At a press conference in Mumbai, veteran film maker Subhash Ghai who groomed many stars and technicians in the Indian Film Industry, unveiled his dream project Whistling Woods International, a first of its kind – the largest film, television and media arts institute in Asia, all set to commence its first academic year in July 2006. Based in Film City (Goregaon, Mumbai) and promoted by Mukta Arts Ltd., Whistling Woods International will provide world-class training across all technical and creative aspects of filmmaking and television and animation in its first phase with regular two years intensive hands on training and develop a research and development centre in software.

The occasion saw the formal introduction of the institute’s dean Kurt Inderbitzin, a producer-director himself from Los Angeles with twelve years worth of experience developing, writing, directing and producing movies and TV shows for major studios, cable companies and the networks, including CBS, ABC, Lifetime, NBC, TBS, TNT, HBO and Warner Brothers Network, in all formats, High-Definition, digital video and 35 mm film. Other key faculty including Shyam Benegal (Chairman Academic Council), Aruna Raje ( VP, Academic Affairs), Naseerudin Shah ( HOD, Acting), Ashish Kulkarni (HOD, Animation) were also present on the occasion and expressed in one voice, “Here is a true platform to change the face of entertainment and media industry through the next generation of content creators”.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Subhash Ghai, Chairman, WWI said, “Whistling Woods International is my way of returning to the industry what it has taught me over the last 27 yrs. Whistling Woods will act as a stepping stone for anyone who want to make inroads into the world of Television, Cinema and Animation. WWI will have the very best to offer at power with international standards be it technology, faculty and resources and we are fortunate to have such a strong team and heads to take on this institute to the international standard with much more higher standard very soon.

He further added, “I also thank all those friends, professionals and especially the Chief Minister and Cultural Minister of the Government of Maharashtra & Film City who have supported WWI with equal passion and commitment that we have today”.

Whistling Woods International would be the first serious establishment to combine educational and research facilities with the lineage of one of India’s most credible production houses Mukta Arts Ltd behind it. The Institute will offer state-of-the-art training facilities and an internationally developed and structured curriculum, and through affiliations with top film schools/experts to bring the best faculty from around the world to India to train new talent.

Adding to this, Kurt Inderbitzin, Dean, WWI, said, “We are absolutely devoted to putting our students first and giving them the creative freedom, the technical skills, the business edge, and yes the connections and know-how to build careers in the film and television industry”.

The full-time, two-year program provides 84 weeks of comprehensive training and hands-on experience in specialised realms of filmmaking ranging from Cinematography, Direction, Editing and Business of Film & Television to Sound Recording & Design, Screenwriting and Acting.

Whistling Woods International has been designed with state-of-the-art equipment to train students on top-of-the-line digital and analogue systems.

Our contemporary formats stem from the fact that only the best available infrastructure and environment can aptly prepare students for the technological transformations sweeping the industry. A mastery of the newest equipment enables our students to enter the global entertainment industry riding the crest of the wave. All the equipment used by the students will be maintained and serviced regularly by the institute's in-house engineering department, which is well equipped to handle most technical issues within the shortest time possible. Teaching takes place in lecture halls, studios, video viewing theatre, seminar rooms, classrooms as well as rehearsal studios, used for drama and script workshops, design workshops and computer labs. Additionally, the institute has production offices to support student projects, and audition/meeting rooms.

The institute has technology partnerships in place with Apple, SONY, Digidesign, AMD, Belden, etc., enabling us to offer our students the very best in technology advancements. The student community at Whistling Woods International would also have the unique opportunity to experience technologies and systems long before other students and professionals do, as the institute will include an onsite R & D centre which would work as a potential Beta Testing Site for its technology partners.

Moreover, Whistling Woods International also offers workshops/short term courses tailored specifically to meet the needs of practicing industry professionals who wish to upgrade their skill levels and particular creative proficiency, be it concerning aesthetics, film and music appreciation, photography or a selection of other non-technical subjects. Whistling Woods International plans to expand its programs to include Art Direction, Animation, Digital Media and Radio within three years.

Built at the heart of the Indian film industry over sprawling 20 acres of land at Goregaon Film City, with access to the core and crème filmmaking fraternity, students will have International facilities to meet every need.

WWI will also have on-campus training facility, encouraging students to enroll from all over the world while giving students access to the International caliber infrastructure 24-hours a day. Applications are being processed now and the courses will commence on 15th July 06.