Exploring the Videography Capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro

• Apple
• iPhone

Many photographers, musicians, and gadget enthusiasts suffer from a common affliction known as GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome. This psychological impulse, part meme, part compulsion, drives the desire to acquire shiny new things, a yearning often rooted in a wish to enhance creativity without investing much effort. With the launch of Apple's new iPhone 15 Pro Max, described by the company as an exceptional tool for filmmakers, the question arises - how far can this shiny new smartphone stretch the video skills of an amateur?

“Technology, like art, is a soaring exercise of the human imagination.” - Daniel Bell.

A challenge was undertaken to reproduce a part of Olivia Rodrigo's music video for the song "Get Him Back!", shot entirely with an iPhone 15 Pro. The goal was to assess how well a new creative tool, like a state-of-the-art smartphone, can compensate for a user's lack of experience and expertise. Below is a detailed account of this experiment.

The Constraints

The experiment involved five hours of shoot time, which may seem excessive to recreate just 22 seconds of footage. However, time was needed to set up, decide on the shooting location in the rented studio space, and record the 15 shots and transitions that make up this part of the video.

A budget of $120 was allocated for gear. This was spent on purchasing essential lighting equipment from Amazon, which unfortunately proved ineffective on a bright shoot day, and a 'cage' with bolt-on handles to secure the iPhone. The budget also accounted for the software used to edit the footage. Adobe Premiere, a familiar tool, was out of reach due to its $20 monthly fee, which would have exceeded the budget. Hence, a three-month free trial of Apple's Final Cut Pro was utilized. As the Apple ad showcasing the music video depicted the crew using the iPhone's default Camera app, the same was used in this experiment.

A minimal crew was assembled, reminiscent of the early days of YouTube, where friends would create quirky videos together. Two video producers from the Washington Post were roped in, one of whom captured the behind-the-scenes action, and Help Desk reporter Tatum Hunter stepped in to play Rodrigo for the day.

The Results

The experiment produced thrilling outcomes, showcasing the process and the knowledge acquired throughout the project. It emphasized the potential of technology, specifically a readily available device such as a smartphone, in enabling people to expand their creative limits and venture into uncharted territories of self-expression.