Dulo – Fiction Short Film

SYNOPSIS

The society has collapsed and living in a war zone is the new normal. Children are so accustomed to violence that mimicking death scenarios is their favorite game. In this backdrop, a 9-year-old wimpy boy finds a toy that transforms him into the alpha among other kids. Will this lead him to the path of corruption or will he be able to retain his innocence?

Genesis

Growing up, I was inspired by blockbuster films like Avatar, Jurassic Park, and Star Trek, fueling my desire to produce a grand-scale production of my own. Dulo became a realization of that dream, albeit on a smaller scale, with a significant production and a budget (considering it was shot in Mumbai, India) of $45,000. Initially, we only had $5,000 from my personal savings, but as we delved into script development and production preparations, costs multiplied by sevenfold. Determined to bring this story to life, we embarked on a fundraising campaign, and to our delight, we raised $35,000 in under three months. Dulo explores the theme of world peace, a topic particularly relevant in today’s context. The film has been shot and is currently undergoing post production(VFX & Sound), with plans for a premiere at film festivals worldwide in 2023-24.

WORK CONTRIBUTIONS

• 1) Conceptualization: Developing the initial concept and storyline for the film, envisioning the war environment and the narrative elements.

• 2) Scriptwriting: Collaborating with a writer-director to craft a compelling script that captures the essence of the war environment and resonates with the audience.

• 3) Team Coordination: Managing a team of 25 people, including actors, crew members, and post-production professionals, ensuring effective communication and smooth workflow throughout the production process.

• 4) Budget Management: Overseeing the film’s budget, allocating funds for various production aspects such as location scouting, props, costumes, and special effects.

• 5) Pre-production Planning: Organizing and coordinating pre-production tasks such as casting, location scouting, securing permits, scheduling, and acquiring necessary equipment.

• 6) Production Execution: Overseeing the actual filming process, ensuring adherence to the creative vision and coordinating with the cinematographer and production crew to capture the war environment effectively.

• 7) Post-production Supervision: Collaborating with the editor, sound designer, and visual effects team to bring the war environment to life during the editing and post-production stages.

• 8) Film Festival Submissions: Researching and identifying relevant film festivals that focus on war-themed films, submitting the completed film for consideration, and coordinating the necessary paperwork and requirements for festival submissions.

• 9) Marketing and Promotion: Developing a marketing strategy to generate buzz around the film, including creating a trailer, promotional materials, and engaging with potential audiences through social media and other channels.

• 10) Distribution and Exhibition: Exploring distribution options for the short film, seeking opportunities for screenings at film festivals, theaters, and online platforms to maximize its exposure and reach.