Mrinmoy Kumar Shil

Media Performance

Project 11

 

Course Code and Name: MSJ11332 Media Presentation and Performance

Project Name: Media Performance

Title: Mouths of Destruction – A Documentary on Ecological Restoration

Project Date: Winter 2023



Project Description

Mouths of Destruction – A Documentary on Ecological Restoration is a documentary film aimed at highlighting the devastating impact of Sakar Fish on the river ecosystems of Bangladesh, particularly in Mohammadpur Beribadh (Turag River). Our project follows the story of Mohammad Mohsin Patowary, a local fisherman, who not only catches these invasive fish but also repurposes them into animal feed. Through this film, we explore the ecological threats posed by the uncontrolled population of Sakar fish and the potential solutions that can help restore balance to our rivers. The production involved on-location shoots, in-depth interviews, and extensive documentation of the fishing process. The filming took place from morning to evening, overcoming challenges such as crowded locations and environmental disruptions. Each team member played a vital role, ensuring that the story was captured with authenticity and impact. Post-production was completed using Premiere Pro, with a carefully curated background score to enhance the emotional depth of the documentary.



Project Justification 

The documentary is essential because it sheds light on an urgent environmental crisis. Sakar fish, a non-native species, have been destroying the natural balance of aquatic life, threatening native fish populations, and damaging the livelihoods of local fishermen. Despite these dangers, public awareness about the issue remains low. By documenting the experiences of a fisherman who actively combats this problem, we aim to educate the audience on the severity of the situation and encourage discussions on potential ecological restoration efforts.

Moreover, the project aligns with broader environmental concerns, addressing issues of biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and sustainable fishing practices. Through this documentary, we hope to create awareness and inspire policymakers, conservationists, and citizens to take action in protecting the country’s rivers from further degradation.



 

Mouths of DESTRUCTION 

– A Documentary on Ecological

Restoration

 

Date: [14/12/2023]

Location: Mohammadpur Beribadh, Near Turag River

 

Team Members: 

Mrinmoy kumar shil, 

Ajharul Hoque Siam, 

Syed Mohsin Husain











Today marked the beginning of our ambitious journey into the heart of ecological restoration

through the lens of a documentary film. Our focus lies on the critical issue of Sakar Fish, locally

known as Sakar fish, causing extensive damage to the river ecosystems, particularly in the

Mohammadpur Beribadh (Turag River). Our protagonist, Mohammad Mohsin Patowary, a

fisherman by trade, has become a central figure in our narrative as he not only engages in

catching these harmful fish but also transforms them into animal feed. Our objective is to shed

light on the destructive impact of sakar fish on the environment and explore potential solutions.

 

Pre-Production and Production

We started this project because we care a lot about protecting the environment. To get things

going, we went out on Thursday morning to find Mohsin Patowary. Once we located him, we

had a heartfelt talk, knows about his daily struggles and understanding how he deals with the

environmental issues caused by sakar fish.

We told Mohsin Patowary about our project and why we were making a documentary. He kindly

agreed to work with us. Excited and ready, we got our cameras and equipment to capture the

story of Mohsin Patowary’s life and his efforts to help the environment.

 

Details of Our Documentary:

Total Duration: 7 min

Interviews: 1 person

Location: Mohammadpur Beribadh (Turag River).

Time: From morning to evening.

Budget: 2000 taka

 

On-Location Challenges: As we went into the center of Mohammadpur Beribadh (Turag

River), we faced many challenges. There were a lot of people there, which made it hard for us to

do our filming. But, even with all the difficulties, our team stayed strong and determined, making

sure the filming went well.

Since Mrinmoy is very good with the camera, Mrinmoy was interviewing Mohsin Patowary,

Siam was taking side shots with another camera that we needed for the documentary. And

Mohsin was helping Mrinmoy in shooting, whether the camera is capturing everything properly,

If there is any problem, solve it immediately.







In the busy surroundings, we had a long talk with Mohsin Patowary. We asked him many

questions to understand how sakar fish affects the environment and to find ways to fix the

problems it causes. Mohsin Bhai shared some important information that showed how urgent it isto take action and restore the environment. Mohsin Patowary, with his years of experience,

graciously shared the art of catching sakar fish from the river. The camera rolled as he expertly

skewered the fish, providing us with invaluable footage for our documentary. The teamwork

among our crew members was evident, with each person playing a crucial role.

 

Picture of Mohsin Patowary



Post-Production

At the end of shooting that day, we all sat together for editing. We took all the footage from the

camera to the PC and started editing with Premiere Pro Apps. As our production director was

Mrinmoy and being adept at editing, Mrinmoy completed most of the editing in a very short span

of time. The rest of the members have helped with the sound and which clip will go after which

clip. Since editing is an important task so everyone has completed the work very carefully on

time. In our documentary we used a flute tune as background music. We think that fits our video

very well.






Conclusion:

As we finished our day by the Turag River in Mohammadpur, we thought about the tough times

and the good moments. Our production diary now shows how much our team worked hard to tell

the story of Mohsin Patowary and his important efforts to deal with the environmental problems

caused by sakar fish. In the days, we’ll go through all the footage we recorded and put together a

strong story. Our goal is not just to talk about the problems but also to inspire people to do

something to help the environment. This documentary shows how storytelling can make people

aware and bringing about positive changes for our environment.

This production diary is like a quick look at our journey, and we’re excited to share the full story

through our documentary. We hope it encourages people to have a better and more balanced

relationship with nature.




Documentary Link: https://youtu.be/vr6I_BIGboI?si=QCGO7Az2_f5I1Sml

 

Scene From the Documentary in Mouth of Destruction which we are Acting





Learnings & Outcomes (Self-Reflection)

Working on this documentary was an eye-opening experience that strengthened our skills in storytelling, research, cinematography, and teamwork. We learned how to effectively document environmental issues and present them in a compelling manner. The project also improved our ability to work under pressure, tackle logistical challenges, and adapt to real-world filming conditions.

From a personal perspective, this project deepened our understanding of environmental sustainability and the delicate balance of ecosystems. It taught us the power of visual media in driving social awareness and change. Seeing how Mohsin Patowary transformed an ecological threat into an opportunity made us realize the importance of innovative solutions in conservation efforts.

Ultimately, this documentary is more than just a film—it is a call to action. We hope that through our work, audiences will become more conscious of their role in protecting the environment and take steps toward a more sustainable future.



 

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