Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Crack FTII Exam


Crack FTII test
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I have been receiving a lot of requests and queries through email regarding guidance on how to crack the FTII written exam . I have gone through the same situation years back when i decided to write the FTII exam . 

It doesn't really matter if someone has cleared the exam , cause the interview is the main thing !!
But personally I don't want anyone who is really passionate in this field and looses it all in the written test itself . I thus thought of sharing few points in how to clear the written test .

Regarding the interview : Its up to you …
They are very smart in finding you and your passion …
If you are true to yourself , and you are fortunate you can reach there …..

Ok , now coming to the point ….

FTII conducts written test as the primary way of filtering the aspirants …
The various course FTII provides and other info are there in their website .
this who are really interested in knowing these , please visit the website top to bottom …
I used to see the website everyday for the last few years till I got there ….
It gives you everything you need ….

There is one another point which I would like to tell :
Please don't com up with some shitty crappy questions like :

Should I choose acting or editing ?
Or what is the scope of sound recording and direction ….

Cause this is not an engineering college for you to be awarded with a offer letter before you finsh your course !! This is an art … Please go there if you love it .. And when you love it , Its a fucking different thing all together … You will love this world and the world loves you … I can't explain how it feels …
Its a different feel …. You eventually might end up to be a great artist and people will come behind you … On the other way If you plan based on the brand name of FTII or go thinking will i get money or job and all , may be you might become just another guy with some salary ….


So first decide what you want …. Why you want and love it ….

The reason why I am telling this is I have received a lot of mails asking to guide them on helping them to decide which course to choose !!! Its really sad to even reply these mails … Please be your boss , never let others to decide what your life should be …

Regarding the test …..
Once you know your filed of interest , please go through the related stuffs .
For example : If you are intereted in direction , you are supposed to know what are the basic stuffs related to Direction … Like : Describe a small story which you have in ur mind to make it a short film and why its so much important for you ? and Differtn Directors and also how you see a film …
You are going to be a director of tommorw … So have a view or eye of direction in everything from day to day activities to the movies or tv shows you watch …

These will be two main sections :

1.GK and General sections  
2.Section specific .

I have not to my knowledge have seen any specific books designed for FTII interview .
But this GK or common section which should be answered by every group of student  deals with the basic questions which is related to art , films and giving a little more importance to our mother INDIA !

the best place or book is : INTERNET ….

things to know : 
INDIAN film industry and how it evolved during each period .
Some very basic questions like first talkie , first colour film , etc can be answered if this is covered !
When reading these don't read it like you are studying for some school exam where you study last minute and go vomit all the things in your head and come back clean …

Love the subject and trust me … Its wonderful to read Indian History ….

Read about : Different Art forms .
I would suggest , know our INDIA map …. every states and then go through each state in the map and learn the various artists from that state . Classical dances , folk dances …. 

Read about : Places and other monuments including temples and its location .

Paintings , Artists like film makers , Painters , dancers ,  singers ..
When i said film makers , please give much more importance to legends than newer ones ….
Just don't stick on to Hindi films . There could be a descriptive question asking your favourite movie and why its your favourite ?

Questions are asked on famous kings , also ,
Civilisation - Harappa , Indus Valley , etc etc ….
recent awards : Bafta , Oscar ,
Filmy knowledge : which Indian movie got oscar nomination 

Please note that : General questions can be objective type or it can be fill in the blanks type .
They have not promised anyone in this world that they will put only objective type questions or only fill in the blanks …So better be ready for anything ….

What I meant is … when reading about an artist , try to respect the artist and know about him rather than muggin him up , which eventually you will forget his name like in the kid forgetting the name of the king in an advertisement …:P



Descriptive :
General type to Films related …..
farmers suicide ,
different sound formats ,
film formats , different sensors in camera , whats your opinion about the recent ban of films by Govt ,
whats is NFAI , what si the importance of film festivals ? evolution of films , film industry 10 years down the line , digitalisation , UFO , Atmos Dolby , etc , etc …. 


