Ep 390: Sanjiv Sharma Sails Through 45 Years of Indian Entertainment
Jul 15, 2024
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Sanjiv Sharma, a veteran in Indian entertainment, shares his journey from advertising to pioneering ad filmmaking and television production. Topics include embracing life's journey, family relationships, creativity in filmmaking, adapting international formats for Indian television, and reflections on fame in the industry.
Continuous learning and experimentation are essential in the filmmaking journey to foster growth and skill development.
Balancing structure and innovation in creativity prevents stagnation and ensures sustained creative engagement.
Adapting international formats with cultural nuances enhances viewer engagement in television production for Indian audiences.
Successful television production involves strategic use of psychological tricks and format optimization to create captivating content for diverse viewer preferences.
Managing people in evolving work environments requires mastering skills like handling egos, understanding personalities, managing finances, and planning for growth.
Navigating through sudden fame challenges, Indian celebrities adapt to evolving entertainment formats, transforming the celebrity and reality show landscape.
Deep dives
Falling in Love with Filmmaking Process
The speaker reflects on his journey of falling in love with the filmmaking process, starting from Ospreys learning to a more thoughtful and detail-oriented approach. He emphasized the curiosity that drove him to understand the craft, learning from directors, cinematographers, and editing studios, and how each day presented an opportunity to gain new insights and skills.
Transition to Filmmaking at ScanVideo
The speaker discusses his transition to ScanVideo after leaving Ogilvie Benson & Mehta, emphasizing how initially, he was led into advertising but gradually found himself taking on the role of a filmmaker. With experimental opportunities presented, he shared how being pushed into a directorial position unexpectedly propelled his journey into full-fledged filmmaking.
Unique Experiments at ScanVideo
The speaker shares the unique experiments conducted at ScanVideo due to limited resources and innovative problem-solving. Examples include creating dissolves with limited equipment, utilizing a time-based character for transitions, and accidentally turning camera feedback into a cinematic effect used in various ad films. The lack of digital assistance compelled them to find creative solutions through hands-on experimentation.
Dangers of Formulaic Approach
The speaker acknowledges the risk of falling into a formulaic approach to filmmaking once foundational aspects are mastered. He highlights the potential trap of becoming jaded and merely ticking boxes in a commercial filmmaking setting, stressing the importance of maintaining creativity, curiosity, and a continuous learning mindset to prevent stagnation.
Accelerated Learning Curve at ScanVideo
The speaker reveals the accelerated learning curve at ScanVideo due to immediate feedback and hands-on experience in editing and filmmaking. With limited resources and no internet connectivity for quick solutions, the team relied on practical experimentation, leading to innovative techniques and unique cinematic outcomes that shaped their filmmaking journey.
Understanding the Importance of Structure and Innovation in Creativity
It is crucial to maintain a balance between structure and innovation in creativity to avoid falling into a rut where creative energy diminishes. While structure provides a sense of direction, excessive rigidity can stifle creativity and passion, leading to uninspired outcomes. It is essential to continuously challenge oneself to fresh perspectives and avoid monotony to sustain creative engagement.
Embracing Learning Opportunities and Experimentation in Filmmaking
The process of falling in love with the craft of filmmaking involves constant learning and experimentation. Each project presents an opportunity to apply new insights and techniques, fostering growth and skill development. Embracing failures as valuable lessons contributes to personal and professional growth, shaping the journey towards becoming a more adept and passionate filmmaker.
Nurturing Enthusiasm and Continuous Improvement in Television Production
Transitioning from ad filmmaking to television production revealed the importance of maintaining enthusiasm and seeking continuous improvement in delivering engaging content. Understanding audience preferences and leveraging psychological insights in game show formats enhances viewer engagement and sustains interest. By balancing structural and decorative pillars, production teams craft compelling television experiences tailored to resonate with Indian audiences.
Adapting Formats for Indian Audiences and Prioritizing Engagement in Television Production
Successful television production entails adapting international formats while incorporating cultural nuances and audience engagement strategies tailored to Indian viewers. Prioritizing engagement through compelling storytelling, game dynamics, and innovative production techniques enhances the popularity and impact of television shows. Strategic use of psychological tricks and format optimization contributes to creating captivating content that resonates with diverse viewer preferences.
Learning How to Manage People and Run a Company
Navigating through multiple career transitions, the speaker discusses the challenges of managing people in an ever-evolving work environment. From learning man management in advertising to building a successful company, the journey involved mastering different skills like handling egos, understanding personalities, managing finances, and planning for future growth. The complexity of managing varying operational scales highlighted the continuous learning process and adaptation required in leadership roles.
Celebrity Culture and Indian Idol Experience
Examining the dynamics of celebrity culture and its impact, the speaker reflects on the challenges artists face with sudden fame. Drawing parallels to the cricket world, the discussion touches upon how Indian celebrities navigate stardom and its consequences. The exploration extends to the evolution of reality shows like Indian Idol, where adapting to new formats and audience engagement through technologies like voting transformed the entertainment landscape.
