Chapter 8: Destination - New Zealand

I heard the same voice inside me "WHAT'S YOUR NEXT DESTINATION?"
At that time, I didn't know that I was going to spend the rest of my semester by searching an answer for that question. I realized that my dream of travelling around the globe is finally getting a starting point. Many Indian students have U.S dream in them. But not me! U.S is just an other destination in my 'wanna go' list. Nothing's special in it. My dream is to live in a country which has a strong historical and cultural background.


A SCOTTISH BAGPIPE CULTURE

When I say about this dream to others, I was constantly facing this remark 'You're not a true Indian, Why are you giving up on our country? Your cultural and historical background is right there in our country' But usually my thought for that remark would go on like this ...

'Wow wow ... Hold on!!! Who said anything about giving up India or patriotism. A man, helping some orphans in India by providing them money by living in some other country is also a TRUE INDIAN, A man, living in India who doesn't follow any rules and regulations is also NOT A TRUE INDIAN. There's no rule that a true Indian must only be in India. God created this beautiful world and I wish to see each and every beauty he created. Travel makes me feel closer to him. Wherever I go, whatever rule I follow, I'd be an Indian by my heart and I'd do nothing except good for my country. I love my country but don't you care about where I'm living.'



That may have sounded a little harsh. But I believe that's the truth. Then I started my search for that magical destination. At first like everyone else I fell for the mighty 'Hollywood'. Even though I didn't like to study in U.S, I searched for the film institutes in America. I found lots and lots but only New York Film Academy (N.Y.F.A) had a magical effect on me. I decided that N.Y.F.A is my next destination. The next day I called Mr.Koo, public relations for N.Y.F.A to en-quire about the One year film making course in the UNIVERSAL STUDIOS campus. I was so excited to see the names of the visiting lecturers as all of them were renowned technicians and film makers. I dreamed of shooting my short movies inside universal studios.



But again, time made me realize that nothing's so simple in this world. I came to know about the huge fees which I'm supposed to pay for just a year. Huge ... I mean, real huge (Rs.28,00,000) per year including all living and eating expenses. L.A is not the place for Indian middle class people. I then came to know that I can't do any part time jobs while studying. I made many contacts and friends who studied there through Facebook. I feel like I must worship internet for the immense help it offered. Then I found that America is not the right destination. From then on, I searched for many film making institutions around the globe. Each and everything had its own limitations. For example, EICAR institute in France offer a high quality training, but once I finish the course I must've known enough French to write a script in that language. Atlast I shortlisted the institutions which are in the english speaking countries except U.S. The list showed CANADA,U.K,NEW ZEALAND,AUSTRALIA,IRELAND.



It is so exhausting to even think about the process I went through. Australia was rejected by my mom as she was concerned about my safety. Canada was equally costly when compared to U.S. Ireland had no proper film institutes. Atlast I shortlisted U.K and New Zealand.I attended numerous spot interviews for various universities in New Zealand and U.K. and applied for ten universities and two institutions totally. I sent some of my videos, scripts and story boards along with the application requirements. I can surely say, that those three months,I spent in searching and applying for universities, attending spot admissions, waiting for their e-mails - Man!!! Those were the toughest months, and it took all my hard work and left me with an ample amount of stress. But I felt those tedious three months was worth the effort when I got conditional offer letters from six universities and from both institutions I applied. I dreamed about living in U.K as it's in Europe even though it's not in the E.U association. As you know Europe is my dream. But again I was proved that 'Dream is not real'. The reaction of my cousin and lot others after I said that 'I'm coming to U.K. for studies' made me to think twice. Their reply goes like this ...

"Don't ever try to come to U.K. It's so dry here, no part time jobs, no 'Permanent Residence', it's not like in your dreams. Listen 1 pound is Rs.85. You could think either way. If you get a part time job, you could clear the dept. If you don't get a part time job then your father would be doomed!!!"



But again, my luck worked out. Long ago, I applied for an institution in New Zealand called Eastern Institute of Technology and attended an interview session for nearly two hours where they asked questions about various aspects of film making. It has an exclusive two years course for film making. It costs around Rs.9,00,000 for 2 years. The living cost in New Zealand is so cheap. One fine morning when I was in a dilemma about my destination the 'Conditional offer letter post came to clear my mind. I checked about the institute in the trust worthy internet to find that it's one of the government funded university. I had a long chat with the FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTIONS's dean to find that I'm the only Indian student among the 18 selected students around the globe. I was so amazed and I don't have an exact word to explain my happiness.


EIT CAMPUS

Obviously like every fellow human, I didn't try to risk my father's financial situation. I submitted my IELTS mark sheet to Eastern Institute of Technology and got an unconditional offer letter. It feels like it all happened so soon. One weird thing is that only after signing my offer of acceptance I researched about New Zealand. I would say I wouldn't be more happier even if I went to U.K. New Zealand had got everything. I'm not saying this because it's my magical destination. It's because I was so mesmerized by its natural beauty and its cultural values. It consists of two small islands called 'North Island' and 'South Island'.


AUCKLAND

I'm going to a village called 'Taradale', near the well known 'Auckland' in Northern Island. I don't know about others but I was really impressed by NZ and its nature. It's economically stable unlike other big countries. But I know one thing for sure 'NO COUNTRY IS A PARADISE' Every place has its own advantages and limitations. I'm sure NZ has its limitations. But that makes it more interesting. Now, I'm eagerly waiting for this December to arrive to face some new people, new cultures, new adventures and a whole new land called 'NEW ZEALAND' ...

