10th IDSFFK- Romantic era of cinematography has ended: Ranjan Palit

Romantic era of cinematography is over now it is the era digital medium says the esteemed  cinematographer, director and musician Ranjan Palit. He also denotes that earlier the camera man had the freedom to control his movement now it is limited. He shared this view during the workshop was conducted by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy as a part of the 10^th  International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala which gave all the film enthusiasts a new source of inspiration and motivation. This workshop was a true eye-opener focusing on the importance of the camera in the visual art form. He introduced a new technique Moonlight which creates a new magical world where everything like shadows, emotions, expressions and even nature undergo a magnificent transformation. He also stated that he scripts his own movement while filming. He further opined that everyone is a master and he is just sharing his experience. He started his class in a rather unorthodox way by quizzing the audience and also by singing a song in order to state his point.

He added that light, frame and focus are the three basic components of cinematography and the camera should create its own sound. He added “Cinematographer has the great power of being able to control what the audience sees and what the audience focuses on”. Scenes from “Orphan”, the film that uses techniques that make use of natural moon light, “Abak Jaye Here” a documentary based on the life of Blind Baul Singers was screened during the class. He undertook all the doubts of the audience and replied with a sense of humour mixed with it. The master class which was conducted from 10:30 am in Hotel Horizon started off with an introductory session by the famous cinematographer Sunny Joseph was filled with the active participation of audience and with the mesmerising guitar music of Ranjan Palit.