Students come from varying backgrounds, ranging from the young, fresh out of secondary or graduate school to the post-graduate and professional looking to upgrade his or her skills. Some students have limited or no previous experience, while others have worked peripherally or as assistants in the entertainment industry. While the majority of our students are from India, Whistling Woods International welcomes international applicants and currently has students from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa. We believe that a diverse student body encourages a dynamic exchange of creative ideas.

A typical day begins with students up at 6:30 a.m. and going to the campus for yoga or other exercise prior to breakfast. Classes begin at 9:30 and run until early evening, with a mixture of theoretical and practical training. On some evenings, a film is screened, followed by discussion and analysis. Other evenings will feature lectures from visiting filmmakers. Dance classes and gym training run until 8:30 p.m., after which dinner is served. Students can then study and work on their films in the labs, student lounges or back at the hostel. Recreation facilities are available at both the campus and hostel, including pool tables, table tennis and lounge areas with wireless Internet. Students who need to social network or recieve email take the opportunity to do so via our wireless broadband lines, an important source of entertainment and relaxation, and even as another source of keeping up to date with news in the industry. Students typically attend classes from Monday to Saturday; however, during productions, students may face the challenges of seven-day working weeks and overnight shoots.

Two five-week holiday breaks are provided each year. Public holidays outside these months are limited to days kept as standard practice by the film industry.

Weekly sessions with guest lecturers and speakers from a variety of backgrounds enrich the learning experience at Whistling Woods International by offering students the opportunity to broaden their education. These sessions expose students to noted filmmakers, academics and specialists from diverse fields. With a broad spectrum of invitees, from writers, choreographers and musicians to psychologists, anti-piracy lawyers and sociologists, students are offered a substantial extension over any regular film programme. Previous guest speakers have included Karan Johar, Danny Boyle, Gulzar, Rakeysh Mehra, Anil Kapoor, Syd Field, Madhuri Dixit, Ashok Amritraj and Shyam Benegal.

We believe that a creative environment supplements and enriches the development of any filmmaker, actor, writer or technician. In view of this, Whistling Woods International hosts an array of cultural events throughout the year, including musical and dance performances, plays and poetry readings. A thriving artistic atmosphere and the dynamic energy of live performance stimulates the imagination and inspires students to expand their personal boundaries.

Filmmaking by its nature is a stressful occupation and we believe that students are best equipped to deal with mental stress and demanding schedules when aided by physical fitness and good health. Yoga training is offered in the mornings before classes, providing students with the ability to balance their professional endeavours with their personal health and spiritual growth. The campus gymnasium is open every day, with a personal trainer in attendance during certain hours for training advice or group classes. Dance classes by SDIPA or selected traditional dance instructors are offered in the evenings. Workshops are provided for all students covering nutrition and other facets of health and fitness.

Whistling Woods International operates both a large cafeteria and a café on campus. These are open throughout the day and evening, offering a welcoming and social atmosphere where students can meet and relax. The cafeteria, with a beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the national park, serves breakfast and buffet lunch and dinners with additional vegetarian and non-vegetarian a la carte options. The cafe, located next to Studios 1 and 2, serves a variety of snacks and sandwiches.

Whistling Woods International places great emphasis on students’ own research and they are encouraged to avail of the library facilities. The library consists of core texts relating to every aspect of filmmaking and the film industry, as well as areas that may be peripherally relevant or provide background or general knowledge. The library also subscribes to many journals, periodicals and trade magazines. The film library holds a collection of important films and television series on DVD and VHS and a CD collection of music and sound effects, which students may use in their projects.

The Whistling Woods International library currently offers more than 5,000 units of film, audio and text and ongoing purchasing provides a constant flow of new titles. Private viewing facilities and listening stations are available to students. A majority of the video and audio library collection is also available on the school’s intranet system so that students may stream audio or video to any networked computer within the school premises.