Filmmaking / Directing : Filming my first short by Matthew Corry

I'm against it. You have no creative control over the lens (selective focus, follow focus...) The basic idea of making a short is to learn and demonstrate your creative prowess and technical skills.. Why limit yourself up front? Of course, that's just my opinion.

Out of all the smart phones to use The galaxy s8 is a top choice. I think that with the right lenses which you can rent affordably through https://www.moondoglabs.com (that is where I rented mine) you can get something very useable with quality. Also there are some great test videos on Vimeo you should check out. Good Luck, have fun!

the question is why? Personally, as a crew member, if my director and DP show up with a cellphone, it's a shit production. Kills set morale. Dunno how actors think about acting for a cell phone. So I guess SIZE MATTERS. So do cameras. Why handicap your DP? Unless you are just messing around for practice. Still need to know lighting, composition, depth of field, lenses, filters. Still need some sort of tripod, or fix in post-production. And we haven't talked about sound recording. Imagine telling writers to type with half a keyboard. DP, Grip, Sound, Prod Designer, make-up, PA's wants to do good work. It is everybody's REEL to showcase their craft. If you're cheap about a camera, you're probably cheap with all phases of production and the final product will look cheap.

It's your first short Matthew, so go make the best one you can. Feel free to use your G8 and learn your chops. It's a great tool for starting off and when you're ready you can make the jump to a DSLR or whatever you, or your DP, need. I would recommend you invest in the FilmicPro app for Andriod as this has settings your G8 may not have. Easy to learn and use, so have at it!

Matthew, you wrote a short you want to direct with your friends on a micro budget. You already have a the "why?" There are plenty of quality film shorts and features that have been shot of phones that have gone on to great success. Here is a list of film reference off the top of my head.

Matthew Cherry's short was shot on an iphone6 premiered at SXSW

https://vimeo.com/205549480

this horror feature

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/30867/100528243

Also lets not forget one of the best feature films used an iPhone

Sean Baker's Tangerine

https://www.theverge.com/2015/1/28/7925023/sundance-film-festival-2015-t...

and also this film by Park Chan-Took

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApePmYMa-LU with was shot on an iPhone and then manipulated in post.

Jay Alvarez's film made on an iPhone and made for $17K was everywhere on the festival circuit a few years back

https://vimeo.com/70911586

Also Michel Gondry's film for Apple

http://mashable.com/2017/07/01/michel-gondry-iphone-7-film/#ry.1fqTdHkqS

I'm just saying don't let people say you cant do it or shouldn't do it or it will be shit. Cause those are just excuses not to make a film. If a micro budget is all you have and phone is all you have then there shouldn't be any excuses...it's just a short film it supposed to be the time to experiment.

Good luck and have fun.

best of luck with that. Let us know how it turns out. Or better yet post it here when it's done.

Zack Snyder shot a short on an iPhone in September 2017 titled "Snow Steam Iron". Bentley shot a car commercial using iPhone 5S, and the feature film 'Tangerine' was shot on the iPhone 5S using the 'Moondog' lens.

Thanks for all the advice. Dan maxxx I wouldnt just rock up with a phone and go "This is it guys!". I know a lot is involved and I was specifically asking only about the camera as money doesnt grow on trees.

Zack Snyder? Sure. Comparing apples to steaks.

Matthew Corry u can save $$ or push the project back and save more $$$. But I guess it's a micro budget and your first short, it is practice. Go for it. Shoot, have fun, learn filmmaking.

1. Nothing beats a great story / 2. Sometimes "what" you use to film contributes to tell the story / 3. Do you asked to people in your circles if someone have a camera who would be wiling to join you in your project?

I'm with Mylissa - go for it. You can't learn if you don't do.

I am interested ,after 25 years of producing and have not had a role for a while, in getting back on the actors circuit.Check me out on 800casting for headshots, resume and demo reels.

Your first short is a calling card. Use cheapie tools, get cheapie results. You can use a pogo-stick to go get groceries. But why would you? You can shoot a film with the Toyota Prius's back-up camera. But why would you?

Would I like to use something better? Obviously. Money IS an object at the moment, I have an idea and it's in the very early stages. I have to secure the cast, locations, lighting, sound recording figure out post production as well amongst many other things. It's my first short, I'll go higher budget when I know what I'm doing.

There's an iPhone film festival where all the movies have to be shot on an iPhone and some of the films are really good, so shooting on a phone can be done well. We entered last year or the year before and the challenge came with sound editing. We had a camera guy who knew how to edit (you can use editing software) but the sound is still tricky. We didn't win, but it was a good experience/challenge.

Yet another bottom feeder among us.

Always funny to see how the scamming idiots don't even have their own company email address.

hey Matthew Corry curious, when you say "micro budget", what is the number? Under $1000 US dollars? If you're using a cellphone, have you looked into accessories like a tripod, or a stationary device to hold the cellphone? (besides hand-held).

Matthew, my advice is similar to that of Dan MaxXx's - take your time. I understand you are learning your craft, but save just a little more $. You'd be surprised how many people will be willing to help if you do a few things, the first of which is find a REAL PRODUCER who would help with funding, actors, DP, free locations, etc. I've done that for some young filmmakers. Also, if you find a GREAT unknown actor, they may be willing to partner up with you financially IF there is a quality role where they can strut their stuff. Heck, I know DPs that are talented that if they like you and believe you're talented and there is the potential for future work, MIGHT - MIGHT, mind you - even shoot it for free. If not, for a very reasonable, CHEAP rate. Get some family to donate food for craft service - that reduced your budget. My point is there are always ways to make a micro-budget feature. REALLY CAST IT - don't just put your friends in it. Make it something you can be PROUD OF. Will you GROW as a FILMMAKER and GET BETTER? Of course, but that still doesn't mean your first one can't be quality and show promise. Sounds to me like you are rushing into it. GET a REAL PRODUCER who wants to work. GET an ACTOR to PARTNER UP. SAVE UP YOUR OWN $$$$$ and shoot it this summer. And, NOT on a cell-phone. Trust me. When you see the finished product, you'll thank me - and the others above - for it. You MIGHT even win an Award at a Film Festival. ;)

Matthew,

I spent the first year at film school trying to shoot anything I could what I found is that Cast and Crew are the most important thing for a new film maker. Take time get a real crew and cast. You can always just film fun things with friends for practice.

