SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking

Making Films Underwater with iPhones with Tom F. Pardo

A filmmaker is not simply someone who shoots a film and shares it. A filmmaker delivers a finished film through an entire process. Most good stories in film are a challenge that can bring out the best in a filmmaker and the result lies in the final film.
Tom F. Pardo is our guest in the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking episode 81. His film, “Submerged” won First Prize in the Short Film Competition at the 2020 International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego in April.
Tom made his film using the iPhone 8’s camera in his home town, Nice, France. You could say, he hit the ground running with his first film but he took his story, and his phone, from the ground to the ocean. Shooting a film underwater has its challenges. When you are not sure about what you are doing, it can be easy to give up when things don’t go your way at first. It’s easy to think that since you don’t have much invested, quitting early is an easy way to avoid disaster.
However, making movies with a smartphone or any camera is best for someone who can meet challenges head on. One of the virtues of filmmaking that many people don’t understand is the why. Why would someone make a film in the first place? Why would someone put so much effort in something they are not even sure if it will work out?
The answer to these questions will come after you listen to Tom F. Pardo share his experience in the making of his mesmerizing film. “Submerged,” brings the viewer into the world of the character, played by Eva André, head first. As she then dives, into the ocean the world changes. And the viewer is delivered into the experience as well as the protagonist. The film runs under five minutes.
Tom wrote, produced, directed, shot and edited the film. Some underwater cinematography was accomplished by Gilles Gambini.
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. 


Watch Tom F. Pardo’s First Prize Awarded Film, Submerged: https://youtu.be/_jNDu0ooRv8
Links Tom mentioned during this episode of the SBP Podcast :
The original score from Gavin Brivik website: https://www.gavinbrivik.com
Julie Gautier’s films that inspired Tom:https://youtu.be/OnvQggy3Ezw  https://youtu.be/bdBuDg7mrT8
Follow Tom F. Pardo online:
Website: https://tompardo.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom_pardo/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/354663919
IMFF Virtual Film Festival: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEQZUeTeRu1tAPtBLJ-mG0bCMUV3ayH3m
Submit Mobile Films on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/InternationalMobileFilmFestival
Special Credit to Jamiel Laurence from IMFF 2020 for his audio testimonial featured in this episode: www.jamiellaurence.com
Our Links:
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
MFTV - Mobile Film Network Distribution Channel: http://MobileChannel.TV
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
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
© Copyright 2020 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

Movement and Choreography in Smartphone Filmmaking with Jamiel Laurence

He wanted to tell a story with his skills in choreography using the tools available to him. Episode 80 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking is an in-depth conversation with Jamiel Laurence, awarded Second Prize in the International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego.
Even though his film has a theme of isolation, ironically, it was submitted to IMFF 2020, in 2019. Jamiel had access to cameras from filmmaking friends, but he chose to use his iPhone. Benched, is his only his second mobile film. It was “filmed within the grounds of the iconic Kelvingrove Park.”
He has a lifetime experience in dance, music, and drama which began in childhood. He studied ballet and is now a soloist by profession. His mother was a dancer who taught modern, contemporary dance and jazz.
Jamiel opened up to share his choreography techniques with film which involves camera movement as a dancer, and incorporating it into the cinematography. His techniques are creative and talented. His process brings the world of movement through dance and music together with film, and cinematography, through storytelling.
“Long-running one shots” in mobile film take serious precision to accomplish. Even with traditional professional cameras, it requires skill and experience. But with smartphones it’s risky. There is a spectrum of available settings with a camera which are not available with smartphone cameras. To achieve a moving shot with a duration of more than just a few seconds is quite an accomplishment, which a professional camera person can appreciate.
Jamiel spoke about the dancers who place their trust in Jamiel’s performance during filming. During the conversation with Jamiel, he brings light to the aspect of his own performance using motion to capture the dance performance. It sheds light to the benefit of using a small, light filming device such as a smartphone to capture the long lasting moment expressed in dance.
We discuss the other aspect of the dance driving his films: Music. Jamiel has made a point of accomplishing trust and integrity with musical artists he engages with in his profession. A big part of his filmmaking budget goes to the music.
Jamie Reid is the dancer in his film. He is from Glasgow and knows the city and Scotland who helped Jamiel select the location for his film. Jamiel refers to the location as one of the characters on his film, along with the bench. The story of the film is interactive in the way that is interpreted by the viewer. The emotions expressed by the actor and dancer allow the story to evolve through the performance.
“Love Stained” was his latest film created just before the current situation the world is in and now, stuck in isolation as most of us are, he keeps pushing his creativity through a series called “Mobile Isolation Creations.”
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. 


