Filming and Writing in Auroville

Filming in Auroville

Filming in Auroville requires official authorization for both Indian and non-Indian filmers. The Government of India through its Ministry of External Affairs prescribes a specific procedure to obtain permission for documentary filming in India . OutreachMedia is instrumental in this process. Its ‘letter of recommendation' is crucial to starting the process towards obtaining the official authorization.

Letter of recommendation

The “Letter of recommendation” addressed to Auroville Foundation and issued by the OutreachMedia team, is the crucial document for your filming in Auroville. In order to issue this recommendation letter, OutreachMedia needs to be fully informed of your intentions so as to be able to recommend the application and to set the wheels in motion. This counts for both Indian and non-Indian applicants.

For this purpose, send us a detailed synopsis of your film including duration, target audience, composition of the filming crew, equipment to be used, hosting channel, dates of shooting etc., along with as much information as possible. Please know that the original synopsis given in the application needs to be adhered to as the permission given is only for what is submitted in the synopsis.

The synopsis / theme and contents of the film are expected be in harmony with, and respectful of, the ideals of Auroville.

The relevancy of the purpose and hosting channel with respect to Auroville will be taken into consideration as well. Please note that mere submission of the application doesn't necessarily amount to authorization. OutreachMedia will exercise its discretion in approving the application.

Official requirements

Indian applicants

Indian applicants require permission to film from the Auroville Foundation. This permission is based on the recommendation of Auroville OutreachMedia, as the latter body liaises between the applicant and the Auroville Foundation office.

Having gone through the preliminary investigations and dialogue with the applicant, OutreachMedia will eventually supply the following documents to the Auroville Foundation:

•  The applicant's request to film in Auroville, including data such as synopsis, target audience, composition of filming crew, equipment to be used, hosting channel etc.

•  The applicant's agreement to abide by OutreachMedia's ‘ Filming terms' (link to be provided)

•  OutreachMedia's letter of recommendation, requesting the Auroville Foundation to further process the application.

Non-Indian applicants

Non-Indian applicants will have to obtain permission for filming in Auroville from the Indian Embassy/Consulate/High Commission in their country as well as from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs through the Auroville Foundation. This latter permission is based on the recommendation of Auroville OutreachMedia, as it will liaise between the applicant and the Auroville Foundation office.

Having gone through the preliminary investigations and dialogue with the applicant, OutreachMedia will in due course supply the following documents to the Auroville Foundation:

1. Applicant's request to film in Auroville, addressed to the Auroville Foundation through the OutreachMedia Service, including data such as synopsis, target audience, duration of film, composition of filming crew, equipment to be used, hosting channel etc.
2. Authorisation from the Embassy/Consulate/High Commission of India in the country of applicant, which has been obtained by the applicant and sent to OutreachMedia.
3. The Government of India's “Undertaking” document ( link to the document: http://meaindia.nic.in/ ) , duly signed as specified by the Ministry of External Affairs, and sent to OutreachMedia along with a copy of the relevant page in the passport of the applicant as proof of the signature in the Undertaking document.
4. The applicant's agreement to abide by OutreachMedia's ‘ Filming terms' ( link to be provided )
5. OutreachMedia's letter of recommendation, requesting the Auroville Foundation to further process the application.

The above procedure may take months, so it is good to start in time!

Procedure

As soon as the green light is given by the Auroville Foundation, OutreachMedia will assist the applicant and his/her crew with general logistics, such as co-selection of interviewees, scheduling of shooting, location selection etc. Much can be organized beforehand via email or phone so that things are prepared when the crew arrives. As per the provisions of the Government of India's “Undertaking” document ( link to the document: http://meaindia.nic.in/ ), a member of OutreachMedia will act as liaison and will escort the crew throughout the filming.

It is important to note that this procedure applies also to the filming of a pilot / trailer/pre-study to the documentary.

September 2008