Please Note : these are just what I felt , and I am not a member of FTII selection crew or something .
I am just a guy who have writen the FTII exam 3 times which gave me some idea of what it is :)

So please don't take a print of this and just study only these and ask me tomorrow why none of these questions came !! Cause this is to give an idea and not to leak a question paper …

Basically know INDIA , its art forms and its artists a lot better and you will crack the common section and love the field you are trying (like direction or sound or editing or whatever …) and you will crack that section too …. This is not like CAT or other exams . they don't keep any cutoffs for throwing the papers off just cause you missed few marks in one sections … all those discussions in the net regarding this cutoff are rumours … Just do your best and you can crack the test .
don't worry too much about cutoffs and all …

And most important , don't talk too much to too many people .
everyone talks like they know everything , eventually what they did is make us more confused and pissed off ….


Please note again : please keep this as a help or reference and learn more from this ….
Any queries or concerns please post it here , please avoid sending mails ….


All the very best ….








59 comments:

  1. Thanks for taking time to jotting down this piece of blog. This is very helpful for many aspirants as myself. Have been a regular follower of your blog for over an year now. Gave the last year's entrance and did not make it through.I wanted to know if it really helps to memorize all the classical art forms, artists and awards with respect to each art form and state to which it belongs. I ask this because a substantial amount of multiple choice question part seems to deal with who is who of
    (dancing,folk talents and classical music etc) such disciplines.I wonder if i could remember them all so as to ensure a couple of those one mark questions be answered correctly. Thanx again for your concern in replying aspirants mail queries.Tc.

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    Replies
    1. Try your best .... Hopefully it will help you to attempt a lot ... Atleast can write something which you know about the artform when you dont know the very exact answer . Just to show them that you know what it is , but you forgot the person name . This is not a computer correction . So there is good chance that people checks your kowledge not just with the exact answers . Good luck ....

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  2. thanks a lot man...this post is big relief \m/

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ankur ... Do share the info you get on times , which can help many get their dreams .... good Luck ... TC

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  3. Dear Mannu,
    Hello...:-)
    Your blog is really nice. It gives an positive ideas to crack FTII entrance. This year i'm giving exam for Direction. Frankly speaking i have collected the different ideas of preparation of FTII entrance through the INTERNET but in all ideas your's ideas are the best. Now only 2 months are left for the exam. So will you plz guide me, so that i'll shape up my preparation to crack FTII entrance this year.
    Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. i shall try to guide u , u can ask ur queries ...

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  4. May you please explain about subjective questions. I mean that how they should be answered? I attempted all the questions last time and I could not find the problem/s with my answers. It would be of great help if you may please explain that how subjective questions should be answered.

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    Replies
    1. sorry dude ... dont know how to explain u ..... failed in ur question literally :P

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  5. May you please explain that how subjective questions should be answered?

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  6. Hey, did you had any background or previous work in your field?
    Thanks!

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  7. what are the career options after completing a PG in direction at ftii?

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    1. u can walk all the streets in mumbai for years and end up emptying ur pocket and go for begging ...
      u can end up assisting some director and after a film or two can direct ur own film
      or u can end up stright directing ur film ....

      all depends on many factors dude .... just told various career options :)

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  8. what are the career options after completing a pg diploma in direction at ftii?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. u can walk all the streets in mumbai for years and end up emptying ur pocket and go for begging ...
      u can end up assisting some director and after a film or two can direct ur own film
      or u can end up stright directing ur film ....

      all depends on many factors dude .... just told various career options :)

      Delete
  9. i dont hav any experience at all.. but i have applied for Direction. and i am from engineering background. will it work?

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    Replies
    1. This will only work :) keep going .... u will rock ....

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  10. Hi Manu,

    Thanks on behalf of everyone who is an FTII aspirant and who is passionate about films
    FTII was more like a mystery even if we push google to its limit.

    Like the above comment,this blog is a big relief.
    Feels like we have found someone experienced who is actually happy to help.

    I am trying out for Deploma in Acting this year.
    This might be a little too early to ask but still ,do they conduct the orientation/screen test etc in mid July every year?When will the dates of orientation/results be published?

    Thanks in advance and on a more serious note :),when you make a film of your own consider me for an audition.I can speak Tamil!