Watch Jamiel’s film which won Second Prize at IMFF 2020, Benched: https://youtu.be/9NOobuRKRQg
Check out the “Video Salute to IMFF 2020” he created as part of the virtual International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego, which we discussed during the podcast: https://vimeo.com/399682091
Watch Jamiel’s latest film, Love Stained: https://vimeo.com/398383217
Jamiel’s film mentioned in the podcast, shot with a smartphone in one take, Flight: https://vimeo.com/345548724
Follow Jamiel Laurence:
Jamiel Laurence’s website: https://www.jamiellaurence.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamiellaurence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiellaurence/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamielLaurenceCreations/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/jamiellaurence
Recommended by Jamiel in the podcast for music: https://coil.com
IMFF Virtual Film Festival: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEQZUeTeRu1tAPtBLJ-mG0bCMUV3ayH3m
Special Credit to Cara Rust from IMFF 2020 for her audio testimonial featured in this episode: https://twitter.com/CaraRust
Our Links:
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
MFTV - Mobile Film Network Distribution Channel: http://MobileChannel.TV
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
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
© Copyright 2020 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

iPhone Brought Her Story To Life with Inga Vosk

She had a screenplay and a vision. Inga Vosk believed in her story. She had a dream to realize the story as a movie. A feature film. She didn’t know how. She had never directed a short or feature film. But she had a vision and an iPhone. Episode 79 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking is an in-depth discussion with the winner of the Best Feature Film award at the 2020 International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego. Her film, Stealth (hashtag Stealth) was shot with iPhones in St. Petersburg, Russia.
After hearing her story first hand, I could connect—I know you will too. All of us have done things in our lives…we have all met a challenge dead between the eyes. Our desire to realize something and the realization of not knowing how does not make it impossible. Inga’s vision of her story as a film and her possession of a smartphone crossed the line where many do not go. Inga Vosk works in animation as a writer and director and she has plans to direct more films now that she has had a successful experience as a filmmaker.
Many people have a dream to do something, or create something, and don’t. Fewer people face the fear unless they are driven by their belief. They say you have to see it to believe it. Perhaps that’s why having a vision is so important to realizing it. Inga Vosk certainly envisioned her film and she developed a passion to make the film. Passion is an endless supply of energy. Once she began her quest, it all came together—fast. Just a few days after finding a crew for her film, production began. It took just 9 days to shoot, even with the locations for scenes spread throughout St. Petersburg. She mentions one location being a 1-2 hour drive. 


Stealth has an incredible twist where everything comes together in the end. Inga Vosk’s style as a director holds the viewer in a state of suspension throughout the film wondering what is happening and why. The characters are intense and their connection to the story bring you into their voyage through the city and the plot of the story. The protagonists of the story are Cucumber, Nikita Sanaev; Alla, Anna Bachalova; Nikitos, Kirill Kovbas; and Angelina, Svetlana Buhtoyarova. Stealth is a 90 minute adventure.

With a crew of five, a few actors, a script and an iPhone she did it. This feature film was her first film. It was the first film she had ever directed, it was her directorial debut. And #MFF2020SanDiego was her last film festival showing. Inga was set to come from St. Petersburg to San Diego and present her film with a Q&A discussion during the IMFF 2020. The festival was scheduled to take place April 24-26, 2020. However, due to the Corona COVID-19 Virus, IMFF turned into a virtual event. I asked Inga about her experience being part of our film festival and as a virtual film festival.
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.


Watch the trailer for #STEALTH and, if it is still available, go to the Virtual IMFF 2020 to watch the entire feature film.
Trailer:https://vimeo.com/331209911
STEALTH Full Film: https://youtu.be/ffHHFsYNx5M
IMFF Virtual Film Festival: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEQZUeTeRu1tAPtBLJ-mG0bCMUV3ayH3m
Follow Inga Vosk:
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9003432/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voskinga/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voskinga
Our Links:
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
MFTV - Mobile Film Network Distribution Channel: http://MobileChannel.TV
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
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
© Copyright 2020 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

