Cinema is a magical window that tells stories, addresses issues, and sheds light on the pain of society. It is not just an art but a unique industry that allows directors, actors, and cinematographers to stand as creative readers creating vivid scenes that dance on the strings of reality and imagination.
All successes start from nothing – learning, stumbling, falling, then rising to embark on a new beginning, climbing and clinging to the ropes of hope to reach the peaks of success.
Making a film on a low budget is an encouraging challenge, especially for young individuals starting their artistic or cinematic journey. A cinematic director, Aahed Bensouda, emphasizes the importance of understanding that cinema now is an industry. Encouraging youth to join amateur cinema helps them to take the initial steps in the field, and learn how to deal with modest resources that elevate them to professionalism.
Bensouda also stresses "the Omani youth's keen interest in cinema need for specialized film institutes to develop their skills, encouraging innovation and creativity, This would contribute to building the foundations of a professional film industry in Oman. The experiences of Omani youth in cinema showcase how they are creative in thinking" he adds" I was fortunate to mentor more than 50 young people in the field of cinema, and they are now working in the cinematic field and directing beautiful short films and documentaries.”
Reflecting on his experience in Morocco, Bensouda notes the lack of film institutes in the early 1990s. However, the involvement of youth with foreign films as technical assistants marked the beginning. With time, they progressed from amateurs to professionals, "Morocco now earns an estimated $200 million from the cinema sector" he said.
Bensouda explains "Creating a film with minimal resources is about having creative imagination and exploring cost-effective topics. Beginners can use natural settings for scenes, reducing the need for professional sets. Involving non-professional actors and building relationships for cost reduction are also essential".
Said al Nizam advises aspiring filmmakers to "watch diverse films and study various directors from different cultures and different language ".
He stresses the importance of cultivating a rich visual memory and recommends organized and directed viewing sessions to explore the works of talented directors globally.
Al Nizam highlights "the challenge we face with the youth is that they are having poor visual memory due to extensive interaction with social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which do not reflect cinematic art".
In terms of cinematic improvement, directors should focus on developing compelling stories. Experimentation is crucial for amateur filmmakers, and self-learning through online tutorials and workshops is valuable. Al-Nizam emphasizes the significance of self-improvement and the willingness to learn from mistakes and evolve creatively.
Al Nizam shared "The rapid technological advancements allow shooting good scenes with mobile phones, utilizing applications to enhance production quality." Al-Nizam encouraged youth, "there are International and regional amateur film festivals that provide opportunities for recognition and can be a starting point for young filmmakers."
Al Nizam ended his talk by saying, "The professional always remains an amateur, as he is the feeder for creativity and the production of new ideas. He moves to the world of professionalism, administratively, way of working, commercially, and in technical matters,” al nizam expressed, saying, “ Sometimes, professional films may disappoint, while exceptional films can be created with minimal resources, emphasizing the importance of content over resources."
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