Basic Course in Creating Characters for Films and OTT Series (22 February to 02 March 2025) - Weekend and online
Weekend and online “Basic Course in Creating Characters for Films and OTT Series” from 22 February – 02 March 2025
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune under ‘Centre for Open Learning’ (CFOL) program, announces “Basic Course in creating characters for Films and OTT Series” (Weekend and Online).
Following are the details in this regard;
- Name of the Online Weekend Course: Basic Course in creating characters for Films and OTT Series (Weekend and Online)
- Dates: 22 February – 02 March 2025 (Only on Saturdays & Sundays, 22-23 February & 01-02 March 2025)
- Timings: 10 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 3 pm (Indian Standard Time – IST) – 04 hrs per day
- Max. no. of participants: 24 (Course will be conducted only if min. strength of 20 participants is reached)
- Age:18 years & above as on 01st February 2025 (participants born on or before 31st January 2007)
- Educational Qualification: HSC (12th pass). In exceptional cases, 10th pass may be considered
- Nationality: Indian
- Online Platform: Google Classroom & Google Meet platform
- Medium of Instructions: English& Hindi
- Per Participant Course fee:
Rs 7,200/- per participant for participants from India.
Rs.21,600/- per participant for participants from foreign countries, OCI, PIO, Indians presently not staying in India
Course fee of selected participants will be non-refundable, non-transferrable, non-adjustable, etc. under any circumstances. Course fee of all the non – selected participants will be returned within 21 working days of the course commencement.
Mode of payment: Online through SBI Collect (along with application form).
- Due date & time to submit application: 03 February 2025, 6 pm IST. Application submitted after due date & time will not be considered.
- Selection Criteria: On First – Come – First – Served Basis. List of selected participants will be published on our website and selection emails will also be sent to all the selected participants.
- Online platform: FTII will be using “Google Classroom” and participants are requested to get familiarized with the same. Steps to join online class including login id & password will be shared with each selected participant in the selection email.
- Computer literacy: It is the participant’s responsibility to be technologically capable to take an online course. Participants must be computer literate.
- MANDATORY REQUIREMENT:
Since the course is online, participants must have following facilities;
(i) A Desktop / Laptop having minimum 4 GB RAM, 1.6 GHz or better processor (Intel i3 or i5 or better). (Windows / MAC)
(ii) Operating system: a) Windows 7 or 8 or 10. b) MAC OS Sierra or later
(iii) Audio – Video software: Latest versions of VLC player, Windows Media Player or Quick Time Player.
(iv) Compatible good quality headphones/ earphones with mic
(v) Compatible HD webcam
(vi) Internet pack of minimum 5 GB per day exclusively for this course. It is recommended to have fixed wired Internet connection with minimum speed of 10 Mbps or more.
(vii) Web browser: Latest version of Google Chrome (Preferred), Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari.
Use of Mobile Phone (in place of Laptop or Desktop Computer) to attend the classes is strictly prohibited. Such participants will not be allowed to join the classes.
- Course Director: Vikas Sharma
Vikas Sharma is a professional screenwriter, a freelance script consultant, and a full-time senior faculty member of Screenwriting at Whistling Woods International for the last six years. Prior to Whistling Woods, he spent five years teaching scriptwriting at the Film and TV Institute of India in Pune. He teaches screenwriting workshops in India and abroad for Film Schools, Media Colleges, Universities, Film Festivals, Skill India, and other organizations.
Vikas has also served as a mentor and chief advisor for several script labs and fellowships, including the Asia Society's New Voices Fellowship for Screenwriters, the 100 Storyteller Program, the Cinerise Screenwriting Program, and the Cinestaan India Script Contest, to name a few.
- How to apply:
1. Click open the link - https://www.onlinesbi.sbi/sbicollect/icollecthome.htm OR visit www.onlinesbi.com and further click on “SB Collect” which is at the top left, vertically 06th from left to right.
