Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1475409
M OT I O N P I CTU R E S O U N D E D I TO R S I 43 to train the initial few studios setting up in Sri Lanka over a decade back. I actually am privileged to have been a part of developing the industries (Nepal and Sri Lanka) at different points in time. I have also had the privilege of being a sound mentor at the Maisha Film Lab, Uganda. During the Pro Tools training in Sri Lanka, I met Sasika Ruwan, who is now the first MPSE member from Sri Lanka. He has been my student who's gone on to become a fantastic sound designer in Sri Lanka. He approached me a few years back to work on a Sinhalese film, Rush, and I used the project as an opportunity to take the training a step forward on a live project. I have worked on a couple of Arabic and Pakistani films. I've worked with a lot of talent and productions from other countries like the US, UK, Australia, Argentina, and Brazil. SSS: Is their workflow different than the workflow in India? Do they have a different way of setting up their films? BF: I think in these particular cases, no, because I am setting up the workflow for them. They probably work in a more, I would say, uninformed manner, because they don't have the access and exposure. I worked on Arabic films more to develop the film market in UAE and to help them grow their business in UAE. It wasn't high-paying work. The workflows in those cases get handed down to the local teams, I would set up the entire dialogue, effects, Foley, and send it across to them. And they would mix it. In the case of the Sinhalese film Rush, we did all of the sound post in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the mixes happened in Mumbai. When I do work with either UK or Australia, they tell me what they want. They set up the workflow. I tag toe to their wants and needs in the structure and manner that they want. That definitely influences my own workflow and introduces me to trends I might adopt in my own workflow. SSS: That's how we do it in the States. Everything is compartmentalized. Either you do dialogue, ADR, sound effects, Foley, backgrounds, sound design, or music. We don't have one editor doing all of them. We have crews that separate all the different elements of post- production sound. So it sounds like they do that in Australia as well. BF: Yes, of course. All of my current work, just not to confuse and reiterating that I've always had editors working across the different sound departments. It's impossible to do all the heavy lifting alone and be creative at the same time. The editorial drafts are built to a brief and funnelled through me so I can shape and mould to the ideas that are in my head. Sometimes I struggle because the idea is really lame or silly. Some film narratives are very straightforward. It doesn't require any specific processing or treatment or styling so you're left searching for that something more to add as layer. Is there a filmmaker that you haven't worked with that you really want to have that experience? BF: If you're asking me here in India? Hmmm. If you're asking me internationally, oh my God, can I just spill it all out? There are so many filmmakers I want to work with. SSS: Well, this is your opportunity to put it out there, instead of you being that little kid having these dreams, you've got to put it out there. Who would you want to work with? BF: Steven Spielberg, David Fincher, Aaron Sorkin, Wes Anderson, the Coen brothers, Alfonso Cuarón are a few names on my wish list. I'd love to start from scratch and be an intern on the film with the sound team. I would really want to observe and absorb. SSS: How did you find out about the MPSE? BF: My MPSE journey was more the dream of being the first Indian to win a Golden Reel Award. Rock On!! was my first submission to the GRA and I have continued to send other films or documentaries ever since. It dawned on me much later that I could be an international member and I got admitted to the MPSE in 2016. In 2019, I realized that an international active member could stand for the election to the Board. Since then, I have had the honour of serving on the Board with all of you lovely people. SSS: I'm glad you're on the Board. Is there anything that you would like to say to Wavelength readers at this time? BF: Live the dream. I mean, no matter where you are, especially in the countries where you feel cinema is not at par or equal to what's happening in the US or other parts of the world. Approach what you're doing with diligence, with perseverance, you'll be surprised how it influences your journey in life. Believe in yourself. There will be the tough days, there will be the hard days, there will be the days when you want to give up. You will wonder why you're doing all of this. There will be productions that don't value your service, directors that don't care about what you do. But it's your journey to make and it's your dream to pursue. When I look back on my 28 years, there's not a single thing I would do differently. For a boy who didn't come from a film background, who had no exposure to the art or no godfathers in the medium, I think there were guardian angels that got me going on my way. And if it happened for me, and if it happened to so many others like me, it's going to happen to you. Dream big. Never stop dreaming. SSS: It's true. You never know. BF: I am blessed. When I think about my journey, the only thing that did not happen was my transition to LA in 1997. I had the opportunity, however, a personal event held me back. It was a sense of responsibility that needed me to be rooted here in Mumbai. Do I regret it? No, I don't think I do. Do I wish? Of course, I wish. Someday I am sure the opportunity will present itself if it is meant to be. I am aware of how life and the approach to work would have been different in the US. Knowing this, I have tried to apply this in my work ethics and practice. Early on, I knew that life cannot be quantified only by the desire of the luxuries and the money earned. I have made the best of every opportunity that's come my way, walked through every door that opened, and made sure I never ever said it is impossible. SSS: I love your story. I think your story is fascinating. BF: Thank you very much.