Behind the scenes of the Never Ending Movie, ‘Online Milo Sajna’

After causing a buzz in the trade media and agencies with an innovative marketing teaser campaign and a long list of big ticket acquisitions, India’s first interactive movie channel ‘‘&pictures’’ ventured into previously unexplored territory by going all out to make a movie in just 48 hrs! ‘& pictures’ has created India’s first crowd-sourced film in just a week. From 5th August the channel invited entries for online users to name the film that they will co-create on the channels micro-site, www.andpictures.in. Over 7th and 8th August, users shared their storylines and dialogues for the film via Twitter and Facebook. The best ideas were then aggregated onto the micro-site where users could log in and view how the story is progressing while contributing to the writing of the script.

 In the world of film and television, channels need to constantly find new ways and means to differentiate themselves from others and tell people that they are more than what they are known for. So when it came to the launch of &pictures, the channel knew exactly what they wanted to achieve.

  

The need for a big idea was felt which would not only make ‘&’ synonymous with ‘more’, but also create conversations on the digital platform about the same. The campaign had to meet the objectives and reach the correct audience. The team wanted to do something that had never been attempted before anywhere. It was thought that since people were being asked to write the script, why not take it one step further and get it shot into a movie, WHILE IT IS BEING WRITTEN! A real time movie making experience where people would write their ideas for the script and the best ones would be selected and shot immediately with a professional team of film makers, actors, editors - the works, sparing no expense! This was the birth of The Never &ing Story!

With the never ending movie, social media users were given a chance to continuously engage themselves with the brand and do something that had never been done before. By just tweeting or typing their ideas in 140 characters, they were rewarded with a chance to fame and their very own movie which was shot by the channel and released within the week. It would be the fastest movie ever made!

The campaign was split into 3 phases –

a)     Naamkaran (Aug 5^th/6^th) – Where people had to suggest a name for the movie over the first 2 days of the campaign. The campaign microsite had the plot and the characters listed down and the audience had to decide the name. Over 1700 names were submitted via the microsite and 800 over twitter.

b)     Kahaani main tweet (Aug 7^th to 9^th) – Where people had to start adding to the script. They were given 8 scenes, one at a time and they simply had to build those scenes. The best suggestions were taken in real time and were added to the script. People just had to be aware of the STORY SO FAR and suggest in 140 characters what happens next. With over 5000 entries for the story and over 3000 contributors this was truly a movie for the people and by the people.

c)     Madh Island main Shootout (Aug 8^th – 10^th) – And then started the shoot. The suggestions from the Janta were compiled into a script and shooting began. 60 hours of continuous grueling shoot, made this dream of the people a reality.

And finally, the movie that was named and written by the JANTA was released on August 12^th on www.andpictures.in

Has it been a success? Well, with more than 41000 users touching the campaign, at an engagement rate of more than 20% and with over 6000 entries, it sure was a rollicking ride. If there was ever a 100 Crore movie online, well this is it!

Click here & REVIEW 27 minutes of democratically created content, ‘&pictures’ Never Ending Movie – Online Milo Sajna - http://www.andpictures.in/movie

AAPNE LIKHA, AB DEKHO The 1st Movie Written by the Janta!

You gave it a name & you wrote the script. Now, you get the best seats in the house to watch it's World Premiere.

Power of a Common Man Over 25000 people came together online over 5 days to write, discuss, share & contribute in the making of the script and creating history. We would like to thank each one of you. Truly, one should never underestimate the power of a Common Man.

Value Partners www.andpictures.in

Ranbir Kapoor learns Bhangra for Besharam.

Ranbir Kapoor learns Bhangra for Besharam.

Being a Punjabi himself, Ranbir has never performed a desi Bhangra in his movies.

Ranbir has played a few Panjabi characters in his movies but never once has he gone fully desi with Bhangra.

In his upcoming movie Besharam, Ranbir has gone ahead and learned some bhagra moves to get in the desi mood.

The audience has seen the B-town heart throb, Ranbir Kapoor shake his leg from Sawaariya  to Batameez dil. He has become versatile with his dancing in the movies too.

Having seen him do a lot of different dance styles, now it's time for him to mesmerise his fans all over again !

Ranbir's versatility as a performer, is nothing but commendable and he doesn't fail to surprise us with each of his performance.

Randeep Hooda- The Man of the Show

Randeep Hooda- The Man of the Show

After the success of a multi starrer, A Wednesday Anjum Rizvi along with Aatef A Khan and K Asif is all to release their next film John Day directed by Ahishor Solomon starring Naseeruddin Shah, Randeep Hooda and Elena Kazan. “Within every saint there is a beast hidden and behind every beast there is a story. Few circumstances in life can bring out the beast within you. The thin line which separates the saint and the beast, the good and evil is going to be blurred and broken forever and that is John Day”, says Ahishor Solomon.

