NDUB Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Fr Patrick Daniel Gaffney was present as the chief guest, NDUB Registrar and Chairman, Department of English, Fr Adam S Pereira was the special guest in the event.
Writing and Storytelling First Session
The sessions conducted by Ahmed Tahsin Shams, Lecturer, Department of English, Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB); Theotonius Gomes, Assistant Professor, Department of English, American International University Bangladesh (AIUB); and Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy, Editorial Cartoonist, Dhaka Tribune respectively.
The first session began at 11 am on Screenplay Writing where Shams discussed numerous screenplay techniques and participants, not only from NDUB. But also from other universities and colleges in Dhaka. Step by step followed direction and penned down their concept, characters, setting, plot, and script actions. Applying different stylistics of screenplay, finally, participants were divided into 7 groups who submitted 7 stories that would get funds from Avant-garde Productions for filming.
The 7 themes are Youth, Social Media, Class Conflict, Self, Gender, Dhaka City, and Relationship. In order to engage the youth in creative endeavors, such initiatives undertaken by NDUBEC. The shooting schedule of these short films announced soon and thus young participants will learn the process of visual storytelling.
Shams concluded, “Narration techniques can make your story different even if the plot is cliché. For instance, always think: who is telling the story, from whose perspective the viewers are knowing the message. It could a character in the script, it could be objects, it could be nature, diary, third-person narration, and whatnot.”
Writing and Storytelling Second Session
The second session was on Literary Writing where Theo Gomes shared the process of composing poems, lyrics, and short stories in Bangla and English. The use of metaphors, similes, imageries practically exercised from 2 pm-4:30 pm, leading the participants to open up with their own creative writing. Theo focused on various themes and use of imageries, sound, and smell in literary writings. The best 10 writings published in national dailies and NDUB English Club online magazine.
Theo concluded, “Literary writing does not instruct, rather shares the experience aimed at the humanitarian cause. Imagination works as a healer. But never let your writing done in one sitting because writing is revision.”
Cartoonist Graphic Storyteller Celebrated
The concluding session started at 5 pm and ended at 7:30 pm, which was conducted by celebrated cartoonist Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy who applied such a technique where everyone became a graphic storyteller. Starting with the basics of drawing cartoons, how to draw frames and panels for characters. And dialogues in cartoons or comics, Tanmoy made the participants engage with various themes to work on. The best cartoons published in NDUB English Club online magazine.
Tanmoy encouraged the participants, by saying “The world’s best graphic storytellers or cartoonists always applied simple figures and drawings to convey their message. That is the utmost importance: to deliver your message in the simplest form. Those who can draw ‘stick’ human figures can also tell their story beautifully. Storytelling is an art, drawing is the medium.”
The curtain is drawn by honoring the guests who conducted the workshop, as well as the participants. Were provided certificates for their youthful enthusiasm and active participation.
Photos: Ayan Raj
News Coverage: The Daily Observer, NTV Online, Daily Asian Age, Bangladesh Post