Conclusion of the "Short Films" Workshop at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters

Dr. Yasser Mala Ali conducted a workshop on “Short Films” at the Kuwait National Library the day before yesterday, with strong attendance and engagement from a group of young people interested in the cinematic field, as part of the activities of the 18th edition of the Summer Cultural Festival.

The workshop aimed to achieve several key objectives, including training participants on how to transform a simple idea into a complete cinematic scene, understanding the mechanisms of visual storytelling, and learning different techniques for framing. It also sought to enhance the concept of teamwork and utilize available technical and artistic tools in the film production process, such as lighting, camera angles, camera movement, and actor performance, all in service of the idea and scene, ensuring they receive appropriate treatment.

Furthermore, the workshop aimed to provide participants with a practical understanding of the nature of film work, the various roles within the production team, and how to leverage available resources to achieve a suitable artistic outcome, particularly in the field of short films, which relies heavily on the clarity of the idea and the ability to present it through an intense and impactful visual style.

In terms of program details, the workshop focused on providing a comprehensive conceptual overview of film directing. It began with an in-depth discussion of all the director’s tools and their role in leading the project from the initial idea stage until its final presentation on screen. The session also covered how to formulate an idea and convert it into a practical screenplay for a short film, making the most of available tools and adapting them to suit existing capacities and resources.

The program also addressed the importance of visual thinking in scene construction, explaining how a director can utilize framing, angles, lighting, character movement, and actor performance to convey meaning to the audience. It emphasized the importance of pre-production planning before shooting begins, which helps organize time and effort and maximizes the use of available resources.

The workshop featured an intensive practical component, with participants divided into complete working groups. Each team wrote its own screenplay and executed it within a specified timeframe. Each team was responsible for directing, leading, and executing its scenes, using cinema cameras, lighting, and other equipment. This hands-on experience allowed participants to transition from theoretical learning to practical application.