At a Press conference of the film yesterday, August 14^th Anjum Rizvi, Aatef A Khan, Randeep Hooda, Elena Kazan, Vipin Sharma and Sharat Saxena had a very interactive session. Randeep Hooda was the man of the man of the show who put his character of a policeman in plain words who has no emotions. Elena Kazan detailed her character of a woman who has a very dark past and no future. While Naseeruddin Shah was not present at the press conference director Ahishor Solomon enlightened his character as the biggest beast than Randeep Hooda’s character.

John Day will release worldwide on September 13^th. 

SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT AND MRC TO PARTNER ON “CHAPPIE,” THE NEXT FILM FROM NEILL BLOMKAMP

SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT AND MRC TO PARTNER ON “CHAPPIE,”

THE NEXT FILM FROM NEILL BLOMKAMP

Director of “District 9” and “Elysium” to Begin Production This Fall

CULVER CITY, Calif., August 13, 2013 – Sony Pictures Entertainment and MRC have agreed to co-produce and co-finance Chappie, the next film from writer-director Neill Blomkamp, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures and Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio, and MRC.  The film will be marketed and distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures.

Blomkamp will direct the film from a screenplay he has written with Terri Tatchell.  He will also produce the film with Simon Kinberg.  Production is expected to begin this fall.

Chappie tells the story of a robot imbued with artificial intelligence who is stolen by two local gangsters who want to use him for their own nefarious purposes.  The film will star Sharlto Copley as the voice of Chappie, with Ninja and Yolandi Visser, voices of the South African Zef counter-culture movement and members of rap-rave duo Die Antwoord, as the two gangsters.

Commenting on the announcement, Belgrad said, “We’re huge fans of Neill Blomkamp – it’s a real thrill to be continuing our relationship with such a visionary and important filmmaker.  Neill has proven that he is a true original voice and we expect that Chappie will strike a chord with worldwide audiences in the same way that District 9 and Elysiumhave.  We love the script he and Terri have written and we’re looking forward to working again with our friends at MRC.”

“Neill is an incredibly talented and bold artist and we are proud to continue to support his work.  We are looking forward to partnering with the team at Sony on Chappie,” said Modi Wiczyk, co-CEO of MRC.

The announcement comes as Sony Pictures and MRC released Elysium, Blomkamp’s second feature, starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, which Blomkamp wrote and directed and also produced with Bill Block and Simon Kinberg.  Elysium opened at #1 in the U.S. this weekend, and was also #1 in Russia, Sweden, Taiwan and Ukraine. Sony Pictures also released Blomkamp’s first feature film, District 9, which took in over $200 million worldwide and earned four Oscar® nominations, including Best Picture.

Hannah Minghella and Rachel O’Connor will oversee Chappie for Sony Pictures; Brye Adler will oversee for Media Rights Capital.

About Media Rights Capital:

MRC is a leading independent film and television studio, specializing in the creation of premium entertainment content in partnership with the industry’s foremost creative talent and distributors.  In film, MRC has financed and produced 16 films distributed by Universal, Sony and Warner Bros., as well as leading international distributors. Ted is currently the #1 highest grossing R-rated original comedy of all time worldwide.  In television, MRC’s projects have been licensed to a number of broadcast and cable networks including ABC, HBO, Netflix, Lifetime, Comedy Central and CBS.  MRC’s latest series, “House of Cards,” was nominated for 9 primetime Emmy® awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. For more information, visit www.mrcstudios.com

About Sony Pictures:

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

‘&pictures’ is adding another first in its kitty.

will launch with select value partners!

Everything about the launch of ‘&pictures’ has gotten the nation talking. Now with the unique value proposition being offered to the channel’s advertisers,  ‘&pictures’ is adding another first in its kitty.

While others search for sponsors and advertisers, ’&pictures’ has brought on board exclusive channel partners to collaborate with the channel on the journey of its launch. Few of the partners who have been brought on board for ‘&pictures’ are – P&G (Oral B and Pantene), Vini Cosmetics and Hindustan Unilever Limited (AXE). These value partners have a special partner status across all communication mediums of &pictures – be it on-air or off air communication. During the first 45 days of the launch of ‘&pictures’, all of the inventory on the channel will be shared between these value partners.

