An independent filmmaker and animator who has worked on great projects. He is fond of creating in any and every way that he can. This is Punit Gor in the spotlight.
Just to introduce yourself if you aren’t freelancing, where are you working and what’s your current job title?
Currently, I’ve been working independently for about a year now. I do both – creative direction and ground work. The great thing about this is that I get to utilise all my skills and learn new skills constantly.
Tell us your journey from discovering your craft to acquiring the skill you have now?
Since childhood, I used to sketch in my notebooks, play with different materials & tools like scissors, paper, electric motors, etc. Even when playing with action figures, I would invent a story, make a set and even shoot something similar to stop motion with a webcam I had. That’s where my interest for arts, crafts, storytelling & filmmaking comes from. Also, computers and technology have always been a general interest. So when it came to choosing a career I chose animation which felt like a perfect mix of all the things I was excited about.
I felt like the odd one out until I joined college, it was a world full of people who shared the same passion. In both – DJAD and Supinfocom – I was encouraged and my horizons expanded by faculties, seniors and classmates. I bagged two really good internships, first at Disney UTV and then at Vaibhav Studios – both have played a big role in my career.
From Vodafone Zoozoos | FIFA 2014
After dealing with various demands from clients and/or bosses, what’s that one experience that you learned the most from?
While interning at Disney UTV, we had the opportunity for the first time to make a trailer in-house which normally would have been outsourced to a studio. There was some concern about quality and deadline from the higher authorities but my boss, Manav Arya, did not let that pressure affect me. It was the first time I was making a 3D video, so it was quite challenging, especially with a 30 day time frame and the limited resources. But Manav had no doubt in my abilities. This made me push harder and make one of the best trailers, they’ve had. This has led me to believe that complete faith in the artist enables great work. I’ve also had equally bad experiences with college team projects where there is no hierarchy or uneven effort and skill sets. It is necessary to be able to work with all kinds of people and to step in when no one is ready to take responsibility for something.
Conceptualisation & execution. From Hitout Heroes – Game Trailer
In the whole world, whose work do you aspire yours to be like? And what attracts you to appreciate what they do?
What makes a good storyteller is the one who tells his stories in his way. So I wouldn’t want my work to be like anyone else’s. Although there’s a lot to appreciate and get inspiration from; from Hollywood/Bollywood directors to YouTube film makers. There are inspirational figures everywhere. One such person is Vaibhav Kumaresh and I’m glad to have worked on a couple of his projects.
Work done under Vaibhav Studios
What do people not realise about your work/area of expertise?
Well, one standard thing that anyone in animation would say is that people don’t understand that it is a time-consuming process! Beyond that, surprisingly, a lot of people in India are not even familiar with the word. Those who do have a very limited understanding of what it entails and the various applications – from classical 2D to 3D & VFX. It’s a vast field encompassing films and games to the UI in your phone. In fact, even Indian cinema hasn’t yet got it right.
Which project of yours are you particularly proud of? Could you tell us a little about it?
I feel extremely proud of every project I do. I love to share them with people and I love getting their feedback. That encouragement is my fuel. But if there is one project I had to talk about, it would be the first film I made while learning filmmaking at Supinfocom. This was soon after the Nirbhaya incident in December 2012. I wanted to use this opportunity to contribute something to society through my film. It wasn’t easy to write a short story that had an impact, especially on such a sensitive topic. I had some amazing discussions with friends and faculties, notably Jitendra Arora (Faculty at Supinfocom).
I finished it in 2014 but my need for perfection prevented me from releasing it. I kept making refinements until I reached a stage where I felt like making it all over again. I realised a project is never over but at some point, it has to be handed over to the audience and I have to let it go. So I’m sharing the film here for the first time on Indiefolio.
Writer, Director
Can we have a piece of advice that helps you with your workflow?
Technical workflow varies from software to software. As far as creative workflow goes, I would say everyone at some point figures out their own ideal creative process. Be comfortable with your space, as that makes a lot of difference. Most ideas come when you are away from your desk which means it’s very helpful to make instant notes or doodles of your ideas. Discussions are very helpful but don’t over do it. Also, planning & pre-production play a bigger role than most people realise.
So what are you working on now?
I just finished working on a two-minute trailer for this amazing transmedia story experience created by a small indie team that takes the shape of a graphic novel, a music album and art. This is something new in India, so I’m excited to see how it will be received.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I never want to stop learning. I do my best to learn new things each day. So I see myself in the future with a much broader skill set, doing very different kinds of projects and furthering my learning. Currently, I’m doing advertising work in animation. Soon, I want to do live action projects as well. It’s been two years since I made my last animated short film. Hopefully, very soon I’ll be making the next one.
Co-writer and co-director
How do you unwind and refresh your creative juices?
While mostly I like solitude or being in a peaceful place in nature. When I want ideas, I like to put myself amidst chaos. Mumbai local train stations are the best. You get to observe so many different people and situations. Nothing is better than that.
Have you ever tried out a completely different creative field? If yes, how did that work out?
Yes, all the time. In fact, I hate defining myself as just an Animator or Designer. I love making things out of wood, metal or paper. I have learnt a little piano and tabla. I am a know-it-all when it comes to tech. Also, I do a lot of quick phone photography and time-lapse videos every day. I feel ‘creative field/title’ is a very industrious term. Any creative person can do or learn any creative task with enough curiosity and effort.
Peace lily // Timelapse // 2 months
If you had to start afresh in the industry today, would you choose a different path and if so, what would it be?
No. I think the path you go through makes you unique and even bad experiences teach you something. So I would only like to focus on the present & the near future.
If you could claim that any one person’s work in India was yours, who would it be?
No one else’s. Every art is unique to its creator.
Now that you’re getting/you have a strong foothold in the creative world, what would you like to say to ‘all the haters’?
Haters are best ignored. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has ever encouraged me.
Quick Question
Favourite Font:
Favourite Movie:
A book everyone should read:
Your quick tip to everybody who does the same job as you?
When you are passionate about something, every second of the process will give you joy. So if you don’t feel that way towards your work then don’t settle. Keep trying different things and work with different people.
What’s the best project you’ve seen on IndieFolio?
Outsider :: Domestic Violence PSA by Advait Gupt and Mohit Bhasin
Could you make something exclusive for us in next 5mins?
Go and check out Punit Gor’s portfolio and see what else is there to see and enjoy.
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