    Cheers :) :)

    Sam

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    Replies
    1. Nice to read ur comment ..... all the best ... cheers .... good to know that i have been a help ....
      I am not so sure about the dates ... please check the websites regularly ... thanks

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  11. Hii Manu
    I want to pursue editing course in either FTII or SRFTI
    Can u plzz guide me in what these film institutes look for in the students ?
    Are there in prerequisites for the editing course?
    Thnx

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    Replies
    1. Editing course is the best course as far as i know in FTII . gives u so much more than an editor ... makes u a director of the film .... editing is so much important for any film .... SRFTi forms are out ... do check it ... all the best....

      No prerequisties for any course .... just be pasionate ... all the best dear

      Delete
  12. Hii Manu
    I want to pursue editing course in either FTII or SRFTI
    Can u plzz guide me in what these film institutes look for in the students ?
    Are there in prerequisites for the editing course?
    Thnx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Editing course is the best course as far as i know in FTII . gives u so much more than an editor ... makes u a director of the film .... editing is so much important for any film .... SRFTi forms are out ... do check it ... all the best

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  13. Dear, Manu Before Asking My Doubts I Just Wanna Intro My-Self...I'm One Of A Crazy Guys From The City Of Bhubaneswar And Likewise Also My Friends And Relatives Feel I'm Little Bit Mental Type As U Have Mentioned About You,,,,Bcze My Thinking Makes Me Like That......Like Many Of Us And You, also I See Dreams To Be A Star.....So, This Year I Have Given Ftii Exam In The Acting Field...Dear
    Actually Whats The Approx. Cut-Off I Have To Secure Crack The Exam...And Then Coming To Interviews And Auditions How
    To Prepare For It.....And Tell Me Any Institute In Pune Or Any Other Places In India Providing Any Kind Of Coaching To Crack
    Ftii Exams......And As I'm Basically A Engineer And Less Experienced In This Field, How I Can Prepare For The Auditions And Interview.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      I am sure you must have given the exams this year .... for acting if u r too passionate dont worry too much about FTII . the best palce is NSD . If u can get in there , amazing .... ftii is good .... and for acting , there is no other short cut , forget urself and get to the character whenever needed .... i am not good enough to advice u on acting ... all the best

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  14. Hey ,first of all thanx for this very informative content.surely it'll help a lot.
    What I wanna know is about the courses just after 12, are there such courses?
    Please enlighten me as I'm very confused .

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    Replies
    1. sorry for late response .... have been off blogging for some time .... u need a degree for any course .... may be u should check their website for short courses .... but as far as i know short courses too need a degree ... do check it ... al the best

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  15. I have cleared the written exam for diploma in direction and certificate course in television cinematography. My interviews are scheduled from 29/08/13 to 03/09/13 and 10/09/13 to 12/09/13 respectively. Can you guide me on the format of interview.
    prashant parvataneni

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have cleared the written exam for diploma in direction and certificate course in television cinematography. My interviews are scheduled from 29/08/13 to 03/09/13 and 10/09/13 to 12/09/13 respectively. Can you guide me on the format of interview.
    prashant parvataneni

    ReplyDelete
  17. how to know the cut off marks for the courses?? Do you have any information regarding this??

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  18. how to know the cut off marks for the courses?? Do you have any information regarding this??

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  19. What is the cut off marks for editing course? Please inform regarding this.

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  20. hi Manu,

    this is Anand....got a lot of inspiration from your blog...thanks for sharing this valuable information...being a musical family background i hv been vry inclined to movies from childhood and even now also i am keen to join sound engineering in ftii...want to do sth that i love to...vry much frustrated being a software engg and i feel lk its nt my place evryday in office...can you please share some information regarding how to and whr from i sud start my prep...esp need to know how is the interview for sound engineering candidates....wht they ask and do we hv to show ny internship or workshop related stuffs....

