True cinematic magic result of solid pre-production work, say filmmakers at Xposure2024President Abbas sends identical letters rejecting Netanyahu’s post-war principles

SHARJAH: The production of a project can be done in three to five days, but preparing for it can sometimes take five months, concurred film-makers on day one of Xposure 2024 on Wednesday. 'Pre-production is the most important thing when it comes to production. Be it projects, videos, working with clients, whatever it may be, the most important thing for production is pre-production,' said Siddharth Sampat, Cinematographer and Filmmaker, and head of Camera Department, HyperJump Productions at a session titled 'Filmmaking - Phase 1: Pre-production' held at the Film Stage. 'Even in terms of photography, everything should be pre-planned and done in pre-production,' agreed Zakhar Leshkov, an emerging Director and established BTS photographer. Replying to a question on what is the usual flowchart for making a short film or a video project, Sampat said, 'It starts with an idea for the project. Once the idea of a video is approved by the client, we then focus on characters, locations, actors, cameras, budgeting, e tc. A lot of paperwork is involved for budgetary and location approvals, making sure the box is ticked, including catering on the set. Eventually, the project gets handed over to the director, who then takes charge on set.' Talking about the production phase, at the continuing session 'Filmmaking - Phase 2: Production', Sampat noted that it was crucial for the director of photography (DoP) and director to be a strong team. 'If you want the production to look good and go smoothly, the director and the DoP need to be best friends. If there's even a little bit of a clash between the DoP and the director, things can go wrong. One must always respect the hierarchy on set. The final say always lies with the director. This will always ensure that the production goes smoothly. We must understand that the director has a vision, and that vision matters more than the DOP's vision. The DOP's job is to capture and make the director's vision look good.' Leshkov agreed and added, 'Filmmaking and photography is the form of art on that day. And the greatest results come when everybody is enthusiastic about it.' On scouting for good locations, the filmmakers emphasised the role of communication and reaching out. 'The key is communication and networking. Speak to the people in your industry, speak to your friends, and you will find many people who will be happy to help. When you reach out, you'll be surprised how many people want to be a part of something interesting,' added Leshkov. Speaking at the final talk of the filmmaking series titled 'Filmmaking: Phase 3: Post Production', Yusuf Ramzan, Head of Post Production Department, HyperJump Productions, shared his insights on choosing the right software. 'Recently, we have shifted to DaVinci Resolve, which is the latest software in the industry, and we use it for all our production and post-production work. We chose this software because it is user-friendly. It allows us to collaborate with editors based in different locations. Moreover, this software has helped integrate various processes on one platform.' Source: Emirates News Agency RAMALLAH: In a series of identical letters sent to heads of states, prime ministers, and heads of organizations and unions, President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed this evening the State of Palestine's unequivocal rejection the principles declared by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for "the day after the war" on the Gaza Strip. President Abbas warned against the dangerous implications of Netanyahu's principles which defy international stances and efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and which call for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid, including food, medical assistance, and essential needs. In his letters, the President called for urgent international intervention to stop the Israeli war of starvation on Gaza - exacerbated by the spread of epidemics - and to provide shelter for over 1.8 million displaced Palestinians, ensuring their return to their homes, especially in the northern Gaza Strip. He also called for urgent international intervention to reopen the hospit als and schools in the war-torn enclave, a move that the President said necessitates the continuous work and funding of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to fulfill its mandate. President Abbas stated, "Netanyahu's plan for the day after, including the announcement of building thousands of new settlement housing units, reflects his government's declared policies that deny the Palestinian people and insist on imposing Israeli sovereignty over the entire land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River." He added that "the goal of this extreme Israeli government is not only to undermine the chances of achieving peace based on a two-state solution but also to intensify ethnic cleansing campaigns and the displacement of Palestinians from both the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, along with attacking the identity, character, and sacred sites of Jerusalem." The President warned that this could lead to a "potentially explosive outcome." "Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, and we are ready to take the necessary steps to assume governance responsibilities in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. We are also ready to work on establishing security, peace, and stability in the region within the framework of a comprehensive peace plan," President Abbas affirmed. He called for continued support for Palestine's pursuit of full UN membership through a resolution from the UN Security Council, calling for the convening of an international peace conference to adopt a comprehensive peace plan with international guarantees and a timeline for implementing the end of the Israeli occupation of the land of Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA