The Thursday Ten #1

1. What is your favorite Pixar movie?

Ooh, Up is most definitely my favourite Pixar film. From the bizarre creatures to that chubby little boy scout, it's both hilarious and a tug at your heart-strings. But what I love the most is the undying love of two childhood sweethearts growing old together. I wouldn't say I'm a "hopeless romantic" but I am a hopeful believer in promising forever and sticking to it! And I love it when the media shows that. 

2. Do you enjoy soccer?

Um, no not really. I did stay up and watch a handful of matches during the FIFA Worldcup in South Africa though. But maybe that was just because of some sense of African pride left in me... I would also be lying if I said I had absolutely no desire to go to Brazil for FIFA 2014. How mad/rad would that be?!?

3. Are you musical?

Oh, how I wish! My mother wanted very much for me to play the piano and I tried... I got myself a distinction in Grade One Piano from the Royal School of Music (fancy shmancy, I know) and then I gave up. I wanted to be like Beethoven without the tedious hours of practice and apparently that's not really possible. Humph.

4. How many push-ups can you do?

Depends... On my knees, I can do about 12. Proper plank push-ups, I'd have to give up after two unless I wanted to fall on my nose and injure myself...

5. Did you have braces when you were younger?

Yes, but I still have crooked teeth. Partly because I gave up on the darn things sooner than I should have and partly because well... it was rather optimistic trying to get my teeth completely straight! 

6. Summer or winter? 

Well, depends on where we're talking about. In Zambia, summer was nice because it came with afternoon thunderstorms. In Ooty, I loved the warmth of summer and the gorgeous clear blue skies. In Bombay, it's pretty much summer aaalll the time and you just learn to adapt. In Bangalore, definitely love the winters!

7. Do you buy new or used cars?

Carssss??! Plural? I don't buy cars at all. I sometimes drive our family car here in Bangalore but honestly, if I never had to drive again (in India, at least) that would be OK with me. It's sad cause I actually do enjoy the driving part, just not the-other-people-acting-like-maniacs-on-the-roads part.

8. Do you get cranky when you’re tired or hungry?

Hmmm, I think that would be a yes and a yes. Although, when I'm tired I think I get more quiet than cranky, but maybe I'm not the best judge of that?

9. Something interesting you read this week?

Yup, this article by Kathleen Trenske The Case Against 'Good Enough'. As a photographer who shoots weddings, I completely agree with what Trenske says. I talked about it a little bit here but she says it really eloquently. This is my favourite part:

But of all the things you spend money on for your wedding, your wedding photographs are the ONLY thing that will increase in value over time. As the years pass, you'll be more and more glad that you have them. Especially, if you can experience looking through them by flipping through a gorgeous custom-designed album instead of sitting in front of your computer and clicking "next" with your mouse.

10. Post a picture!

Okay! This one is for Antu who left for Bombay today. She stayed with us for a month while she wrapped up her Master's Degree and 2-year stint in Bangalore. We loved having her and I am definitely going to miss her being in the same city as me. BUT I will see her soon when I travel to Bombay so it's okay and I'm sure Bombay is delighted to have this gorgeous girl back. 

Love you Antu!

Picture courtesy of Sharan Ranjit. 

Questions adapted from Roots and Rings

Aradhna's Live Album!

I am so excited about this! About a month ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to watch Aradhna Live in Concert here in Bangalore. I also documented the event photographically which was beyond cool because I love Aradhna and to be able to serve them in that way was an honour. And then, they asked if they could use my images on the cover of their Live Album! Of course I said yes! And get this, there's a Vinyl LP of the album and this is what the cover looks like, with images taken by yours truly!

Benares, A Beautiful Mess

The whole set from Benares is now up on the website!

Have a look!

Aradhna.