Hey David - I have a modest little found footage film about evil forest gnomes and elves that I want to produce (along the lines of Paranormal Activity & Blair Witch). It's pretty low budget but I expect the returns to be substantial. My budget is under $1m. Can you offer any assistance and would I have any up-front costs? Let's keep it here in the open as I'm sure others would also like to know.

Vataly - yes I did read it. Of course it's a scam but I hoped that I could lure him out here in public.

Great stories deserve to be treated accordingly. I would not compromise or take a risk with the quality of footage for any of my stories. Take your time to research other options and it may work for your benefit. It may be just a little bit more expensive but still doable.

A fresh and passionate idea/story, something audience not seen before, is key in delivering the principle goal of originality. Creating emotion is not related to an expensive camera. Don’t hem yourself in artistically by waiting for “certain equipment”. If you have a cool idea, shoot it on i phone, and get it out there, but make sure its a super smart idea. Perfect cinematography is a look and style that is not necessarily compulsive anymore. London Film School, rated one of the best UK, now has a days course on making film with smartphone. Make yours.

A for profit film school creating a class based upon demand? Yes they will take the money as such courses are currently very lucrative. Charging people to hear what they want to hear always works well. A course in utilizing inappropriate tools should not be confused with even suggesting that those inappropriate tools can replace real tools. There is this undercurrent in industry wannabes that seems to think that as professionals we keep secrets from everyone and using amateur tools to make big features is one pervasive urban myth. If we would only admit it and tell everyone where to download a pirated version of iOscarWinner for free, you too could make a “Hollywood Blockbuster” at the click of a button. Make a cat video with your phone? Sure. Make Lawrence of Arabia? Not so much. Of course with the current audience, the cat videos might get more viewers than Lawrence of Arabia.

Use your phone to shoot because its what you have and can afford, not because it is a viable production tool in any way. For a first short a phone is a perfect choice. This will almost exclusively be a learning experience, so tools you already have will be fine. Have fun.

Good ideas (once again) from you, Andrew Sobkovich -- using your cell phone to shoot! Why not?

Yes, indeed. Debbie Croysdale

LindaAnn. To shoot the kind of project Matthew is going to do. Not much else.

@Andrew. I don’t think LFS and certainly not myself are advocating the use of inappropriate tools....I am in full agreement, the better the technology, the better the visuals. However, a driver who waits for a Rolls Royce to get them from A to B, might wait forever.......as might a highly talented artist wait for studio standard equipment. Young and talented artists should get their own particular creative bubble out there, ALBEIT, even if on sub standard equipment. Producers will pick up on fresh and innovative talent aswell as brilliant story telling. Procrastination is the thief of time. Young talent should not be nipped in the bud, waiting for Goddo. We live in revolutionary times where owning studio equipment capable of following Lawrence of Arabia is not the yard stick of judging creativity.

Debbie, which is why I suggested that a phone is perfect for the kind of shoot Matthew is doing.

However it is not a professional tool. it will not produce professional results in a professional manner. It will not allow professionals to work in the manner we demand to be able to bring the images we want to the screen.

The London Film School taking money for classes does not make it a viable appropriate tool for production. It means they are cashing in on a trend and on those who wish the trend to be true. Good business for them but bad for the business.

Other than deflection, none of this has to do with creativity. If you think the Lawrence of Arabia comment was about creativity, then I see exactly where you are coming from. Again, for this project of Matthew's, a phone is a viable tool given the parameters that he laid out.

"Soderbergh shot the whole movie on an iPhone. While Baker has said he used a phone instead of traditional cameras due to budgetary constraints, Soderbergh said he was so impressed with the quality of iPhone cinematography that he would likely continue to use phones to shoot his movies going forward."

http://www.indiewire.com/2018/01/steven-soderbergh-interview-sundance-ip...

Then good luck with that.

Soderbergh, with 30++ years of practical filmmaking experience, could use a Fisher-Price $10 camera and make a great looking movie.

Now there's a blast from the past. I actually utilized a Fisher-Price Pixelvision camera for its look in a specific sequence in a TV movie a really long time ago. But certainly not as the main camera for the picture.

I believe it might be more relevant to say that Soderbergh can probably fund and sell any picture regardless of any visual inadequacies. Having uttered the same proclamations about various cameras in the past, this is merely another. Have to wait and see what he did. Not all of his experiments have worked out so well.

"Phoning it in" is a derisive term, now with new implications. Still it is a great choice for the situation and parameters that Matthew laid out.

@Andrew. I do not disagree with you that professional equipment executes infinite more possibilities visually, but “Needs Must” and if an artist only has the basics, then that is their tool. A phone might be scorned on a studio set, but a gifted artist can capture a unique story, which might in turn catch a producers eye at festivals etc. i phone projects are a means to an end, (not the end of the line) and even if footage is less than perfect, the idea behind a cutting edge project may gain recognition. (If its a super smart idea.) If I was young now, I would have done the LFS course on i phone. To get my ideas out into the world, I used to have to write and lick stamps, and post envelopes. LOL If only, when I started out there were i phones.