LUCKNOW, July 25 -- "You must know how a film will end and the message you want to convey before you begin writing the story," said veteran filmmaker Latesh Pancharia Shah on the second day of PRITHVI - The Palaeoscience Film Festival of India and National Dialogue on Earth Science Communication, organised by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) on Friday. He was speaking during a masterclass titled 'Geological Research Papers to Documentary Script and Screenplay: A Filmmaker and Visualiser's Perspective'. "Geologists are sitting on a goldmine of information. What they often don't realise is that if their research is simplified, made engaging and presented with conviction, it can capture the audience's interest," he said. "Writing the ending or the message you want to convey through the film gives you a clear direction for the storyline and helps you shape the narrative. You should first focus on the subject and then build the story around it. People may not remember a technical research paper, but they will remember the questions, mysteries and curiosity it inspires," Shah said. Shah said filmmakers should approach every story like detectives, using clues (like rocks, fossils etc), mystery (Geological event) and solution (Scientific Explanation). He added that every film should revolve around one core message, with each visual, animation and explanation reinforcing it through scale, motion, contrast and emotion. Another masterclass, "Nationalist Scientists: Prof. Birbal Sahni and Acharya P. C. Ray - Cinematic Portraiture," was conducted by veteran science filmmaker Nandan Kudhyadi. During the session, he spoke about the art of portraying the lives and contributions of eminent Indian scientists through documentary filmmaking. The masterclass, "Stories for a Sustainable Future: The Power of Environmental Journalism," was delivered by Ashok Kumar, host of DW Hindi's Earth/Eco India programme. The event also featured a panel discussion titled "Public Engagement in Earth Sciences: Building Bridges through Science Communication, Media and Cinema," chaired by Prof. Dhruv Sen Singh, senior professor in the Department of Geology, during which journalists discussed the topic. In the evening, renowned filmmaker Mukesh Sharma conducted a masterclass titled "How Not to Make a Film," sharing practical insights into the challenges of filmmaking, the creative process and lessons from his extensive professional experience. Several films and documentaries were also screened during the day....