MUMBAI: After television broadcasting distribution specialists Fifth Avenue Media Services, it is the turn of a specialised outfit which offers writing services to TV producers, channels and even film producers. Business processes outsourcing (BPO) seems to have become the name of the game in the Indian television industry!
Ravi Rai, the maker of successful soaps - Sailaab, Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai, Imtihan, Sparsh and Teacher - is ready with his latest venture authorship. To be a subsidiary of Rai's company, Krishna Images, the outfit will employ a team of writers who will constitute a one-of-its-kind script shop.
Rai has already bagged some assignments from Bollywood producers such as Ashish Chanana and is in the process of appointing a sales team who will approach TV producers and channel programming heads. "We shall enter into an agreement with the producer or the channel and deliver screenplay, scripts based on the individual requirements. Our team will offer a 'menu' of options and a la carte services," says Rai.

Rai had been toying with the idea of starting an outfit which could offer a menu of writing related services. "Several producers and channel programming teams have good concepts and ideas. However, they don't have talented writers who will give a proper structure form and shape to the ideas," says Rai who strongly feels that the writer in him dominated the director in him.
Authorship will employ a team of talented writers - each of who will specialise in different genres such as crime, or social themes or high society preoccupations or family oriented topics amongst others. Each writer will have a core domain knowledge and specialise in one particular genre. Rai will supervise the team and offer inputs based on his experience.
"In the case of television, good script writing is like creating a map where the maker is very clear about where he starts off and ends. It is necessary to have the alternate options ready in place even before the serial starts airing. Currently, makers of software start telecasts and then panic when the serial doesn't pick up. They resort to gimmicks and this damages the flow of the soap or serial," says Rai.
When questioned about the fact that Rai had a reputation of being a creative hotshot who didn't like interference in his scripts, Rai clarifies: "Well, with Authorship, we are making an effort of moving into the service industry. Yes, we shall provide choices to the client but will ultimately do what the producer or channel wants us to do. Authorship will not impose but serve."
Eventually, Rai also plans to start an institute which will mould writers, actors and directors. "By itself, Authorship will be a school where different insights will be made available to the team of writers. I understand that each writer will come from a different background and have varied tastes. But each of them will bring some insight and understanding of certain issues. I shall nurture and mould their talent and tune them to the requisite level so that the writer will bloom!" promises Rai.

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