Serdar Yılmaz, who has worked for many years as an art director and production designer in documentaries and films, will lead a workshop for aspiring filmmakers—those who want to shoot a film (even if it’s just an idea or a single sentence), those currently in the process of filming a script, or anyone eager to explore the behind-the-scenes of cinema. The workshop will include practical exercises on production design, art direction, prop design, storyboarding, and set/location design.
In the first part of this 3-hour workshop, Prof. Dr. Serdar Yılmaz will present the elements that shape visual language, featuring storyboards he created for his own films as well as original film design examples. Emphasizing the critical role of visualizing a story in strengthening narrative language during creative processes, the workshop aims to offer participants a different perspective on creativity and design. Participants will actively engage in the process through hands-on exercises.
About Serdar Yılmaz:
Serdar Yılmaz (İzmit, 1973) graduated from Marmara University, Department of Fine Arts Education, where he also completed his master’s and doctoral studies. His films have been screened and awarded at numerous national and international film festivals. Likewise, his experimental films and video installations have been presented in international art galleries, as well as in solo and group exhibitions and museums.
Yılmaz has worked as a production designer and art director on many feature films and documentaries, earning multiple awards for his work. Some of these include:
“Gölgesizler” (2009, Adana Golden Boll Film Festival, Best Art Director Award)
“Waiting for Heaven” (Cenneti Beklerken, 2007, Adana Golden Boll Film Festival & Ankara Film Festival, Best Art Director Award)
His short films “Puddle” (Su Birikintisi, 2015) and ‘’Fried Chicken’’ (Kızarmış Tavuk, 2013) have been screened at many international festivals, including Rotterdam Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival, and Oaxaca Film Festival. “Puddle” received the Best Experimental Film Award at both the Brooklyn Film Festival and the Istanbul International Film Festival, as well as the Best Surreal Film Award at the Sacramento Film Festival.
His first feature film project, “3 Rooms 1 Living Room” (3 Oda 1 Salon), was selected among the top eight projects by the Sarajevo Film Festival CineLink Co-Production Market and Screenplay Development Platform, enabling him to connect with European co-producers and distributors.
Serdar Yılmaz is currently a faculty member at Balıkesir University, Faculty of Fine Arts.
