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Entertaining courses
Fortune Institute of Communication & Television (FICT) has launched a slew of courses in the cardinal broadcast medium.
Fortune Institute of Communication & Television (FICT) has launched a slew of courses in the cardinal broadcast medium.
The new millennium has witnessed a surge in demand for professionals in the satellite television industry. The concept of “entertainment” has also undergone a sea change in terms of content, style and in the speed of the presentation. Though the entertainment segment has brought in more work, opportunities are tremendous only for those who can produce shows at the drop of a hat. Keeping this perspective in view, the Fortune Institute of Communication & Television (FICT) has launched a platter of courses - in the cardinal broadcast medium - that boast of equipping students with skills that will enable them to produce live news bulletins, game shows and music or dance concerts at break-neck speed.
Says Dr. Reena Ramachandran, Director General, FICT, “The electronic media refers to a whole gamut of media activities, used to communicate with viewers. The revolution started with television finally entering Indian homes and, in no time at all, becoming a phenomenal success. Unfortunately, comprehensive training in producing shows - as they happen in real time, is still missing in India. FICT’s endeavour will be to address this need and impart compact, comprehensive courses covering all stages of production.”
FICT - a flagship institute of the Fortune Institute of International Business that offers a two-year AICTE-recognised PG Diploma in Business Management - is all set to offer four PG diplomas and four diploma courses. Says Prof. Mahmood Quraishi, Director, FICT, “While our one-year PG diploma course in TV Studio Production is priced at Rs. 1,50,000 and is meant for graduates, our three-month PG diploma course in Presentation and TV News Reading (also meant for graduates) will cost around Rs. 30,000. However, for the latter course, students must have a good knowledge of current affairs, a pleasant personality and a clear accent.”
FICT has also launched a two-month PG diploma course in Corporate Video Production priced at Rs. 50,000 for those working in senior positions in PR/ corporate houses. Says Dr. Ramachandran, “In-service professionals sponsored by companies must fulfil the minimum admission criteria - including a written test and an interview - to get admission to this course.” And, for the first time in the country, FICT is launching a one-year PG diploma course in Social Marketing priced at Rs. 90,000. There are also six-month diploma courses in Videography, Video Editing, Videographics and Animation, and Professional Still Photography — all priced at Rs. 60,000.
Says Prof. Quraishi, “We have technically sound infrastructure for intensive training in all aspects of television production. With eight modern classrooms, three labs equipped with the latest audio-visual facilities, an eight-station lab exclusively for students, and a professional studio as large as Doordarshan’s, our institute is equipped with state-of-the-art broadcast equipment.”
A number of prominent academicians and media practitioners from relevant fields will comprise the faculty. “They will be supported by an equally prominent guest faculty for additional inputs, both in theory and practical,” says Dr. Ramachandran, adding, “Some names include Dr. SY Quraishi, former DG Doordarshan and Addl. Secretary, Government of India; Muzzaffer Ali, renowned filmmaker; Mike Pandey, film producer-director; news casters like Salma Sultan, Usha Albuquerque, Komal GB Singh etc.; Dr. Prof. MZ Khan, former Head of the Department of Social Work, Jamila Millia Central University, Delhi; TV producer-directors like Suman Bajaj Kalra, Kamalini Dutt, Vijay Kumar etc.; and Dr. Kapil Kaul, Chairman, Indian Council for Social Marketing.”
The institute will be looking at industry tie-ups for placements. “Our intention is to train students in such a way that from day one, they are competent enough to produce quality live shows. So a lot of attention will be given to hands-on, real life practical training,” says RK Shrivastava, President, Fortune International Ltd.