I learnt of this band about 6 years ago. Through random clicks on the internet, I landed up on their website. I clicked on the song 'Gaao Re' and tears streamed down my cheeks. The profound lyrics, the fusion of instruments and cultures... It was beautiful and to this day, they still have the ability to move me to tears. Watching them perform Live was literally a dream come true for me. It is really hard to put into words the kind of deep resounding joy that washed over me as I watched them perform on Saturday 17th November, 2012.

A day that will remain forever impressed upon my memory.

www.aradhnamusic.com

Aradhna in Bangalore: Christopher Dicran Hale - lead vocalist and Sitarist, Peter Hicks on Acoustic Guitar, Travis McAfee on Base, and Uday Kumar Nari on Tabla

#SSSMovie Interview: Cara Eastcott!

International Interview with Cara Eastcott!

Logistics of Interview - Robert Stephens in Mumbai, India (6.30 pm IST) and Cara Eastcott in Toronto, Canada (9.00 am EST)

Medium of International Communication: English Language Conversation on the Supermobile

RS:  Helllooooo......... after a long time Cara!!!!!11

CE:  Hiiiiiiiiiiiii........ after a long time Robert!

RS:  It feels like just a few days ago we were in Mumbai shooting for Simple Superstar, no?

CE:  Absolutely!  The whole experience was soooo NICE!

RS:  Before we get into the nitty gritty of the shoot, please share with us what you have been up to upon returning to Canada?

CE:  Well.......I am working full time with the Disability Arts Festival*, taking improv piano lessons, DJ-ing, and doing some Stand-Up Comedy! Trying a little bit of everything!

RS:  Wow! You certainly have your hands full. Great to hear!

CE:  Thank You!!! Ahhhhh!! I miss everyone in Mumbai so much and the shoot was awesome!

 RS:  Well then...let us begin.....How did you, Cara Eastcott, become the Bollywood Diva aka Priya Madam?

CE:  (Smiles)  When I saw that Wilbur was making a Feature Film, I wrote to him and said "Wilbur! I want to be involved! I can help with shoot related stuff, set coordination, promotions, etc...." 

RS:  Ohh, so you were not Priya Madam from the beginning?

CE:  Nope.  I was just there to help!  Then  I mentioned to Wilbur that I was getting back into acting and performance and Wilbur coincidentally said to me, "Cara!  We need you to play a Diva Role!"  And that is how it began!

RS:  Very awesome!  Can you share a little bit about the shoot? 

CE:  Certainly!  We met the evening before the shoot at the Taj Mahal Hotel Lobby, and Wilbur said "Team, tomorrow we are going to shoot five scenes in one day!".....and I was thinking to myself "No Wayyy!"

RS:  And....

CE:  And it happened!  I could not believe it!  Everything went so smooth!  We began with a scene on a boat at the Gateway of India!  It really made me feel in character, as if I was on my own private yacht - except it was a rickety old colourful boat!  This was like a perfect introduction to the day for me...an "Ode to Extravaganza."

RS:  Nice! Then?

CE:  Then, we stopped by a petrol pump.

RS: A petrol pump?

CE:  Yessir!  The night before Wilbur said "Friends, we need an Ambassador car for this shoot!"  but being Mumbai, nobody knew where we could get one, and staff at the Taj actually told us they don't exist in Mumbai anymore!!!!1 But in the morning, on my way to the shoot in a taxi, I saw an Ambassador being serviced at a gas station...and it was still there after we finished our piece on the yacht (aka colourful old boat).

RS: Hahahaha! So you shot a scene with a broke-down Ambassador at a petrol pump?!?!

CE:  Yes, it was Awesome! Perfect actually!

RS: Hahhaha! Too much!

CE:  Then we moved on to Marine Drive for an EPIC shoot!  The wind was Howling!  My hair was all over the place, my sari was totally out of control... it was crazy...really really windy!

RS:  Ha! Gone with the Wind, Marathi Edition!

CE:  (Smiles) My favorite sequence was the Hanging Gardens shoot.....

RS: Why is that?

CE:   Wilbur and I were on a bridge.....and we began an improvised shot that involved communication with expressions and actions only, no words. A crowd gathered, mostly children. And it grew and grew...until it reached about a hundred children or so...

