A new batch of 89 students have joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) for all the courses,which include editing,cinematography,direction,sound and acting. The new academic year began on Thursday. The students will now be staying at the new hostel facility inaugurated recently. FTII director DJ Narain said,The most important thing that we want for the new students is to feel at home here. And while emphasis will be laid on the strict following and timely completion of the course we would want our students to also enjoy themselves.
Narain added they would be working towards completing the backlog of courses for the students of the 2006,2007 and 2008 batches. We should be able to clear the entire backlog by 2013,which is a realistic and practical figure for us. In fact we will be doubling up the working hours for the studios so that more and more students can complete their work and pass out quickly, he adds.
FTII chairman Saeed Mirza said,The institute is a centre of excellence. We would want the new students coming in to work towards not only building upon the glorious past,but also work towards building their own potential.Narain said additional faculty members would be roped in. We will be getting around 10 extra faculty members on board to help us clear the backlog. For the same,even the working hours of the editing rooms has increased so that more and more batches of students can complete their work there. Similarly,we will also be either hiring or purchasing more equipment that these students require here. Proposals for the same have already been made.
Narain lawless behaviour of any sort will not be tolerated. That includes showing disrespect to the faculty,sexual harassment,or proving to be a nuisance to the neighbourhood residential societies. They are free to work according to their likes and dislikes at the campus he said.