SAE College had the privilege to welcome a legend from the world of American Cinema, Mr. Foster Hirsch, to its Chennai campus. Mr. Foster Hirsch a renowned Professor on Film from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York has been in India through the Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Consulate General in South India to share his perspectives on the changing American Independent Cinema. SAE, the world’s largest media education college with 6 years presence in India was eager to give its students a global perspective of the relevant things happening in the world of Tinsel town.
The author of sixteen books on the theatre and film, including 'FILM NOIR: The Dark Side of the Screen' one of the first books on the subject, published in 1981 and 'Detours and Lost Highways: A Map of Neo-Noir' in 1999, Foster Hirsch is a professor in the film department of City University of New York's Brooklyn College. During the interactive session, Professor Foster speaking on the Indian Films revealed “I enjoy Indian movies, a Spicy mix, like the Indian food – be it comedy and action, Rhythm, mood music movies. Romance is apparently good from the international scene”. The SAE students were also fortunate enough not only to hear from the master but also present their works before Professor Foster Hirsch.
The students viewed excerpts from 2 movies from 1940‘s and he explained the technical aspects and gave many inputs which were valuable to the DFM students. He also shared his ideas and views about the current Indian film making and also the international scenario of cinema world.
The students showed an interesting line up of their project works which impressed Prof. Hirsch very much. He applauded their creativity and opined that their works reflected professionalism in terms of concept and presentation.
Speaking on his experience at SAE – Chennai, Prof Hirsch said” I am very happy to report my reactions to the work of your students which was screened for me during my visit to your campus. I found the work imaginative and technically accomplished; each of the short pieces I saw demonstrated talent. In each, technical mastery was linked with conceptual sophistication. Editing, shot composition, lighting, performances, were all poised and secure. I also remember with special delight the eagerness and respect with which the students received my comments. It was clear to me that a foreign visitor's reaction to their work was important to them, and I appreciated that. I wish your talented students the best of luck in their future endeavors.”
To conclude in a nutshell the whole session was indeed very informative to the students.
The author of sixteen books on the theatre and film, including 'FILM NOIR: The Dark Side of the Screen' one of the first books on the subject, published in 1981 and 'Detours and Lost Highways: A Map of Neo-Noir' in 1999, Foster Hirsch is a professor in the film department of City University of New York's Brooklyn College. During the interactive session, Professor Foster speaking on the Indian Films revealed “I enjoy Indian movies, a Spicy mix, like the Indian food – be it comedy and action, Rhythm, mood music movies. Romance is apparently good from the international scene”. The SAE students were also fortunate enough not only to hear from the master but also present their works before Professor Foster Hirsch.