Field notes
Notes from
the research desk.
Long-form research on Northeast cinema: histories, filmmaker profiles, technique notes and practical guides. New notes land as the research deepens.
Directing Non-Actors: How to Get Natural Performances from First-Time Actors
A practical guide to directing non-actors for indie filmmakers in India: casting real people, rehearsing without killing spontaneity and getting honest performances on set.
Shooting Permissions in India for Indie Filmmakers: What Actually Needs Permission
A practical guide to film shooting permission in India: public places, private property, police intimations, drones and the Northeast-specific notes that save a small crew from a stopped shoot.
Location Sound for Indie Shoots in India: The Complete Practical Guide
Audiences forgive a soft image. They never forgive bad audio. A filmmaker-to-filmmaker guide to mics, recorders, placement, Indian location realities and the post workflow, with real INR budgets.
What a Short Film Actually Costs in India: Three Real Budgets
Zero-budget, micro-budget and low-budget short films in India, broken down line by line in rupees. Where the money shows on screen, where it doesn't and what to cut first.