ZEEL, Chief Sales Officer, Mr. Ashish Sehgal talks about this unique value proposition as being mutually beneficial to both parties. He says, “We are offering our value partners a clutter free environment wherein the viewers are a very specific set of the target audience that they wish to speak to. This is a premium offering from the bouquet of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) that allows for a premium advertiser association. We had successfully explored a differentiated revenue stream during the launch of Zee Bangla Cinema wherein we had just one sponsor at the time of launch. With ‘&pictures’, we decided to modify the approach by bringing on a few exclusive value partners for the channel instead of just one. These partners have given us their vote of confidence and they will continue to receive preferential treatment from the channel at all times. This will surely create a unique value for our partners.  With this association, we are elevating our commitment to developing a deep, long term relationship with them every step of the way as we launch ‘&pictures’."

ZEEL, Cinema Cluster Head, AD Sales, Mr. Ali Zainul Abedeen Zaidi says “In a country that is obsessed with cricket & Bollywood, the launch of ‘&pictures’ allows us to offer clients a complete cinema package which appeals to every possible segment of film enthusiasts. While Zee Cinema has mass appeal to viewers across all genres, Zee Classic reaches out to cinema lovers with an appreciation for vintage and evergreen films. Zee Premiere & Action are digital offerings to niche audiences, and ‘&pictures’ is a premium channel that speaks to audiences who are ambitious yet rooted. Zee now becomes a one-stop shop for advertisers who consume cinema as a genre.”

Talking about their association with ‘&pictures’, Darshan Patel, Chairman & MD, Vini Cosmetics and Dipam Patel, Joint Managing Director, Vini Cosmetics say “Our association with ZEE has been a long standing one and we have never been disappointed. It gives us great pleasure to associate with a young vibrant brand like ‘&pictures which reaches out to the emerging class of Indians who are high achievers yet have not lost sight  of their rich Indian heritage, so it is a great brand fit for us!”

Binu Ninan, Brand Manager, Pantene & Ritu Mittal, Brand Manager, Oral-B, of Procter & Gamble say "We at P & G are proud to be associated with '&pictures' as it embodies the best qualities of both our brands, Oral-B and Pantene. Through the years, Pantene and Oral B have enhanced the lifestyle of people to make it better and healthier. Pantene and Oral B value this opportunity to get in touch with their consumers and recognize the importance of the right content and the right context to reach consumers. We have found that our consumers judge our brands by the company they keep and with '&pictures' reaching out to the evolving Indian mindset that is ambitious yet in touch with their roots, we believe we will have the attention of the right audience for our brands. We look forward to this partnership with '&pictures' and are excited about the launch of the channel."

Ranbir Kapoor turns singer?

Ranbir Kapoor turns singer?


In his next film, Besharam, Ranbir Kapoor sings a special song.

The actor who has managed to steal a million hearts with his acting and dancing skills has another space to gather fans.

The first song of the film that will soon get launched has an added credit in the name of the superstar, Ranbir Kapoor.

The song titled “ Love ki Ghanti” is composed by Lalit-Pandit and sung by Sujeet Shetty, Amitosh Nagpal and the actor of the film Ranbir Kapoor.

The song is in the form of a musical conversation and when this concept was decided, the director of the film, Abhinav Kashyap was very keen to have Ranbir to sing the song as it was a conversation his character was having with someone in the song. No other voice would match with the actor’s voice for this song.

Ranbir was very excited to do this as it was the first time he was recording a song like this.

Besharam is one of the most massy and most awaited films of Ranbir Kapoor.

Love ki Ghanti is Ranbir Kapoor's introduction song in the film.

In this song audience will be introduced to the wit and attitude of his character. 

Abhinav Kashyap says, “When this concept was formulated, there were no second thoughts about Ranbir singing this song as it is almost in verse form and any other sound wouldn’t have worked. It was the most appropriate thing to do and we had a lot of fun while doing this.”

PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND WARNER BROS. PICTURES ANNOUNCE THE START OF PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON CHRISTOPHER NOLAN’S “INTERSTELLAR”

PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND WARNER BROS. PICTURES ANNOUNCE THE START OF

PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON CHRISTOPHER NOLAN’S “INTERSTELLAR”

HOLLYWOOD, CA (August 13, 2013) – Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, Inc., and Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that principal photography on “INTERSTELLAR” is officially underway in Alberta, Canada. The film will be released in IMAX® and 35mm theaters on November 7, 2014.  Paramount Pictures will distribute domestically, Warner Bros. Pictures internationally.

Directed and co-written by Christopher Nolan (“Inception,” “The Dark Knight” Trilogy), the production will travel the globe and utilize a mixture of 35mm anamorphic and IMAX film photography to bring to the screen a script based on the combination of an original idea by Nolan and an existing script by Jonathan Nolan, originally developed for Paramount Pictures and producer Lynda Obst.  The new script chronicles the adventures of a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage. 