The Importance of Networking for Smartphone Moviemakers with Bradley Gallo

You may believe that movies you shot with smartphones cannot reach producers in the professional film industry. Our guest in Episode 78 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking, Bradley Gallo is going to inspire you to think again.
Bradley is co-founder of Amasia Entertainment which won a bidding war for the franchise rights to The Green Hornet movie early this year. Universal Pictures just announced a partnership with Amasia Entertainment on the same day we recorded this podcast, April 16. Amasia Entertainment’s other founder is Michael Helfant, who was president and COO of Marvel Studios.
Bradley Gallo is a big believer of how mobile filmmaking with smartphone cameras can benefit filmmakers. Bradley speaks to the growth of the mobile film industry as a passage to making good films through great stories. He mentions Tangerine by Sean Baker and Stephen Soderbergh’s films and how their mobile films impacted the film industry.
What are some of things you would want to do if you are trying to get the attention of a producer in the industry, such as Bradley Gallo? He shares what you should avoid doing and how best to approach him with your project. Understand they do receive a lot of requests, so following his tips are a good idea if you want to get their attention. But don’t think that a movie concept shot with smartphones is not going to get the attention of producers in the industry.
Bradley discusses how short, and low budget films can often lead to meetings and help you build strong connections in the professional film industry. Mobile films can be a great proof of concept for directors, writers, and others. But it’s important to network. Some people can make a lot of connections in a short period of time, while others can take years. The important thing, according to Bradley, is to play to your strengths and keep at it.
Episode 78 of the SBP Podcast was a fun conversation filled with many insider tips. Bradley has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry from Halle Berry to Christopher Walken, and many more. He has worked his way up to where he is today. A very impressive story of how someone can rise from the dream to the reality of making films with big name studios and continue to also make good short, low budget films.
Article announcing Amasia Entertainment’s partnership with Universal Pictures for ‘The Green Hornet And Kato’ Feature: https://deadline.com/2020/04/universal-amasia-entertainment-team-up-for-the-green-hornet-and-kato-feature-1202910256
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
Follow Bradley Gallo to get more information about his projects.
Bradley Gallo on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0303010
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradleygallo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradleygallo/
Amasia Entertainment Website: https://amasiaentertainment.com/
Amasia Entertainment on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amasiaent
Amasia Entertainment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amasiaent/
Our Links:
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
MFTV - Mobile Film Network Distribution Channel: http://MobileChannel.TV
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
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
© Copyright 2020 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

Full Length Movie Shot On iPhone with Ryan McDonald

Episode 77 
It was around the the 9th grade when Ryan McDonald began to consider a career as a police officer, a lawyer or…a spy like, James Bond. Then he realized he was deliberating his career options around most of the films he enjoyed watching. But that helped him come to the conclusion that what he really wanted to do was make movies. Ryan considers himself a storyteller and he shares his attraction to the medium, which connects to his craft as a filmmaker.
Ryan McDonald shares the journey from making short films to a feature film. His experience over the years gave him an opportunity to learn as a director, a writer and actor. So he decided to make a feature film which he wrote, directed and then cast himself as one of the leads. Ryan chose to shoot the entire, micro budget, film using his iPhone 6s.
During the SBP Podcast episode 77, Ryan is joined by producer Brandie Rich. They spoke about their strategy to filming the feature length film Married And Loving It! The movie was centered around one location.
The entire film was shot with the iPhone but they did not cut corners on the audio. Then they got creative with lighting. Most of the film is shot in daylight, but the final scene is a night scene and they used some very creative techniques that he shares during the podcast. One of the challenges, however, was shooting 18 pages a day and end production by 5pm.
Married And Loving It! is dialogue intense and the film focuses on marriage, as the title suggests. But there are a number of twists and turns, and a few shockers as well. It’s a mixed genre of drama, and comedy with a bit of horror.
Ryan wrote, directed and played one of the lead actors in the film. Even though each crew member had their own titles and obligations, they all dug in when needed to play and assist in different areas, which is quite typical in most independent films. But again…shooting 18 pages per day is a lot of work, even if it’s all done in one location, a house. The scenes were spread across different rooms which all needed to be set up.
Married and Loving It! Will have its premier screening during our virtual festival April 25 & 26. Ryan, Brandie and a couple other crew had planned to screen the film in San Diego in person and present a Q&A for attendees and other filmmakers.
We hope this episode of the SBP Podcast brings you a good insight on how the film was made and some background on the filmmakers. Most importantly, we hope you are inspired to live your dream to make feature films and realize, the camera is already in your hand.
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marriedandlovingitfilm/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marriedandlovingit_featurefilm/ 
Ryan McDonald on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3864669/ 
 
Our Links:
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
MFTV - Mobile Film Network Distribution Channel: http://MobileChannel.TV
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
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
© Copyright 2020 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.