Whistling Woods International [WWI], the Institute for Film, Communication, Animation & Media Arts from India, founded by Subhash Ghai and based out of Mumbai has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bradford College to set up Whistling Woods’ first international campus – in Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK.
The MoU was signed between Trevor Griffiths, Associate Director Innovation & Projects – Bradford College and Ms Meghna Ghai Puri, President, Whistling Woods International in the presence of Subhash Ghai, Founder & Chairman, Whistling Woods International.
Titled as the Whistling Woods Bradford International Film School, the institute will be set up in the main heritage building of Bradford College and will offer undergraduate degree courses in Film-making as well as Animation. Classes are expected to commence in August-September 2013 with admissions commencing from February 2013. The eligibility for joining these undergraduate degree courses would be a High School Certificate (12thgrade from India) or equivalent academic accomplishment in any country.
Speaking on this occasion, Chaitanya Chinchlikar, Vice President, Business Development at Whistling Woods, shares, “The relationship with Bradford College started around 4 years ago when we started working on a international student co-production project, under a UKIERI grant. The co-production was for a stop motion (Claymation) film with the animation students of Whistling Woods and the still photography students of Bradford working on the project. Ever since, both institutions have been engaged in several academic and non-academic joint conversations and collaborative activities.”
In June 2009, Bradford was designated as the world’s first UNESCO City of Film. The title was awarded because of the city’s rich film heritage, its inspirational movie locations and its many celebrations of the moving image through the National Media Museum and the city’s annual film festivals. This film school adds that additional shine to the city, enhancing its impact on film in the UK and the world.
Adds further, “As there was a four-year relationship between Bradford College and Whistling Woods International, we commenced a discussion on setting up WWI inside Bradford College in early 2012 with the past year being spent in finalizing & structuring the partnership and the institute setup. Currently we are in the crucial stages of finalizing the curriculum and academic delivery structure.”
Chaitanya shares more on this front, “We are also building in a structure under which students spend 1 or 2 semesters at the Whistling Woods Mumbai Campus. The thought behind students spending 1 or 2 semesters in WWI Mumbai is to connect international students to the Indian film students, in the hope of more collaborative filmmaking in years to come.”
Informs more, “Hollywood studios in US, UK and Europe deliver high-end animation & VFX work. The noted aspect about this collaboration is that students, in the early stages of their career, will gain access to high-end job opportunities available in the US, UK and Europe, which is a great first step in their careers.”
The faculty of the school will comprise academics & professionals from the UK, Europe and also some faculty from India. Other collaborative plans include structuring regular master-classes and workshops by animators from across Europe & the UK.
“The main focal point at this time is to build the academics for a kind of education that is current, cutting-edge, global, and one that should create excellent animation filmmaking professionals out of students. The opportunities in the US, the UK, Canada and Europe are then just a knock on the door away”, concludes, Chaitanya.