Redefining Storytelling | Rana Daggubati | TEDxHyderabad

Summary

The speaker reflects on the evolution of cinema from its inception to the digital era, emphasizing the integral role of artists in storytelling. He discusses the transition from kings supporting culture to the rise of cinema as a platform for artists. The speaker highlights the impact of technology on the film industry, from the Lumière brothers to modern streaming platforms, and the need for storytellers to adapt. He shares his family's journey in the film business, from production to distribution, and the challenges of embracing change, such as the shift from film to digital. The speaker concludes by urging the audience to support filmmakers with technology and innovation to create compelling stories that can reach a global audience.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The speaker humorously admits to a naive childhood view of historical figures based on their cinematic portrayals.
• 🏰 Historically, artists played a crucial role in showcasing culture under the patronage of kings.
• 📽️ The advent of cinema in 1894 by the Lumière brothers provided a new platform for artists to display their work.
• 🎭 The evolution of cinema from silent films to talkies and color films incorporated various artists, making it a collective art form.
• 🌏 By the early 1900s, cinema became a global art form, with different artists contributing to storytelling.
• 🇮🇳 India's entry into cinema with 'Raja Harishchandra' in 1913 marked the beginning of its own cinematic journey.
• 🏭 The speaker's family history in cinema illustrates the transition from a small production house to a full-fledged industry.
• 🛠️ The importance of infrastructure like film laboratories and sound stages was crucial for enhancing the quality of films.
• 💻 The digital revolution changed the landscape of cinema, making traditional infrastructure like film labs obsolete.
• 🌐 The rise of television, streaming platforms, and smartphones has diversified the platforms where stories are consumed.
• 🔄 Embracing change is essential for the survival and growth of the film industry, as seen with the shift from film to digital.
• 🌟 The success of 'Bahubali' exemplifies how a blend of storytelling, technology, and business acumen can create global hits.
• 🌐 The film industry needs collaboration with technology and business professionals to innovate and reach wider audiences.
• 📱 Technology like augmented reality and virtual reality opens up new immersive ways to tell stories and engage audiences.
• 🤝 The speaker calls for a collaborative effort between filmmakers, technologists, and business professionals to enhance storytelling.

Q & A

What misconceptions did the speaker have about historical figures as a child?

The speaker thought Mahatma Gandhi looked like Ben Kingsley and Adolf Hitler resembled Charlie Chaplin, due to their portrayals in movies.

How did the Lumiere brothers contribute to the cultural landscape?

The Lumiere brothers discovered cinema in 1894, which allowed artists to showcase culture to the world through moving images on a big screen.

What significant change occurred in cinema around 1914-1915?

Cinema became the keeper of the arts around 1914-1915, where various artists from different fields came together to tell stories through the medium of film.

Why did the speaker's grandfather transition from farming to filmmaking?

The speaker's grandfather wanted to tell stories and moved to Madras to start making movies, marking the beginning of their family's involvement in the film industry.

What is a film production house and what is its role in the film industry?

A film production house is a company that produces movies, which are then given to a studio for distribution and exhibition.

How did the advent of digital technology impact the traditional film industry?

The rise of digital technology led to the decline of film laboratories, as films were no longer shot on film, changing the infrastructure and business model of the industry.

What new platforms have emerged for storytelling due to technological advancements?

With technology, new platforms for storytelling include television, streaming services like Amazon and Netflix, smartphones, and emerging technologies like augmented and virtual reality.

What was the significance of the film 'Bahubali' in the context of the speaker's talk?

The film 'Bahubali' was mentioned as an example of breaking storytelling norms and achieving global recognition, showcasing the potential of the Indian film industry when backed by innovation and business acumen.

Why is it important for people from various fields to support the film industry, according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that people from business, technology, and design are needed to help filmmakers tell better stories, suggesting a collaborative approach to innovation in storytelling.

What does the speaker propose as the future of storytelling with the help of technology?

The speaker envisions a future where technology like augmented reality and virtual reality will play a significant role in storytelling, allowing for more immersive and interactive experiences.

What is the speaker's call to action for the audience?

The speaker calls on the audience to empower filmmakers with innovation, technology, and business practices to help tell great stories to the world.