Abstract
This study seeks to make an inquiry into the contemporary documentary ecosystem in India with an emphasis on the role of digital transformation. The documentary form has evolved in India through two important moments in history: the first being the establishment of the Films Division in 1948, which produced Government funded documentaries. The second was a retaliation to the State sponsored documentaries, wherein some budding filmmakers captured voices of dissent and dissatisfaction in their frames, most prominently during the Emergency period (1975-77), and smuggled the tapes outside India. Thus, was born the Independent or alternative documentary movement in India. Notably, a significant shift in the practice of documentary filmmaking in India has been witnessed post 2000. Since the advent of digitization and Web 2.0 in India, a lot of ground has been covered because of newer formats and avenues to produce, market and distribute content such as availability of less expensive and technologically advanced filmmaking equipment, social networks starting 2004 onwards, live streaming capabilities on mobile, accessibility to crowd-funding platforms and distribution through OTT and performative spaces. All these changes have marked a significant shift in the process and tradition of Indian documentary practice. Through qualitative methodology and methods of in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and secondary data, this paper from an ongoing doctoral research project explores the shift in documentary practice over the last decade in India, whilst taking into account the role of the audience as a signifying contributor to this field, as a consumer, coproducer and co-distributor.
Presenters
Deenaz RaisinghaniUGC-JRF Research Fellow|Teaching Assistant, Department of Media and Communication Studies, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Maharashtra, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
DOCUMENTARY, INTERNET, SOCIAL MEDIA, INDIA, FILM MAKING, NONFICTION, SOUTHASIA