RS:  And how did they react?

CE:  Children were the perfect litmus test!  Their natural reactions instantly confirmed that we were doing something right!  They would laugh at just the right time, giggle at others, it was great. Kind of like Live Theatre!

RS:   Awww, sweet.

 

CE:   You know, it is amazing how one day can have such a lasting impact. 

RS:  Excuse me?

CE:  That one day with five shoots was a milestone in an incredible process.  How this whole project is unraveling has been beautiful to watch.  The amount of focus and love, the drive behind this whole film and the people involved, Wow! Especially Wilbur! He has a gift to bring the right people together and finish what he starts! Simply super!

RS:  I have noticed something consistent in all SSS interviews.....people always come around to talk about the family, the Wilbur Worldwide Community, and the underlying message that the Common is Extraordinary, if only we take the time to appreciate and celebrate!

CE:  That's right! It was not about the technical things!  It is about what I call the "Heart Push" - veering away from the mainstream path of self promotion - it is the Heart Push that makes everyone want to be involved!

        

RS:  "Heart Push!"  I like that!

CE:  The momentum from this project has been part of the inspiration for my recommencing improv piano lessons, DJ-ing, and Stand Up Comedy here in Toronto.  It’s basically instilled in me the proof that I can do anything I put my mind to.

RS:  Oh Wow! That is so encouraging to hear Cara!  Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you will continue to stay inspired as we journey together!

 

CE:  Yes yes yes!  Have a great day Robert, I need to run now...must get to work!

RS: Okie! Have a great day!!!1

The Wilbur Worldwide Community exists to see others inspired.  To imagine and move towards a wide world where competition is replaced with collaboration, and the gifts and skills of one exist to enrich and fill others. 

*The Disability Arts Festival is a Not For Profit Arts Organization that is producing an annual festival showcasing artists with disability. This year we had a media series of films and workshops, a photography exhibit and Pod Plays! Abilities is located in Toronto, Canada.

Location: Mumbai, Toronto, Bangalore!

Interviewer: Robert Stephens

Model/Interviewee: Cara Eastcott

Photographer: Tina Nandi

Note from the Photographer: Cara Eastcott is one of the most vibrant, encouraging, and kind individuals I have ever met. So glad our paths crossed thanks to Wilbur World Wide! I had the honour of being 'on set' and doing some Behind-the-Scenes Photography when this section of the film was being shot in Mumbai and it is honestly one of the highlights of 2012 for me. So many awesome people in one place!

Make sure you check out this hilarious video interview of 'Madam Priya' at the delicious Swathi Snacks in Tardeo, Mumbai. 

And the rest of the interviews in this series:

Interview with Ms. Jen Neecia

Interview with Naveen Richard

Interview with Sathish Shanmugan

Interview with DJ Sodhivine

Interview with DJ Deli

Interview with Colonel Prasad and Vaishnavi Madam

Interview with Mr. Ken

And plenty more musings on Robert Stephen's Blog.

#SSSMovie Interview: Sathish Shanmugam!

Domestic Interview with Sathish Shanmugam!

Logistics of Interview - Robert Stephens, Sathish Shanmugam, and Tina Nandi in Bengaluru, India (3.30 pm IST)

Medium of Domestic Communication: English Language Conversation

RS:  Greetings Sathish!

SS:  Hi Robert!

RS:  I would like to begin by......(early interruption by Sathish)

SS:  I want this to go on record: I AM A 12th STANDARD GRADUATE ONLY!

RS:  (after recovering from slight shock)  Oh my, OK. So you do not have the college degree?

SS: NOPE!  And on my wedding invitation one day, it is going to say "12th Standard Graduate ONLY"

RS:  Then that means Wilbur Sargunaraj's song "Simple Superstar" is basically your personal theme song?

SS:  Absolutely.  That is ME, and I am PROUD of it.

