This episode of the No Film School Podcast welcomes back Charles Haine, who hosts a compelling conversation with filmmaker Aditya Kripalani and lead actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Chitrangada Satarupa. The group discusses their latest film I'm Not an Actor, a cross-continental drama that was shot simultaneously in Mumbai and Frankfurt, using FaceTime as a primary storytelling and production tool. The film follows a virtual connection between a struggling actor and a melancholic retired banker, played by two of India's most compelling talents. They unpack the technological challenges, emotional resonance, and deeply collaborative process behind the movie, from remote acting and directing to editing via FaceTime itself.
In this episode, No Film School's Charles Haine and guests discuss...
The challenges of filming across two continents using FaceTime
How real-life technological constraints enhanced the storytelling
Rewriting and reshooting the ending based on audience feedback
Using location to reflect character psychology
The importance of creating seamless digital intimacy on screen
How Apple products unintentionally became integral to the production
Remote post-production workflows and their growing normalcy
The influence of Richard Linklater and conversational cinema
Memorable Quotes:
"Technology disappeared. That was the best thing."
"I thought, okay, this is my life. This is how you connect. This is the world actually, where I have to survive."
"I edited this film on FaceTime... the post-production also happened remotely, just like the film."
"It had to feel like a vlog... that's how we were very specific. It has to look like someone's doing a vlog."
Guests:
Aditya Kripalani
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Chitrangada Satarupa
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