On the sets: “Annum Innum Ennum”… A unit breathes life into a movie

The shot in the movie looks shot in a calm, cool environment where everything seems to be as perfect and in-place… there is no background noise, only the footsteps of the actors are heard or the light swoosh-sound of the ceiling fan or none, if it’s an air-conditioned room! Perfect location! Prim and in place….

From the silver screen, take a peek behind the making of the shot and here is what I experienced as I walked into the sets of a movie ““Annum Innum Ennum” (Then, Today, Forever) being made by a passionate bunch of friends who happen to be life partners in real life.

I walked in thinking that the making will as described in the opening paragraph but got to see real people, film set, actors, huge lights, trolley, camera, set designs and above all .. the making. As I sat there, I did feel like an outsider for the initial 15 minutes. It took me some time to shed off the corporate office hangover and soak in real life people working in making a reel life of a story.

Rajesh and Usha devote their time, thoughts and this part of their life to making of their maiden venture “Annum Innum Ennum”. I had studied film making basics in my communication and journalism post graduate course but never looked beyond the theory taught. What I saw ot the sets of the movie overwrote what I learned a decade back.

It doesn’t matter if the producer or director is your friend. One should respect their role on the sets and stay within limits when conversing. Everybody watches everybody and any wrong move, body language; word can leave a lasting impression. I ensured I maintained decorum and distance from both Usha and Rajesh as they play key roles of a producer and director for rest of the unit members.

All working women make sacrifices and I saw Usha spending time on the sets with the actors when her elder daughter was down with viral fever. I could understand her situation when phone calls from home took her mind back home at the same time had to be around to take stock of situation. Tough job!

The Director had no airs around him. He was open to suggestions made by his associates yet agreed only after he got fully convinced of their recommendation. The leadership coaching classes do not prepare the leaders in corporate to ask for suggestions but somehow drum down the need to give suggestions.

I was speechless to see him work quietly with his team (compared to the jing-bang he creates when with friends), his serious yet calm discussions with associates; never making anybody in the sets feel intimidated. A stranger on the sets like me was welcomed to his sets through the microphone much to my surprise!

The associate directors were eye-openers for me. They literally deliver the dialogues to the actor with the same tone and emotion (they can step into any role anytimeJ). They run between the director and the actors relentlessly carrying their note-boards, focusing on the shot and never distracted by anything else going around.

I did not see any unit member raise their voice, laugh loud etc but were much disciplined attending to their area of work. The moment they heard “Silence” from the director’s microphone, entire unit lapsed into total silence! Even the sound of breathing seemed to be heard in the silence.

Actors did not fuss when they rehearsed for 4-5 times before the shot was canned. They rehearsed their lines in advance, reminded me of the last minute revision we do just before the final or board exams! The Board exam result took months to reach us but the result of actors’ revision was seen in the next 3 minutes, when director says “Take OK”!

The set is not cosy place… its humid, warm, wires of all thickness extend over the floor, smell of fresh paint from the sets, dust from the making of the sets, not very comfortable seating in the sets, bright lights enough to peel your make-up off all add up to the making of a film. The effort to stay in good spirits under these circumstances is more than human!

Our tea boy needs a special mention as he went around serving tea to one and all. No looking up from his plate of small steel glasses brimming with hot tea. He did not seem to be in a forgiving mood when one of the set members accidently bumped into him. For the tea boy his job and the need to do it well seemed as important as everybody else in the set.

In midst of all the action on the sets, I saw a senior actor silently sitting away from all. I remember seeing him in movies for more than 20 years and anybody would expect his looks to give away his age. I thought it might embarrass him if I were to go and have a small chat.. just to know what does it take for him to look half his age in a fit body! Looking at the working conditions of a movie set, actors who take care of themselves must be made role models for the “Oh-I-am-too-busy-to-workout” corporate bosses!

One should visit a live movie set to hear, see, and feel the passion behind movie making, efforts put in by everybody on the sets to understand that it takes many people to breathe life into a movie. One should never buy pirated CDs but watch it in a theatre to appreciate the efforts of silver screen makers.

I stay back inside the theatre till the last name in the credits scroll up the screen… as a mark of respect of every technician, actors’ contribution. You too should… it’s a kind gesture!

As I walked back to my car it became apprantent to me that the words "Silence!, Artist ready?, Roll, Cut, Take OK" will keep echoing in every movie sets forever.... "Annum Innum Ennum"