-Akshay Marwah and Mohit Marwah, Co-founders, AAFT Online

The technological revolution has touched every industry. It has also transformed every industry in its wake, some even beyond recognition. The creative arts space is one such example. The way entertainment is consumed has undergone drastic changes over the decades and in the past two years alone. From Cinemas and Cable TV, we’ve entered the era of OTT. On-demand is the new normal. But, is Indian talent in the entertainment space up to speed with the trends? 

COVID-19 and the new ara of content consumption 

The covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns were significant roadblocks for the entertainment industry. However, it also led to a unique opportunity – a near-immediate shift to OTT that now seems like its here to stay. People have embraced OTT in a way they never did before. So, while the industry was initially taken aback, it eventually started to focus on OTT to soften the blow from the pandemic. Clearly, the pivot was successful. 

India is the largest producer of films globally, with Bollywood alone standing at a whopping $2.5 billion. OTT has been the absolute backbone of this industry’s growth in the past few years, with some stellar movies and series being released exclusively on OTT platforms. From new, breakthrough performers to best-loved stars, everyone’s had an appearance on OTT. What’s also driving the growth of this sector is the sheer variety of content available today. 

From Netflix bringing content from across the world to Hotstar partnering with Disney+ to merge two content creation giants and even brands like BookMyShow launching their own OTT platforms, the possibilities and potential is endless. Not just for consumers but also creators. 

Giving wings to dreams: How OTT is leading to fruitful careers 

OTT has democratized content to be consumed by people of all ages across all regions of the country. In the search for fresh talent to create such new and exciting content, the demand for professionals has increased significantly. But, since a lot of new technology is involved in filmmaking today, the industry needs new-age professionals with the right set of skills. 

Moreover, people are also looking for fresh faces when they tune into OTT releases. This has changed the casting practices in the entertainment sector, and there is always a need for new, driven, talented individuals willing to change the game with their polished skillsets. There will never be a shortage of opportunities waiting for passionate individuals with the right training. 

Thankfully, Indian institutes are rising to the occasion. Learning platforms are getting creative to educate the creative geniuses of tomorrow. For instance, AAFT online, a futuristic creative arts institute, is training professionals with courses led by renowned experts combined with innovative tools and technology to equip learners with in-demand skills. The institute also provides hands-on training to professionals through regular project work. With this, it offers the right conditions for innovation by giving a free hand to learners and helping them work on their ideas.

OTT platforms require a new wave of creative individuals. Today’s students should accordingly be trained in niche subjects such as fashion photography, makeup foundation, music production, animation and VFX, and so much more. Of course, courses like Media, Advertising, Performing Arts, Cinema, Lifestyle and Photography will always be important to creative arts professionals. However, with a combination of niche and core courses, individuals can go on to create a unique space for themselves in the industry. This, ideally, is what learning platforms should be aiming to achieve. 

How do they achieve this goal? AAFT Online offers its students recorded lectures and printable materials and weekend live sessions and interactive assignments with experts from the industry to offer holistic teaching to students. 

At the end of the day, institutes that are combining traditional pedagogy with new methods of learning are definitely preparing students for the innovative stylings of OTT. As a result of their efforts, OTT platforms will be able to regale audiences with fresh, best-in-class talent and new, exciting stories for years to come.