RS: Very interesting.   So enlighten us sir...how did you end up in the movie cast?

SS:  It is quite simple actually.  Zaid Khan, a friend of mine, shared about the movie, and explained that there was one role left.  It sounded interesting, so I decided to give it a shot and audition. 

RS:  And clearly it worked out.... which character do you play?

SS:  I'm a successful businessman...you can see me in the trailer at minute 1.05.

RS: What!?!? That is YOU?!?! No way! You look so different in real life!!!1

SS: Yes, that is me!  When I first told my Mom about the role, she laughed at me, because it is very much opposite my natural character and personality!

RS:  Hahahaha!

SS:  BUT, I had the chance to play many other roles in the movie, all of which were unscripted....

RS: Such as.....?

SS:  To begin with, I was the Eastern Latrine Door Technician, a role which I obtained on the basis of pure skill, as nobody else could do what I did.

RS: Excuse me?

SS:  This is a top secret role, and everyone will just have to wait and see the movie to understand how the Eastern Latrine Door makes a cameo.

RS:  Ok then....(nervous look toward Tina Nandi)....other roles?

SS:  Then I was the Children's Dance Choreographer for "Annie Rose."

RS:  You mean, the first official Simple Superstar teaser, the Annie Rose music video?

SS:  The one and only, yes sir.  Then, I was Ben's Assistant Cameraman, the Sound Assistant, and Assistant Set Coordinator in Chennai.

RS:  Wow.  Those are a lot of roles, six to be precise.  Was your involvement originally planned to be so extensive?

SS:  No way!  Actually, my "role" as a successful businessman was originally slated to be a two day shoot. 

RS: How and why did things change?

SS:  As everyone started working together, something very special happened.  We became like a close knit family.  Ordinary events like having dinner became highlights of the day.

RS: Can you explain that a bit more?

SS:  I'll explain it this way.....When I am invited over to someone's house, I'm the type of guy that will sit quietly, not talk much, etc.  But when I was at Wilbur's House, with his parents and family, everything was totally different.  In fact, I have NEVER had so many people being sincerely and simultaneously nice to me in my life!

RS: Hahaha! That is GREAT!

SS:  And I want this to go on record "WILBUR'S MOM MAKES THE BEST PEANUT BUTTER IN THE WORLD!"

RS: Peanut Butter!?!?

SS:  Yes!  I would have a Peanut Butter and Jelly (PBJ) sandwich for dinner, for lunch, and sometimes, even for breakfast.  I was totally High on food!  In fact, by the end of our time together, Wilbur's Mom used to call me "Peanut Butter Kutti."

RS:  Ummm....Peanut Butter Kutti? What does "kutti" mean?

SS:  Something along the lines of "Dear"

RS:  Hahaha! Lovely.  Any stories from the shoot you would like to share?

SS:  I must say, Ben Stamper is Crazy.  In a great way.

RS:  Yes, that is a well documented fact.  But for the records sake, can you explain a bit?

SS:  One day, we were shooting in a coconut tree grove.  After preparing for the shoot, all was ready to go, but we could not find Ben....

RS: Then....?

SS:  Out of nowhere we hear "Are you ready?"  I look around, down, to the side, but still no success.  Then, I look up, and he is hanging from the top of a coconut tree, ready to shoot.  How he got up there I have no idea!

RS: Yep!  That sounds like a Ben story!

SS:  Gosh, we had so much fun shooting this film.  When our month together came to a close, we were rather sad.  We knew that this experience would never happen again, and that made it all the more special.

RS:  Well, Mr. Sathish Shanmugam, our Peanut Butter Kutti / Eastern Latrine Door Technician / Sound Assistant / Assistant Cameraman / ‘Annie Rose’ Choreographer / Assistant Set Coordinator, we thank you for your time.  More importantly, we thank you for the expanse of your heart.  Thank you for turning a two day role into a month long commitment.  Thank you for being a living example of the fact that true success in life, the kind that is focused on encouraging and being in community with others, has nothing to do with a college degree.  We thank you. We salute you. 

