STANDARD
Age: 124
Total Posts: 2890
Points: 0
Location:
Pakistan, Pakistan
The reason why some local feature films produced in the past few years have been of much crisper visual quality is due to the fact that post-production work was carried out abroad. Plus, sound quality is also better in these because it is enhanced due to the use of DTS (digital theatrical sound) system, which is also done abroad. To name a few, Chalo Ishq Larain, Yeh Dil Aap Ka Hua, and the latest, Laaj, have all benefited technically due to having the post-production work done abroad. "The first Pakistani film using Dolby technology was an Evernew Studios creation," says Shehzad Gul, referring to Tere Pyaar Mein (2000).
Outsourcing is the only option for technical facilitation, holds Gul. "It is not viable to purchase the expensive equipment for just two or three producers to use. Taking a bank loan to purchase premium equipment would not be feasible, unless, say about forty films a year are to be made using the equipment."
And what about economic feasibility? "That is not a significant issue." Gul believes that it is still better to get the work done abroad than invest locally. "It costs $50,000 to DTS a film in Bangkok. The facilities available in Bangkok are cheaper compared to elsewhere, because manpower also costs less there; even films from Hollywood have DTS done there at times. Walt Disney gets animation of several films in a year done in Bangkok because it is much cheaper than getting the work done in Hollywood."
Bangkok, however, is not the only option. Much closer to home and cheaper, but forbidden territory, is India. "If it costs $50,000 to get DTS done in Bangkok, getting the same work done in India would cost $25, 000." But, "we don't get permission to go there," Gul concludes.
