Interviews

Shlok Sharma’s 5 Tips To Shoot An iPhone Film

The Haraamkhor filmmaker, who has shot his next project on an iPhone, advises budgetary limits and a minimal approach

Sneha Menon Desai
  • Limit your crew to the bare minimum

If you are looking to shoot a film on your phone because of the access and natural feel it provides, having too many people on set will ruin the entire experience. Get a hold on the minimum number of people required for the project right at the start and stick to that.

  • Keep your budget in check

Just because you are shooting on a phone doesn't mean that you go all out with a 5-camera set up! The idea is to keep the budget in check. We shot Zoo using just one iPhone for the entire duration. That's all I could afford!

  • Pick your DOP carefully

It's very crucial to get the right director of photography. If your cinematographer is not fully convinced about being able to shoot on a phone, the result will not translate on screen.

  • Use a gimbal to keep your frame steady

While we did not use external lenses to shoot Zoo, we did use a stabilizer or a gimbal that helped to keep the frame steady.

  • Do it for the right reasons

It's important to identify why you want to shoot your film on a phone. I extensively researched Tangerine the only other film that has been shot on a phone, analyzed the quality of the footage and then decided to make my movie. Don't do it on a whim.

SCROLL FOR NEXT