Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity (MAAC) hosted a special webinar – Behind the Screens – for 5000 students to deep dive into the Media & Entertainment Industry

~The webinar, conducted by Mr. Ashish Kulkarni, Founder, Punnaryug ArtVision Pvt. Ltd. and Chairman, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics Forum, FICCI gave MAAC students an exclusive and in-depth understanding of storytelling, visual effects, content production and much more~

MUMBAI, 11 February 2025: Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity (MAAC), a premiere institute and a pioneer in high-end 3D animation, Gaming & VFX training, organised a special webinar for its students, giving them an exclusive and in-depth understanding of the Media and Entertainment industry and the way forward. Over 5000 students from MAAC’s centres across India attended the webinar online. The event, which is part of MAAC’s ongoing initiative called Behind the Screens, aims to provide real-world industry exposure to its students, setting a new benchmark by leveraging strong industry ties to prepare students for successful careers in the growing AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic) and Media & Entertainment industries.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Sandip Weling, Chief Business Officer, Global Retail, Aptech Limited said, “At MAAC we believe that initiatives & platforms such as Behind the Screens play a far crucial role skilling our students to prepare them for a successful and effective career in the media & entertainment industry. These sessions offer a pivotal industry exposure for our students. Interactive sessions with an industry expert always help bridge the gap between academic training and the dynamic demands of the industry. We thank Mr. Ashish Kulkarni for his time and for sharing his insights into the latest technologies and trends shaping the world of filmmaking today.”

The webinar was presented by Mr. Ashish Kulkarni, Founder, Punnaryug ArtVision Pvt. Ltd. and Chairman, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics Forum, FICCI at the MAAC centre in Mumbai and live streamed at all its centres pan India. Mr. Ashish holds over 25 years of experience as a creative professional and has worked with brands such as Reliance Big Animation, JadooWorks Pvt. Ltd. and more. He shared an exclusive window into the world of filmmaking and VFX for MAAC students, exploring the evolving landscape of storytelling, and emphasizing the importance of core storytelling principles in the age of rapidly advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual production, among others. The discussion was interactive, and it highlighted that while these technologies offer powerful new tools for storytellers, the ability to craft compelling narratives remains paramount.

Speaking about his workshop, Mr. Ashish Kulkarni, Founder, Punnaryug ArtVision Pvt. Ltd. and Chairman, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics Forum, FICCI shared, “It is always insightful talking to students of the AVGC-XR sector who are passionate about the world of storytelling, filmmaking, and VFX. During the session with MAAC students, we were able to discuss some poignant themes that are ready to shape the AVGC-XR sector, and Media & Entertainment as a whole. Through this interaction, it was clear that youngsters today are very optimistic about the use and adoption of new technology, and we were able to arrive on why the central focus on refining one’s craft will keep them ahead in today’s industry. Furthermore, we also engaged on how professionals today can harness social media and soft skills to build a pipeline of work, which needs to be an add on to their technical expertise. I thank team MAAC and its students for inviting me to this interaction and I hope to collaborate on more such initiatives soon!”

With the AVGC industry poised for significant growth, MAAC’s continued efforts to provide such platforms to students ensures they are well-prepared for future opportunities in the global media landscape. The webinar not only showcased MAAC’s commitment to skill-building but is also aligned with the government’s vision of fostering a self-reliant India (Viksit Bharat). The real-world exposure and professional insights shared during the event strengthened the trust in MAAC’s commitment to inspiring future industry leaders.