SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking
The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. S. Botello Productions (SBP) is a pioneer in the mobile filmmaking industry. Hosted, produced and edited by Susy Botello without AI.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Special Edition: Our podcast just reached 100 episodes and we have a special episode. Pioneer mobile filmmaker and the winner of the first prize in the inaugural International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego in 2012 joins us and we embark on a journey about his participation in the history of making movies with iPhones, and smartphones in general.
Michael Koerbel and Anna Elizabeth James got their hands on the iPhone 4 and the new iMovie app on the phone. They decided to run some camera tests, and that led to making a movie that became one of the most inspiring movies shot with iPhone at that time. You may have seen it, Apple Of My Eye, which won first place in our inaugural film festival.
Michael’s film was shot and edited on the iPhone. His partner edited it in the iMovie app. In a car as he drove. How mobile can you go?
They moved on to create a web series and partnered with an app developer to create a unique way to view the series in the app with features that allowed the film to be sent to a large display, receive push notifications for each new episode and interact through gamification. The app was Majek and the web series was called, Goldilocks. They put their phone and sealed it into a plastic bag, and put it into a fish bowl. They strapped the phone on vehicles. They did a lot experimental guerrilla filmmaking with iPhones.
Michael shares how Apple Of My Eye affected him personally and why the title of his movie has a special meaning for him. They didn’t make the the movie, in 2010, to gain attention but when they put it on Vimeo they garnered attention and it helped boost the video platform.
Michael shares why he pays attention to his recordings and how he feels we all have an obligation to what we capture with our cameras. Even if it is easy and accessible.
“I don’t hit record unless I know I want it captured, you know? My heart’s in it.” Michael Koerbel
Michael was inspired by a professor to go to L.A. and attend USC School of Cinematic Arts. It was there that he met many people who are now successful in the film industry today. Ryan Coogler, who held a boom mic in a class is the director of Black Panther.
In this special edition of our podcast, where we celebrate the 100th episode, Michael and I share our connection back in 2011. But also, it led us to discuss our connection to mobile filmmaking because we are passionate about storytelling and how the smartphone camera empowers storytellers and gives everyone a tool to share your voice with the world.
People who have not followed mobile filmmaking since 2010 may appreciate listening to Michael’s account of the days when it all began. Michael played a big part in the success of this “movement” to make movies using iPhones and other smartphones. Michael was invited to a panel in the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) event in Los Angeles by the head of Vimeo back then. The attention he received allowed him to succeed in the industry as a commercial producer and his partner Anna Elizabeth James has written a number of features that have been featured in Netflix.
He met Neill Barham, CEO of Filmic Pro when Neill reached out to film a commercial for a cruise line. He has had a lot of success making high end commercials. It’s inspiring to listen to Michael’s stories about his experiences. After that day he and his filmmaking partner decided to test if you could make a movie with an iPhone and edit it on the phone with iMovie, doors opened up to where he is today.
SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
You can watch Michael’s films discussed in the podcast right now. Michael is an official mobile filmmaker on Mobile Film Stories. https://mobilefilmstories.com/michael-koerbel/
Follow Michael Koerbel:
Website: https://www.michaelkoerbel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkoerbel/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkoerbel
Mentioned in the podcast:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Coogler
Majek Films: http://www.majekfilms.com/
Our Links:
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
Support podcast host Susy Botello: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susybotello
Mobile Film Stories on Clubhouse: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/club/mobile-film-stories
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
SBP Podcast on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14682500/reference
Video and Film Streaming Distribution for Smartphone Films: http://mobilefilmstories.com
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobilefilmsd/
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mobilfilmfestival?sub_confirmation=1
© Copyright 2021 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
The story in film has always been an attraction to Rachel Jacob. She grew up in the industry from her father’s side of the family and occasionally would dip her feet in it. She tried many aspects of filmmaking.
In her teens while in school Rachel was acting, which she still loves, and then she tried screenwriting. Most of her experience in film were a series of loose ends. When she was 18 she attempted directing a project and it became the push she needed to tie the knot as a filmmaker. Rachel advises to try working in different positions in film to learn and gain experience.
But it was in her twenties when she went all in and got serious. She found work on feature films and shows that were being shot locally, in New Orleans. That experience helped her become the filmmaker she is today. She is currently working on a screenplay to make a feature film.
During the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking, in episode 99, we discuss many tips for people starting out in the industry, even if you live in an area where the film industry is not accessible. Rachel believes mobile filmmaking with smartphones is a great opportunity for people who want to make films and don’t have access to the traditional film industry, like she did, to get work and experience.