SS: (Salutes and smiles wide)  

Location: Commercial Street, Bangalore

Interviewer: Robert Stephens

Model/Interviewee: Sathish Shanmugam

Photographer: Tina Nandi

Note from the Photographer: While we were out on the busy streets of Commercial Street taking the photographs for this interview, two curious gentlemen came and asked us what we were doing. They turned out also to be Wilbur fans. A perfect example of how wide the Wilbur World Wide Community is and the power it has to bring strangers together!

Please do check out all the other interviews of the wide variety of contributors to Wilbur's upcoming film. 

Interview with Ms. Jen Neecia

Interview with Naveen Richard

Video Interview with Madam Priya

Interview with DJ Sodhivine

Interview with DJ Deli

Interview with Colonel Prasad and Vaishnavi Madam

Interview with Mr. Ken

And plenty more musings on Robert Stephen's Blog.

The lonely auto.

This evening, Sharan, Anu and I went on a Light-painting mission. After being attacked vehemently by mosquitoes in the gardens of Cubbon Park, we moved to the road (inside Cubbon Park). There we found a lonely parked auto so we decided to cheer it up a little bit and this is what resulted...

So much fun!

Archives

Exploring Bangalore: Avenue Rd. and Khau Galli

On the weekend, a couple of friends and I went to Avenue Rd. and I have to say, I was quite shocked by the congestion! I've seen that and lived with that when I was in Bombay but I didn't know it could get that crazy in Bangalore! 

Also, to my surprise there's a 'Khau Galli' in Bangalore! After bemoaning Bangalore's lack of Street Food culture, this place felt a little like Cloud 9. The North Indian food is definitely not up to the mark, but Gobi Manchurian, soft-as-clouds Idlis, and Pooran Poli - WIN!

Ben, Nathan and Danny!

Did my first family shoot of sorts last weekend and I couldn't have asked for better subjects! Josephine, the boys' mother got in touch with me some months back after she found a picture that I had taken of her youngest at a wedding that we were both at. She asked if I would do the kids' portraits this year and of course, I jumped at the opportunity! 

I think we were all a little conscious initially but after a while, the boys loosened up and just want a fun time playing and posing and I had a fun time capturing all of that! 

All in all, a Sunday afternoon very well spent!

Holidays are a-coming!

Don't know about you guys, but I feel like this year has flown by! It's Christmas already. Okay, maybe not quite yet, but it will be before we know it. Thought it might be a fun idea to do some mini-portrait sessions and design some postcards that you can send to your friends and family all over the world. 

To book a session, write to tinanandi[at]gmail[dot]com or send me a FB message and I'll hook you up ;)

Danny, Nathan and Ben: Sneak Peek!

Yesterday I had a lovely time shooting these three super sweet, super handsome and super hyper little boys! It was my first family shoot in a sense and I have to say I wasn't sure what to expect but it was so fun! The boys were all spruced up in their suits and in no time, they loosened up and just had a gala time while I tried to capture them with my camera. Can't wait to finish working on these. Here's a little preview until then! 

#SSSMovie Interview: Introducing... Naveen Richard!

Interview of Mr. Naveen Richard, actor in Simple Superstar, the movie.  

Sankey Tank, Bengaluru, India

22 September 2012

RS: Sir, tell us a little bit about your hair dresser on set.

NR:  Haha!  (looking up at own hair) There was no hairdresser!  In fact, there often wasn't even a mirror!

RS: What!?!?  How did you manage?

NR:  I would often look at my reflection in the mobile phone.  As a side note, once upon a time, I found a grasshopper in my hair!

RS:  Beautiful, well done.  Let us continue.  Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

NR:  Sure.  I'm currently a student of law, but my passions are acting, writing, stand-up comedy, photography, and filmmaking.  My first ever paycheck came from an acting role.

