Today we're looking at 10 steps to achieve cinematic-looking video using our iPhones. Hey, it's Ryan with the Piedmont Motion Picture Company. Thank you for joining me today. If this is your first time finding us, this channel is all about learning and growing as a filmmaker. So if you find this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up and consider subscribing if you haven't already. Let's become better filmmakers together.
I've been making iPhone filmmaking videos on this channel for a while, and I wanted to create a video dedicated to people who may just be getting started. This video is for someone who wants to tell stories, make their first film, and most importantly, capture it all using their iPhone. Hopefully, these 10 tips that I'm about to share with you will help get you started in the right direction and ultimately help you make a better-looking film with your mobile phones. Some of these tips are also applicable to making a film with any kind of camera, so what you learn today can be carried over into the DSLR world when you're ready to make that transition.
iPhone Filmmaking for Beginners
My first tip, which may be a no-brainer for some, is to shoot with your phone horizontally. Shooting vertical video will give you a very amateurish look and should only be used in special cases, such as illustrating a handheld video recording within your film or creating something for social platforms like Instagram stories. Otherwise, always shoot horizontally with your phone. When trying to create a film look, we want that widescreen aspect ratio that shooting horizontally helps accommodate.
Using Video Camera Apps
Next, get yourself a dedicated video app for shooting on your phone. There are many available, such as Mavis, ProMoment, and Filmic Pro. From my tests, I've had the most success and ease of use with Filmic Pro. It's not a free app, and some of the pro features require an additional cost to unlock, but if you're serious about making films with your iPhone, it will be money well spent. If you'd like an in-depth tutorial on how to get the most out of Filmic Pro, a link to that video can be found in the description below.
Setting Up Color Profiles and White Balance
You're going to want to set up a flat color profile and adjust your white balance before shooting. A color profile defines the colors we capture with our cameras and see on our displays. If you plan to color grade your footage later to get a unique look, it may be best to use a flatter color profile before shooting. This will allow more flexibility when fine-tuning the image, giving you more control over highlights and shadows. However, if you prefer a more natural look or don't want to spend much time color grading, you can use your video app's natural color profile. Also, be sure to set the appropriate white balance before shooting. White balance affects the color temperature and tint of your images, and having it set incorrectly can lead to unnatural skin tones or an image that is either too blue (cool) or too orange (warm). If you're using an app like Filmic Pro, you can usually adjust this setting manually or choose an auto adjustment. The auto adjustment works well sometimes, but more often than not, we are going to want to set it manually and lock it in place so the white balance isn't shifting while shooting.
Choosing Aspect Ratio and Resolution
Next, we need to make sure we're using an appropriate aspect ratio and have our resolution set to produce the highest quality possible for our device. The aspect ratio of an image describes the proportional relationship between its width and height. If you're using a dedicated video camera app like Filmic Pro, you should be able to set your aspect ratio to an HD standard like 16:9 or a wide cinematic standard like 2.39:1. Depending on your device, try to set your resolution and bitrate as high as possible. For instance, in Filmic Pro, if you're shooting with an iPhone 6s or higher, you can set your video resolution to 4K and use the Filmic Extreme codec, which will give you the highest bitrate. Be aware that this will create very large files and may take up a lot of memory on your device.
Understanding Frame Rate
Frame rate determines the frequency at which frames in the image are displayed. 24 FPS (frames per second) is considered the film standard because it gives our images a nice motion blur. Be sure to set your camera to 24 FPS in your video app of choice.
Using Manual Settings
Another tip is to cut off all the automatic adjustments within your video app. Never rely on autofocus when making a film or allow for exposure or white balance adjustments to automatically shift while you're filming. Lock all of these settings down if you can or turn them to manual so you can have complete control over your images. We don't want our shot ruined by focus or camera settings shifting in and out while filming; it looks very unprofessional.
Planning Out Your Shots
The more time we take to plan out our shots, angles, and composition, the better chance we have of making a compelling and interesting video image. Don't just shoot your scene without any thought. Take your time to look at your surroundings—the background, the lighting, and your subject's depth from the camera to the background. This will help you put together an image that is visually stimulating and interesting.
