Blog

Shunya’s Writing Group

Thank you so much for all those who came to our last meeting. Due to various personal committments and the intense rehearsal schedule for Shunya’s upcoming play, we have scheduled our next meeting for Saturday, January 22, 2011. Yikes, that’s next year!

In the meantime, we discussed numerous possibilities for common themes/threads that could tie our final presentation/show together.

Some of these ideas include:

What is family?
-Nuclear Family, Extended Family, Family of Humanity
-Appearance versus Reality
-How American individuality affects family life
-Family life versus Public life. Are they really separate? How do they affect each other?

What is the woman’s most important role in society?
-Mother
-Career
-Can you have both?
-Why is the woman’s role of homemaker and mother often given little respect in the “real world”?

The Individual versus Community
-How to find this balance
-In countries like India, often the individual is defined by his or her role in the family and extended family, accompanied by a loss of individuality
-In America, individualism has become so ingrained in how we interact in family life and community life. Sense of community is often lost
-How does the woman help build and sustain community? What it is that women possess (versus men) that help create this sense of community?
-America/Hollywood – It’s all about me. If only you could hear MY story! Self-reliance.
-I am who I am because of who we all are. I would not have a story without my family. Our dreams are interwoven.
-How does faith and belief in a transcendant God bind us together and help define us both as individuals and as a community?

Common theme that came up: Running, Marathons, The Journey of Life, Where are we going? What is the ultimate destination? Who helps us reach the finish line? Does the path change? Sometimes, it’s not about winning, it’s about slowing down, to share the journey with the ones we love.

So over the next couple months, we will be taking some of these ideas and creating our own stories. As we write, we will have a better understanding of how to weave them all together in an interesting, dynamic, and artistic way. Some people may choose to write monologues or dialogues or songs or poetry or prose. Or maybe you just have a few ideas jotted down. Whatever it is – it’s awesome! When we come together, the individual ideas and words will become part of the mosaic we build together. As you begin your writing, feel free to share what you have written on the google group, as it may spark ideas with others. I will use Thanksgiving break to do some writing of my own, so will post soon after that:)

If you’re interested in joining the conversation, please email sara@shunyatheatre.org!
Sara

Soham Mehta’s film “Survivors” on iTunes

Soham Mehta, Shunya’s founder, has a short horror film released on iTunes in time for Halloween.

Dear Friends,

I just want to share some good news with you. My short horror film, Survivors, just went up on iTunes this week for Halloween!

This is the first film that I have directed to get distribution, so it’s extremely exciting. From what I hear, it will be available in the US, the UK, Canada, Ireland, and Germany. The film has already played over 25 festivals, but this is definitely the easiest and most accessible it’s been for anyone and everyone to watch it.

It’s being distributed by Shorts International, a UK based company that specializes in short films. They’re the same company that’s distributing all of last year’s Oscar-nominated shorts, so we’re in good company. They’ve released a slate of horror films to iTunes for Halloween. Unfortunately, all of their publicity is focusing on the films that have stars in them. So the only way anyone will hear about Survivors is word of mouth.

So please download the film, put it on your ipods and phones and gadgets, write a review and rate it, and most importantly, tell your friends about it! I don’t really know if this is just a Halloween thing or a long term thing, so please check it out sooner rather than later.

Here is the link in iTunes:
http://tinyurl.com/392cm27

Some press about the release (although they don’t mention Survivors)
http://www.fearnet.com/news/b20583_short_on_time__check_out_these.html
http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=16875
http://www.horror.com/php/article-3368-1.html
http://www.fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2292%3Abi

In other news, my latest film, FATAKRA, is now complete and beginning it’s festival run. If you would like to keep up with it’s progress, please visit my website (www.sohammehta.com). The site is pretty rudimentary for the time being, but there’s a blog that you can add to any RSS reader to get updates.

I hope you enjoy the film!

All the best,
Soham
www.sohammehta.com

Networking in Austin

A message for anyone who is going to be in Austin this weekend, from Sushma Khadepaun-Pamar:

Who should attend:

1. Local (Central Texas) and visiting filmmakers, actors, dancers, musicians, writers, designers, painters and anybody involved in the arts who would like to network with like minded people.

