Dubai-based production company Behind-the-Scenes has launched a series of filmmaking workshops to train up and coming filmmakers.
Dubai-based production company Behind the Scenes has launched a series of filmmaking workshops. Hosted by experienced film professionals, the workshops cover both creative and technical aspects of filmmaking and theatre and train the attendees in subjects such as direction, acting, script-writing, sound recording, editing, post production and cinematography.
Mohammed Salem, Managing Director, Behind the Scenes, who is leading the initiative, says: We want to provide the best knowledge to young and upcoming filmmakers in the MENA region. Our instructors are world renowned experts in various disciplines of filmmaking. We are glad to welcome them to be a part of this initiative.
Sponsored by The VITEC Group and Sennheiser Middle East, the workshops are free of charge, and are being held in association with the Dubai International Film festival, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Culture Authority.
Presently, a 14-day film direction course is underway which is being conducted by well-known Egyptian Director Hesham Jamal. With 35 attendees from across the region, including the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and other GCC states, the course imparts theoretical as well as practical training for aspiring film directors.
The Direction workshop kicked off on March 4 and will continue for 14 days until March 17 and is being held in Dubai Internet City. This will be followed by a sound recording workshop from April 5 to 8. A week-long script-writing workshop will follow and will take place from April 15 to 22. An acting workshop from May 4 to 6 will be next. There will be post production workshops throughout summer from June through to August.
We have scheduled post production workshops for summer as they will be held indoors, says Salem.
He further adds that these workshops offer more than just training.
We will ensure that the attendees have opportunities to practice their craft in the real world too. We have invited known figures from the Arab film fraternity to guide aspiring filmmakers. We had a special session with DIFFs Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali, who invited the attendees to submit their creations in the Muhr Awards category at DIFF. Emirati Director Abdullah Hassan, who won the IWC Award at DIFF 2016, has also mentored our attendees and offered them an opportunity to work on his new film.
According to Salem, the workshops give hands-on training and a well-rounded perspective on the business of films.
