White Brick Post

Masaan Ki Holi directed by Sonali Devnani

A short feature on a very unique celebration of Holi in Varanasi - where the faithful shower ashes of the cremated in a cloud of grey on the cremation ghat.

This is a city where one comes face to face with the reality and all-pervasiveness of death, much like the ashes that linger in the air, a city where dying is celebrated as much as living.

Directed by
Cinematography:
Music:
Edited and graded: 🖖

Theyam is an ancient dance ritual performed in North Kerala. The people here consider Theyam itself as a channel to god and they thus seek blessings from Theyam. There are about 456 types of Theyam performances documented and practitioners pass the tradition down generations.

From a short feature produced for Euronews TV.
Location: Payanur, Wayanad Dist. Kerala

Direction & Editing: 🙋‍♂️
Fixer: Deepa John -

Theyam is an ancient dance ritual performed in North Kerala. The people here consider Theyyam itself as a channel to god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam. There are about 456 types of Theyams documented and practitioners pass the tradition down generations.

From a short feature produced for Euronews TV.
Location: Payanur, Wayanad Dist. Kerala

Direction & Editing: 🙋‍♂️
Fixer: Deepa John -

Must have books in an edit suite. My favourite, Walter Murch - Behind the Seen.

Crusader of Chitrapura
Short Documentary
Run time: 14m

Director & Editor: Gasper DSouza
Cinematography:
Drone:
Production support:
Graded in Resolve Studio

To see more of the work of Gopalji Baliga:

Crusader of Chitrapura
Short Documentary
Run time: 14m

Director & Editor: Gasper DSouza
Cinematography:
Drone:
Production support:

To see more of the work of Gopalji Baliga:

My mid-journey learnings (no, not that AI stuff, but life learnings)

Life is too short to be spending the major part of your day, not doing something you love. Even more so, spending that time working for someone not even invested in you.

This goes out to anyone hesitating to take that plunge.

I've been blessed to be doing what I love for a living since 2007, when I embarked on the life of a freelance documentary filmmaker and editor.

Boy, it can be scary. And guess what? That feeling does not go away even after you've established yourself.

Sometimes it may seem difficult, and the road ahead is hazy. Will the revenue dry up next month? But it clears - it always does, when you believe in yourself. The trick I found that works, was to take a deep breath and double down on the project at hand. Good work pays off. Always.

Over the years in my freelance career, there have been times the bank balance was down dangerously low. That's when I believed the most.

I'm sure many others experience this and perhaps feel alone. You are not.

Working on self-initiated projects and self-training is the best antidote to lean times. And invariably, the projects come back in through the door. And when they do, the skills learnt will do you good. Yes, good work shows.

Here's another learning. When doing what you love as a freelancer, building a network is so crucial. Not to receive likes and such, but to genuinely connect with real people. Be happy for their successes and share knowledge unselfishly.

To anyone out there, hesitating to take the next step to build a career doing what you love, it's not worth getting up each morning and loathing the thought of going to "work".

We have just one life (whatever your belief in what comes next). It's simply not the way to live this one life just for the money. No matter what society may tell you. Money will come in sufficient quantities when you do what you love.

In 2018, I opened White Brick Post to help other independent filmmakers bring their vision to life. At the studio, I've collaborated with filmmakers of various backgrounds, working on editing documentary films, and every interaction has been an enriching experience for me.

What I love doing in the studio is looking through bins of rushes to identify narrative arcs, giving form and substance to a director's vision. These stories, shot in remote locations, come alive in the semi-dark confines of the Post suite. To me, that's magic, and I love doing this.

Do what you love. There's simply no other way to live.

I feel blessed to be in this position where directors come to me with trust, knowing their story is safe in my hands. It's a responsibility I do not, and will never take lightly or for granted. What's more, over the years, clients become friends (no, not the kind on social networks!)

And I'm always looking to expand those collaborations.

I took the decision to do what I love and for myself when I was 33. It's been an exciting journey as a photojournalist, solo videojournalist, documentary filmmaker and editor. Sixteen years later, I can say I lived life, I wouldn't have it any other way.

In my freelance journey, I've had the support of my bestie, who's stood by me through some dark times, and the trust of my kids, who've been only too glad to have had access to their dad whenever they needed.

That assurance of support from those we love is so crucial to this way of life, and I've been blessed.

When I put down my editor's stylus for one final time -- and that day's a long way off, but when I do, I believe I'll look back and say, "It's been a jolly good ride"

For now, it's on to the next collaboration. It's what I love!

I feel blessed to be in this position where directors come to me with trust, knowing their story is safe in my hands. It's a responsibility I do not, and will never take lightly or for granted.

What's more, over the years clients become friends (no, not the kind on social networks!)

What I love doing in the studio is to look through bins of rushes to identify narrative arcs, giving form and substance to a director's vision. These stories, shot in remote locations, come alive in the semi-dark confines of the Post suite. To me, that's magic and I love doing this.

Do what you love. There's simply no other way to live.

In 2018, I opened White Brick Post to help other independent filmmakers bring their vision to life. At the studio, I've collaborated with filmmakers of various backgrounds, working on editing documentary films, and every interaction has been an enriching experience for me.

Do what you love.

Assembly edit of Peak to Peak the inspiring story of 8 cancer survivors coming together. A project the brain child of this is truly a journey I've been privileged to go on (albeit only in the dark confines of the edit suit).

Began an exciting journey this week in the edit, with a group of cancer survivors as they conquer the peaks life throws at them. Super inspiring and humbling.

More details soon.

Another fine day at the studio!

The studio is coming together well. Today I even got an intern for grading on the new Resolve Mini panel 😜

Now open for editing and grading projects.

Had a great time stepping away from the to mentor a photographer as she transitions into video. We walked around the neighbouring village of and the experience was refreshing.

Must say the is an amazing video camera for documentary film work.

Been a busy couple of weeks at the studio with elections around. AE burns the midnight oil while I take a break.

NEW WORK
Confluence takes the viewer through a tapestry of diverse lifestyles in the ancient city of Varanasi in India.

We used colour psychology and palates to match the themes of each storyline as we navigate different facets of the city - the sacred, the profane and the resigned despair in between.

The film won in the short doc category at the

Directed by Sonali Devnani]] and shot over several years, the documentary weaves three storylines into this confluence that is a city with three names - Varanasi, Benaras and Kashi.

Director: Sonali Devnani]]
Editor: Gasper DSouza]
Cinematography: Sonali Devnani]] &
Additional cinematography:
Music & Sound:
Colourist: Gasper DSouza]