2. Up and coming creatives who would like to network with professionals in the industry.

3. Anyone who would like to meet South Asians involved in the arts.

What to expect:

A casual networking event, and the opportunity to view some videos/stills from upcoming projects. We will be glad to showcase demo reels, trailers, stills and videos (5 minutes and under). Email me at sush@cuttingchaiproductions.com if you have anything you’d like to showcase.

Brunch/Lunch is available for those that would like to purchase at Opal Divine’s.

Look forward to seeing you all!

Thanks,


Sushma Khadepaun-Parmar
Storyteller
Producer, Director, Editorwww.sarathithefilm.com

Our new season!

So by now, everyone who follows this website or is on our mailing list has seen our new season announcement. This is the most busy Shunya has been in a few years, and it is thrilling. Besides two full length productions, we will also be hosting a writing workshop which will culminate in its own production. Also, I’m very happy to announce that we have received a grant from the Houston Arts Alliance to support our season.

I encourage everyone to show up for auditions to 1-888-DIAL-INDIA and invite all interested participants to our Writing Workshop.

Casting call from JVB Preksha Center

I’m late in posting this, but below is a casting call for a religious play being produced by the JVB Preksha Center, to be directed by Dilip Kapasi (who has directed with Shunya in the past).

Auditions for an upcoming mega play of the kind “Sati Anjana” will be held at the JVB Preksha center as follows,

When:        Saturday, June 26th beginning 2 PM – 4 PM

Where:       JVB Preksha Center, 14102 Schiller Road, Houston TX 77082;

Phone: 281-596-9642

The play is in English, and will be presented in one of the large Houston Theaters on October 23, 2010 as part of JVB Annual Day celebrations.

Please reply back with your preferred time slot: 2:00, 2:05, 2:10……3:00, 3:05…………..

All age groups are needed and participation will only be accepted until the roles are filled.  So, please respond soon to get your preferred role.

Pramod Bengani

President, JVB Preksha Meditation Center , Houston
14102 Schiller Rd, Houston , TX 77082
www.jvbhouston.org

Call for actors from Austin filmmaker

Sushma Khadepaun-Parmar is a Director/Producer in Austin, TX who is looking for actors for a short film shooting in July. Below is the info:

Synopsis: The story explores the universal question, “Who am I?” and revolves around the mind of Arjun Patel, a young and successful consultant. While riding the waves of success, Arjun rides a limo with an unusual chauffeur. The driver, through intriguing questions, takes Arjun on a journey he is not prepared for, and ultimately brings Arjun back to a familiar place – himself.

PRODUCTION TITLE: SARATHI – the charioteer
PRODUCER – Sushma Khadepaun-Parmar
DIRECTOR – Sushma Khadepaun-Parmar
WRITERS – Sharanya Rao, Sushma Khadepaun-Parmar
CINEMATOGRAPHY – Bill White

CAST: Male 28-33 yrs of Indian (South Asian) origin to play a successful consultant. Lead.
Female 25-30yrs of Indian (South Asian) origin. Supporting.
Female 28-35 yrs of Indian (South Asian) origin. Supporting.
Male 28-35 yrs of Indian (South Asian) origin. Supporting.
Male child artist 4-7 yrs of Indian (South Asian) origin. Supporting.

Auditions: June 11-12.

Please send in your resume, links to reel and/or portfolios to sarathithefilm@gmail.com.

Contact: Jake Sam – sarathithefilm@gmail.com

Thank you,

Sushma Khadepaun-Parmar
Storyteller

We’re still here!

Not many posts recently, but we are still active! Our next play reading is scheduled for June 26th, so if you’ve been thinking about getting involved, now is a great time. A number of opportunities have come up for Shunya, and I hope we can make some interesting announcements soon.

On the website front, I’ve added in pictures for several of our early plays. If you have photos of our Satyagraha production, please drop me a line.