Patna: Young people in Bihar aspiring to build careers in the film and entertainment industry will soon have access to professional training closer to home. For the first time, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, through its Centre for Open Learning (CFOL), will organise its official ‘Script to Screen’ workshop in Patna.
Scheduled from August 5 to August 11, the eight-day programme will provide practical training in filmmaking, allowing participants to work on every stage of the creative process—from developing an idea to producing a finished short film.
First FTII Workshop in Patna
The workshop is being organised by House of Variety in collaboration with the theatre group Dastak.
According to the organisers, the initiative aims to provide aspiring filmmakers, actors and content creators in Bihar with access to national-level film education without requiring them to relocate to Mumbai or Pune.
Hands-On Training Across the Filmmaking Process
Unlike conventional classroom-based courses, the workshop will follow a practical learning model.
Participants will receive training in:
- Screenwriting and storytelling
- Direction
- Acting for camera
- Cinematography
- Sound recording
- Editing
- Production planning
- Post-production
The programme will conclude with participants working in teams to create their own short films, which will be reviewed by FTII faculty.
From Script to Screen
According to the organisers, the workshop has been designed to familiarise participants with the complete filmmaking process.
Training will cover story development, screenplay writing, dialogue creation, scene construction, casting, location scouting, shooting schedules, camera techniques, lighting, sound design, editing, colour correction and sound mixing.
Participants will gain practical experience by handling equipment and working on real filmmaking exercises throughout the programme.
Special Focus on Acting
The workshop will also include dedicated sessions on acting for the camera.
Participants will learn about body language, facial expressions, emotional performance and the differences between stage acting and screen acting. The curriculum will also introduce participants to major acting traditions and cinematic performance techniques.
Open to More Than Aspiring Actors
According to the organisers, the programme is intended not only for aspiring actors but also for:
- Filmmakers
- Theatre artists
- Media and mass communication students
- YouTubers
- Content creators
- OTT creators
- Short-film enthusiasts
They said the course has been designed to meet the growing demand for digital content production skills.
Course Director
The workshop will be led by Girish Jotwani, a film educator associated with film training programmes.
The organisers said participants will receive industry-oriented guidance under his supervision. They also indicated that additional advanced film training programmes may be organised in Patna if the initiative receives a positive response.
Workshop Details
The workshop will be held from August 5 to August 11, between 10am and 5pm, at:
- House of Variety
- The Hub, First Floor
- Regent Cinema Complex
- East Gandhi Maidan, Patna
The participation fee is Rs 12,600. As seats are limited, organisers have advised interested applicants to complete registration early.
Why It Matters
The workshop marks the first time FTII’s Centre for Open Learning has brought its structured “Script to Screen” training programme to Patna. Organisers believe the initiative could expand opportunities for aspiring filmmakers and content creators in Bihar while strengthening the city’s emerging role as a destination for film education.
