Student Filmmakers - June 2008 - (Page 44) Close-Up of flexibility in positioning and movement. I like filmmaking to be organic. If we get excited, we might shoot things that are not planned.” Because it was impossible to find a village like the one needed for the film, production designer, Sunil Babu and his local art department built an entire village of over thirty structures, including a bridge and local ferry, from scratch. The colonial house existed as a shell, which the production added onto. Costumes, props and set dressing such as drapery were handmade by local craftspeople. “We do a lot of sets in India and have the people who are able to create these things,” said Sivan. Rahul Bose (T. K. Neelan) and Linus Roache (Henry Moores) in Before The Rains. Paul Schwartz and his production sound crew were imported from London because Sivan needed someone who could cover the British accents correctly. “Otherwise you’d have everyone speaking with an Indian accent.” The film was shot in 32 days. It was processed in India but post was completed in Los Angeles. Due to all the subtitles needed in the film, Sivan did a digital intermediate to avoid an optical dupe negative. Regardless, he made sure he got what he wanted in the camera, avoiding a lot of secondary color correction. The film was shot on a 535 camera with prime lenses and old-fashioned cranes (not the electronic ones). Because a lot of lighting was required, lights were used with white scrims for bounce as well the black side for negative fill. “We actually cut light, even the shadow light, so that there was a little more contrast, rather that using filters or digital intermediate. We tried to get the look while shooting. You feel good when you shoot it.” Scene from Before The Rains. plays the plantation owner’s wife. “I really liked Jennifer’s character, even though it was a smaller role, I thought it was fantastic.” There were no rehearsals with the actors in pre-production. Sivan blocked scenes on set before lighting. Once he and the cast were comfortable with positioning and how the scene was to play out, the actors went to make-up and he lit the set. When all were ready, they shot the scene. “You always have an idea of how you want it to go, but it is important to involve the actors. Sometimes when they interpret a scene, it throws up surprises, which I can accept or reject. I’m always open for surprises,” revealed Sivan. “I leave a certain amount Before The Rains is an MIP/Roadside Attractions Release. Photos by Alphonse Roy. studentfilmmakers June 2008
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.