IIM Grad Quits Job To Build Networking App For The Film Industry

“It's difficult to make it big in show business.”

More often than not, this is what everyone says about films, cinema, and the entertainment industry. 

Especially with the long-standing debate about nepotism, even more outsiders feel discouraged from taking their shot and relentlessly pursuing a career in movies. 

But Amal Jo Manjooran, founder of Audition, is of a different opinion. 

“While I understand it's a tricky industry to get into, directors really value talent. If you can manage to make your mark in the preliminary auditions and screen tests, there's a significant chance you can get an opportunity. I acknowledge the current gaps in the industry, and honestly, that's what I want to address with Audition,” he tells Startup Pedia in an exclusive interview. 

Founded in 2023, Audition is a Bangalore-based application that seeks to facilitate the demand and supply of the Indian film industry. It connects actors with film projects, directors, and casting directors. 

Additionally, it aims to provide fans with greater and more personal access to film stars and celebrities they like. 

“Audition is everything a film enthusiast would want. From updates, opportunities, projects, new releases, actors’ messages to their fans—the app will have all you can think of,” says entrepreneur Amal Jo Manjooran.

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HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Hailing from the city of Bangalore, Amal Jo Manjooran studied business management and marketing at IIM Kozhikode.

Later, he entered the field of digital media and advertising and worked with numerous brands and agencies to develop social media campaigns, online advertisements, and promotional strategies. 

It was during a discussion with a couple of friends that Amal landed on the idea of building an app that bridged the gap between aspiring actors and the film industry.

“My friends and I were talking about how a lot of people genuinely want to enter the entertainment industry but there are very few channels that they can utilize. Sometimes casting directors ghost them or simply keep them hanging. I realized this gap was pretty big,” the startup founder shares.

Having worked in the digital field for a long time, Amal knew the power that digital platforms hold. 

He decided to quit his job and build Audition, an app that sought to connect people to the film industry seamlessly and give opportunities to aspiring actors and entertainers. 

The entrepreneur put in his savings of Rs 2.5 lakhs to start building the platform and warming up the audience to it.

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THE EARLY DAYS

When Amal Jo Manjooran started building Audition in 2023, his mission was clear. The entrepreneur wanted to make the film industry more accessible and open to the general public.

“Getting into films is no rocket science. But because there's no concrete information about the process, people have this misconception that it's very hard. That's what I wanted to systematically dismantle,” the startup founder shares. 

Once the concept was ready, Amal and his small team conducted an in-depth industry analysis. 

That led to a surprising revelation that it's not just aspiring actors who would benefit from a niche platform but also film industry professionals looking for roles to fill and actors to sign.

“See, the thing is, the entertainment industry is always on the lookout for a fresh face. For short films, events, and even big banner movies. They struggle with the same thing—information on hiring actors is also scattered,” Amal says. 

“That was kind of a Eureka moment for us. We knew this was a real gap from both ends,” the entrepreneur adds.

Slowly and steadily, Audition began to take shape as a networking platform for all film enthusiasts, show business professionals, casting directors, aspiring actors, and established actors.

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AUDITION: NETWORKING FOR THE FILM INDUSTRY 

The Audition app seeks to become a networking platform for the film industry. 

While still in its early stages, it aims to act like a dedicated portal that makes it easy for both film industry professionals and aspiring actors to list, offer, and secure opportunities.

According to founder Amal Jo Manjooran, here are the special features of the Audition app:

1. The app serves the evident market need of an online cinema networking platform for film enthusiasts, directors, scriptwriters, actors, and aspiring actors. 

2. Even though platforms like Instagram and Facebook exist where casting directors share opportunities, Audition will act as a fully dedicated platform for films. It'll have users who are genuinely interested in movies and want to enter the show business. 

3. The app will establish meaningful connections between actors, film staff, management, administration, casting directors, and film agencies. These connections will have the potential to manifest into concrete opportunities like landing a role in a movie project. 

4. While a website is in action, the Audition app will become the main source of opportunities for actors and entertainers. 

“Film industry professionals can easily list a role they're looking to fill along with detailed specifications like age, gender, height, weight, and complexion. Actors will be able to see these gigs and apply to them. Audition will take care of the backend process of listing an opportunity and applying to it,” shares startup founder Amal Jo Manjooran. 

“We will connect directors to a suitable actor for their movie projects,” he adds. 

Not just acting gigs and opportunities, the Audition app will also act as a platform that brings established and well-known celebrities closer to their fans. 

Actors will be able to share their day-to-day happenings, new projects, and release dates with their audiences. It'll make way for a more personal relationship between celebrities and their following. 

“We are confident this will convert into box office numbers for the celebrities. Today's generation feeds on constant connection and likes it when they're heard and thought about. Audition will help celebrities do just that for their fans,” says Amal Jo Manjooran.

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WAY FORWARD

While the Audition app has just had its market launch, there are a lot of things that entrepreneur Amal Jo Manjooran and his team are looking forward to. 

Audition is gearing up for a fundraising session with investors who believe that the entertainment and film industry has a large gap between demand and supply that needs to be addressed. 

Apart from signing celebrities who will mark their presence on the app, Audition is set to expand its office space in Bangalore.

“Audition will be a game-changer when it comes to films. We don't think the film industry should be kept at an uncomfortable distance from the general public. Everyone deserves an opportunity and we are here to make that happen,” Amal Jo Manjooran signs off.

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