A screenshot from the first Dreamz Unlimited’s first YouTube video, ‘Watery Solution’ first shared on December 22, 2016.
[caption id="attachment_388297" align="alignnone" width="633"]
Some regular performers of ‘Dreamz Unlimited’ are seen along with the Director (extreme left) in this photo taken in January, 2018 (Image Courtesy: Dreamz Unlimited-Nagaland @DreamzUnlimitedNagaland/Facebook)[/caption]
The Dimapur-based group is most acclaimed for its unique blend of humor with caustic commentary on contemporary social issues
Dreamz Unlimited has been literally ‘making a splash’ on the video-sharing website YouTube since debuting with ‘Watery Solution,’ on December 22, 2016. The Dimapur-based Theatre & Film Production House started in 2008, and most acclaimed for unique its blend of humor and sarcastic commentary on contemporary social issues, has been hitting the bull’s eye since then. On August 5 evening, DU’s YouTube Channel ‘Dreamz Unlimited’ described as ‘Comedy acts, Short Films, Gags and many more” achieved another milestone. It became the first ‘YouTuber’ from Nagaland to reach 100,000 subscribers. “Yes we are the first YouTuber from Nagaland to reach 100k subscribers. And 3rd in the Northeast, if I am not mistaken. All the team members are excited and happy,” a thrilled DU’s Director Tiakumzuk Aier told The Morung Express. “It’s like a dream come true. We reached this within 1 year and 8 months after opening the channel. All the hard work to reach that mark has paid off,” he added. Celebrating the achievement, DU also organised a special giveaway contest and uploaded a new video on August 6 for the fans. “It is because of their support and encouragement we have reach this far. Thank you,” Aier said. “Do continue to do that and if there is anyone out there who wants to be a filmmaker or YouTuber just want to say that if we can do it YOU can also do it,” he encouraged.
The Journey so far
The first video vividly captured the chain of events in Nagaland then with use of ‘water cannon and tear gas’ on protestors as the point of departure. Thereafter, one day it is serving a platter on “Racism” while on the other day it’s about danger of fake news or the death of sanity on social media. The videos often viral on other social media platforms like Whatsapp and Facebook page. Since the first video, DU has shared 67 assorted videos and incredibly generated a total of over 14.7 millions views on its channel. Besides the widely popular ‘Hoishey Series,’ a two-part short film series called ‘The Demand’ and ‘The Demand 2 - Sleep of Death’ are most popular with 312,882 and 493,631 views respectively as of August 6 afternoon. In the intervening period, DU has been occasionally hitting the festival and theatre circuit as well as actively involved in organizing theatre workshops and awareness across many platforms in the state. The group was also part of the well-received and critically acclaimed Nagamese movie ‘Nana – A Tale of Us.’ Released on July 18, 2017 and produced by the Aoyimti Youth Ministry, the breakthrough “film about Politics, Family and Friendship” pertinently highlighted the need for ‘Clean and Fair Election” in Nagaland and displayed DU’s growing repertoire. It was also associated with the 1st Nagaland Film Festival held last year in Kohima. The plan to afloat to open a drama school in Nagaland materialised this year with the opening of its Drama and Film School at Airport Road, near NEZCC office, Diphupar in May. Talking about the hugely popular videos, Aier had earlier said that they were an “extension of its play with the objective to reach wider audience” and raise contemporary social issues. With its growing fan-base and influences, the group has been part of many awareness campaigns especially by the Government departments, as well as other commercial productions.
Not resting on laurels
The group, however, is not planing to rest on its laurels and plotting their next milestone. “We will set another target from now on. 1 million maybe,” the Director stated with determination, adding, “We will be continuing with our performances whenever we get opportunity and attending seminars and workshops as resource persons. He further disclosed that DU is planning to shoot “at least one video” a week from now on reasoning, “Consistency matters a lot to increase our viewers plus to get ourselves better.” More advertisement features are also lined up. In future, DU is planning to make short films not just for YouTube but to send it to festivals around the world and another feature film next year “if everything goes well.” In the meantime, there is always the Drama and Film School. “We will try to expand to other districts once we get students,” Aier informed.
