Did You Get A New Smartphone for Christmas?
A genuine gear recommendation to start making movies with your new smartphone.
During this holiday season you may be gifting yourself with a new smartphone. If you are, your first reaction may be to want to make a movie. You have my total support if that is what you wish to do!
But a phone alone, or even the best camera, will not make a great movie for you. You need to make that movie. So start thinking about the story you want to tell first. Maybe while you are dipping into that seven layer dip with the family before the Turkey, you can get some ideas. You may even get some volunteers!
I stayed up to wrap this present for you. I hope you appreciate my gift to you. It’s a list of gear to help get you started with your new, or old smartphone. Merry Christmas!
Audio
You need outstanding audio. Audio is very important. More important to your film than your video.
Depending on what type of content you are making you’ll want to get specific mics. There are lavaliere microphones, shotgun microphones and more. My personal favorite brand is Audio Technica. I like the quality of their mics even at the lower priced end.
Quality: XLR is the best. But of course, that can be heavy for you. However, I’ve been using the iRig Pre to connect an XLR cable to my iPhones for years. I have not tried the newer models but most likely they work just as good, or perhaps better.
You’ll want to monitor sound and gain levels with your ears as well. I bought these headphones from Audio Technica, which I also use for my podcast. My previous pair from 2006 broke last year. I used those headphones a lot!
Hand-Held Stabilizer
You have heard of cages but I am in love with Zacuto’s Smart Z-Finder. You can mount a mic and more on this unit. It’s not a gimbal. I don’t like to spend too much time between takes readjusting gear.
The Smart Z-Finder was sent to me by Zacuto as a gift by one of the designers, and the co-founder during an interview on my podcast. They are sponsoring the festival. I am not earning anything by recommending it. But I am in love with the simplicity of this rig. Snap on and snap off with case attached on my iPhone 13. Game changer for me.
I can use it without the view finder cover. That comes in handy if you want to record selfies. But for shooting, especially outdoors, your will appreciate climbing into the the “cinema experience” as your view is the full screen on your phone.
There is room underneath to reach in and make adjustments touching the screen elements of your camera. You will still be able to film while using your other eye to scan the room or your environment. You can get details on our film festival website here and click the link in the article to grab yours. They are on sale through the end of the year.
Lighting
Get yourself a reflector!
They are too inexpensive not to get one. Use it to reflect light from any source unto your subject. Handling a reflector is obtrusive but I have asked children to hold them for me and they are thrilled. This is a new model of the one I bought in 2016.
I also have a basic small light which I can mount on my Smart Z-Finder.
Also mounted on the rig is this VideoMicro microphone by RODE. Great fro Vlogging and B roll. By the way, get an SC7 cord to get it to work with your phone.
Don’t forget to get the adapter to mini audio jack if your phone doesn’t have one.
While you’re sitting around waiting for that slice of pumpkin pie, head over to the app store if you have an iPhone and pick up the free Blackmagic Camera.
December 24 at midnight Pacific Time is the final extended deadline to submit your feature length film shot with smartphones for the 13th edition of the International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego. Shorts final extended deadline is January 13.
For inspiration, listen to my podcast with 169 episodes discussing smartphone filmmaking with filmmakers. SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking is in your pod player app.
Happy Holidays to you! Thanks for subscribing!
Note: I am not making anything on anything I am sharing here. So if you’d like to give a little gift yourself, you can also buymeacoffee or become a patron.