RS: That is nice.  So, I understand you were born in Cochin (in Kerala state), raised in Coimbatore (in Tamilnadu state), and now reside in Bengaluru (in Karnataka state)?

NR: That is correct.

RS: Given the fact that each of those cities host different languages, what are your linguistic capabilities?

NR: An interesting question sir.  When I speak in Tamil, native Tamil speakers say that my accent is NOT Tamil.  When I speak in Hindi, people say I have a Tamil accent.  When I speak in Malayalam, people say I have a Tamil accent.  And when I speak in English, I would like to think I am somewhere in between all of the above.

RS: Very interesting.  When did you first meet Wilbur Sargunaraj?

NR: I had known about him for a while because of his Youtube videos.  Then he performed in Bengaluru and I went for the concert.  Usually, when I am around superstars, I say stupid things.  But it was easy to meet and interact with him.  I didn't fumble my words at all.  He signed my concert ticket stub, a prized possession which I eventually, and unfortunately, lost.  Very very sad.

RS: So...(interrupted by Mr. Naveen Sir)

NR: And one more thing about the concert; I couldn't afford a beer at the time, as I was a broke student.  But I can honestly say when I left that evening I was HIGH from dancing. It was an awesome evening.

RS: That is nice.  You are very good at being thoroughly resourceful - utilizing mobile phones as mirrors, utilizing dance as a substitute for cold beverages....Well done yet again.   

(impromptu question at this point by Tina Nandi Photography)

TNP: When you were filming for the movie, was there a lot of impromptu? 

NR: We would go over the day's scenes and dialogues the night before.  But that was just an outline for the day - MUCH of the final product was impromptu, and that was one of the best parts of the filming experience.  I often never knew exactly what Wilbur Sargunaraj would say, and he never knew exactly what I would say.  It kept everything fresh!

RS: How did your days start when you were filming in the village?

NR: Well, we began with a bath.

RS: Whew!!! That is good to hear.

NR: All the guys would go out to the natural water well in the field.  There, a pressure pump was installed for irrigation purposes.  Wilbur showed us that if you stand under the blast of the water, the pump transforms into a shower - resulting in a pressure pump bath!  So we would properly queue up and wait our turns to take pressure pump baths.  It was so nice. 

RS: Then?

NR: After returning to the village, we would all have breakfast together. Typically Idli.

RS: Breakfast together?

NR: Oh yea, definately.

RS: That is nice.

NR:  Then, we would commence shooting.  Ben Stamper, in addition to being the Director of Photography, would also double as my wardrobe assistant.  Pointing to my clothing, I would ask him "Is this OK?"  He would think for a few seconds, and then say "Yea."

RS: Awesome. Ben is a great guy.

NR: Following some shooting, we would all take naps in the afternoon. I would nap under a big Neem Tree.

RS: Were there any especially unique challenges filming in the village?

NR: Oh yea.  One day in particular, there was a festival at a nearby village.  All day music was blasting, and I mean BLASTING.  This meant that we had to shoot complete scenes, as there was less opportunity to stitch scenes together later.  That was unique, and a challenge I don't think any of us expected.

RS: Why Simple Superstar? Why are you here?

NR:  There are many things in life I am indecisive about.  If I have to order juice, it will take me five minutes to make up my mind.  Then, there are other things which are clear, much more clear.  When I saw Wilbur Sargunaraj's Love Marriage video, I knew that this was something special.  I'm not sure where this will lead, or what will happen next, but this was a great experience, and I'm really excited to see the final product! 

*Simple Superstar, the movie, is currently in post production process at Ben StamperPictures in New Jersey, United States.  Wilbur Sargunaraj, in addition to daily collaboration with Mr. Stamper, is in parallel working on the Score for the film. 

A two man production team!  You can see the first (class) teaser for the film here (there is a pun on "first class" - because it is the "first" teaser released, and it is a "class" room full of students.) 

Location: Sankey Tank, Bangalore

Interviewer: Robert Stephens

Model/Interviewee: Naveen Richard

Photographer: Tina Nandi