5 Things I Learned From Making Movies With An iPhone
By: Evelyn Lee
Tags: Experience, iPhone, Storytelling, Filmmaking, Cinematography

5 Things I Learned From Making Movies With An iPhone

I made three films with an iPhone. You can, too.

Filming on an iPhone is not always perfect. There are still limitations in certain aspects, and you may have to use additional tools or apps depending on how you want your film to look. But it does allow you to get really creative. The possibilities are endless.

The first time I filmed on an iPhone, I didn’t exactly plan to, but I’m glad I did. I learned a lot over the course of the production and post-production processes, and I was ultimately able to release the film theatrically through self-distribution. Since then, I’ve made two more films on an iPhone.

A still from my documentary, The Name with No Face, the first film I shot on an iPhone.

Here are some things I’ve learned:

1. You can film almost anywhere.

This worked out especially well for my documentary, when I had to do a lot of on-the-go filming in places that may have otherwise prohibited the use of a cinema camera or required permits beforehand. It also allowed me to film in a lot of crowded public spaces. I filmed all three of these films in Taipei, Taiwan, where it can get very crowded in a lot of tourist attractions and on public transportation. The iPhone was convenient and it got the job done.

2. Always shoot horizontally.

If you are just making a video for Instagram Stories, filming vertically is fine. But if you want to make your video look as cinematic as possible, always turn your phone, and film horizontally for the 16:9 ratio.

A still from my film, PAPA.

3. Keep the zooming to a minimum.

Earlier iPhones without the dual lenses were not ideal for zooming. It made for the footage to be very blurry, grainy, and shaky. With the iPhone 7 plus, iPhone 8 plus, and iPhone X and up, the phones have dual lenses that allow for better zooming quality. However, in order to make sure your footage isn’t too shaky, try not to zoom. If you must, do it slowly, and keep a steady hand. You can also set it up and zoom in before you start recording.

4. Try to keep steady and avoid shaking.

While iPhone’s video mode has what is called “cinematic video stabilization”, shooting handheld can still make the footage look shaky if you’re not careful. If you can only film handheld, try to keep it steady and use both hands. If you’re panning, make sure to move slowly. If you can, use a smartphone tripod (or even a selfie stick!) for static shots.

5. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode.

Your phone is, well, a phone. You will still get notifications from apps, messages, and someone may even call you. If you don’t want to be disturbed while you’re filming, turn on the Do Not Disturb mode, and your notifications will be put on hold. You can also turn on the Airplane Mode, which will stop your notifications and also help you preserve battery life.

A still from my latest film, RECAPTURE.

Speaking of battery life, it probably goes without saying that you’ll need to charge your phone. But sometimes, when you’re out and on the go, you may not always be able to plug it in for a recharge. Keep your phone on Low Power Mode to help preserve some battery life.

And most of all, have fun!