Witness cinema's latest trend!...:

More on mofilms

Sachitra Mahendra

Applications are now being entertained for the Mofilm introductory course conducted by Onair World Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd in cooperation with Dialog TV. The first 30 applicants will be given free training on Mofilms and will be prepared for the Mofilm festival to be held in USA 2009 awaiting the award of US$ 1 million.

Daily News Art & Soul introduced the Mofilm concept last week in an interview with Chairman, Onair World Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd. Nimal Lakshapathiarachchi. "Mofilms or made-for-mobile films means films created specifically for the smaller screens of mobile devices instead of theatres, the web or television." Lakshapathiarachchi said last week.

Simply put, filming without much of a crew is what you define by Mofilm. You have a mobile, obviously with an in-built video option (well, you hardly see a mobile without video among the young these days) and you have your gang - four people are enough - with you. What you need is just an ounce of an idea of a scene-worth thing. It can be one-minute film, or if you feel it interests others, then it can be more than a minute.

It can be a moment you wait for a bus or it can be a moment you are waiting for a meal at a restaurant. You just press a few buttons on your mobile and watch Mofilm.

Onair World Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd provides the first 30 participants a basic training on both filming and technology.

"When you know how to video using your mobile, that's it. There is little to learn from there onwards, mostly on the technology part. You film the whole scene, and get it transferred into computer and edit it as you want. We provide the software," Lakshapathiarachchi said.

"Earlier it was a matter of getting a camera crew and you had to have a vast knowledge on filming. And you got to have followed various courses from experts. Now what you need is only a little bit of creativity. And I guarantee you that there will be no experts here. You have the basic knowledge provided, and the rest is up to you," Lakshapathiarachchi said.

Onair World Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd is now getting ready to launch Sri Lanka's first Mofilm channel, 'Mofilm Sri Lanka' around March. The channel can be viewed on every colour display phone, once the channel is launched.

My first mobile phone had no colour display let alone video option - colour display phone was a luxury some years back. And the colour display phones had no video option in its initial stages. Time only knows when mobile phone reached the crescendo so fast - and we are near the end of the first decade of the millennium with not only video but also with in-built media to transfer what you have videoed.

This in-built video option turned a somewhat revolutionary page in technology, as people began to video special events, later appearing on the Web. Videoing is no longer a luxury. But still, the quality mattered as the phones had varying amounts of mega pixels.

But fast developing mobile technology warded off this obstacle also by continuously increasing the quantity of mega pixels.

The well-known video format of Mobile phone is 3gp standing for Third Generation Partnership used on 3G Mobile phones. 3GP is simply designed to decrease storage and bandwidth requirements to accommodate mobile phones. It also contains descriptions of image sizes and bitrates.

When transferred to a computer, 3GP movies can be viewed on Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms with programs such as RealPlayer, QuickTime and Media Player Classic.

Two mobiles speak to each other in a Mofilm, while fingers have a show on different finger images in another. There are even more.

Think of the spectators of your creation. The mobile phone holder moves and obviously many things interrupt them. Mobile movies need to grab attention quickly in a busy surrounding. It can be a bus halt or a restaurant - all these places are so noisy and hardly can you listen to your handsfree. What's important then is watching rather than listening.

A mobile movie can be about anything, a romance, a recipe, or a simple cartoon, but please keep in mind - NO PORNOGRAPHY.

So Sri Lanka is now set to witness the cinema's latest trend - Mofilm. Hurry up - become one of the first 30 contributors in Sri Lanka's latest cinematic trend. What's more? Let's wait for Mofilm.

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Gehan's 'Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka'

Jetwing Eco Holidays, one of Sri Lanka's leading wildlife travel companies, has recently published an A5 sized booklet illustrating the 33 species of endemic birds in Sri Lanka.

This booklet shows in sharp and colourful detail, the variety of birds unique to Sri Lanka. The objective of the book is to make these 33 species of birds better known to a wider audience, especially to school children. A free download of the book is available at www.jetwingeco.com.

The book, printed in a user-friendly format with a soft cover, consists of photographs of endemic birds including their characteristic features, calls, habitat and distribution.

