Producers counselling going the wrong way?

The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce has been conducting counselling sessions for newbie producers' but it is turning out to be farce due to some producers.

"One senior producer comes in and discourages producers from making films by listing out risks involved in making and releasing a film. It is kind of a dampener," says a producer, who attended the session. "While a few flop producers, who are in financial mess, are laying trap for new producers and exploiting them. Both ways, new producers are feeling jittery about film industry," he adds.

Actually, directors and producers have been counselling new producers to help them to step into film industry by knowing the pros and cons of the industry. "It is true that counselling sessions are conducted for new producers in the groups of 30 to 40," says Vijayenderreddy, Treasurer, Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. "Our intent is clear and has a purpose.

Producers rush into the film industry with a lot of hopes and later getting disappointed. Hence, our directors and producers are giving them guidelines on filmmaking to help them to cut cost. For instance, if a producer has Rs 10 crore money, we are asking him to invest Rs 2 crore initially in a film. Besides asking him to hire right people and so on," he reasons. About issuing a letter stating that Telugu Film Chamber Commerce is no way responsible which is bound to discourage producers.

"Firstly, trade bodies cannot be held responsible except to provide them guidelines and support. We had a few issues in the past, where producers used to complain about a technician or actor cheating them or they are not getting enough theatres, which is not in our hands, so we have to caution them," explains Reddy.

However, a producer-director, who participated in the counselling, feels that sessions are going the wrong way. "We are here to help them with our vast experience. We should avoid giving them sermons and instill fear in them. No doubt, filmmaking has its own inherent risks but we can't drive away new ones.

There is dearth of producers in the industry and it is better we conduct our sessions in more mature and pragmatic way," he points out. Adding to the woes of new producers, some flop producers are laying a trap for them and weaning away them with promise of joint productions and looting them. "Their hard-earned money is being robbed off by flop producers," rues the director-producer.

However, Vijayenderreddy rules out exploitation and assures to look into complaints, if any.