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For the judging event tomorrow Indiantelevision.com has roped in
22 experts in the television industry. They are Sahara India CEO
Shantonu Aditya, Miditech promoter Nikhil Alva, The Great Indian
Comedy Show creative director Shailesh Dave, comedy scriptwriter
Ashwini Dheer, Zee Telefilms director Puneet Goenka, TV actor and
host Jaaved Jaaferi, TV scriptwriter Aatish Kapadia, Sony creative
and business head Tarun Katial, Nimbus MD and CEO Aakash Khurana,
senior television professional Raveena Raj Kohliii, Times Global
CEO Sunil Lulla, Hats Off Productions' Jamndas Majithia, veteran
film and TV director Rajiv Mehra, producer Asit Modi, MTV India
VP and GM, Cyrus Oshidhar, B.A.G. Films chairperson and MD Anuradha
Prasad, television writer and director Vipul D. Shah, Contiloe Films'
Abhimanyu Singh, actress Simone Singh, TV writer RD Tailang, actress
Saakshi Tanwar and Zee TV programming head Ashwini Yardi.
Speaking on the occasion International Academy of Television Arts
and Sciences (Iatas) judging manager Sandy Clark said, "India
has a very developed film and television industry. The Academy thought
that it would be appropriate if the country's TV professionals get
a chance to choose the best international TV programmes. 70 countries
are members of Iatas.
"There are 11 programme categories. This year we have added
categories for actor and actress. Another new category is Best International
Format.
"The nominations will be announced at Mipcom on 17 October
2005. In each category there is a different country. There are two
criteria for evaluation - concept and the quality of execution.
The jury members should have at least five years experience in the
industry and should be experts in the particular category they are
judging. We will have an international Emmy Festival prior to the
Awards shows so that judges can view the nominees. Oprah Winfrey
will receive the Founders Award."
Indiantelevision.com founder and CEO Anil Wanvari, who is also on
the board of Iatas, says, "We have expertise in conducting
judging rounds. We have been conducting the Indian Telly Awards
for the past five years to recognise the contributions being made
by the industry. I have also learn a lot from the Emmy Awards. For
instance following their example we came out with a booklet on the
Indian Telly Awards. This gives readers information on the show,
the eligibility criteria. What is unique about the judging process
for the Iatas is that there is no communication allowed among the
jury members.
"This is something that I am hoping to institute for the Indian
Telly Awards as well. Abroad, production houses use the fact that
they have won an International Emmy to boost sales of their home
videos as well as form co-production deals. This is something that
Indian production houses could seek to leverage. Two years ago Simone
Singh was a presenter at the iEmmys awards - an initiative we had
undertaken - and the response to her was excellent."
Oshidhar said," It is wonderful that Indians are being offered
an international platform to show off their content. Content is
evolving and I must congratulate the industry for having come so
far in just 13 years. While we are still learning the content in
the music and news categories is first rate. Also the fact that
we are now seeing a few world class documentaries coming out of
India shows that we are rapidly learning the tricks of the trade.
The industry has certainly become more professional and is more
expertise driven. The storyboards have become more slick. However
I feel that content creators should more closely within the country
in order to expand the themes they work on."
Jaafrey said, "People have asked me how Indian comedy shows
compare to what the US and other countries offer. I would say that
it is important to remember that the sensibilities are very different.
In India it is more about slapstick and action driven humour as
compared to using nuances of dialogue. It is an honour to be a part
of the international community."
Khurana expressed confidence that with the judging coming to India
awareness among production houses would grow as far as sending quality
shows is concerned.
"While there is certainly curiosity among the television industry
about the Emmy Awards this event will help people understand that
they too can participate. The industry is evolving as it has to.
After all budgets have relatively not gone up. While some themes
are universal it is important to try and do things differently.
I expect to have a lot of fun tomorrow. It should be a learning
experience," he said.
Mehra said, "I am close to comedy. It will be fascinating
to see the work being done in other countries."
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