Short art film filmed entirely on a cell phone

S

sean90291

Veteran
I had the fun opportunity to make a short film for the Toronto International Film Festival TalentLab. The condition: it had to be shot on a cell phone. And the film had to explore the theme of "courage."

YOU CAN WATCH THE FILM HERE: http://vimeo.com/1649221

After racking my brain, and imagining all the possible examples of great courage, I realized that the most courageous acts are how each of us chooses to face life every day.

At the very least, the short is an example of how you don't need expensive equipment to make a film. Every image was shot with one Motorola Z6m cell phone.

 
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That was great!

A really fun story to watch and the music fits SO well!

I noticed that a lot of times there was this repetition of the sides of the frame. Was that done to widen the frame or is that some byproduct of the cell phone you were shooting on.

Did you get any sound from the cell phone or was most done after?
 
Thanks Nerdcolony. The "mirroring" of the sides was done in post to widen the 4x3 image that the cell phone gave me. So I got a 16x9 image by compositing.

And you're right, a lot of sound was done in post. The dialogue was recorded to a miniDV camera hanging around my neck. So I'd hold the mic, the camera and set up the lights. Truly a solo crew.

The music is by a Toronto-based composer, Adrian Ellis. He's very talented. And he plays all the instruments himself.
 
I really dug this. It is a testament to your skill I forgot it was shot on a cell phone for most of the viewing. I didn't really notice the mirroring, I noticed something, but it really just seemed to fit, so I thought it was an artistic move. And I liked that as well. It brought the eye to the subjects and often aided in composition.

The music? If you would have played that for me on its own and then told me it was going to score a short filmed on a cell phone, I would have thought it wouldn't work at all. But it fit perfectly.


Thank you very much for sharing. A really good piece, not even because of how it was shot.
 
Thanks Matt. Appreciate your thoughtful (and generous) comments!

The "mirroring" was definitely supposed to be as much a part of the visual experience as it was a technique to change the aspect ratio. And I agree with you about the music--it's an unconventional score. I suppose that's why I like it all the more.
 
I wouldn't mind seeing a cut without any music at all. This is definitely a testament to your story-telling skills.

What kind of lights did you have?
 
Thanks Mark. The lights consisted of a single Lowel DV lighting kit (I don't leave home without it). Everyone's probably seen that kit around, but just for those who haven't, it includes one 250W, one 500W and one 750W (all tungsten, open-faced) with stands.
 
It was a Motorola Z6m cell phone. Takes tiny pictures and video files. So liberating being able to run through the city with a camera that doesn't draw any attention to itself. Me and every 16-year high school student was carrying one, so you don't attract any unwanted attention and you can film in places you otherwise couldn't. Ironically, when I take a "big" camera out, it draws all kinds of bad attention--people demanding to know what I'm doing, and threatening to call the police, etc. Real drag. And yet it's the tiny camera phones that people should be worried about, since people can be filming us all without us ever knowing it (and probably are), whereas at least with a big camera you can see what the camera person is shooting. Technology is confusing for people.
 
sean90291 said:
It was a Motorola Z6m cell phone. Takes tiny pictures and video files. So liberating being able to run through the city with a camera that doesn't draw any attention to itself. Me and every 16-year high school student was carrying one, so you don't attract any unwanted attention and you can film in places you otherwise couldn't. Ironically, when I take a "big" camera out, it draws all kinds of bad attention--people demanding to know what I'm doing, and threatening to call the police, etc. Real drag. And yet it's the tiny camera phones that people should be worried about, since people can be filming us all without us ever knowing it (and probably are), whereas at least with a big camera you can see what the camera person is shooting. Technology is confusing for people.
Click to expand...

That's the reason I was excited about the DSLRs that shoot HD video too.
 
that was awesome sean. tracey instantly drew me in during that first scene. something about her makes us want to follow her and root for her right from the beginning. you really pushed the camera phone to its limit visually. and the end was very satisfying. a very well done short. i hope more people see it.
 
Thanks Zak. I do love Tracey. She's a dream to work with. Every take is something you can use. She can adjust her performance in a heartbeat if you ask her to. I super appreciate your time checking out the film (especially because I super dug "I F**king Hate you").

And yeah, I agree with Mark that a huge advantage of the new DSLRs that shoot video will be enabling indie shooters to film anywhere and everywhere (if you're smart about it). Because unless The City wants to shut down every tourist with a DSLR, I really don't know how they'll distinguish the smart filmmaker from Jane-the-Tourist. Scarlet here we come? In the meantime, Red is a big, obvious, attention-getting siren on your head. A cell phone is inobtrusive, ubiquitous and very freeing for the artist.
 
i really hope the revised Scarlet will introduce a 35mm-sized imaging element. i'm sick of adapters and will gladly shoot with my D90 until a compact, low-light sensitive camera with 35mm image characteristics comes down the line.
 
I'm so over adapters. No more adapters! I too just want a small, handheld 35mm sensor video camera. It's the Holy Grail.
 
You inspired me to get away from small 15 man film crews and try doing something with myself and an audio guy... oh and some actors or something.
 
the D90 is a 99% probability. WANDERLUST incorporates a lot of character interaction thru video blogs, social networking, ichat, youtube, facebook, web cams, camera phones, etc... so I'm embracing the inherent flaws of the camera because they will tie the form of the film to its content.
 
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a lot of talent on display here. Just goes to show that all the hang ups people have with technology are often unfounded. I've seen hundreds of things shot on prosumers that were far less interesting. That's not to say this couldn't have benefited from a better camera but that was not the point. nice work.
 
Thanks so much bosindy. I agree--if you've got a better camera, a project can definitely benefit. If we're going to spend all that energy making a film (we all know they take a lot of energy) then you should use the best camera you can get to achieve the look you want. And yet still, it's valuable to know we can make films with WHATEVER camera we have available. There's probably a law of diminishing returns with cameras--I mean a point where a better camera really won't affect the enjoyment of the film...depending on the film. I wouldn't enjoy There Will Be Blood on a camera phone!
 
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