Creative Bites nurturing Actors & Film makers

UAE-based founder Tanveer Ahmed gaining popularity for his training platform for aspiring actors and film-makers

In the last few years, there has been a remarkable growth in the UAE's media industry with several new production houses and advertising agencies making inroads in the region, leading to an increased demand for fresh talent pool of actors and film-makers. Tanveer Ahmed, Executive Director and Founder of Creative Bites, believes that this fresh pool of talent needs to be technically trained and prepared for the forthcoming media projects in the region.

Tanveer has become a popular name in the UAE for his training courses in Acting and Film-making. Many of the students who have attended these courses describe their experience as truly transforming.

Most of these students with no background in acting, start performing in front of the camera in a short span of time, which intrigues people in the training process adopted.

Catherine from Germany, a student who attended the three-month acting programme, says: "This course has changed my whole idea of acting. Tanveer has a unique way of teaching through practical exercises and games. One could be shy or introverted, but as the session proceeds, it becomes easier and joyful for everyone to perform in front of camera without hesitation. This course shapes you to be a more confident person and actor."

With many of his acting and film-making students joining from GCC, Asia and other international countries, Tanveer has now become the preferred choice for all those who dream to be an actor or film-maker.

Tanveer, who was busy in wrapping up his current projects, provided more insight about his courses and the field of acting and film-making in general.

KT: FIRST OF ALL, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR COMPANY, CREATIVE BITES.

T: Creative Bites is a Media Production and Training Company based in the UAE, and currently the leading provider of training courses in Acting and Film-making. We have a corporate production and advertising division, catering to the corporate clients. We also have a web-based training platform, offering online acting courses internationally.

KT: WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR ACTING AND FILM-MAKING COURSES HAVE BECOME SO POPULAR IN THE UAE?

T: These courses are run with a genuine intention to help all those who have dreams to act or make films. We believe in teaching through practical exercises, games, live performances and shoots in front of the camera, without indulging too much into theory, which makes these sessions more interactive and fun.

KT: IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE INBORN TALENT IN ACTING AND FILM-MAKING TO PURSUE IT?

T: Acting or film-making is a skill that can be learned and developed. One must have sheer passion in the field and willingness to work harder to learn the craft. It's good if you have natural talent but it's not a prerequisite. In every batch, we see many students with no background in acting and film-making and they discover their inherent skills and talent as they start performing.

KT: ISN'T IT INTIMIDATING FOR FIRST-TIME ACTORS OR FILM-MAKERS TO FACE AUDIENCE IN THESE COURSES?

T: Everyone has some level of fear of performing in public. However, with passion and learning, one can overcome this fear. In our courses, we have a specific session addressing the fear of public speaking which prepares our students to face audience confidently and be bold and presentable in all walks of life, including official and social gatherings.

KT: IS IT POSSIBLE FOR NEW ACTORS OR FILM-MAKERS TO GET ROLES IN FILMS OR TELEVISION?

T: Yes, of course. Many of our students are winning roles in films, television and ads. One needs to understand that times have changed, directors and casting agents now prefer people who along with natural talent, have been trained formally and possess some knowledge of the required job intricacies. With professional training, one can gain much faster entry into films and television.

KT: WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO START AN ACTING OR FILM-MAKING CAREER?

T: It's a creative field and there is no age barrier. If you are passionate and interested in this field, you can pursue it at any age. Many well-known actors and film-makers, started their career much later in life. Students in Creative Bites are between the ages 13 and 65 years old, which indicates there is no right age to start an acting or film-making career.

KT: IS THERE ANY QUALIFICATION OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN YOUR COURSES?

T: These courses are for all nationalities, gender and age group. No prior qualification or experience is required.

KT: THE SHORT FILM PROGRAMME OFFERED BY CREATIVE BITES LOOKS REVOLUTIONARY, TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

T: Yes, it is the most unique acting course ever offered in the world. In this programme, students learn acting while performing in their own short film. Students are initially trained in basics and advanced acting techniques, then we develop a customised short film script for them. Students rehearse and prepare their characters and scenes. The short film is professionally shot, edited and released. This allows students to go through the entire film production process as a professional actor. Last year alone we produced seven short films under this programme.

KT: LASTLY, IS THERE ANY ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO THOSE INTERESTED IN ACTING OR FILM-MAKING?

T: I would only say that if you have passion or love for acting or film-making, and you strongly feel for it, it's a gift from god. You are fortunate and the chosen one to have such a gift. It's your responsibility to not let this gift go untapped, pursue it and explore it to the fullest. To know more about Tanveer Ahmed and Creative Bites, log on to: www.creativebites.info

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