Project Settings
Once you have your footage shot and transferred to your PC, Mac, iPad, or wherever you're editing your footage, be sure to set up your project to accommodate the footage you shot. For instance, if you're using Adobe Premiere Pro, be sure to set your project up to work with 24 FPS footage and a 1080p timeline or a 4K timeline, depending on how you want to edit. When making YouTube videos like this one, I usually work in a 1080p timeline along with my 4K footage. The resulting footage looks great, and I can use my large video files scaled down to frame things the way I want in post. But if you're looking to export high-quality 4K video as is, be sure to set up your timeline for 4K footage. Also, be sure to set up the correct aspect ratio during this step if you chose to shoot your footage in a flat or log color profile.
Color Correction and Grading
If you chose to shoot your footage in a flat or log color profile like we discussed earlier, you'll probably need some color correction and grading. Color correcting is usually done first—it's the process of going through and making sure your shots are the right color temperature, the exposure is adjusted properly, and the shadows and highlights are correctly adjusted. If your footage is flat or in log, it can be tough to tell how you're affecting the footage during this step, so you may want to apply a base color grade just to get your image to a good starting point. Color correct each shot, then apply an overall color grade at the end when you have all your shots looking great to give it a unique look.
Using Specialized Gear
There are a ton of accessories and gear you can use with your mobile phone to improve your shots, but the only things I think are truly necessary are a tripod, a decent audio and mic setup, and perhaps a few lights. To take things to the next level, you can invest in accessories like Moment lenses, ND filters made for mobile phones (like the ones from PolarPro), or stabilizers like the DJI Osmo Mobile. I don't think you need all this gear to create a wonderful film with your mobile phone, but if you're serious about making the best possible mobile film, you can check out the links to the gear I recommend in the description below.
Recap
Let's do a quick recap:
Always film horizontally.
Use a dedicated video app like Filmic Pro.
Set up a flat color profile or a log color profile and adjust your white balance accordingly.
Use a cinematic aspect ratio and the highest resolution settings available for your device.
Use a frame rate of 24 FPS for a cinematic look.
Don't use automatic settings—set everything up for manual adjustments.
Plan out all of your shots ahead of time.
Set up your project settings accordingly.
If you used a flat or log color profile, color correct and grade your footage in post.
Use specialized gear and accessories like lenses, ND filters, tripods, and stabilizers to help improve your images.
With these tips, hopefully, you'll be well on your way to creating your first mobile film. Get out there and get it done!
Conclusion
Question of the day: What is your biggest hurdle when trying to create a video project with your mobile phone? Is there something holding you back? Let us know in the comments below. If you'd like to help support this channel and keep us going, there are many ways to do that. Check out our digital store for awesome filmmaking resources like our Filmic Pro LUT pack. You can also help this channel out by sharing this video with your friends and family on social media, giving it a thumbs up, and subscribing if you haven't already. Lastly, a big shout-out to our patrons who support this channel month after month. Becoming a patron gets you exclusive perks, free resources, early looks at our films, and your name featured in episodes of the show, just like these guys. Big thanks and much love to all of our patrons. Links to everything I just mentioned can be found in the description below.
By Sal Framondi,
CEO/Founder, OPPRIME.tv
Producer, Black Filmmakers Matter
The success of independent filmmakers hinges on effective distribution, and OPPRIME.tv offers a prime opportunity for filmmakers to present their work to a global audience. By partnering with OPPRIME.tv, independent filmmakers gain access to a dedicated platform that prioritizes the promotion and exposure of their films. This partnership allows filmmakers to reach a wider audience, generate significant revenue, establish crucial industry connections, build a strong reputation, and participate in social and cultural discourse. OPPRIME.tv empowers filmmakers by providing the means to share their unique stories, initiate important conversations, and leave a lasting impact on the filmmaking world. With OPPRIME.tv as their distribution partner, independent filmmakers can overcome distribution hurdles and seize opportunities for growth and success in the industry.
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