A Master Class session on Crafting
Compelling Web Series for OTT was held with Manoj Bajpayee, Raj Nidimoru,
Krishna D.K, Apoorva Bakshi, and Srikrishna Dayal. Moderated by Naman
Ramachandran, the session delved into the intricacies and nuances of creating
impactful narratives for the digital audience on Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms.
Manoj Bajpayee, presented the interesting journey of an
actor. He talked about the actor’s aspiration and dedication to breathe life
into a character, he emphasized the importance of preparation, consistency,
character graph, and embracing the flow that challenges and elevates every
actor’s essence. “You have to prepare well for the role and then forget about
it to keep your mind empty to be receptive to new ideas coming,” he emphasised.
Speaking on the success, failures and the future of OTT, The
Family Man actor said that OTT platforms should mentor independent creative
cinema.
Talking about OTT hit ‘The Family Man,’ Manoj
unveiled the essence of strength in preparation and the art of living the
character’s journey on screen. “Preparation is the key”, he said. “It is
equally important to unlearn and be open to new ideas so as to not become stiff
in your performance,” he shared. His words resonated with the essence of
struggle, portraying it as the crucible that fortifies an actor’s mettle.
Srikrishna Dayal, a theatre actor and another key actor in The
Family Man series, spoke of the relationship between the stage and the
digital canvas of OTT and remarked that consistent viewership is the biggest
benefit of OTT platforms. He mentioned that the discipline imbibed from the
theatre, enables nurturing the adaptability of actors across diverse forms of
acting.
Raj Nidimoru, the co-director of the OTT Series The
Family Man illuminated the profound impact of documentaries on the
ever-evolving landscape of OTT, echoing the sentiments of a changing paradigm.
He highlighted the significant impact these narratives have on the platform.
Krishna D.K., the co-director of the OTT Series The
Family Man, talked about perpetual learning, unlearning and relearning that
has helped to traverse the spectrum of independent movie-making, shows and
series for the OTT platform.
Raj and D.K., the director duo, talked about their
experience of independent movie-making as the springboard for their work on OTT
and how it shapes their craft on the OTT. They emphasised the significance of
confidence in the story that pushes for impactful storytelling even while
working within the constraints of budget.
Apoorva Bakshi, from her roots in banking to producing the
renowned ’Delhi Crime’ series, emphasized the essence of faith in the
script, outlining the essentials for story engineering in both fiction and
non-fiction genres. Elaborating on the preparation of a pitch for a new series,
called as the Bible in the OTT ecosystem, illustrated the pivotal role
of a clear concept note along with a well-crafted pilot in fiction, and the
necessity of thorough research in non-fiction genres.