During the pandemic she had already heard about Tangerine, by Sean Baker, that was shot with an iPhone. She realized mobile filmmaking was a popular thing, however, she had never considered it.
During the pandemic in 2020, she designed a challenge with some friends, and the non-profit organization she works with. They created the Home Movie Madness Film Festival, which challenged everyone to make a short film at home using their smartphone.
That experience was mind-blowing for her. She had a blast making her first smartphone movie. She realized the potential of what she could do with her phone after completing her short film. That realization motivated her to begin making short mobile films, and Rachel now makes short films on a more regular basis. The simplicity of getting an idea for a story and making a film in a short period of time is thrilling.
Rachel discusses the opportunities mobile filmmaking gives everyone with a smartphone to make films and share stories. It was refreshing to speak with a filmmaker who understands the unique benefits of mobile filmmaking while still appreciating traditional filmmaking. Regardless of the camera, in the end we are making films and sharing stories. Traditional filmmakers making mobile films inspire mobile filmmakers and vice versa by coming together and sharing the unique culture of mobile filmmaking.
Staying busy making films is important to Rachel and she says its part of the process of becoming a better filmmaker. The more films you make, the better you get at it. She believes mobile filmmaking is a big part of the process now that she has experienced the benefits and how fun it is. Because of it, she can concentrate more on the story of her films as opposed to all the technical aspects.
All the experience with film festivals has given her many insights to the film festival process and she offers consulting to anyone interested in submitting films to film festivals.
SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
Follow Rachel on Social Media and check out her Reel and Videos:
Video we talked about during the podcast: https://youtu.be/6aN4oCxmyBg
Rachel Jacob Directing Reel: https://youtu.be/J9IPdQyuFFA
Rachel Jacob IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2790920/
Rachel on LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/racheljacob
Directed by Rachel Jacob, Official Music Video - Hear You Say by Jeremy Dean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzsguAzb8Fc
Our Links:
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
Support podcast host Susy Botello: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susybotello
Mobile Film Stories on Clubhouse: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/club/mobile-film-stories
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
SBP Podcast on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14682500/reference
Video and Film Streaming Distribution for Smartphone Films: http://mobilefilmstories.com
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobilefilmsd/
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mobilfilmfestival?sub_confirmation=1
© Copyright 2021 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Tuesday May 11, 2021
The partnership between FilmConvert and Filmic Pro is bridging the mobile smartphone filmmaking with traditional filmmaking communities.
FilmConvert has been creating software for film grain and color grading for about ten years. They’ve been keeping an eye on the mobile filmmaking community’s growth and have partnered with the app used by Hollywood filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh to shoot their films with iPhones.
Episode 98 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking is a discussion with FilmConvert’s John Parker and Filmic Pro’s Eliot Fitzroy explaining this partnership and how it benefits iPhone filmmakers.
FilmConvert has been working with Filmic Pro since 2017 to create supportive profiles with its software. They have brought compatibility between FilmConvert’s software and Filmic Pro’s App. Filmic Pro is available for both IOS and Android.
Most recently they have worked together to create a tool, Cinematch, that brings the look and feel of professional Hollywood cameras to the iPhone 12. John explains how it handles footage shot with the iPhone and it produces the color and tone of the Hollywood high end cameras when coupled with the FilmicPro app.
According to the Cinematch website, “Using dedicated camera packs, CineMatch converts your footage from one Log picture style to another. Mix and match between SLog2/3, CLog, BRaw, V-Log/L, RED IPP2 and more, and apply the correct REC.709 transform with a single click.”
One of the drawbacks to mobile filmmaking, according to some filmmakers, has been the dynamic range limitations of smartphone cameras. However, the process of using FilmicPro with the iPhone 12 and Cinematch’s Nitrate is an exciting game-changer for filmmakers.
According to FilmConvert’s John Parker, it will “…Give your films higher production quality. It’ll look like a million dollars.”
Cinematch can also do something powerful for documentary producers. A producer can send a camera person to capture footage with an iPhone, bring it into the production timeline, and it will create a seamless process that will match the look and feel of the other camera. Essentially, you won’t notice it was shot with a smartphone.
Using Filmic Pro Log V2 and V3 features can help match the quality of your film using the iPhone 6s through the iPhone 12.
“Shooting log is one way to do that because you have a much more neutral starting point to build your finished look,” says Eliot Fitzroy.
