A Workshop Report
by
Modhurima Guha Neogi
MAFTP Sem 1
.jpg)
On October 28, 2025, ASCO,
Amity University, Kolkata, welcomed celebrated Bengali director Partha Chakraborty, best known for
his films Samantaral (2017) and Kkoli: A Journey of Love
(2014), for an inspiring workshop on
the craft of Scriptwriting and Screenplay Development. The
workshop aimed to help students understand the creative and technical processes
behind writing for cinema — transforming raw ideas into structured, visual
narratives.
Partha Chakraborty is an acclaimed filmmaker,
celebrated for his subtle
storytelling and distinctive
portrayal of human emotions. His works explore complex
psychological and social themes, blending realism with cinematic artistry. With
years of experience in directing and writing, he brought valuable industry
insight to the session.
The workshop opened with
a discussion on the core principles of
screenplay writing, illustrating how to convey emotions and scenarios through
dialogue as well as visual storytelling. He then elaborated on the core principles of screenwriting
— including the three-act structure,
characterization,
and the crucial role of conflict in
propelling the narrative. Shri Chakraborty emphasized
that – “Creating a compelling visual
experience is the first
and most fundamental aspect of scriptwriting”.
He explained the distinction between a script and a
screenplay, emphasizing that every scene should convey emotion through action rather than exposition.
Drawing examples from his own films as well as the works of renowned filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray, Ritwik
Ghatak, Mrinal Sen, Tarun Majumdar, he demonstrated how subtle gestures, silences, and
camera movements enrich cinematic storytelling.
The workshop also
included an interactive exercise
where participants were asked to convert a short story idea into a film scene.
Shri Chakraborty guided students on how to break the scene into beats,
visualize the sequence, and write concise but expressive dialogue. He further explored the realms of documentary filmmaking,
commercial advertising, and short-format cinema.
Main Learnings and
Observations of the workshop:
· The
significance of visual storytelling
— crafting scenes with the camera’s perspective in mind.
· How
characters should develop through
their decisions and actions rather than through exposition.
· The
significance of authentic emotional
expression and avoiding stereotypical or overused elements.
· Fundamental
structure of scriptwriting.
· The concepts of
time and space in storytelling.
· The differences
between writing for TV series versus films.
· Exploration
the world of advertising
during the session.
· The
value of revisions and
constructive feedback in refining a script.
· Recognizing
that filmmaking is a collaborative art,
where writers must consider direction, editing, and performance while shaping
the narrative.
MAFTP Students attending the session
The session offered a rare window into the mind of an experienced
filmmaker and deepened participants’ understanding of compelling screenplay
construction. Shri Partha Chakraborty’s practical advice and
real-world examples inspired many students to explore writing for the screen.
Overall, it was an enriching experience that bridged the gap between classroom
theory and cinematic practice.
No comments:
Post a Comment