Bhubaneswar, Nov. 27: Take a science topic, put in a lot of research and present a complex topic in a simple way, and your science film is ready.

A workshop on science film-making is being conducted at the Regional Science Centre here in an attempt to train youngsters to communicate scientific and environmental concepts through films.

Around 70 students from various communication and media studies schools in the state and budding film-makers are participating in the three-day workshop that began yesterday. The workshop is being conducted by Vigyan Prasar and National Council of Science Museums.

At the workshop, young film-makers are learning the basic nuances of making science films from experts in the field. A number of national-award winning science films are being screened and participants are taking part in various group activities such as preparation of scripts.

Matiur Rahman, who has been making science films for 30 years, feels science film-making is about the art of showing complex things in a simple way.

"This genre of film-making does not involve glamour or high-dose of entertainment. But they are needed to make medical, environmental, agricultural and technological information available to various target groups," he said.

The basic skill required in making science films is an eagerness to research the topic and add value to it, he added.

"Worldwide, science films have become major sources of interest for large chunks of people. There are a lot of channels, web portals, forums and film festivals where one can showcase their films and earn money," said head of science films' division of Vigyan Prasar, Nimish Kapoor.

The participants are learning how to handle a camera, focus on sounds and the post-production processes. They will also have to make a documentary on a science topic.

"I take a lot of interest in science. Films are a great way of communication. So, the workshop is helping me in disseminating scientific messages through films," said Shristi Negi, a participant.