Duration # 45 to 60 Seconds
Language # English
Format # High Definition
Location # Naked sand dunes in Jaisalmer
TREATMENT
Quite often, girl, in an agrarian civilization, from the time she is born, till her death, is dependant upon a male member for support — both emotional as well as financial.
This is particularly true in India, where a majority of population sustains itself on agriculture for livelihood.
This spot is based on the assumption that a girl lives under the shadow of her father till she achieves adulthood; depends on her husband after marriage; and on her son at an old age.
To bring out this point visually, this spot makes use of shadow.
This spot, intends to be shot in the back-drop of sand-
SCRIPT
Location : Desert with virtually no vegetation
Time : Evening
Landscape : Sand dunes in the background. The sand appears virgin, with no foot steps. The pattern of sand will be uneven with several layers.
Atmospheric Conditions : Hot and windy
The camera is mounted on a straight track of 40 o 50 feet. It captures shadows of two characters, one male and the other female, walking at 180o angle to the camera i.e. parallel to the track. Care will be taken in costume designing so that the audience can distinctly recognize the gender in the shadows.
The shadow of the female is often hidden under the male shadow.
After approximately 30-35 seconds of parallel track along the shadows, the camera tilts up to reveal an old lady with wrinkles on her face; walking with a stick, adjacent to her son, a young man, with turban.
The camera hols on to them for six to seven seconds in medium shot. Both the characters leave the frame, towards the end of the shot.
Sound of the desert wind is dominant; along with a running commentary.
COMMENTARY
I have lived throughout in the shadows of someone. I continue to live in the shadows. And don’t know for how long I have to live like this.
Sanjay Agrawal's Blog 