Owing to the Ceylon Spurfowl being a hard bird to photograph, a painting of the bird has been added to the book, completing all 33 species of endemic birds in Sri Lanka.

Photographs in this A5 sized book are by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, CEO of Jetwing Eco Holidays, while the painting of the Ceylon Spurfowl is by Hasitha Kumaradasa.

Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka will be an ideal introduction for students with its colourful images and concise information on each species. Birdwatchers will consider this a useful addition to their collection as well.

This book meets a demand for information on the endemic birds of Sri Lanka, as until recently there have been no publications illustrating them with photographs. The photographs will be especially helpful to schoolchildren looking for images for reference.

Kala Pola

A paradise for art lovers:

Sachitra Mahendra

Kala Pola, a haven for painters, comes alive on January 20 at 10.00 a.m. at Viharamahadevi Park, Ananda Coomaraswami Mawatha, Colombo 7, opposite National Art Gallery (Kala Bhavana). The concept both conceived and organised by the George Keyt Foundation, has the unbroken patronage of the John Keells Group celebrating their 15th consecutive year this time.

Over 300 painters will grace the occasion with their creations demonstrated for both Sri Lankans and expatriates. It makes the atmosphere filled with music, song, fun, and catching cheerfulness, giving you the feeling of being in a European capital like Montmartre in Paris.

Sunday the 20th sees the sunrise with painters and sculptors from all over Sri Lanka flocking together in the splendid greenery of Viharamahadevi park.

Cedric de Silva, George Keyt Foundation President reminisced the humble beginnings more than a decade back.

"It had attracted hundreds of artists and sculptors from all parts of the island who were given the unique opportunity of showcasing their work to a vast number of buyers. This is, indeed, a boon to these highly talented, yet very simple men and women, some of whom may not be able to exhibit in Colombo's regular art galleries." de Silva said.

Sumithra Gunasekara, John Keells Holdings Director stressed their strong commitment on supporting the country's arts and culture. "We consider it an honour to extend our patronage to Kala Pola - certainly one of the most celebrated events in Sri Lanka's cultural calendar.

Kala Pola provides a platform for budding artists, islandwide, to display their work and launch their careers. I am also very happy to note that Kala Pola is a good source of income for these artists, empowering them financially and encouraging them to pursue their careers.

Their talent, dedication to their artistry and determination to succeed are certainly an inspiration. We believe that nurturing the arts is essential to preserving the soul of society and that it is our responsibility to keep the arts alive, giving our continued support whenever and wherever it is needed," Gunasekara said.

With its establishment in 2005, the John Keells Responsibility Foundation is dedicated to making a positive difference and enriching the communities in which the Group operates.

The Foundation has continued to contribute to already undertaken commitments, as well as accept new ones that would contribute further towards sustainable social and economic goals, earning the company the award of 'Best Corporate Citizen 2007', given by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Channa Ekanayaka, representing his fellow painters at Kala Pola, emphasised on the quality rather than quantity.

The quality depends on the canvass the painter uses. The painting of superb quality actually has no expiry date - it lasts longer.

Painting is how the painter sees life. To experience or see life, you have to live in life, that is, you have to live with the common man. Ekanayaka had been living with people in Batticoloa.

"I had seen their way of life. That had been the immense inspiration in many of my paintings," Ekanayaka said. The painter-turned-writer Ekanayaka dropped his previous career and took into his childhood choice - painting - which surprisingly brings his home the bacon.

"I sell one or two pictures at a good price for both foreigners and locals, and that is enough for me for some time."

Kala Pola, earlier held along Ananda Coomaraswami road from St. Bridget's Convent to Public Library, this time is confined within the Viharamahadevi park due to the security situation.

The earlier setting had a clear view of the paintings stood on the pavements for passers-by that in turn meant handsome earning. The current setting allows no such privilege, as you must go inside the park just to have a look, let alone buying. The Kala Pola also had been postponed a number of times in the past on security grounds.

However the committee members are willing to put up, making allowances for the current secure situation of the country.

The inauguration ceremony for Kala Pola 2008 will be at 10.00 am and the fair will continue throughout the day changing sights and smells, sounds and colours, until the birds come home to roost and dusk settles over the Colombo city.