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  21. Hey, first of all thanks for this wonderful post I am a btech graduate from a top engineering institution of our country and i started my career as a software engineer in an MNC in new york i came back to india last month and at this point of my life i just want to persue a career in direction because that is something i have always wanted to do right from my childhood but have no information where to start from and other then that to make my family understand how important it is for me . Is it a good idea to just quit my good paying job and will it work ??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dont ......

      keep on working , dont quit the job right now .
      Try watching films , read a lot , do a lot of research and find the director in you .

      try creating few short films finding local talents around to work with you for free .....
      test the director in you ..... cause tomorrow once you find yourself welcomed by a few people as a potential director , you can try playing around with luck ....

      until then as you have a good job , please dont quit it .

      the reason why i say this is , now you had a doubt somewhere deep in ur heart ,
      that if i leave this good paying job, will i become a good director in course of time ,
      and what if i dint become a good director (good and bad is subjective , there are many good directors who dint get any producers for many good reasons..... )


      but just cause u had that doubt over urself , we are having this conversation here ....
      otherwise u would have never asked a stranger like me about ur life decision ...

      again , i am not telling you that you can or you cant .... nothing is impossible as long we cherish the dreams and love it from heart adn work for it .
      just am saying that , we are living in a world where digital has overtaken analog , and hence shooting a video and editing it no more a tough job , anyone nowadays have a good full frame DSLR and anyone with a descent computer can do editing , color correction and sound editing ....

      as for a newbie like you looking out to find his luck in direction , especially having a good paying job, my advice would be , start tuning the director in you from today . now u have the money to buy anything u want to tune it , money to travel, money to buy books , watch movies, go film festivals, and even assist anyone without any pay aslo , just cause u have ur job .

      so personally i would ask you not to quit job until u see ur works are getting good acceptance .
      direction is somewhat like a project manager , try out ur art skills along with a team controlling skills to make a short film with no budget at all , try to post it in facebook or youtube , get it reviewd by people who give proper and true reviews, do it in course of time , get a name that Pranshu Sharma , the one who is working in that company makes god films , get to hear from people around to force u to quit ur job and that time quit and become a director ....

      All the best ......

      Delete
  22. Hey first of all thanks for your wonderful post .I am a btech undergrad from a top engineering college of our country and i started my career as a software engineer in an mnc in new york ,came back to india last month and at this point of my life may be my job is paying me enough but im unable to find that happiness that creating short films gives me and thats why i wanted to persue a career in direction and fullfill my childhood dream .Just want to know will it work as i have zero knowledge about this industry ??? thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dont ......

      keep on working , dont quit the job right now .
      Try watching films , read a lot , do a lot of research and find the director in you .

      try creating few short films finding local talents around to work with you for free .....
      test the director in you ..... cause tomorrow once you find yourself welcomed by a few people as a potential director , you can try playing around with luck ....

      until then as you have a good job , please dont quit it .

      the reason why i say this is , now you had a doubt somewhere deep in ur heart ,
      that if i leave this good paying job, will i become a good director in course of time ,
      and what if i dint become a good director (good and bad is subjective , there are many good directors who dint get any producers for many good reasons..... )


      but just cause u had that doubt over urself , we are having this conversation here ....
      otherwise u would have never asked a stranger like me about ur life decision ...

      again , i am not telling you that you can or you cant .... nothing is impossible as long we cherish the dreams and love it from heart adn work for it .
      just am saying that , we are living in a world where digital has overtaken analog , and hence shooting a video and editing it no more a tough job , anyone nowadays have a good full frame DSLR and anyone with a descent computer can do editing , color correction and sound editing ....

      as for a newbie like you looking out to find his luck in direction , especially having a good paying job, my advice would be , start tuning the director in you from today . now u have the money to buy anything u want to tune it , money to travel, money to buy books , watch movies, go film festivals, and even assist anyone without any pay aslo , just cause u have ur job .

      so personally i would ask you not to quit job until u see ur works are getting good acceptance .
      direction is somewhat like a project manager , try out ur art skills along with a team controlling skills to make a short film with no budget at all , try to post it in facebook or youtube , get it reviewd by people who give proper and true reviews, do it in course of time , get a name that Pranshu Sharma , the one who is working in that company makes god films , get to hear from people around to force u to quit ur job and that time quit and become a director ....

      All the best ......

