12 March 2006. I was fed up with the cold in Prague, dipping as low as minus 19 degree on one occassion.  With the ides of March around corner and living on high latitudes I was expecting Spring season to usher in full strength of colours and style. Instead I saw more snow fall. Two days of continuous snowfall covered everything – the roads, pavements, parks, rivers, and buildings in a cloak of white.  It was beautiful because it was a novel sight for me but the moment my concentration strayed leaving my thoughts alone – i felt depressed. That’s not a w orry though because Prague has pleanty of things to cheer you up.

So, I was walking to the metro station and I saw all the cars completely wrapped in snow. I was wondering how do they recongnize their car. It might take you an hour to dig your car out of the snow and then you find it’s not y0urs! Man how’s that for starting your day with.

A memorable trip to Barrandov studio in the winters organised by Michael Gahut, my cinematography instructor. A state of the art film production facility, Barrandov is Europe’s biggest studio lot. If you are filming here you don’t need to step out anywhere else.

Of all the facilities what fascinated me the most was the hygiene of the film processing lab. Thermo sensors reading to hundredth of decimal in the tanks to maintain the accuracy of processing.

Casino Royale was being filmed at Barrandov those days. The Block behind me was where they had erected sets for interior shots. Ki Nan, self, and Teddy had a great day.

The walk back to the nearest tram station was memorable. Unfortunately, I can’t produce those jokes and songs for fear of lawsuit -My Name is ……I am no electrician!

Kinan and Teddy must have got it. Cheers guys.

                                                                                                              A Street car named Darling!

One of the most famous Cabarets in Prague – The Darling Cabaret. Located in the heart of the city at Vaclavaske Namesti; its patrons are mainly British and Indian tourists who are on weekend stag tours. The tall vertical colourful neon signboard is like a lighthouse reaching out far and wide. As if the glow of neon wasn’t enough they have a special promotion package-a limousine to fetch you right at your doorstep, if you are too lazy to venture out because of the minus 10 degree cold.

R(evolution) | R(evolution)
Director: Mustafa Zaveri
India, 2007, 80 min,

I held an audition in the school premises and was surprised at the response I got for “No Pay” roles that I offered. Many male Americans applied for the English speaking part of Devil and a mix of American and Czech girls applied for the role of Angel. I will skip the casting episode as of now because I did ruffle feathers of some seasoned American actors who did small significant parts whenever a major Hollywood production came to Prague…

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Essentially a cinematographer, but do love to write sometimes about my travels and film experiences.

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Regards

Prashant Rai