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Ae Wasanthayatai to be released

A new CD Ae Wasanthayatai will be released with 16 songs by Pushpa Tissera who came to limelight via SLBC Rajarata Sevaya on January 15 at a ceremony organised at Sudasuna, Chilaw at 3 p.m.

Bandula Nanayakkarawasam, Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe and Kumaradasa Saputhanthri composed lyrics.

Music by Rohana Weerasinghe, Mahinda Bandara, Suresh Maliyadde, Thalindu Weerasinghe, Kumara Kolambage and Christy Amaranath.

Breakthrough mobile technology on the ramp

Ruwini Jayawardana

Who can resist oohing and aahing over Halle Berry or Cindy Crawford as they make their way up the red carpet in splendid floor-length gowns? Now those of you into fashion and technology are given the unique opportunity to view those exquisite creations as Mobitel presents a fashion extravaganza for those with access to their 3G services.

“We wish to communicate the true benefit that 3G (third generation of mobile phone standards) brings to bear. Thus we decided to mobicast a world class fashion show. We contacted Dinesh Chandrasena, a much acclaimed designer residing in Los Angeles, USA, and a Sri Lankan by birth to present his first ever fashion show in his motherland,” Suren J. Amarasekara, Chief Executive Officer of Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd announced.

Mobitel will be the first to introduce mobicasting in South Asia. Mobitel users will get the opportunity to watch the glittering gowns, which have adorned many celebrities, on the ramp and many new styles which are likely to set trends in Hollywood in future. Customers around the world can also log into the Mobitel website www.mobitel.lk and catch a glimpse of the gala event.

“Mobitel 3G all over the country will be able to watch the show,” he said. Mobicasting had been tried out in UK before but there had been a delay of around seven minutes between the period that the live event took place and the time that the programme got through to the viewers. Amarasekara stated that Mobitel is striving to mobicast the fashion show with a much shorter delay.

Dinesh Chandrasena	Suren J. Amarasekara

“We are trying to identify the technical complexity of doing this but we are determined to make it near real time,” he said. The fashion show will comprise evening wear, hand embellished and with Swarovski crystals.

Dinesh possessed the flair for art which emerged through his passion for oil and water colour painting to taking part in the designer of the year contest in 1989.

After finishing his London A/Ls he studied the subject at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles, California and was also awarded the Michael Novarese Scholarship and the Textile Association of Los Angeles (TALA) scholarship.

Dinesh had worked at ‘Claire’s Collection’, a couture clothing company based in Los Angeles that specialised in one of a kind hand embellished garments for 11 years. He has a line up of some of the most famous and respected celebrities in Hollywood as his clients.

They include Halle Berry, Cindy Crawford, Shania Twain, Dame Julie Andrews, Natasha Henstridge and Heather Locklear. He had also dressed numerous Miss California, Miss America and Miss USA winners including Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith and Miss Korea Universe.

“Experience had taught me that the bigger the celebrity the more gracious they are and the easier they are to work with,” Dinesh said.

He had also designed gowns worn for movies like ‘Miss Congeniality’ starring Sandra Bullock and ‘Princess Diaries’ starring Dame Julie Andrews. Most of these gowns will be displayed at the fashion show along with his latest collection.

Dinesh design around 600 new creations per year and they are showcased at the collection showings in New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles. His creations appeal to those in UAE, Middle East and Asia.

“This will be my first show in Sri Lanka and it is exciting to be a part of this new concept because it is completely new from our stand point as well.

Enthusiasts of fashion as well as those interested in technology will be able to experience this innovative product being put to use. It is a good fit,” he stressed.

The glamorous show will be held at the Galle Face Hotel on April 4. Dinesh will design and launch a front line uniform for Mobitel at the occasion.

Supérieur de Musique

French and Sri Lankan style:

Music is a universal language. Once more, the Allaince française network in Sri Lanka will illustrate this statement by organising two concerts in partnership with the Embassy of France, the Taj Samudra Hotel Colombo, the Kandy Music Society and the Peradeniya University Arts Council.

Franck Bernède and Soundarie David will perform at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya today at 6 p.m. and at the Lower Crystal Room, Taj Samudra Hotel on January 16 at 7 p.m.

