfasten the doors of the cages and as soon the door was opened, a tiger sprang out of the cage and leaped straight onto the ground. What a frightening scene it was! But what followed that was really unexpected. The look on the ringmaster's face clearly explained his helplessness. Instead of walking sedately, the tiger started prancing up and down with great enthusiasm.
It jumped and rolled and ad a lot of fun in its own way dragging the poor trainer who was trying his level best to bring the animal back under control. The animal was enjoying its freedom to the level best. After a lot of strenuous efforts, the tiger calmed down and then they managed to take a few shots. It was really a fun experience, Mom. It happened as if I got to watch a strange kind of circus and that too free of cost!
Reading Section
Once the tiger had calmed down, we managed to take the few shots we needed. This should have been the end of the story. ......................... when we returned to Calcutta and saw the scenes we had shot.
1. They were forced to reshoot the scene. what made them shoot the scene again?
Answer: The camera had failed to work properly. The shots were too dark, so much so that the tiger was merging almost completely with the background of the trees and leaves.
2. When did they understand that the camera had failed to work properly?
Answer: They understood that all their efforts went in vain when they reached Calcutta.
3. Mr. Thorat agreed to give it another go... What do you understand by 'give it another go'?
Answer: Shoot those scenes again.
4. Which was the new location?
Answer: Bamboo grove closer to Calcutta in a village called Boral.
5. What did the crew members ask the villagers to do?
Answer: They told the villagers that they should stand at a distance of seventy feet
6. The shooting had to be completed as early as possible. So what did Ray and his team do?
Answer: They could not afford to waste any more time explaining and arguing. So they got the camera ready and signaled to Mr. Thorat.
7. What was the magic performed by the tiger?
Answer: The moment the door was opened, the tiger emerged with a loud roar, and charged straight at the villagers gathered behind the camera. The crowd, consisting of about a hundred and fifty people, melted away as if by magic.
8. How did the camera perform this time?
Answer: The camera behaved well.
Modal Auxiliaries.
Will - permission
Shall - suggestion
Should - obligation or duty
May - grant permission
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