MA Screen and Film Production students collaborate on wildlife documentary

While planning their Industry Project, MA Screen and Film Production students Shubh Tripathi and Syed Ishaq decided to create a wildlife documentary. Their remarkable film, CauveryWASI, took them on a 2,000km journey along the Cauvery River.

How did this project first come about?

Shubh: After Syed told me about the Humpback Mahseer and the Wildlife Association of South India (WASI), I began to do extensive research. We knew we only had one chance to pitch our idea to WASI. They’re such a prestigious organisation and have been going strong for the last 50 years.

And fortunately, our hard work paid off. Everyone at WASI was really supportive. They encouraged our efforts and, next thing I knew, we were there – right by the banks of the Cauvery River!

What drew you to this story?

Syed: My family is part of WASI, so I’ve always been aware of wildlife conservation and protection, and especially the conservation of the Humpback Mahseer.

This fish species is on the brink of extinction, and with my interest in wildlife documentaries and experience shooting in similar terrains, it felt like the creative vision for the project fell into place.

You also co-directed, wrote, and narrated the project. How did your degree prepare you to take on multiple roles in a single production?

Shubh: Taking on so many roles at once is not easy – every aspect requires its own time and distinctive approach. But the more you do it, the better you get. It was a challenge I took upon myself – to practice multitasking, and to learn more about my capacity as a creative professional.

Besides that, it was also a necessity: we were shooting overseas, and in forests, which meant we needed to keep our crew limited. I had confidence in Syed’s skills as a cinematographer, and we had a shared vision, so we really took this opportunity to work as hard as we could.

How did the MA Film & Television Production course help to prepare you for this experience?

Syed: The course helped us in so many ways, honing our technical knowledge before the shoot and making us dig deeper into the subject to find the story that really mattered.

Our module tutor helped us at every step, guiding us in what to do – and what not to do. Above all else, what the course taught us is how to be professional on a shooting set, to respect other team members, and to collaborate in a way that gets the best results out of every crew member.

This documentary serves as your Industry Project – how do you think it represents your creative voice as a filmmaker?

Shubh: I remember late at night, we were filming an interview with a forest guard, and at some point in the conversation, he started speaking about the impact of humans asserting their authority on this planet.

At that moment, I just knew: this is the type of content I want to make. This is my voice.

CauveryWASI isn’t just a Industry Project, it’s an important story to tell. I believe in making content that gives back to nature and the world – content that isn’t just entertainment, but instead gives you a seed of thought. Maybe I haven’t figured it out completely, yet, but I’m happy to be on this journey.

Ready to bring stories to life?

At MetFilm School, our MA Screen and Film Production course equips aspiring filmmakers with the skills, experience, and industry insight needed to succeed across the dynamic worlds of film, television, and digital content.

Students will gain a deep understanding of the entire production process — from script development and budgeting to shooting, editing, and post-production. Through intensive workshops, collaborative projects, and masterclasses with industry professionals, you’ll build a versatile portfolio and graduate ready to thrive in a fast-evolving screen industry.

Apply now to study MA Screen and Film Production — and take your first step towards an exciting career behind the scenes.

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