      Delete
  23. I have heard there are private institutions that help you crack the entrance examination. Can you name a few of them?

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  24. Hi! I have heard about private institutions that help you crack the entrance exam. Can you name a few?

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    Replies
    1. Sorry for the late response . There are no such place to crack FTII exam . the exam is no tough to crack , love India , love culture , love heritage, love films , love history and u r already there with FTII . Hope u all the good luck

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  25. hello manu sir ..;I have applied for cinematography course. and I wanted to apply for pg course (3 year ).but examination dep/artment has informed me that this year FTII is offering 1 year diploma courses only ..why are they doing this ?

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    Replies
    1. Sorry for the late response . Its not a surprise actually as FTII comes up with zero intakes too, which means no intake for any branch ! This happens due to many reason ! One of the main reason behind this is, those beautiful bunch of guys out there in FTII are so not worried about the course (which is the beauty of it :) ), but the beauty of making movies and writing their own world , so eventually the course gets dragged a little longer than expected and hence the hostels are filled up with them , which makes the institute to come up with no other choise but to wait till a batch passes out leaving room for more talents to come in and enjoy the beautiful spirit of FTII , which is nothing but those beautiful talented seniors .

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    2. Basically those who join FTII, are not books oriented and course oriented , but they live to the fullest in the presense of talents . Thus the course gets delayed :) hence such decisions

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  26. Hello sir, can you please tell me about the kind of questions asked in the final interview round at ftii ??? for tv direction and how to prepare for it. ???? batch 2014

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  27. Hello sir, can you please tell me about the kind of questions asked in the final interview round at ftii ??? for tv direction and how to prepare for it. ???? batch 2014

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  28. i pass 12 board class by first division....can i crack ftii entance exam for film direction/

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    Replies
    1. Actually speaking you are very much fit to join the course if you ask me , but FTII asks for a Bachelor Degree as a pre-requisite ! Please go through their website for more details and keep up your spirit and all the best :)

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  29. Can we expect questions on quantitative aptitude in the general portion of the diploma question paper?

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  30. Can we expect questions on quantitative aptitude in the general portion of the diploma paper?

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  31. hello sir, i just wanted to ask you that how to prepare for descriptive section of ftii??

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  32. Hey Manu... great blog.. went thru it.. and this post and all the comments.. can you tell me as to wat kind of questions do they ask in the exam for cinematography specialised sectionss... i mean othe than the general questions wud i also ( im writing for cinematography ) get questions like history and present characteristics of cinema... how many marks wud b the specialised section... thank you... :)

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  33. Hey Manu... great blog.. went thru it.. and this post and all the comments.. can you tell me as to wat kind of questions do they ask in the exam for cinematography specialised sectionss... i mean othe than the general questions wud i also ( im writing for cinematography ) get questions like history and present characteristics of cinema... how many marks wud b the specialised section... thank you... :)

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  34. Sir,the ftii admission test is on hold for quiet a long time..When it is going to be held and what is the problem going on as i am looking frwrd to give the exam this time.

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  35. hello boss, i completed degree in open university, dose i eligible to ftii exam? plese tell me

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  36. hello boss, i completed degree in dr b.r ambedkar open university, dose i eligible to ftii entrance exam? plese tell me

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  37. Is there an Entrance exam for actors too??

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  38. Hello sir I am from Bhubaneswar.I am commerce a student(m.com).don't know much regarding this field.I am passionate about photography.. I love to portray a story with my pictures.I want to enhance my career in photography & cinematography.. What are the scopes after passing out from ftii pune..any other good institute if you can recommend.

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  39. Hi manu, your last answer was given in the month of december.it is tough to get a hold on you :P

    Anyways man, just wanted to know I have absolutely no experience in the field of expression and glamour. I am 27, married, have acquired my master’s in business administration and I am SAP certified, working for a stable IT Firm. Still want to try acting.
    You think this will work for me dude? Need to know from where to begin with. I will take care to which extend I should be taking it.

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  40. Hi,
    I like crack screenplay writing one year course. Can you suggest on screenplay writing, what areas i should cover mostly for descriptive pattern

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