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Sharjah: Not all make-up is used solely for the purpose of making a person look more beautiful. In the hands of special effects make-up artists, the same powders, blush, lip and eye colours can be used to transform you into a scar-faced villain or even cover you in wrinkles, described Sharjah-based Farouq Hassan, a self-taught special effects artist at a workshop held at the ‘Kids Station’ dedicated to children (7 years and above) at the ongoing Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF).
With a realistic-looking scar running across his cheek that he created in less than 10 minutes, Hassan introduced his young audience to the importance of special effects make-up in films. “Such techniques are essential to match up to the reality of what you see on screen and to make the movie-watching experience that much more enjoyable,” he said. “We work with make-up and other materials such as latex, silicon, glue, special waxes, Vaseline, fake blood, and many more to create the seamless connection between the characters on screen or stage, and the make-believe world they portray.”
There are no set rules on the way a bruise has to be portrayed, for instance, he said. “Blood can be fresh, dry or in liquid form; its colour and amount too can vary. You can create a shock factor or keep it subtle. Our role is to match it with the situation in the film to create the desired effect and suspend the audience’s sense of reality.”
Exploring the craft of movie-making with Stop Motion Animation
A group of young children of varying ages were introduced to the concepts of stop motion animation and 2D animation at another workshop at SIFF 2019 as experienced animator and trainer Sahar Abdalla taught them the basics of this filmmaking technique that causes inanimate objects appear to move on their own.
The interactive session saw children create their own stories, one frame at a time, which they then played back in rapid progression to make the objects move fluidly across the screen.
“All you need is vivid imagination to create a story,” she said. “With props and characters aiding the art of storytelling, children can begin exploring the art of movie making at a young age.”
Getting inventive with Studio Photography
Photography expert Shoaa Al Mutawa’s workshop on ‘Studio Photography’ offered insights into innovative techniques to capture perfect shots within the walls of a studio, and yet be as vibrant as outdoor photography, for instance.
Children were introduced to the basics of the varied lighting equipment used in a studio and kits such as on-camera flashes, modifiers, bulbs and lamps. Al Mutawa also introduced them to the ‘Softbox’, an umbrella-shaped light modifier that plays a vital role in lighting set up by producing soft, diffused artificial light.
SIFF 2019 is organised by FUNN – Sharjah Media Arts for Youth and Children. It is taking place at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre (JRCC) and concludes on Friday, October 18. The festival is screening 132 films from 39 countries and hosting over 40 workshops dedicated to child (7 years and above) and youth (17 years and above) category participants.
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About Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth:
Organised annually by FUNN, SIFF was launched in 2013 to foster creative talents of children and youth, and promote their work at home and abroad. The festival is dedicated to engaging children and young people with their peers worldwide. In 2018, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the festival was renamed as Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, following the emirate's keenness to boost the youth's role the development of regional cinema and new media.
Through SIFF and its other initiatives, FUNN aims to nurture future generations of creative artists in media and film industry.
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