Wildlife docu-filmmaker Mike Pandey's career mantras

FILM making requires long-term commitment and dedication and he draws his inspiration from honeybees - as they never go on strike, and shares with Urmila Rao that all animals, ants or elephants are challenging to work with, whale sharks being the most challenging!

Q.Awareness on animal conservation and rehabilitation is a recent urban phenomenon. How did you get sensitive early on?      
A.Childhood education and values acquired from parents play a formidable role in shaping the future. Born in Kenya, the backyard of our home was the Nairobi National Park. An affinity for nature was formed by our constant excursions in the park. There was also respect and reverence towards nature. With this came the realisation that we are a part of this huge cycle of creation.

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Q.  What effort is required by the youth of today to understand the significance of wildlife conservation?
A.It is not effort but education that’s required. Education lends understanding. Only when we understand do we respect and protect. The earth is our only home, if we don’t respect and protect it, where else will we go?

Q. How can industrial growth and wildlife conservation co-exist?
A. The key is co-existence and not contradiction. We need to create a balance between the two. We are the custodians our planet, we need to sustain it for our future generations.
 
Q.Tell us something about your school and college life?
A. School days were great. The system of education was very different. The teachers would encourage us to invent, innovate and think outside-the-box.  This expanded our horizon. I am an engineer by profession but my passion of wildlife and photography led me to directing films. However, my professional education has propelled me to experiment more. The more we experiment, the sharper our minds become.
 
Q. Advice to students who want to make a career in this field.
A.Join institutes like Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute,  FTII, IIMC, Jamia Millia MCRC, NID, Symbiosis, which offer intensive courses. Stay away from fly-by-night operators who provide ‘instant coffee solutions’. A strong script and well researched content goes towards making a powerful documentary film. There are various career options in this field like creative director, assistant director writer, researcher, camera person, sound recordist, production manager/assistant and producer/ executive producer.