Passion To Profession, What Do You Need?

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites
you” -Oprah Winfrey

Many battles have been fought and won, by sheer passion. Many kingdoms have been
built, on sheer passion. From the Sparta to the present day dynasties, it is passion that
makes the world's greatest societies. It should be no different when it comes to the
careers of individuals. Because it is passion alone, that can bring true realization, and true
happiness.

Today, we live in a world where it is more likely than ever, that we will be able to convert
our passion, into a lucrative, rewarding, and fulfilling career. Gone are the days when one
had to be a doctor, an engineer, or an IAS officer; a limited set of predetermined career
avenues. Today, if you have the burning passion, no matter what it is, you can make it
your career.

There are several examples in the Indian Film industry itself. Stories of rank outsiders
that have come in with no background, academic or social; and made it in Bollywood,
thanks to their stubborn passion, that never ever gives up. The industry's biggest icon
himself, as is well known, struggled through countless Films as a new Actor, before
he became the Big B as Amitabh Bachchan is known today. Even more recently, Saif
Ali Khan is another true example of a passionate Actor quietly pursuing his dreams,
unperturbed by many failures at the beginning of his career.

A passion then, requires two things for it to transform into a profession. One is the
courage of conviction, and the second, the support of a quality education. Having that
burning passion will take you far, no doubt, but at what cost? It may take years. But
supplement that passion with an education at a sought after Film academy – be it in
Writing, Cinematography, Acting or Directing; and you would have given your passion a
quantum leap into a potentially life-long and thriving career.

Today, a great Film education is accessible and available. It is a huge advantage that was
not present until recently. So to all those of you truly passionate & creative, let nothing
stop you from studying hard, and realizing all your dreams!

“The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the
mastery of his passions” -Tennyson

Passion, Against All Odds!!

Passion is often times scoffed upon. Especially if that passion lies in a traditionally unconventional area such as Film. Often times, parents, elders, society, even peers do not accept that we are capable of turning our passion into a rewarding and fulfilling career. But to all those detractors and naysayers, one person that serves as an inspirational example, is famed Film-maker Anurag Kashyap

But Anurag Kashyap’s present stature as an irreverent, avant guard, if somewhat rebellious Film-maker, is today masked by enviable critical & commercial acclaim. The son of a modest electricity board employee, Anurag Kashyap was studying in college in Delhi. However, his parents back home had little idea that their young son was in a whirlpool of self-doubt, confusion, and consequently, in drug-infused haze as he grappled with figuring out what he wanted to do in life. In the meantime, his father wanted him back in Lucknow, the family believing that their already unsure son would go completely wayward, convinced he was a good for nothing!

Anurag carried the burden of his family’s distrust in his abilities. A friend introduced him in Delhi to a theater group, and through them, he attended a Film festival, where he watched as many as 55 Films through the course of the few days the event lasted. His mind was made up. What followed was a long drawn fight for survival. Survival in cold, expensive Mumbai; and the desperate hunt for work, in an often shut-off-to-outsiders Film industry. And Anurag was the poster boy of an outsider. His geography, his ideology, his Film idiom, and his origins; he was a rank & complete outsider. Despite this, he persevered, and never gave up. Sure there was constant self-doubt, but the light of his passions ran through and quelled the gloom of hopelessness, until one day, in 1995, he got his first real Film job. He started working with director Shivam Nair. Next up was working on Satya with Ram Gopal Verma, and then there was no looking back.

Anurag Kashyap’s 14 year struggle to make his celluloid dreams come true is a true story of the triumph of the human spirit. Today, the same degree of passion, if supported by a sound Film education at an accomplished Film academy, can guarantee a rewarding career in Film-making, without the relentless and seemingly unending struggle. With a keen insight into Films academically, both theoretical & practical, and tie ups with big Film studios and Film-makers, graduates from a leading Film academy don’t have to fend for themselves. They can get great internship and work opportunities, from where they can build their work portfolios, and their network of contacts, and use that as a bouncing board for a sure and fulfilling career in Films.

The choice then is yours. Do you want to engage your creative passion in a decade long chase for glory, or qualify yourself professionally, and start making your Film dreams come true, right after studying?