After the wonderful concert of Shani Diluka two months ago, Alliance française gives us another opportunity to listen to a former student of the prestigious Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique Paris.

Born in 1958 to a family of Musicians, Franck Bernède is a multi-faceted scholar, in cello performance and Ethnomusicology.

He is Assistant Professor in Baroque Music, cello and ethnomusiocology at the Chinese Culture University (Taipei, Taiwan). Founder of The Pedrini Institute for Baroque Music, he introduced and developed the first courses on Baroque Music in Taiwan that were open to all music students in 2004.

His research interests cover: 17th and 18th century music, particularly early Italian and French composers. Franck Bernède has been performed in the United States, Japan, India, Nepal, Indonesia and in major places in Europe.

In addition to numerous concerts and recordings within leading Baroque Ensembles in Europe such as Le Concert des Nations (dir, Jordi savall), Ensemble Mosaïques, Ensemble Baroque de Limoges (dir. Christophe Coin), Les Arts Florisants (dir. William Christie)... Franck Bernède has been visiting Professor at Jakarta Conservatorium where he gave the first performance of Bach suites on Baroque Cello in Indonesia, More recently, He has been invited by the National Center for Performing Arts (Taipei-Taiwan).

Franck Bernède is very excited about performing with Soundarie David who returned from California to her home country a few weeks ago and will offer us the now too rare opportunities to enjoy her talent.

Soundarie David, began her musical career at the age of four where she trained locally under the guidance of the late Ms Mary Billimoria, and later with Ms Ramya De Livera Perera.

Having completed high school, she was selected to enter the Colombo Law Faculty, and simultaneously was awarded a place to pursue a musical career at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London.

She chose to pursue her music first and studied under Patricia Carroll and John Blakely at the Royal College of Music, where she played an active role both as performer and accompanist participating in the prestigious Piano Platform series.

She has worked with many vocal coaches, such as Margaret Cable, Neil Jenkins, and Neil Mackay. As a soloist, Soundarie has performed both locally and internationally specializing more on the romantic repertoire.

Lines & patches

‘Lines and patches’ an exhibition of paintings by Pragathi Helakumara (19) a past student of Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College and a student of the Alliance française de Kandy will be held at the Alliance française de Kandy from January 18 to 25.

Pragathi had taken part in two group exhibitions organised by the Alliance française AYA 2006 (Alliance Young Artists 2006) and AYA 2007. He studies under veteran water colour artist M.D.S. Gunathilake (Retired Art Instructor). This is his first solo exhibition.

Sanduni visits on Saturdays

Sudharshani is a nurse who comes from the village. She works in a private hospital. One day a rich lady who fell ill is admitted to the hospital. Sudarshani attends to Mrs. Jayawickrama.

Mrs. Jayawickrama’s son is in England for higher studies. During her period at the hospital her son, Amal, comes to Sri Lanka and visits her in hospital. Sudharshani and Amal meet and Amal is captivated by her beauty and innocence.

As a result of their close relationship Sudharshani becomes pregnant. She goes to live in a small annex with her sister. Amal visits her often but just as their child is born Amal’s mother brings a marriage proposal for him.

Sanduni is the second teledrama production of Milroy Salgadu and Kithsiri Madawaka.

The director is Kumarasiri Abeykoon. Kanchana Mendis, Niroshan Wijesinghe, Rex Koddipilli, Sunil Hettiarachchi, Saranapala Jayasooriya, Tharushi Perera, Harsha Bulathsinhala, Vishaka Siriwardena, Shalika Subasinghe, Namal Senanayake, Nuwan, Anusha Rajapaksha, Chamali Sanduni, Nilangani Perera and Nimal Pallewattha make up the cast. Music is by Sarath de Alwis. Champa Kalhari and Indika Upamali are the vocalists.

Lyrics by Ajantha Ranasinghe. Script by Anura Weerawardena and the art director is Lakshman Devasundara. Buddhika Ranasinghe is the editor while the production coodinator is Buddhika Gunadasa.

‘Sanduni’, the 50 episode teledrama will be telecast on Sirasa TV every Saturday at 8.30 p.m.