SIES College Hosts Insightful Filmmaking Workshop with Director Chintan Sarda
Exploring the Art of Storytelling Through Cinema

Mumbai, September 23, 2025:
The Frames Film Festival at SIES College of Arts, Science, and Commerce (Autonomous) organized an engaging Filmmaking Workshop on September 23, 2025, led by acclaimed writer and director Chintan Sarda. The session, held from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, offered students a deep dive into the creative and technical journey of bringing stories to life on screen.

Opening the session with thought-provoking questions—“Why do we tell stories?” and “Why do we create films?”—Sarda described cinema as the youngest of all art forms, uniquely capable of manipulating time, space, and emotion. He walked students through the five key stages of filmmaking: development, pre-production, production, post-production, and delivery, providing a holistic overview of the filmmaking process.

Sarda emphasised the director’s pivotal role as a visionary and collaborator who transforms scripts into cinematic experiences. He discussed the significance of pre-production, focusing on identifying themes, building character arcs, designing visual styles, and setting tone. The session also underscored the collaborative nature of filmmaking, with departments like cinematography, production design, sound, and editing contributing to the final vision.

Expanding on visual storytelling, Sarda explained how choices in camera movement, lighting, and shot composition can shape audience perception and emotion across genres—from romance to thrillers.

A substantial part of the workshop centred on working with actors, where Sarda shared insights into rehearsal methods, improvisation, emotional memory, and the importance of cultivating a safe, empathetic environment on set. He highlighted that filmmaking demands not only creativity but also discipline, preparation, and teamwork.

Touching upon screenwriting, Sarda described the writer as the “first author of the film” and broke down the essentials of storytelling—theme, conflict, character development, and dialogue. He urged students to focus on subtext, visual narration, and genre conventions, encouraging them to refine their craft through short films, assistive roles, and consistent practice.

Concluding the session, Sarda reminded attendees that true filmmaking stems from perspective, not resources. Every storyteller, he said, possesses a voice that cannot be replicated—urging aspiring filmmakers to discover and nurture their unique vision.

The workshop left participants inspired, equipping them with both creative insights and practical wisdom to embark on their cinematic journeys.