Karuna Dutt, Filmmaker
With a huge responsibility to carry the film legacy of my grand father- legendary Guru Dutt, I joined IMI. Amazing thing about this film school is that it encourages its students to make mistakes and gives them space and time to find their own style. IMI does not dampen students? enthusiasm with rules and technicalities of filmmaking; and yet put them through the rigour and effort needed to learn necessary skills. Today I?m confidently working in the direction team of Anurag Kashyap.
Santosh S. Patil, Software Engineer / Filmmaker
IMI is an excellent film school by people who knows the business thoroughly. Not only did I learn here things and techniques required for making a good film, but discovered a treasure that will help me in my life- personal & professional. It has given me a new vision to see things in different perspective. It has definitely ignited the creative bug in me which I am sure will take me a long way.
Harsheet Thukral, Painter / Filmmaker
One of the most fascinating and exciting experiences of my life. I totally enjoyed each day of the IMI Filmmaking program. This course gave me exactly what I have been dreaming of ? knowledge, experience and courage to make my own film. It takes you on a journey of self-discovery, shows you, arms you and most importantly enhances your spirit. IMI faculty totally demystifies the entire filmmaking process. They inspire with their methodical, easy to understand, sharing of knowledge and encourage you to confidently go out and make films. Well worth the money spent.
Prateek Tiwari, Script writer
The film assignments at IMI will impact you, one way or other- either it will expose you to the tough challenges of filmmaking process and bog you down, force you to think over your previously held belief on cinema and introspect whether you want to take the efforts or make you delve into the depths of cinema and shape you as a complete filmmaker. Faculty is both inspiring and practical in their approach to Filmmaking. I guess it comes from their years of experience in movie making.
Rangesh Sharma, Assistant Director
Cinema has always been magic for me and I always wanted to know how they do it. In pursuit of which, I learnt animation, but was still trying to figure out the way to make my own film. Then I came to know about IMI from a friend. I joined in, mentally prepared that it won?t be of ?real help?. But that was not the outcome. IMI helped me understand the very structural aspects of filmmaking, which I thought I knew. I knew camera, but not the shots. I knew editing-software but not the editing principles. I knew the script but not scene detailing/shot division/continuity. Now I'm not disappointed why I could not make my earlier film; as it would have been half baked cookie. Thanks to IMI, today I'm a professional working in the industry?s top notch production house.
Puneet Gupta, Assistant Director, Rajshri Productions
I was so lucky to get admission in IMI, as I found it the best school for beginners who want to make a mark in the film industry. It is because of IMI, I could join the Rajshri Productions as an assistant director. Today if I am able to have Mr. Rajkumar Barjatya's faith in me and able to work confidently, all credit must go to IMI?s easy to understand and practical approach in imparting professional training in filmmaking which comes handy in day to day professional world.
Atul Sinha,
Studying at Institute of Moving Images is enjoyable. Each day is full of excitement. The best part is in less time IMI gives more things. It is very simple, lucid and to the point knowledge sharing approaching by working film professional on all different aspects of movie making. Their way of teaching is very systematic, which helps student to develop their skills even in such a short time.
Amit Kataria, B.E., Line Producer, Anil Kapoor Productions
I think the Institute of Moving Images is the only film school in India that gives such a high level of understanding and in-depth knowledge on business of Film Production at such an affordable fee. It has been a tremendous journey and eye opener for me. One of the best courses I have ever done, just loved it. Now I am working in the industry and getting ready to make my own feature film.
Gautami Vegiraju, Freelance Cinematographer
The cameras and lighting equipment provided to students here to make their exercise films are the same kit mostly used by professional units. IMI gave me the opportunity of being on lots of sets and observe our faculty from the industry shoot their film projects different ways & styles. Seeing their approach to filmmaking, really gave me a whole new level of understanding of the craft. IMI taught us Cinematography is not about technicalities but going beyond it. It's about connecting with a Directors vision and helping them to take the story further than they can carry it on their own.
Ibrahim Afghan, Feature Editor, Sakaal Times
For long I have been part of print journalism and wondering how to switch to electronic media. IMI program gave me the courage to venture out and actually make a film. The initial phobia disappeared in a week. I liked the way my confidence was built slowly but firmly. Most importantly I learnt the craft of documentary filmmaking with immense fun.
Yamini Makeshwar, Student of Cinematography at FTII
Brilliant!!! This is the shortest & perfect description of the IMI Filmmaking Foundation program. Before joining FTII, I had attended this short term course. IMI faculty is just superb; great source of energy and inspiration. Earlier I used to see film making as an impossible dream that can not be achieved, only be seen. But IMI made me to see it as reality. I learnt here that with creativity, you also need strong determination, passion & perseverance. Thank you IMI, for giving a huge paradigm shift in my life.
