SCREEN, December 16,1977.
TN Minister urges job preference for I F T trainees in FD and TVBy staff correspondent
TN MINISTER for information and Tourism Mr. R.M. Veerappan assured film graduates of the Institute of Film Technology all possible help from the State Government for obtaining gainful employment. The minister however preferred Film Division,TV Centres and other Central Government sponsored institutions in the country to absorb these graduates for give preference to IFT trainees while taking new hands.
Mr.Veerappan said veeeran technicians presently serving the industry have come up through "gurukula vasam" type and have earned name and reputation by sheer experience in their respective crafts. Such veterans, though not possessing technical or academic qualifications, should also be given importance and their interests should equally be safeguard. He appealed to film makers to I.F.T trainees, wherever possible in their unit.
Minister Veerappan , who was addressing film graduates trade leaders and film personnel at the first anniversary of the Film Graduates' Associations on December 11 at the auditorium of the South India Film Chamber here.regretted that the response for the acting course at the Madras Institute of film Technology, especially from girls, was practically poor and attributed the poor response to the general apathy and aversion of the parents to allow their daughters to take to film acting as a career. It was strange to the minister that when parents could exhibit extraordinary enthusiasm and curiosity to have a glimpse at film stars, ogle at them and to hear them speak at public functions. They would not allow their sons and daughters to opt for film acting. ..
Mr. Veerappan pointed out that the film industry and its method of functioning have undergone a sea change and was at the movement a repository of finest talents in the country. The parents need have no qualms about the film industry, the minister said and appealed to them to allow their daughters to join acting courses at the Institute of Film Technology.
The Information Minister also disclosed that to attract,greater number of students, the acting course at the IFT has been reduced to one year from its usual three years. He said all fields have their pitfalls but this should not deter educated girls and boys from getting trained and maintaining the rich artistic traditions of the State
The Information Minister called upon the graduates to produce a feature film on prohibition, a cause dear to the Governor and the Chief Minister. If such a film was made the Government would certainly examine the question of exemption of entertainment tax for it, so as to give a sort of impetus to the IFT trainees. The Minister was not for blanket exemption of entertainment tax for films produced by the IFT trainees.
Minister Veerappan released a Souvenir brought out on the occasion...
TN Governor, Sri. Prabhudas B.Patwari, who presided, under lined the effective role of films in molding the younger generation on right lines. He felt an effective and powerful medium like films should be utilized for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Governor Patwari advised the trainees to emulate the example of MGR, who had captured the hearts of millions by his good standards, in life, integrity, generosity and compassion for the poor. MGR's endearing qualities earned for him the chief minister ship and , not the glitter and glamor of the film profession.
The Governor reminded the graduates of the great task ahead of the country in rehabilitating thousands of cyclone victims in Tamil Nadu and appealed for contributions for relief work.
receives a certificate from TN Minister Mr.R.M.Veerappan at the function held
under the auspices of the Film Graduates Association on December 11 at the
South Indian Film Chamber Auditorium
At the outset Mr. S.Ekanathan, President, Film Graduates Association welcoming the Governor, minister and the gatherings, suggested exemption from payment of entertainment tax to films made with sole assistance of film graduates, for a minimum period of three to six months. this he felt, would make the producers opt for I.F.T trainees while planning their production.
Governor Patwari also presented Rolling Trophies to the best students. The recipients were' Best Acting' student Mr. Sivagurunathan- Sivaji Ganesan Rolling Trophy, 'Best Direction' Mr.Ajay Kumar - Krishnan Panju Rolling Trophy , ' Best Cinematography'- Mr. V. Prabhakaran, ' Best sound recording'- Mr Titus Selva kumar- Devi films rolling trophy and 'best Editing'- Mr.Selvam - Sri Nagaraja Rao rolling trophy and ' Film Processing award'- Mr.S.Ravi - AVM Lab Trophy.
Other award winners were: Mr Ravi Varma Raja - National award winner for best cinematography, Mr. P. S.Nivas - National award winner for the best cinematography and Mr. Ashok Kumar - Kerala State Award winner for best cinematography.
Mr. T. S. Ravindran , secretary, F.G.A, gave a resume of the work of the Association and Mr. C.N. Pillai, Treasure, proposed a vote of thanks.
Shri Maharajan set the spiritual tone for the proceedings by his soulful incantatory song. It was almost a mini concept not just a prayer and in any case Maharajan's stentorian voice resembled that of Tiruchi Loganathan, the popular play back singer.
The function concluded with the screening of Diploma Film "Rhythm", "On the Payement", "The Cage", "Saga of Stones", "Shoe Shine" and "The Glory of Mam".
