Diploma Project Proposal

Diploma Project Proposal(2010) –Avinash Deshmukh (Digital Video Production)


THE DESIGN BRIEF
There is an everyday migration of people from rural to urban areas because of various reasons. Most of the people travel in search for a job and better life style. At the same time there are some professions which demand that kind of traveling from places to places. There are people who have a business depended upon an animal or some kind of skill which is very specific to their community. Some of them carry their home with them, with their animals. Their home keeps shifting from time to time.

I would like to explore and understand the reasons and complexities behind this movement which makes one leave the space where he belongs to for survival and still he has to face this new identity of outsider in new space. I feel it’s necessary for me not only as a film student but as a citizen of this country to understand these changes happening around me.

BACKGROUND
Prabhu has been staying in Ahmednagar since last 7-8 years in a house which was abandoned while it was being built. He lives with his wife and father in law. He has a daughter who is 4 years old. He is basically from a small village near Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He has some land in his village but he prefers to do this business of Camels. They have been traveling from places to places. He was working in Bangalore, Pune, and Kolhapur before this. Camels are their only source of income. He has two camels. He and his father in law take them around the city and give small, small rides to kids. They also provide camels for special occasions like marriages and rallies. Recently his son, Atul who is 6 years old and sister’s son, Vicky-9years old have joined them. Both of them go with their grandfather for camel rides business everyday. They prefer to work in this line than going to school. Vicky has traveled to Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh with his family and their camels. His native place is Gulbarga in Karnataka.

SYNOPSIS
My film is about two kids Atul and Vicky who come to the family for few days and become helping hand for Prabhu and his Father in law. Atul and Vicky go with their grandfather for business everyday. They like to be in this new place, but both of them have to leave to their respective villages within 2-3 weeks time. The film will be an observational documentation of these changes happening with the family.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
>What are the reasons behind this movement of people? What makes one leave their land and move into some alien space?

>How does one deals with the new scenario in new space?

>Is it just money which drives people to change places or there is something more to it?

>What is that internal force other than money which keeps one moving from one place to another? How does it change children’s perspective about notions of education in society?

>What does one dream once he is out of land where he belongs to? Does he dream of going back or moving somewhere else? When is that time to go back to one’s home?

>Where do these kids belong whose parents also don’t have a specific place to return?

>What is this idea of belonging to some space and culture? How much one would like to accept or adopt some other language or culture?

>How does Politics on the basic of caste, class, region and language play role in their lives?

>Where do I stand in this kind of situation where I am also one of those who are going away from their people in search of something?


III. APPROACH/PROCESS
I have been spending time with the family since last 5-6 days and also started taking my camera along with me. I have got permission from Prabhu to visit them sometime in the day for a month. I plan to focus on two kids as main characters. Atul will be leaving anytime soon and Vicky will go in 2 weeks.

Mostly I will be there as an observer, and at times I plan to interact with Kids according to what is happening around. There will be journeys with kids wherever they go for their work within the city. I will plan and shoot according to my level of interaction and possible narrative. I might travel with one of the kids to their village if I get permission.

IV. LEARNING OUTCOMES
It’s a personal journey for me. As much as I will know few things about this complex structure of movement, I expect to know myself as to where do I stand and change myself according to the expected and unexpected situations. I will also know if I can make a film as my research proceeds and as I encounter different situations.