Viraf Sarkari reveals details of the soon to be launched Dubai Parks & Resorts Bollywood show
by EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | December 4, 2015 | Interview
Viraf Sarkari Wizcraft
How has Wizcraft come about working with the Dubai Parks and Resorts?
Wizcraft has been associated with Dubai Parks and Resorts since 2 years. Wizcraft has been hired to conceptualize, produce and direct a bollywood musical show to be staged at the bollywood park, Dubai Parks and Resorts.
We had invited the team of dpr to come and see our shows like Zangoora, Jhumroo and IIFA and the association was the result of it.
How have you kept in mind the sensibilities of audience based in Dubai and those tourists likely to frequent the Bollywood themed park when creating the content?
We are in the business of content creation and entertaining audiences across the world for over last 25 years. We know what works with the audiences who come to watch such shows and what excites them. We are putting together the magic of bollywood's story - telling fused with brilliant choreography performed to some of the most popular bollywood music.
What is the unique expertise Wizcraft will lend to such a project? Please elaborate on the technicals and production quality of the shows as part of this themed park? Is Wizcraft involved in the space design as well?
Wizcraft has been hired to conceptualize, produce and direct a bollywood musical show to be staged at the bollywood park, dubai parks & resorts. As our show is going to be staged in dpr's theatre we have consulted them to fit the theatre with the best technology & have been a part of the team designing the stage.
Tell us about the casting hunt. How does this work? Will it be on a contractual basis? What can the selected artists look forward to?
We are casting for actors, dancers & other entertainers for the bollywood parks. We have created a process where aspiring talent put up their profiles on our website. Wizcraft team will shortlist them and call them for auditions. Based on the auditions we will further shortlist the talent and then host a workshop for them before we do the final selection. The final list of talent will be contracted by dpr. The selected artiste will get a chance to perform on a international platform in front of a global audience.
Is this purely a talent hunt or is it more of an activation to create a buzz in the market for the destination?
It is a real casting call for Dubai Parks and Resorts.
The parks and resorts are reported to open in Oct 2016. Will it open with the Bollywood shows?
Yes.
What will be the frequency of the show?
We will have almost 8 shows per week.
Please elaborate on the planning that goes into producing such a large production, keeping in mind artists’ dates, rehearsals in India and Dubai, technicians, tlb, cost efficiency etc.
We have been working on this show for almost a year now and by the time it is staged it will be 2 years. Key to this is having a winning story and a fabulous creative and technical team. We have them all!
Are you working with any Middle East based service partners?
Yes. We have a global team working on this project.
Wizcraft have been partnered by Dubai Parks & Resorts (dpr) to conceptualize, produce and direct a bollywood musical show to be staged at the bollywood park.