How should Independent Filmmakers create an Exceptional Short Film using just a Smartphone

Having a pocket-friendly device can be an absolute blessing for getting things with just a click. In a highly digital world, where we run our fingers on screens more than we run our bodies on land, it’s just a matter of time when professional filmmakers start shooting high-quality films and videos on their smartphones. And with constant improvements in technical features, smartphones, even with all their complexities, are becoming more and more user-friendly.

Here are a few pointers if you are trying to use a smartphone to enhance your short film-making experience.

1.Impactful Setting

An amazing storyline can be just as effectively told with the help of a solid backdrop. The quality of a storyline would greatly depend upon the location, even if it is as general a location as a hospital ward with lowlights.

Try to work in a silent zone, far away from city lights and car honks, but not necessarily in a 100% soundproof place.

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2. Keeping an angle 

Usually, videos shot on phones are done vertically but to make a short film on a smartphone, better keep the orientation horizontal. Horizontal videos have a wider coverage.

3.Using additional equipments

Although a smartphone is good for portability, there are certain things to be kept in mind like how to keep it stationary while shooting. A Tripod comes in handy for the same.

The lighting is very important to shoot a full proof film. Low lighting may cause problems in the footage like shadows, whereas extreme lights may cause swollen eyes. These shortcomings can be eliminated by the use of LED Circle lights.

4.Emphasizing the audio

Many times, the visuals of a short film are captured in high quality but the other important aspect gets overlooked, which is the audio quality. Positioning is important in a way that if the smartphone is farther away from the scene, the audio will be muffled and vague.

To make the audio crystal clear, independent filmmakers can get adapters that allow them to use a professional mic.

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5.Selecting the right time or ‘Golden Hour’

Often, the use of artificial lights isn’t enough to get that golden tone to your video quality. Sometimes the real magic happens in the open when the sun throws the best flattering light. The Golden Hour, which is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset, makes the visuals most pleasing, with a natural diffuse and pinkish glow.

High Noon often has a harsh and oozing visual quality.

The Blue Hour is often referred to as the time of dusk, dawn or twilight, where a cool casting spell of pastel-hued glow reflects over the horizon. It’s the time when the sun is almost gone.

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6.Choosing a smartphone to season your short film

Although smartphones can be a good alternative to a professional camera for cinematography, there are certain standards for its selection because not all smartphones will have a superior quality camera.

So here is a list of phones which is a total godsend to the filmmakers of the short film industry.

It’s always advisable to go first for the phones best known for their superior camera quality like iPhone (iPhone 12), OnePlus (OnePlus Nord), and Samsung Galaxy (A23).

We know, these phones can also cause a serious dent in the pocket, but you can always borrow from someone you know who may have it. Even 2-tier phones like the latest models of Vivo, Oppo and Redmi can get the job done.

There are no limitations to a filmmaker’s imagination, especially if the thing that sets your movie apart is the storyline. If the content is mindblowing, it naturally outshines the visuals. In that case, it doesn’t matter which camera or smartphone you use.

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