MAM
From script to society: How a holistic education breeds better filmmakers in advertising
Mumbai: The integration of storytelling into our digital reality is seen as a defining feature by data scientists, highlighting the increasing significance of stories as valuable virtual commodities that encapsulate the essence of a society’s culture and identity. It delves into various societal domains, including politics, environment, religion, economy and language, offering a comprehensive understanding of human existence from the microcosm of family units to the macrocosm of complex societal structures.
In media and film, we uncover how storytelling has become a defining characteristic in our increasingly digitised landscape. From politics to language and personal anecdotes to global issues, storytelling transcends boundaries to offer a holistic understanding of human existence. Crafting a compelling story is described as a blend of artistic expression and technical skills, requiring a deep understanding of narratology and an interdisciplinary perspective. Cultural agencies foresee storytelling emerging as a highly coveted skill in the 21st century, emphasising its pivotal role in conveying intangible aspects of culture and societal narratives.
Taking some cases from brands like Soul Flower, Domestic, Jnanapravaha and Bamboo U, their one-to-one network-based advertising is relevant, cost-effective and innovative in connecting and appropriating the idea of advertising in the social domain. It validates the nature of advertising and the true intent for finding business while not mellowing down their ideological standpoint.
The enduring relevance of media in contemporary society and the imperative of holistic education in nurturing filmmakers equipped to craft narratives that resonate with audiences and shape cultural discourse have never been so crucial. The world’s impacting research investigates the transformative journey of moving image, exploring how holistic education cultivates proficient filmmakers to become adept at storytelling in general and specifically advertising.
This is why formal education in filmmaking has a huge role to play. Through such courses, they delve into the fusion of artistic expression and technical prowess essential for crafting compelling narratives, drawing from insights in narratology and interdisciplinary studies.
Formal courses in filmmaking traverse diverse societal domains, ranging from politics to language, providing a holistic comprehension of human existence. The evolving advertising landscape underscores a shift from traditional heavy production to personalised influence-based approaches, creating opportunities for independent and knowledgeable storytellers.
In light of the enduring significance of media and the evolving advertising landscape, this research underscores the critical role of holistic education in nurturing filmmakers equipped to shape cultural discourse and engage audiences effectively. In today’s fast-paced digital age, effectively conveying cultural nuances and societal narratives is more critical than ever.
Education in advertising has traditionally followed a structured path, focusing on technical skills rather than holistic development. However, this approach often limits the creativity and innovation necessary for compelling storytelling in today’s dynamic landscape. The shift towards holistic education recognises the importance of nurturing well-rounded individuals who can craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
The article has been authored by Anant National University assistant professor and head of the centre for moving image – Prof Akash Gaur.
Brands
Oracle layoffs affect up to 30,000 employees globally
Job cuts span US, India and more, staff cite abrupt emails, uncertainty.
MUMBAI: April began with an inbox shock and for thousands, it ended with an exit. Oracle has carried out a sweeping round of layoffs, impacting an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 employees across its global operations, even as the company continues to report strong business performance. The job cuts were communicated via emails sent early on April 1, affecting staff across multiple regions including the United States, India, Canada and parts of Latin America. The reduction spans a wide range of roles and functions, though the company has not disclosed specific criteria behind the decisions.
In the days following the layoffs, employees have taken to platforms such as LinkedIn to share their experiences, many describing the process as abrupt and unsettling. Several posts pointed to a lack of prior indication, with notifications arriving suddenly in early-morning messages.
A recurring concern has been the impact on long-tenured staff. Users reported that employees with decades of experience were among those let go, raising broader questions about job security even for seasoned professionals within large technology firms.
The layoffs have also sparked anxiety about the wider direction of the sector. As companies continue to invest heavily in automation and artificial intelligence, workforce recalibration is becoming more common often accompanied by uncertainty around future roles and skills.
For many affected employees, the immediate challenge lies in navigating career transitions in an increasingly competitive job market, with posts reflecting concerns about stability and next steps.
The development comes against a backdrop of strong financial performance at Oracle, which recently reported a 22 percent year-on-year increase in revenue, alongside continued growth in its cloud infrastructure business. The company has also been committing significant capital towards artificial intelligence and data centre expansion.
The contrast between growth and job cuts has added to the unease, underscoring a broader shift in how large technology firms balance expansion with efficiency sometimes at the cost of the very workforce that helped build that growth.