“Interstellar” features a prestigious cast that includes Matthew McConaughey (“Magic Mike,” “Mud”), Academy Award® winner Anne Hathaway (“Les Miserables,” “The Dark Knight Rises”), Academy Award® nominee Jessica Chastain (“Zero Dark Thirty,” “The Tree of Life”), Bill Irwin (“Rachel Getting Married,” TV’s “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”), Academy Award® nominee John Lithgow (“Terms of Endearment,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”), Academy Award® nominee Casey Affleck (“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” “Gone Baby Gone”), David Gyasi (“Cloud Atlas”), Wes Bentley (“The Hunger Games”), Mackenzie Foy (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Parts 1 and 2”), Timothée Chalamet (TV’s “Homeland”), Topher Grace (“Spider-Man 3”), David Oyelowo (“Jack Reacher,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”), Academy Award® winner Ellen Burstyn (“The Last Picture Show,” “The Exorcist”), and Academy Award® winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules,” “The Dark Knight” Trilogy).

The film is being produced by Academy Award® nominee Emma Thomas (“Inception,” “The Dark Knight” Trilogy) and Lynda Obst (“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “The Siege”).  Renowned theoretical physicist Kip Thorne is consulting on the film as well as serving as executive producer, along with Jake Myers (“Jack Reacher,” “RED,” “RED 2”) and Jordan Goldberg (“Inception,” “The Dark Knight” Trilogy).

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Hoyte van Hoytema (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “The Fighter”), Academy Award®-nominated production designer Nathan Crowley (“The Dark Knight” Trilogy), Academy Award®-nominated costume designer Mary Zophres (“Gangster Squad,” “True Grit”) Academy Award®-nominated editor Lee Smith “The Dark Knight” Trilogy,” “Elysium”), Academy Award®-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King,” “The Dark Knight” Trilogy), and Academy Award®-winning visual effects supervisor Paul Franklin (“Inception,” “The Dark Knight” Trilogy). 

# # #

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

 
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures meets worldwide tastes and demands with a diverse mix of filmed entertainment and is a global leader in the marketing and distribution of feature films.  The International Division operates offices in 24 countries and releases films in over 125 international territories, either directly to theaters or in conjunction with partner companies and co-ventures.  Internationally, the Studio has been the market leader in six of the last 13 years, having surpassed $1 billion in grosses a total of 15 years, 12 of which were consecutive years, and crossed $2 billion five times, including 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The Ship Of Thesues Has A Great Message To Share.

The Ship Of Thesues Has A Great Message To Share.

After showing the importance of donating organ after death in their movie, the Ship Of Thesues team have taken a step ahead to promote the cause.

Not only they are promoting the cause, the are also being a part of it themselves.

With the help of Mohan Foundation, Kiran Rao, Anand Gandhi, Neeraj Kabi and Sohum Shah pledged to donate their organs.

They have urged everyone to make someone elses life after their death as 1 human body can help 40 people to live a better life.

GLOBAL COMPANY LIGHT HOUSE PRODUCTIONS to start operation in India, an Indo Chinese film to go on floor soon

GLOBAL COMPANY LIGHT HOUSE PRODUCTIONS to start operation in India, an Indo Chinese film to go on floor soon

Light House Productions Private Limited is a global production company that has its operations headquartered in Beijing and offices in Los Angeles and Hong Kong.  Now with Gayathiri Batra coming on board, they have now operations in India.

Light House Productions has been working on unique project GOLD STRUCK, a cross-cultural project between India and China that is an action- comedy with Chinese Action with complete Bollywood flavor.  The estimated budget of the film is  $15 Million.

Commenting on this collaboration says Cindy Shyu CEO, Light House Productions… “ We have been looking for a right partner from India and for the business of Gold Struck globally. India plays a very important part in this film and our search ended with her. She has a commendable rapport with trade, distributors and knowledge for a project of this magnitude across the value chains globally."

Light House Productions has been in discussion with top of the line cast from India and soon would be finalizing.  Gayathiri Batra has been looking into the talent, line production, bringing partners and revenue building globally.

Gayathiri Batra says “ It is a privilege to be associated with Light House Productions and work on a project like Gold Struck which has a unique cross cultural mix between India and China. The directors Tony Cheung and Cory Yeun have already been signed. Their work includes  Romeo Must Die, Transporter Series, Sage Hunter to name a few. It would be an enriching experience for any talent to work with such magnificent names and production of this stature. "

Gold Struck is slated to go on the floors by Dec 2013 – Jan 2014 will be shot in US, China and India.  This film will see its global release in end 2014 or early 2015.