Let's go mobile...!

Laksshapathiarachchi showcases an exciting new world of entertainment for youths:

RUWINI JAYAWARDANA

First it was the wide screen. Then followed the small screen.Now it comes to you right in the palm of your hand. It is the 'in thing' among the youth generation. The coolest thing to hit the planet since sliced bread! So before you can say Jack Robinson, here's the scoop. Mofilms have invaded Earth!

It is not long since mobile phones have become all the rage. Everyone possesses one. The 1990s saw the emergence of the digital phone technology with smaller, lighter handsets leaving the first generation of large, hardy, portable phones behind. Now with prepaid phone schemes and a lot of added services the mobile phone industry had been revolutionised, making them easily affordable.

You may have experimented with making mobile movies or you may be a new comer. Whatever your case may be this is an opportunity for you budding Mofilm makers.

The driving force behind this concept, Nimal Laksshapathiarachchi, the well known media personality, spills his ideas on this youth movement to Daily News.

What are Mofilms?

"Mofilms or made-for-mobile films means films created specifically for the smaller screens of mobile devices instead of theatres, the web or television," he pointed out.

"With the birth of cinema people approached the big screen. Later as television emerged they watched the small screen at their work place or home. Now the screen had become smaller and had come to our hand. It is a positive concept and you can entertain yourself any place anywhere."

According to Laksshapathiarachchi, there are plenty of creative individuals in Sri Lanka. It is a fact that had been proven internationally throughout history. It is just a matter of digging deep enough to find it.

"We are always late in getting to the bottom of matters. For example regarding cinema, we moan about not being equipped with the latest technical gadgets. However in this case you can shoot with the phone itself, edit and distribute the final product. The drive is at hand for all," he said.

You do not need a broad knowledge on technology to engage in this concept. A large sum of money is also not required. All you need is interest and the capability to work towards a goal.

"I am personally involved in this matter. We hope to gather creative youths and train them on the basics and rules related to making Mofilms."

Laksshapathiarachchi along with 'Onair World' invite participants to make a movie for a two to five-minute slot. The categories for the movies are horror, drama, action, comedy, political satire and music video. You are allowed to base the movie on whatever topic of interest as long as it is original, entertaining and not porn.

"You can make a successful Mofilm with four people. The time factor is no issue. If you feel that people will watch the movie for more than five minutes, go ahead. Films may be shot and edited using traditional or non-traditional film making methods.

You need not depend on sounds to relate your story. Keep in mind that your viewers may even watch your creation in a noisy surrounding. "We will call the entrants for an interview and ask them to produce a summary of their concept. How they engage in the process is not of our concern.

We expect to choose and train 30 people," he explained adding that each of their films will be available to viewers through a 3D video box. "There is a great demand for reality TV. We follow a similar method to the 'Pop idol' concept.

We will rate the number of hits that each video obtains. At the end the film with the highest number of hits will be sent to represent Sri Lanka at international Mofilm festivals.

The Treo Mobile Comedy Film Festival, held in Los Angeles, USA, is the most renowned Mofilm festival. Mofilms have also been added to the international Cannes Film Festival as more and more recognition towards this topic starts pouring in.

"One million American dollars awaits the maker of the best international Mofilm in 2009. We hope to compete for this year's event.

Onair World will sponsor the entrant but he or she will get the credit," Laksshapathiarachchi said.

"This is a subject in which we can venture far. It is simple but even the most simplest thing should be taught by well recognised people."

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J. A. D. Perera receives 'Kala Vibushana' award

A veteran script writer J. A. D. Perera was awarded 'Kala Vibushana' award by Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Cultural Affairs at the John de Silva theatre in Colombo on December 15, appreciating his valuable service done for the field of art.

There were some popular dramas such as 'Sokkano Rajano', 'Apaye Aurudu' and King Kekille written by him. Perera is not only a popular script writer but also a director, novelist and journalist. He has already published many books which are useful for the students those who study drama and theatre as a subject.

His novel presentation 'SMS King' is going to be staged at the John de Silva Theatre in Colombo on February 2. There will be a felicitation ceremony to appreciate his great service done for the field of drama and theatres during the last few decades.

Perera works as a teacher of drama and theatre at D. S. Senanayake College in Colombo. He has rendered his service as a teacher at Dharmaloka College in Kelaniya as well as a resource person at the aesthetics branch of the Department of Education.

One of his famous novels is Kantharaye Kunatuwa. He has included his right hand experience into this novel when he went to Kuwait to stage his drama along with popular actor Satischandra Edirisinghe.

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Sadisi Tharanaya

Devinda engages in a journey out of the ordinary:

Ruwini Jayawardana

It was not the everyday-kind-of Muhurath ceremony that took place at the Fingara Country Club recently.

When budding young director Devinda Kongahage decided on making a tele film it was a promise to expect the unexpected. And what a unique event it turned out to be as we were greeted not with long speeches but with an exchange of ideas between the director and his cast.

Now this is as good as being behind the scenes in a movie or teledrama. New ideas add up and the tale takes another turn before our own eyes!

Sadisi Tharanaya relates the story of a few individuals.

They are rounded characters, sensitive to emotions just like you and me. It is a portrayal of life's unexpected turns and instability.

"We all engage in a hard journey through life. We need to choose different paths to this expedition according to our needs and wishes.

That decision is to be taken by us alone," said Devinda, explaining the vision behind his mission.

The story also focuses on topics like politics and media. Devinda's goal is to shed light on the unseen side of certain elements. It had taken him nearly three years to write the script after his debut creation Thuruliya Daruwo (Children of Nature).

The 22 episode tele film will begin shooting in Kaluthara from January 10 and is produced by Sarath Kongahage.

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Credits

Script and director : Devinda Kongahage.
Producer : Sarath Kongahage.
Editors : Devinda Kongahage,
Dinesh Rathmalgoda.
Cameraman : Prabath Roshana.
Make-up : Wasantha Vittachchi.
Art Director : Patrick David.
Assistant Director : Anura Waragoda.
Production Executive : Sarath Wijesekera.

Cast: Shriyantha Mendis, Buddhadasa Withanarachchi, Damitha Abeyratne, Jayani Senanayake, Bimal Jayakody, Suresh Gamage, Cyril Wickremage, Gihan Fernando, Sarath Kothalawala, Natalie Nanayakkara, Janaka Kumbukage, Janak Premalal, Milinda Perera, Wilson Gunaratne, Wasantha Vittachchi, Shashika Peries, Niroshan Illeperuma, Victor Ramanayake, Yamuna Weerasekera, Premadasa Vithana.

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Stars in action on "Silver Night"

It was a glittering night packed with some of Sinhala cinema's top stars as "Munchee Samaga Ridee Reyak" took to the stage at the BMICH on December 22.

The show was choreographed by Channa Wijewardane and put together by the Cine Star Foundation headed by Jayantha Dharmadasa. It was sponsored by Ceylon Biscuits Ltd.

Malani Fonseka, Ravindra Randeniya, Sriyani Amarasena, Roy de Silva, Sumana Amarasinghe, Cletus Mendis, Sangeetha Weeraratne, Yashoda Wimaladharma, Dilhani Ashokamala, Sabitha Perera, Roshan Ranawana, Channa Perera, Kamal Addaraarachchi, Kanchana Mendis, Chathurika Peiris, Roshan Pilapitiya, Veena Jayakody, Semini Iddamalgoda, Mahendra Perera, Sachini Ayendra, Sanath Wimalasiri, Suraj Mapa and several others entertained the audience.