2. Search/Find FTII Fees Account in Educational institutions name and click submit.
3. In the payment category select “B1 B.C. in creating characters for Films and OTT Series”
4. Fill-up the application form with requisite details and proceed for payment.
5. Make necessary payment of Rs 7,200/- or Rs. 21,600/- either case may be.
6. Once payment is done, please note "SBI collect Reference Number" (mentioned in payment confirmation receipt). This may be required for future reference.
7. If possible, digitally store the receipt of payment. This can be carried out in one of the following ways;
(i) by taking printout of receipt of payment, scan & save it
(ii) by taking screenshot of payment (if using mobile) or print screen (if using computer)
(iii) by simply taking a photograph from mobile
(iv) check your bank account to confirm whether money (course fee) has been deducted or not
(v) After a day or two, once again check to see whether money (course fee) has been refunded.
(vi) In case of refund, it is a transaction failure and if so, once again apply for the course afresh.
8. No document/ certificate related to educational qualification, age etc. is to be attached.Participants’ self – declaration in the application form is sufficient.
9. Terms & conditions: By agreeing to the terms & conditions in the application form, participants are confirming that they have read & understood the website advt. They are eligible to apply and fulfil all the requirements as stated in the advt. Further, participants agree that decision of FTII Director regarding admission to the course and its conduction will be final.
Further to add in this, it is expected of the participants that during the class they must mute their mics but keep their cameras on unless otherwise instructed. Keeping camera off throughout the class or not heeding to instructions to switch on the camera will be seen as an act of indiscipline and will lead to expulsion from the Course and forfeiture of the Course fee. Decision of FTII Director regarding conducting the course in all respects will be final.
- Communication with participants: All communications with the participants will be carried out through email only. List of shortlisted participants may be published on FTII website and selection email will be sent to the selected participants on their registered email id.
- Certificates: All participants would be given participation e-certificates on successful completion of the course. Minimum 90% attendance is mandatory.
- Queries: For any queries please contact Mr. Milindkumar Joshi, Assistant Outreach Officer, FTII, on info.cfol@ftii.ac.in OR ftiioutreach@gmail.com OR call on 020 – 2558 0085
Course Details
Crafting Memorable Characters for Films and OTT Series
Characters are the heartbeat of any story. You might have a brilliant concept, a solid plot structure, or engaging dialogues, but without believable, dynamic, and compelling characters, your script risks falling flat. On the other hand, a well-crafted protagonist can captivate audiences so thoroughly that minor flaws in the story are overlooked.
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Finding Inspiration for Characters:
How do we draw characters from literature, cinema, real people, or even ourselves? -
Understanding the Protagonist:
Who is the protagonist? Why is defining them crucial?
How does this apply to rom-coms or stories with multiple protagonists? -
Character Desires and Motivations:
What does your character desire?
Why do they crave something they might not need?
What drives their actions—even when they're pursuing the wrong goals? -
Crafting Antagonists:
Do you always need a "bad guy"?
Should we empathize with villains?
Are villains born or made? -
Supporting Characters:
The role of secondary characters—why are they called “supporting”? -
Exploring the Inner World of Characters:
How emotions like desire, fear, love, hate, shame, and guilt shape characters.
What is the source of inner conflict? -
Backstory Development:
Do you need to start from your character’s childhood?
How much backstory is too much? -
Archetypes vs. Stereotypes:
How to differentiate and avoid clichés. -
Core Concepts in Character Creation:
- Need vs. Want
- Character vs. Characterization
- Character Growth vs. Transformation
- Personality vs. Role in the story
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Psychology and Characters:
What can writers learn from different schools of psychology to create nuanced characters?
What You'll Learn:
Through discussions, practical exercises, and hands-on writing sessions, participants will learn to craft:
- Credible, multi-dimensional characters
- Unique personalities that resonate universally
- Rich inner worlds and complex motivations
.
Join us for an immersive journey into the art of creating characters that leap off the page and captivate audiences