Cyrus Mistry is an entertainment industry professional, with over 23 years of experience in film making.A cameraman and editor by training he has been associated with over 200 corporate films, ad commercials and documentaries for some of the best business houses in India and globally. The last 10 years Cyrus has been in the animation space. 7 years with DQ, he has managed the 2D, 2D Digital animation business globally, collecting several prestigious awards along the way, which include several Emmy Nominations and finally the Emmy for Tutenstien. Cyrus‘ focus now is to build and grow the new Training business vertical of DQE - DQ DQSVA - DQ School of Visual Arts.
AnimationXpress.com‘s Chaitra Shetty caught up with him for a sneak peek into his role at DQSVA, his plans for the same and more.
What role would you be playing and what responsibilities will you undertake at DQSVA?
I head the DQSVA operations globally, looking after the management of all DQSVA centers and DQSVA partnerships with the various State Governments.
What is the current standing of DQSVA in India?
DQSVA started as a backward integration program for DQ Entertainment International‘s ever growing need for well trained manpower. Over the last 10 years we would have trained a large number of students who are now employed in DQ Entertainment and other well known names within the industry. In the year 2008 DQSVA was established as a division of DQ Entertainment International. To increase our presence in the training space.
DQSVA currently has 3 owned centers in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Kolkata [with West Bengal Government partnership] and is Knowledge Sharing Partner with the state government of Madhya Pradesh. At present we have a large number of students training in several batches and will be available for the Industry to absorb within the year 2010.
What have been the ongoing practices that DQSVA has adapted to make its training industry specific?
DQSVA has always taken pride in having a very `production focused‘ curriculum so that the students are well prepared to enter and work in any organization of their choice and start contributing effectively since day#1. At DQSVA we ensure that the curriculum is always updated with the latest technical advancements and production pipeline management initiatives as they happen in real time production set-up. Apart from teaching them the craft we also give equal importance for personality development and special sessions are imparted to the student for building confidence.
Is DQSVA leveraging the advantage of having the biggest animation production division in India to get its students the industry exposure?
Certainly, DQSVA students have the advantage of getting trained on a curriculum which has been designed by people who have several years of experience in producing world class animation projects at DQE. The curriculum apart, DQSVA students benefit through Production Mentors from DQE as well as the industry in general who take special sessions with the students giving them yet another dimension to their already comprehensive curriculum. DQSVA also ensures that expat mentors take sessions and share their learning and experience with the students.
We also have students work on `actual production materials‘ to get the feel of what level of quality is expected from them once they enter into this field as a professional. DQ Entertainment International‘s own extensive portfolio of work done for world major studios is viewed and critiqued for student benefit. They get to see the high quality work which happens in the production studio creating a sense of aspiration to work on International Award winning properties that DQE is associated with.
How do you plan to maintain the quality of education across all the centers?
DQSVA has total control across all centers for the curriculum and its delivery. Irrespective of which centre/city the student is being trained, the level of teaching, the infrastructure, the technology is the same. The trainers play a very important role and at DQSVA we ensure that each and every trainer is chosen for the right technical skillset with the right attitude, this is very critical as they constantly interface and interact with vibrant young minds who are eager to learn and come with great hopes and aspirations.
The trainers routinely undergo refresher sessions and update themselves on the ever changing methodologies of production. Train the trainer modules and frequent mentorship programs with senior production teams as well as international mentors ensure that they are constantly learning something new and get to share views from experts in production.
What is your vision for DQSVA?
My vision for DQSVA - To be one of the best recognized and respected academies in this space which is consistently adapting to the changing needs of the Industry and ensures that the student employability is high. DQSVA should be an automatic choice for aspiring students who want to enter into this field.
What are the growth and expansion plans on the cards for DQSVA?
We have been growing slowly but surely, we at DQSVA have a very cautious approach on how we select our partnerships so that we can maintain consistently the level of education being provided and at the same time provide quality trained manpower for the Media and Entertainment industry.
