“DEAR PAPA”
Client: Calcutta International School
Dir. Tushar Kejriwal and Aradhita Saraf
Executive Producer : Aradhita Saraf
Brief
A video capturing the ethos of the junior school at Calcutta International School, and the city it is inextricably linked to, Kolkata.
Our Take
Based on our protagonist Nylah’s real experiences after moving to Kolkata, we wanted to tell a ‘cinema verite’-type story that also highlighted the junior school’s internationality and expat student base. The goal, as was illustrated in the script, was to keep the tone personal yet wondrous. We had 10 hours to film everything - that too, during the middle of an active school day - with child non-actors. Time being of real essence on this one, we opted for iPhone 15’s Apple Log for our city shots and a classic Alexa Mini with soft lenses for our school scenes, evoking a sense of nostalgia. The fact that it was a school day, meant we couldn’t be too intrusive, or ask for several takes. But the limitations proved to be favorable, helping us make a something that feels at once intimate, and celebratory of childhood hopes, dreams and friendship. Much like the school’s ethos with it’s 20:1 class sizes.
Dir. Tushar Kejriwal and Aradhita Saraf
Executive Producer : Aradhita Saraf
Brief
A video capturing the ethos of the junior school at Calcutta International School, and the city it is inextricably linked to, Kolkata.
Our Take
Based on our protagonist Nylah’s real experiences after moving to Kolkata, we wanted to tell a ‘cinema verite’-type story that also highlighted the junior school’s internationality and expat student base. The goal, as was illustrated in the script, was to keep the tone personal yet wondrous. We had 10 hours to film everything - that too, during the middle of an active school day - with child non-actors. Time being of real essence on this one, we opted for iPhone 15’s Apple Log for our city shots and a classic Alexa Mini with soft lenses for our school scenes, evoking a sense of nostalgia. The fact that it was a school day, meant we couldn’t be too intrusive, or ask for several takes. But the limitations proved to be favorable, helping us make a something that feels at once intimate, and celebratory of childhood hopes, dreams and friendship. Much like the school’s ethos with it’s 20:1 class sizes.