Dr. Kallol Das, Ph.D, Professor Business Admn. & Filmmaker
I joined IMI Filmmaking foundation program in Aug.? 2008 to understand the basics. My work schedule was extremely hectic and there was no way I could join an elaborate course. I must confess that when I joined IMI, I was a bit skeptical about their claims of creating film makers from people with no background whatsoever - and that too, over such a short duration of time. I did not even have a still camera at that time - forget a movie camera. I was also not a great movie buff, but just a strong curiosity to understand this domain. But today, I can proudly say that I am a film-maker. My final short film of 20 min duration gave me those moments of fame which I had never dreamt of. Many thanks to IMI for their wonderful course and to their Director- Mr Pankaj Roy for his out-of-the-world teaching (excellent teaching would be an understatement!). This course has been a turning point in my career.
Subodh Jankar, Video Editor
If you really want to learn something and almost everything about filmmaking; my advice to you is don?t think, just join the IMI Certificate program. It is the best investment I ever made in my life till date; and trust me when I say this because I have done many short term courses and know what kind of hell it is to complete the course and yet feel unsatisfied. At IMI, from the first day in class you get the vibe that you will learn something here.
Sourik Datta, Software Engineer / Filmmaker
The day I decided to leave my comfortable corporate career to become a filmmaker, I had only passion in me but no required technical knowledge to pursue it. So, I joined IMI and soon a new journey in my life began. Whether the basics, the technical aspects, the exposure to world cinema, the real life case studies etc., all that is part of IMI?s
beautifully structured course not only increased my knowledge but also gave me a huge boost of confidence. And all this culminated in my short film "Before It Rained" and my ambitious short feature 'The Atonement'. Both the films are getting rave reviews and for that I thank IMI from the deepest of my heart. IMI Rocks!!!
Vishesh Agarwal, Computer Engineer / Filmmaker
My experience at IMI was nothing short of magical. I made few movies during the course and now in the course of making another one. But here I learnt something way beyond film making- I discovered myself. Pankaj Sir, hats off to him, he changed so many lives. He enthralled us, entertained us and yes, we learnt along the way. Learning was never so much fun. We learned from him that "hamari life mein dukaandari nahi honi chahiye". You have to have passion in life- passionate about movies, passionate about everything you do. You have to give unconditionally to a movie, to life and then let magic take over.
Abhirama Motiani, Software Engineer / Filmmaker
At IMI I have not only understood the "mechanics" of filmmaking but also its "human element". One most important aspect to succeed in this movie making business that I learnt here is the people skill. We learnt how to develop immediate bonding with the crew members. I have understood my short-comings, my weaknesses. Having learnt to understand the needs and views of my colleagues, now I have become a better team worker and a good organizer.
Kayash K. Khan, former VFX artist / Editor
When I left my job as VFX artist, I had a rough idea as to what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. IMI was really sudden and I was really reluctant in the beginning to join; but as always I followed my gut and went ahead with enrolling here. Having completed the editing course, I am now really confident that the vision I had imagined about myself is definitely on the right track and realized throughout what we were taught at IMI - "Good cinema is not made by chance, it is made by design". IMI is the best thing happened after I left my job.
Abhijit Saha, Assistant Director
After finishing the course I was wondering how to begin in the industry. But soon I got a call from IMI Job Services regarding an opening at Balaji Telefilms for "Kasam se" serial as an Executive Producer. I never liked television serials specially Balaji types, but I joined them & had good experience working there. After a month's work I switched to my first love- cinema and joined as an Assistant director for film "Aladin". It was like dream coming true, working with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, Mr. Sanjay Dutt & Reitesh Deshmukh. It was almost like a hollywood project with lots of special effects and working with technicians who worked on Harry Potter series, Hulk and many other FX laden Films. The practical knowledge we had got during our training at Institute of Moving Images came very handy. I worked confidently even in a big set up as I was aware of all the technical know-how a filmmaker needs to realize his creative imaginations. I still read the notes provided by IMI. After "Aladin", I immediately got my 2nd project 'Lamhaa' directed by Rahul Dholakia, starring Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu & Kunal Kapoor. Now working on a third project. I am really on cloud nine and planning to start my own project soon.
Nachiket Samant, Writer
I came into the course as a writer. But having learnt the other aspects of filmmaking during the program, I have come to love directing and editing equally. Filmmaking is supremely addictive passion and I am grateful to IMI to have addicted me. IMI has woken up a sleeping giant inside me. All of you will hear of me in the years to come. IMI is recommended highly for budding raw filmmakers.
Mahesh Ambaliya,
I slept with open eyes once when I was in love. After joining IMI I too slept again in open eyes to know the next. In the journey I found the unknown. But I regret that with so much knowledge, now I see films in more analytical way. I miss the bliss of ignorance when I knew nothing. Well, hats off to IMI, I could not expect any thing better; as today I stand a fulfilled person.
