FUNN, the Sharjah-based organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting media arts learning among children and youth, introduced young participants to the delightful world of animation and flipbook making at the opening virtual workshop held yesterday (October 12) as the entity commenced its five-day virtual media arts event, ‘Let’s have FUNN’.

FadiSyriani, Beirut-based animator and founder of Youth Animation Foundation, led the hourlong interactive session titled ‘Flip It!’, beginning with the screening of an animation film to demonstrate the frame by frame creation process of this visual medium. Describing the flipbook as a very simple and effective way to make an animation, Syriani illustrated the secret of creating the illusion of movement by drawing multiple images of a stick figure in progressive variation on page after page, which, when ‘flipped’ through in quick succession, depicted the stick figure in motion.

With just a stack of paper, a clip, pencil, and a light source, children were encouraged to create their own flipbooks with varying levels of complexity. From bouncing balls to moving circles and people in action, children challenged their imagination and had fun developing their drawing and storytelling skills following the step-by-step demonstration.

Several stop-motion animation films, including Gulp shot using a Nokia N8, were screened for added inspiration.

Bringing stories to life with smartphones

The second workshop featured Hussain Al Bahrani, an award-winning photographer and content creator from the Sultanate of Oman, who shared insights into new technologies in video making, and demonstrated techniques to create engaging and professional footage with the use of a smartphone.

In his interaction with the young audience at the session titled ‘Smartphone Videomaking’, Bahrani discussed the importance of camera angles, and how to choose the right subject for the film. He shared valuable tips on the use and control of lighting to enhance the quality of the videos. The audience were instructed on the various types of videos that could be taken with a smartphone, and how to take advantage of the capabilities of their devices.

The photographer also led a discussion on the use of microphones, lenses, and lighting equipment with smartphones, and demonstrated the standard settings required to produce high-quality footage.

Workshops to keep an out for tomorrow (Wednesday) include, Colors Wheel, which will teach participants about the right choice and usage of colour in design, photography and other media art forms; and Introduction to Photography, in which the basics of this popular art will be taught by a Nikon expert.

Both workshops are free-to-enter and can be accessed at https://funn.ae/letshavefunn/letshavefunn-workshops/.

Let’s have FUNN is a first-of-its-kind virtual media arts event organised by FUNN, a Sharjah-based organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting media arts learning among children and youth in the UAE. The event brings together a stellar line-up of Arab and international artists, filmmakers, and industry experts to deliver a series of inspiring creative workshops and participate in discussions, in addition to film screenings, from November 12 – 16, 2020.