Since the creation of the first motion picture, the film industry has been at the forefront of driving innovation. From digital films to surround sound and 3D scenes, technology has had a deep impact on movies and filmmaking. It has embraced some of the most innovative technologies and continuing the positive momentum generated by this new-age advancement, Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival hosted a string of significant technology workshops on October 24th. 
The workshops introduced the audience to some cutting-edge technologies including filmmaking with smart devices and 3D technology. Designed for the youth, the workshops provided great insights on established and upcoming technologies for aspiring filmmakers.
In today’s time, technology in filmmaking has opened up greater possibilities for filmmakers. Similarly, the workshop on ‘Creativity in Shooting-Editing with Smart Devices’ by Sharjah Media Training Center highlighted the importance of filmmaking with smart devices like mobile phones, tablets and laptops. It featured key aspects of using smart devices to capture great image and audio quality. It also included practical techniques for telling a great story with video on any smart device.
Tamer Eldemerdash trainer of the workshop from Sharjah Media Corporation said, “Smart devices are the future of filmmaking. Through this workshop, we’ve tried our best to share some practical techniques that will certainly improve the filmmaking experience of shooting or editing a movie on a smart device.”
In addition to filmmaking with smart devices, 3D technology was another aspect highlighted at the festival. The workshop on ‘3D Scenes from Game of Thrones’ by Sebastian Reichhold, a key member of the German VFX Giant Pixomondo provided impressive renderings and performance-ensnaring technology from the Hollywood blockbuster. From life-like effects to the design phases, simulation, animation, green-screen scenes and motion-captured creatures; the workshop featured an entire gamut of 3D effects that runs through the movie. 
“3D has become an important element in filmmaking. Whether it’s a static object or a life-like moving body, it takes us months in advance to research, detail, surface and composite the final structure,” said Reichhold.
The visual effects (VFX) workshop on Game of Thrones introduced the audiences to a seamless blend of real and fantasy world through the use of 3D technology. 
A student from Manipal University who attended the workshop said, “It was brilliant. I don’t think Game of Thrones would have been that successful if Pixomondo had not created these dragons. They are so real. The workshop was very inspiring. It was a great visual treat.”