John Parker shares the work and details involved in creating different color profiles at the FilmConvert Lab. It’s a process which involves gathering data using different cameras as they record test footage under different conditions.
I asked Eliot and John a bit about their experience in filmmaking and what brought them to where they are today.
Eliot mentioned his love for narrative films and the horror film genre, which he eventually would like to find time to make new films.
John shared his past within a local TV station in New Zealand putting together some local news stories and also lived in New York for some time, where he worked on some documentaries which ended up at the Tribeca Festival. Though his experience has been mostly in editing and post production, he’s also done some screenwriting.
We get to discuss our thoughts on the current state of mobile filmmaking and how Apple has helped realize creativity opportunities for content creators from writers and musicians to filmmakers.
This episodes includes a mention of the winners of the 2021 International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego and Best Feature Film Awardee Jennifer Zhang who shot and fully edited her feature length film using only her iPhone.
Watch the video we referred to in the podcast, shot and voiced by Eliot Fitzroy: https://youtu.be/gJcpmAXIMx8
The process with before and after comparisons by FilmConvert: https://www.filmconvert.com/blog/matching-an-iphone-to-an-arri/
Listen to more about FilmConvert from our interview with John Parker in 2018 Episode 38: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smartphone-filmmaking-post-production-color-grading/id1296673665?i=1000419187935
Cinematch Website: https://www.cinematch.com
FilmConvert Website: https://www.filmconvert.com
Filmic Pro Website: https://www.filmicpro.com
Follow FilmConvert:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/filmconvert
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FilmConvert
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmconvert/
Filmic Pro on Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiLMiCPro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmicapps/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FilmicPro
Our Links:
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
Support podcast host Susy Botello: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
Video and Film Streaming Distribution for Smartphone Films: http://mobilefilmstories.com
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobilefilmsd/
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mobilfilmfestival?sub_confirmation=1
© Copyright 2021 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
The process of creating films and video programming is extensive and can be exhausting. But for Anthony Bradford, our guest on the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking Episode 97, it’s about how much it prolongs the production process. Mobile filmmaking shortens a lot of the production so Anthony can go from pre-production and planning, to post-production and distribution.
Anthony Bradford is an actor and a producer who writes screenplays and has a lot of ideas for stories. During our podcast he shares how he organizes all his ideas so he can turn them into screenplays. He’s inspired by his story ideas. Some ideas come to him while he is driving, so he has to jot them down while stopped at a stop light. This type of dedication is probably one of the reasons he’s able to create some great stories into films.
Our conversation highlights the process from his perspective, which can help our listeners organize their own ideas for their films.
Anthony had to learn to edit his auditions “self-tapes” as an actor. He began with iMovie but has since learned the Adobe Premier editing program, and he uses other Adobe programs for sound as well.
Anthony is driven by the concept of stories in films. He shares how important it is to focus on your story and then revolve your method of capturing your story around it. The method he uses includes good audio. During this episode, you’ll listen to Anthony share some of the creative ideas he’s used to overcome some of the quirks that come up while filming with a smartphone. After all, the camera is only one part of your smartphone and all that your smartphone does in the background.
He mentions the microphones he uses and his back up process for audio capturing.
Anthony works meticulously to ensure that even though he saves time in production using a smartphone camera, he does not cut the quality of the filming and post-production short.
“Cleaning up with the audio—it can just feel like very monotonous but it’s super important, and I feel like it’s the longest part of the process.” Anthony Bradford
Anthony produces a web series, Love Millennial Style with his production company is called Priceless Productions.
His film, Raider of the Last TP is screening at the International Mobile Film Festival which will take place online this year due to the event restrictions still in place. He shot the short film with an iPhone 11.
The film’s synopsis: A teacher moonlights as a basement storage unit raider in his spare time in search for a roll of toilet paper.
Of course, Anthony is also an actor. It’s impressive to see an actor who is not only directing and producing, but writing and editing his own projects. Anthony is routinely working as an actor, which is important for all actors. He shares how he’s working on his films, his web series and acting on television and films. It requires dedication and it’s commendable.
Like many who are making movies after 2015, Anthony was inspired by Sean Baker’s film, Tangerine. He watched the film and then found out, after watching it, that Sean Baker had shot it with the iPhone using FilmicPro and Moondog Labs anamorphic lens for iPhones.
This episode of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking is inspiring because Anthony Bradford indulged me with many details on the topic of filmmaking, mainly with smartphone cameras. It’s an entertaining conversation about making movies, acting, editing, directing and more.
SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
International Mobile Film Festival dates are Friday, April 23 through Sunday, April 25, 2021. It’s our tenth anniversary edition.
You can go to MobileFilmStories.com to join the participating filmmakers from the festival on The Quad. Connect with them, chat with them on the topic dedicated to the festival: https://mobilefilmstories.com/community/mfs-announcements/international-mobile-film-festival-2021/#post-223
Connect with Anthony Bradford through the links below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonybradford/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ABradford10
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABradford10
IMDb: http://www.imdb.me/anthonybradford
Website: http://www.Anthony-bradford.com/
Reel: https://vimeo.com/535947277
Web Series on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovemillennialstyle/
Priceless Productions on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/v/pricelessproductions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_priceless_productions/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/pricelessproductions
Website: http://thepricelessproductions.com
Our Links:
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
IMFF 2021 Tickets: We have worked very hard to create and design this event for you. In order to gain access to the information in the article in the link below, we are giving you the option to pay (support) anywhere between $5 to $25 for the tickets. Once you have unlocked the information you will not need to pay (support) again. Our current and new $5 minimum monthly subscribers on Patreon (link below) will also be provided access to the festival. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susybotello/international-mobile-film-festival-tickets
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
Video and Film Streaming Distribution for Smartphone Films: http://mobilefilmstories.com
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobilefilmsd/
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/sbp-podcast-mobile-filmmaking-928180
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mobilfilmfestival?sub_confirmation=1
© Copyright 2021 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Falling through floors is probably not what you expect when you are on set filming. The old creepy house called out to Amanda Smith and Colin Babcock.
Amanda brought Colin into the house and he found it creepy and dilapidated. Both nodded at the notion that the house could be the set for a film. They just needed to figure out what type of film they could make. But there was a little bit of a conundrum because Colin did not have his usual filmmaking equipment.
Colin began to think he could use his iPhone camera, even though he had never done so, or needed to. But that was not the only challenge, as he and Amanda would soon come to find out.
Amanda’s younger sister, Storm Smith is a talented and, in my opinion, extraordinary musician. When Amanda asked if she and Colin could use her song to make a video, she immediately gave them permission. And now, Amanda and Colin had a story.
The words to the song are an expression that comes to real life in their music video titled after the song by Storm Smith, “Too Young.”
Performed by Amanda, their video sends a powerful message of hope. It was, ironically enough, filmed during the pandemic and performed by Amanda on camera. There is a story about the message of the video and the song, which is heartfelt. We are delighted to share a bit of the song, with permission, in the intro to our conversation with our guests in this episode.
Amanda and Colin spent a couple of days in pre-production working the schematics to shoot the video. Amanda’s father, Steve Smith, owned the house and gave his consent to film before it was renovated. Her mother, Terry Smith, helped with wardrobe and set design. Colin, prepped his iPhone XR to shoot and planned the shots, just as any cinematographer does.
In the meantime, all sorts of things began to happen which made the challenge of filming with a smartphone the least of their concerns. Once the film was “in the can” Colin edited the video and color grade it using Premier Pro. There were challenges covering electrical outlets from the scenes. Overall, the video has cinematic aesthetic value and the music is professionally produced which also elevates the overall quality of the film.
In episode 96 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking, you are going to listen to stories from both directors, Amanda and Colin. They share stories from their set experience and shooting with a smartphone. How some scenes were captured, including what to use when your protagonist is required to eat worms on camera, how to capture your actor in suspension without a green screen, and…the story about the stench in the house and what they found in the freezer.
But that is not all. Listen to their inspiring stories in our podcast. This was their first podcast guest appearance and we are stoked about that too.
You can also watch the video during the 10th anniversary edition of the International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego. The festival is online this year, due to the pandemic restrictions, April 23-25.
Follow Colin Babcock:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinbabcock/
Colin Babcock on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/colinbabcock
Colin on The Quad: https://mobilefilmstories.com/community/profile/colinbabcock/
Follow Amanda Smith:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandafallonsmith/
Website: https://www.amandafallonsmith.com
Our Links:
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
Video and Film Streaming Distribution for Smartphone Films: http://mobilefilmstories.com
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
IMFF Topic on The Quad: https://mobilefilmstories.com/community/mfs-announcements/international-mobile-film-festival-2021/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobilefilmsd/
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/sbp-podcast-mobile-filmmaking-928180
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mobilfilmfestival?sub_confirmation=1
© Copyright 2021 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.
