India is set to have the youngest population in the world by 2021 most of it in small towns and villages. There is something remarkable about this. 3 characteristic features define this population:
- It comprises young men and women who refuse to identify with past prejudices and social norms.
- They love technology and have a natural affinity towards it
- They are increasingly attracted to the gig economy.
Vision
To teach the art of nonfiction storytelling through short documentary films to the youth from the lower socioeconomic strata of the society, so that they can tell real stories that matter most to them while parallely gaining a skill that has an economic value.
Mission
Between 2019 and 2020, train and sustain a cohort of 40-50 participants so that they become independent freelancers.
Typically, the target youth would be young men and women between 18 to 30 years of age based in small towns and villages. They would need to have completed at least 10 years of education.
Here’s how the project will work:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is a collaboration partner?
Ans: A Collaboration Partner can be any NGO, institution or an individual working at grassroots level and has access to youth from the lower strata of the society.
Q: Why should a Collaboration Partner join this project?
Ans: A collaboration partner will get an opportunity to play a key role in enabling social impact through the art of documentary filmmaking. In future, it can run this program and create a source of income for itself.
Q: Why should the youth join this program?
Ans: Participants will have an exciting opportunity to not only learn DSLR filmmaking skills but also set up their own business if they so wish.
Q: Why should you fund this project?
Ans: You can help kick start a new idea whose primary aim is to bring about social impact through acquisition of skills and tools for nonfiction storytelling through short documentary filmmaking by participants from the lower strata of the society.
Pilot Program
We have launched a pilot program to train and sustain an initial cohort of 10 individuals so that they become independent professionals in next 6 months (by Dec 2019).
For this pilot program we have tied up with a local NGO/Nonprofit in Khamgaon in Buldhana district in Maharashtra, India called Tarunai Foundation. They have been active in livelihood creation, environmental protection and a host of social causes over the last 15 to 20 years. We conducted an initial introductory session at Khamgaon on 19th May 2019. It was attended by around 25 to 30 participants from the neighboring villages.
Here’s a timeline to this pilot project:
Risks & Challenges
A. Not be able to find Bona fide participants: It’s crucially important to identify and enroll participants who can really benefit from this project. Participants should ideally be:
- Between 18 to 30 years of age
- Based in small towns & villages
- At least 10th pass outs
- Should be looking out for employment opportunities
- Inclined towards a creative medium or art if possible
Following are the ways we will mitigate this risk:
- We will find a local NGO or an institutional on-ground partner (Collaboration Partner or CP) to identify local youth.
- We will conduct an interview of each candidate before admitting him or her into the program
B. Not be able to Raise Funds: This project depends on availability of funds to finance the acquisition of cameras and accessories, personnel, marketing, logistics and other miscellaneous expenses. Lack of funds can majorly hamper the project.
Following are the ways we will mitigate this risk:
- We will aim to generate wide interest in the project by video documenting our journey through the project.
- Crowdfunding as primary source for funding followed by corporate sponsorship
C. Theft/Damage to Cameras Procured for Training and filmmaking purposes: Cameras used by participants for training and subsequent filmmaking are prone to being manhandled or in worst case being stolen. This poses a significant risk.
Following are the ways we will mitigate this risk:
- Insurance against theft and damage on the purchased kits
- Local guarantor for the kit
- Security deposit from participants
Ways You Can Help
Your biggest help for the project would be your donations (Once we begin our crowdfunding campaign). However, for some reason you choose not to donate then I humbly request you to do any of the following:
- Send us a message with your suggestions to improve our idea or our execution
- Give us a pat on our back
- Write to rohan@rohanpotdar.com to know more on how you can contribute to the project.
