Sharjah Media City (Shams) organised a cinematography workshop as part of the UAE Entertainment Experience, the first of its kind film production project in the Arab World. The workshop was organised at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was attended by cinematographers and participants who are registered in the UAE Entertainment Experience platform.

Award winning director of photography Hani Al Saadawi presented a comprehensive workshop on the basic principles of cinematography. The workshop included a technical session on how to apply these principles on the script of the UAE Entertainment Experience, the role of director of photography (DOP), definition of camera, its components and how it works in addition to the simple and complicated camera movements, types of camera lenses and their visual effects.

The workshop focused on the basics of cinematography, including primary and complementary colours and their dramatic effects, composition and the relationships between masses, spaces and lines, in addition to the basics of lighting in indoor and outdoor locations, their physical effects and lighting distribution in dramatic scenes.

A clip titled ‘Al Ghaf Tree,’ was screened during the workshop. Videos of each participant also featured the Ghaf tree, which is a national symbol of glory, closely connected with the life of forefathers and representing the value of stability, peace and tolerance.

The Dream Team was also present at the workshop to motivate and support the participants of the Entertainment Experience project. Members of the Dream Team stressed the importance of commitment to be successful actors.

During the workshop, Sharjah Media City revealed certain special offers to participants interested in establishing their own business in the UAE Entertainment Experience. Mr. Fagr Qassim, Director of Media Sector Development at Sharjah Media City (Shams) explained the details of the offer, which includes giving special rates, facilities and privileges for establishing business to the participants of the UAE Entertainment Experience.

HE Dr. Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Media City, stressed the importance of organising this workshop as cinematography is the cornerstone of the filmmaking industry. He was thrilled with the great response received from participants and with the interest of local and regional media in this unique, one of its kind experience. He praised the outstanding efforts put forth by members of the dream team who provided training and motivation to all participants helping them reach their potential in various sectors of the filmmaking industry.

Khulud Abu Homos, CEO of the UAE Entertainment Experience, praised the quality of the scientific and academic content put together for the workshop and commended the participants understanding of various technical modules and their knowledge of the principles of cinematography applied to the script of the UAE Entertainment Experience.

The UAE Entertainment Experience is based on collaboration with the international award winning Entertainment Experience, which was implemented in many countries around the world, including Netherlands, China, South Korea, South Africa and Turkey and received global attention, becoming a cornerstone for talent identification and development in motion picture industry in these countries.