IT employees into filmmaking

CHENNAI: A group of friends, who are usually glued to their computer systems in their posh office premises, decided to wield the camera and the megaphone with a passion for storytelling and filmmaking. Lensmangops Pictures, a venture put together by two friends Gopukumar and Sripriya who hold senior positions in an IT company, is to release its third short film online on May 6. The 30-minute film titled Maayasiragu (The magical wing) revolves around a woman who is going about her life when she realises that freedom to be who you are will give you wings to fly. She then takes the road less travelled, as she becomes a mother who causes conflict within her close circles. Inspired by real life single women, the film takes you on the journey of a single woman’s life. “After a proper brainstorming and guys day out, we came up with three story ideas and our team chose the third which is Maayasiragu,” said Gopakumar, the director of the film.The production house, started in 2008, has a core team of 10 friends from the IT and BPO industry who are like minded and have come together to realise their dream. “A couple of my friends and I used to write short stories when we were in school and college. We found that technology was not helpful in making them into films then,” Gopakumar recalled.After their first investment to purchase a camcorder, their plans took shape and the team came up with a 13-minute short film, 11.30 PM Camp Road, in 2009 and released it online. The film was nominated for the New York City Short Film Festival. Thrilled at the response, the team came up with their second 27-minute short film titled The Ballad of the Waves in 2011. With a small budget and no expectations in terms of returns and with good response online, the team is now set for the release of the third film, which like the earlier films will be available on YouTube and Vimeo. “Unlike the previous films we made, for which it was more of a friendly get together, this time we purchased a professional filmmaking camera. This is more professional in terms of work, as we hired technicians and actors and paid them for their roles,” the director reveals.The film has other ‘firsts’ too, including female casting, live recording and outdoor location. “We are creating a portfolio and we are already working on our fourth short film. We have many story lines, but if we find a good producer we are ready to make a feature film,” said Sripriya.