Sharjah Film Platform
Learning Programme for Children and Families
Short Course: Introduction to filmmaking
In this course, the participants will be introduced to some basic elements of filmmaking, such as storytelling, storyboards, lighting, filming and editing. Later, they will be divided into groups to work on making a short film.
Session 1: Screenwriting and Storyboarding
Course for Children
Date: Sunday, 21 November 2021
Timings: 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Ages: 11–15
Languages: English and Arabic
This session provides a solid foundation in the essentials of screenwriting, from concept, character and story to plot, dialogue and structure. Guided by a professional screenwriter, participants will learn how to shape their story, create compelling characters, construct scenes and write effective dialogue. Through writing exercises, participants will implement the screenwriting guidelines discussed in the class and then create storyboards for their scenes.
Session 2: Lighting and Filming
Date: Tuesday, 23 November 2021
Timings: 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Ages: 11–15
Languages: English and Arabic
The proper lighting of spaces and subjects is an essential part of any film or video project. This session will offer an overview of lighting theory as well as demonstrations of different techniques for using natural and artificial light in the best possible way to tell a story. Participants will then work in groups and start filming their ideas.
Session 3: Editing and Production
Date: Thursday, 25 November 2021
Timings: 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Ages: 11–15
Languages: English and Arabic
In this session, participants will learn the basic principles of editing, such as capturing footage, using the timeline, transitions and adding titles and credits. Participants will then watch the short film they produced and have a discussion with the teaching artist.