My first dive from the sky

I'm back...after half a decade

Hello World

Bio

I am currently a senior in the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. I am an Indian citizen currently living in Kathmandu, Nepal. I have lived in Singapore, California, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Although studying Information Management & Technology I plan to pursue a career in Film.

I began my undergraduate program studying Computer Science (CS) with the intention of becoming a software designer. I realized I did not have an interest in CS and wanted to pursue a career with artistic, creative, and managerial elements. I wanted to become a film director.

It was too late to enter the film program as doing so would have resulted in additional two years of study. I decided to enter the School of Information Studies for two reasons. Firstly I would only graduate a semester late (December 2005). Secondly the classes were designed to improve managerial and communication skills which I realized were very important skills to become a director. The creative elements of which I would have to develop on my own time through making short videos and reading on a large number of topics including philosophy, writing, poetry, history, and film.

Future Plans

Entrepreneurial Summer 2005

I have a business idea which a friend and I plan to implement this summer. Although I cannot disclose much information (I.P. theft) about what exactly it is I can say that it is a web based automated account management system.

The spring semester was devoted to solidifying the business plan which is in its final stage of completion. It was actually done as part of IST 355 (Concepts & Issues in IM&T). After developing the software in the summer we plan to seek funding so we can launch the system.

Post Graduation

After completing my undergraduate degree in December 2005 I plan to attend the Tisch School of Arts at New York University to study film on a graduate level.

Career Goal

Hollywood works like a well oiled machine. From script to screen there is a certain rhythm that guides the development of a movie project. The Indian Film industry (Bollywood), despite churning out almost double the amount of movies than Hollywood, doesn’t share the same professionalism although it is slowly changing.

Once the Industry becomes more professional, true gains will be appreciated. My ultimate goal is to ‘out-source’ movie projects from Hollywood to Bollywood. I aspire to open a production house to facilitate the creation of such projects. It is already starting to occur with executives from Miramax exploring ventures in India. Just as an example, the Matrix could be produced in India for 1/3 of the cost. Imagine the possibilities.

Work Experience

Nepal Television Kathmandu, Nepal

Video Production – Intern Summer of 2004

· Worked under a director on a Nepali music video by offering creative suggestions

· Learned digital video editing techniques

· Directed an independent abstract expressionist music video called ‘dazed’

Casino Everest Kathamandu, Nepal

Movie Director / Production Assistant Summer of 2004

· Directed a video highlighting various facilities to promote casino in India

· Worked as a production assistant for Bollywood producer Ashoak Chowdhary

The Boss Magazine Kathmandu, Nepal

Photo Journalist / Marketing Summer of 2003

· Visited many parts of Nepal to assist lead journalist and visually document selected areas

· Designed two quarter page advertisements

· Assisted marketing department in sales presentations to increase advertising revenue

The Himalayan Times Kathmandu, Nepal

IT Assistant / Design Editor Summer of 2003

· Worked with the news and design team to improve efficiency of data flow by implementing QPS Enterprise

· Designed eight half page full color advertisements

The Daily Orange Syracuse, NY

Design Editor Fall of 2002

· Designed various sections of the University’s student based paper, including advertisements

· Assisted presentation director in making improvements to the newspaper’s appearance

Leadership & Extra Curricular Activities

Member, IT SECURITY CLUB, Syracuse, NY / April 2005 – Present

Member, FILM MAKERS UNITE, Syracuse, NY / Sept 2004 – Present

Head Volunteer, MAHINDRA UWC INDIA, helped residents build a local school /July 2001

Head Volunteer, INDIA, taught children English at an orphanage, Mumbai, India / June 2001

Volunteer, RIDING FOR THE DISABLED, helped disabled children learn to ride horses, Singapore / Nov 2000 - Mar 2001

Technical Skills

Graphics/Design

• Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Illustrator & Photoshop, Macromedia Flash, Quark Express, MS Visio

Programming/Database

• Java, C, C++, SQL, MS Access

Other

• MS Office Suite including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & FrontPage.

Language Skills

I am fluent in English & Hindi. I can also speak a little Nepalese, Spanish and Malay