A few years back, it was unthinkable to shoot an entire film on a mobile phone. You would nod your head in disbelief if anybody suggested as much! But then we are undermining the miracle gadget called a smartphone, and today shooting on a smartphone is a reality, and we should all accept the same.
A smartphone is a do-everything machine. Filmmaking is just one tiny aspect of the same! Here are some ways to help you shoot your high-quality film entirely on a smartphone. Here's all the inspiration you n to begin your smartphone journey.
Seek Inspiration
Creative people need the inspiration to set off their journey, and the same holds of smartphone filmmakers. If you look around, you may see inspiration everywhere. For example, even major events such as Toronto Smartphone or the iPhone Film Festivals can give you all the creative impetus you need. There are some films shot on smartphones that have been able to capture the visuals brilliantly. Films like Olive, Tangerine are two of the best examples of films shot on iPhones, yet you wouldn't be able to say the same when you see them. The films are visually stunning and perfect pieces of filmmaking, the kind that will make you get inspired enough to create magic on celluloid.
Get High-Quality Sound Equipment
There is another aspect of filmmaking which needs your attention, that is the sound. People would need great visuals and the perfect sound pitch to understand and internalize what they see on-screen. People may sometimes forget about bad visuals if the sound is great. Indeed, for most of the audience, bad audio can ruin the impact and affect the suspension of disbelief, thus potentially ruining the audience's experience.
The cons of smartphones are they do not have particularly good microphones. However, there are many solutions that you can try. You can use RØDE microphones, which you can use with iOS or Android devices, such as the RØDE VideoMic ME. Although, if you are looking for absolute premium sound quality, consider investing in a separate sound recording device with a larger shotgun mic that comes with a professional sound recordist.
The Right Video Equipment
Just because you are shooting on a smartphone doesn't mean you cannot use a decent camera rig with many accessories. For example, you need a grip mount to help attach the extra equipment to the phone, and you can even place it on a tripod. Another way of elevating the audience's cinematic experience is to buy a lens kit for your phone. Brands like Sony and Moments can provide just the equipment you may be looking for. They can enhance the quality of the video as they enhance the in-built camera as you attach it over the top or one that you can connect via Wi-Fi and act like an app.
If your phone does not have micro SD cards, you may not have enough space in your phone to accommodate multiple scenes. Also, when you are adding video accessories, you need to keep a close tab on the storage space. Use a phone with a lot of spatial memory and with fewer apps on your phone. You can even choose a phone that has larger micro SDs, 64 gigabytes.
Select an App
Though, in general, you may not want to crowd your phone with too many apps. However, some apps may help you design your shots better and aid filmmakers in creating quality visuals and better sounds. For instance, FiLMiC Pro for iOS devices can boast of many camera features that a phone usually has. It may have advanced folder management and many on-screen aids, for example, white balance, exposure, and more.
When you add this software to your microphones for doing regular filmmaking stuff such as recording, camera accessories, and a solid lighting crew, you may be left marveling at the cinematic quality you can achieve. Well, it isn't very difficult to achieve the perfect shot or film with your smartphone. All you need are a few apps, accessories, and the belief that your smartphone can weave cinematic magic! So, are you ready to explore your mobile filmmaking journey? Do let us know in the comments section!