Chapter 7: A Point to stand

"I didn't allow you as I thought that you're just escaping from your math and science. But now, I've seen your real interest. So ... you're free to venture any road now. ALL THE BEST!!!"
I was so happy to hear these words from my father. But then I heard the same voice inside
'Its good that your father gave you permission to venture film making. But you don't have any contacts. You wanna place to start with. What's that?'
Next answer that came to my mind was 'A.V.M studios'.



A.V.M is one of the biggest film studios in India and many great directors and actors started their career from its gate. I heard some one saying film making is nothing but making contacts. A.V.M studios is the place where one could find lots of assistant directors and associates, even in the nearby Tea shops. I took my first step towards my career. I took a share auto and got down near A.V.M. My plan was to find some assistant directors or associate directors, to hear their experiences and to discuss about my career. I thought I could get an idea about the place to start. But finding an assistant director is not an easy task. You've to keep your eyes and ears sharp. You've to look each and every people keenly, the things that they carry, the matter they speak. If one has 'Schindler's list' in his hand, then there's no point in thinking. He's an assistant director for sure. If you see a group of people discussing about 'La Vita e Bella', then they're assistants for sure. Even if you find an assistant director it's not a sure thing that he'd spend his time talking with you. I spent three valuable hours by 'waiting, hearing what others are speaking and mostly staring'. Finally ... after 9pm, I decided to leave the place. Then I suddenly heard some voices ...



"A character should not contradict itself. That's the basic rule for a characterization. But that director knows nothing man ... literally nothing about characterization. His characters have no point."

I was so happy to hear those voices. I turned to see some men standing near the hotel opposite to the studio. I went near them with my fullest hesitation.

"Excuse me"
"Yea ...?" Among the group a young man in his thirties replied back. He had a really long beard.
"I'm Karthick. I ... I wanna ask you something."
"Yea?"
"I'm planning to take up film making as my career.I wanna hear your experience in the field. I guessed that you're assistant directors. Where am I supposed to start?"
"First, I should ask you a question ... Do you have some one whom you should support?"
"Yeah ... I have to support my family. Atleast I've to give them something until I make it big"
"Make it big huh? ... You want me to share my experience? Hear it. I've been an assistant for 11 years. I didn't make anything big!!!"
"I heard some assistants are leading a good life"
"They're rich ... You wanna achieve something in cinema? Then you ought to be rich, I haven't got a single chance till date. Because my story had some values. I have a script about a small child and its dream world. No one wants to make these kinds of stories here. Do you have an item number in your film? Then welcome aboard. What kind of story do you have in your mind?" I was terribly disappointed by the reply.
"It's about an amateur journalist who's in the war for the first time"
"Ha ... That's not gonna sell anywhere man, your story has some values.I guess, there's no place for a song in it"
"Yeah"
"What film made you choose film making?"
"Children of Heaven"
"Go home boy ... Do something useful in your life. Dreams are not real"



By the time I reached my home, I was in no mood for anything. I was lost in thoughts.
Late that night, I was lying in my bed, faking my sleep. I heard my mom entering the room.

"What's it?"she asked in a blunt tone.
"What's what?"
"You're so excited when you went to A.V.M, what happened now?"

I told her everything, right from 6pm to 9.30pm. Each and every word of that assistant director. I finished by saying

"Film making is not for me, I guess"
"You didn't even start. But you're thinking of giving up. I thought you're a strong guy with full of confidence. What happened to you?"
I was shaken by her reply. I saw a whole new mom.
"When you're so in love with something, you should not let it go. Be it a girl or a profession"
What the ... My mom said some great one liners that day.
"But mom ... I wanna support this family and I really don't want to leave film making"
"I know ... But before you say anything, I wanna tell you something. Do you know that there's an education loan for higher studies?"
"What? Do you want me to study MS in engineering?"
"No ... "
"Then ... "
"I'm saying ... you could do your film making abroad"
"...."
"What's that expression?"
"...."
"I know ... film making here is for rich people. People generally think that studying abroad is so costly. But there's always education loan. Many of your cousins are in abroad studying MS. They're middle class too. There comes the advantage of Indian money. Prasanna (One of my cousins) went to UK, last year to study Masters in Chemical Engineering. But today he almost finished repaying the dept. But he didn't even finish his course. He went there, got a part time job, he worked so hard and now he's looking after himself and sending money to his parents. Why can't you give it a try? ... But remember, its not so easy as it sounds. Prasanna is sleeping only for 3 hours a day !!!"
"I know, I could work hard mom ... but I just don't know whether this is a good idea"
"Just give it a try"



I discussed this idea with dad and sis. My sis was so excited as usual. Dad, after a long thought

"It's a good idea. But are we financially capable for this?" He looked at mom.
"We're not gonna give him anything. If he decided to go, then it would be by loan" my mom said.
"What if this same thing happens there. What if he continues working as an assistant for 11 years THERE. Atleast in India, we're there to look after him." The conversation picked up a pace. But then, I interrupted,
"Dad, even if I continue to work as an assistant for a long time, I must say assistants have their standard pay THERE and there are lots of film jobs and other jobs to do"



That conversation went on for hours and atlast dad said "Okay ... I believe in you"
The next thing that bugged was 'I've been discussing about a place with dad by mentioning it as 'THERE' for a long time. But I really haven't decided anything about that 'THERE'. Suddenly I heard the same voice inside "WHAT'S YOUR NEXT DESTINATION?"