Over the years, we’ve seen the iPhone enter mainstream filmmaking. Directors like Sean Baker and Steven Soderbergh have used them brilliantly in their feature films, and countless micro-budget filmmakers use them day in and day out to make DIY content.
Even so, the vast majority of filmmakers aren’t really interested in shooting movies on an iPhone. Many people see it as a great tool for others, but have concerns about the value and usability of the product to themselves.
But I think that will change soon.
The innovations we are seeing in action camera technology (i.e. new iPhone 11 Pro), and new ways of distributing and consuming content, it seemed inevitable that the iPhone was on the verge of its greatest moment yet. At least when it comes to filmmaking.
Let’s start with image quality – the difference between a well-lit iPhone shot and a well-lit Alexa shot is (to the average viewer) now completely negligible. This is not to equate the two cameras – there is still a reason I invested in Alexa 4:3 – But we can’t ignore the advances in action camera technology.
We’ve reached the point where iPhone cinematography is (relatively speaking) on the same level as professional-grade cameras. This shift has happened slowly over multiple iterations of the phone, and it’s now at a tipping point…
As a result, the iPhone began to be viewed less as a fringe tool for student filmmakers and more as a full-featured film camera. Not just a few pioneers, but a growing number of open-minded filmmakers who understand its true value.
Once Apple starts shooting awesome demo videos in 24p (instead of the soap opera style 60p mode), I bet they’ll get a lot more attention 😉
When it comes to iPhone moviemaking, people always focus on image quality, but it’s all the other benefits that really make it fun.
To me, the most exciting part is how humble it is. Everyone, everywhere has a cell phone at all times. Who will know if you’re filming a movie or taking a selfie when you look like everyone else around you? For guerrilla filmmakers, this is a given.
The overall efficiency of it all is undeniable. You have everything you need in one package – 1200 nit display, 3 lens options, built-in media, battery, Color correction toolsAnd incredibly innovative software – like Filmic Pro, which can now record multiple video streams from four cameras on your iPhone simultaneously.
Stabilizers and audio accessories can be added as needed, but even “assembled” you’ll be using a pocket-sized setup.
All of this gives you great opportunities to shoot anywhere and anytime. The lack of restrictions allows your production value to soar.
It’s not just about the immediate image quality, it’s about your entire visual canvas. Dynamic locations and sets will always increase your production value faster than any camera or lens can.
When you shoot with an iPhone, you can enjoy this freedom, but you also need to give up some luxuries. Obviously, there are differences in image quality, but there are also technical limitations to consider.
You’re not shooting on a Cook camera with a follow focus mechanism, so those focus pulls you want won’t happen. The dynamic range isn’t quite as strong, so you’ll need to be more careful with your composition and lighting. Low light capabilities are weak, so certain shooting situations must be avoided.
The disadvantages are numerous, but the same disadvantages exist with any camera. It all depends on what works for you and your production, and in many cases it’s worth sacrificing the comfort of a traditional film camera for the freedom that a mobile phone brings.
This is especially true for filmmakers taking advantage of the new media/online landscape.
There’s an unprecedented opportunity to produce extremely low-cost work and post it online for a profit. Business models can take many different forms—
Individual content creators can attract an audience through free short videos and convert that audience into paid premium content subscribers. Production companies can make ultra-low-budget features for extremely niche audiences and profit from exclusive distribution and marketing on social media…
There are a million and one ways to do this, and many people already do it Justify these models. But we are still in the early stages.
As audiences continue to stay away from movie theaters and turn to their phones, storytellers must follow. There will always be theatrical exhibitions, but this new paradigm that is just beginning to emerge will change everything.
New kinds of directors will tell new stories in different ways. Their audience and exhibition format (mobile phones) will have a significant impact on their storytelling style and technical craftsmanship.
We can only assume that the iPhone (and phones like it) will play a huge role in this transition. After all, what better device to capture content that is almost exclusively viewed on a smartphone?
Working with an iPhone is faster, more efficient, and cheaper in almost every way, while also speeding up your turnaround. These are the pillars of creating high-impact online video content, and are not easy to execute using more traditional camera setups.
While it may be impossible to predict what the independent film landscape will be in the next 10 years, one thing is for sure – the internet will play a major role in it.
It will continue to determine how movies are discovered, watched, created and sold. As more filmmakers find ways to make a living in this ecosystem, it’s likely that much of their content will be shot on mobile devices.
There has never been a time like this in the history of cinema. The closest I can think of is French New Wave, But this is really new territory.
From where I stand, we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. As mobile content consumption surges, camera phone technology is becoming a more mainstream option.
No matter where things go from here, it’s going to be a fun ride!
What are your thoughts? Is the iPhone the future for independent filmmakers? Please leave a comment below!
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