smcs.tiss.edu SMCS Early Career Fellowship 2015 Mumbai : School of Media & Cultural Studies

Organization : School of Media and Cultural Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Scholarship Name : SMCS Early Career Fellowship 2015
Location : Mumbai
Application Last Date : 17 August 2015

Website : http://smcs.tiss.edu/

SMCS Early Career Fellowship 2015:
The School of Media and Cultural Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences announces two fellowships for film-makers and media practitioners at an early stage of their career. The fellowships are designed to provide the resources and environment for films, websites, multi-media artefacts and other audio-visual media documentation projects that are innovative, relevant and contribute to the growing body of documentary, audio-visual and new media work in India. The fellowships are supported by a grant from the Jamsetji Tata Trust.

The fellowship consists of:
** A stipend of Rs. 25,000 per month for a maximum period of eight months.
** The provision of in-house editing facilities, available in Mumbai for the fellows.
** Reimbursement of actuals of production expenses on the basis of a pre-approved budget. Maximum budgetory allotment for production is Rs. 2.50 lakhs.

In order to be considered for the fellowship applicants are required to provide:
** A detailed curriculum vitae
** Up to two non-returnable samples of work on DVD/VCD.
** An essay outlining the film proposal in not more than 2000 words. This essay should include: a working title for the film, language, the central theme of the film, approach to the content and narrative style, possible visual segments.
** A production schedule with a detailed time frame for: research and script, cinematography, editing to rough cut, editing to final cut, submission of all material.
** A budget for other production expenses (e.g. travel, field expenses, payments to other professionals etc.). Please note that the fellowship does not support any infrastructural costs such as setting up of an office, buying of equipment, or per diem costs.
** Names and contact details of two referees, preferably from the field of media, whom we will contact for a reference if needed.

Last date for receipt of applications is 17 August 2015.

Applications can be sent to:
School of Media and Cultural Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Deonar, Mumbai 400 088, India

The fellowship is open to all Indian nationals. An early career filmmaker is defined as someone who has completed her/his media education not more than 5 years ago. In case of applicants without a media degree, they should have made not more than 5 documentary or short films already.

The fellowship does not support the production of fiction films. Two fellowships are available based on the quality of applications. One fellowship is for general themes and the other fellowship is reserved for media projects on the North-East region of India.

All proposals must be submitted as hard copies and signed by the film maker.

Short-listed candidates will have to come for an interview to the Mumbai campus on September 17, 2015. Travel will be reimbursed at the rates of three tier non-AC train fare against valid tickets.

For any queries, please contact: smcs.fellowship@gmail.com

Terms of the fellowship:
** Selected fellows will be paid their fellowship amount on a monthly basis and for production expenses in installments as and when needed.
** The footage and final film produced will remain with the Digital Archive of the School. However, the fellow might retain a copy of the same, for her/his personal use. The copyright will be held jointly by the fellow and the School. The film will be distributed by the School as a part of its catalogue of productions. The fellow may also distribute the film. The School will be cited in the credits as the Producer of the film and the fellow will be cited as Director of the said film.
** The fellow is expected to adhere to the time schedule s/he proposes. Any changes should be notified in advance.
** There will be a small advisory committee for each project. The committee will facilitate the work of the fellow. S/he is expected to keep in touch with the committee on a regular basis and discuss and share her/his work at every stage (shooting script/ rough edit and final edit).
** Fellows are expected to begin work by 1 October 2015 and complete their films by 31 May 2016.