SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking

Connecting Global Smartphone Film To Indiana with Nathan Bechtold Episode 56

The aftereffects of the 2019 International Mobile Film Festival are euphoric. There was an energy and vibe throughout the two-day event which had an impact with everyone who was a part of the event in San Diego. We sat down for a discussion two days after the film festival with the president of Indiana Filmmakers Network, Nathan Bechtold before his flight back to Indiana. Listen to Episode 56 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking as we discuss the festival, the people, the vibe, the energy and the resources and opportunities IFN has for filmmakers in and outside Indiana.
We began sharing the Indiana Filmmakers Network with Nathan but we were both still “hungover” from the aftereffects of the weekend’s IMFF 2019. The information Nathan shared about IFN benefits everyone and anyone who happens to be, or plans to be, making a film in the state of Indiana. IFN has several hubs throughout the state providing a physical resource filmmakers. It also has a strong online presence through its groups on social media.
We share how IFN benefits someone who is looking to make a film with traditional equipment, since that is the base of their members. However, through a partnership with the #MobilizeStories Community Network by the International Mobile Film Festival, it is opening the door to filmmakers using smartphone cameras as well. In fact, IFN held a short contest for anyone in Indiana to make short films with their smartphones to feature in this year’s #MFF2019SanDiego and Nathan showcased them on Sunday as part of the program.
Episode 56 discusses IFN’s resources for all filmmakers regardless of what camera you use to share your stories as films and then we dive into what it was like for Nathan to witness IMFF in person.
Nathan’s biggest impression seemed to be the vibe and the support between all the filmmakers in the space where we held our film festival at Marina Village Conference Center. Nathan noted the welcoming atmosphere from the minute a filmmaker or attendee walked into the festival throughout the course of the program, the sessions and the entire event in general. People connected. People shared stories…and hugs. Although a podcast is an audio format, you can almost see the light in his eyes as he describes the experience.
Listen to the conversation which brings a lot of mentions from people we both know in Indiana. One of those people, whom we did not mention was one of the judges from the IMFF short film competition, Demetrius Witherspoon. Demetrius is also a member of the Indiana Filmmakers Network.
Follow Indiana Filmmakers Network (IFN) on Social Media:
Website: http://indianafilmmakers.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5382449841/about/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/indianafilmnet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianafilmmakers/
Our Links:
Get all the details about this year’s film festival: https://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com/news/35-smartphone-filmmakers-share-stories-in-san-diego
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: http://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
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
Hashtag: MobilizeStories Mobile Film Community Website: http://mobilizestories.com
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Are you starting a Podcast? Create a new podcast or network and use the code sbppodcast to apply a 25% discount and save: https://pcast.link/sbppodcast/
© Copyright 2019 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

Jed Brophy in Smartphone Feature Blue Moon Episode 55

The way you approach a film as a director, screenwriter or actor, can be quite similar. It revolves and evolves around story, structure, and characters. Episode 55 of the SBP Podcast is a discussion with actor Jed Brophy. Jed has years of experience acting in many films you have probably heard of, Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit, King Kong, District 9…just to name a few. Jed is one of the principal actors of Blue Moon shot in New Zealand.
We spoke with Jed Brophy, who is in New Zealand – Aotearoa. He shares a bit of his career and experience as an actor in the feature film Blue Moon, shot entirely with the iPhone. Blue Moon was written and directed by Stef Harris.
Jed is an actor who has worked in many films. He’s also had the privilege to work in a number of Hollywood films. The stories he shares about his experience in both, traditional film and mobile film will inspire anyone thinking, or wondering about whether to dive into the world of making films using smartphones. You don’t have to make a feature film, but you need to start doing it at any capacity to realize the potential of what you can achieve as a filmmaker and storyteller using a smartphone camera.
Jed Brophy shares how the longest take in Blue Moon took about 11 minutes, due to the extensive dialogue in each scene. They broke the 85 minute feature screenplay into several parts for their performance during production. Blue Moon was filmed in a total of about 30 hours in a single location. Jed shared the differences between working on a film like Lord Of The Rings and Blue Moon from a personal perspective. The budget and cost for Blue Moon was about $12,000.
Jed explains how one of the differences between large action films and a mobile film, has to do with the number of stops and takes for each scene during production. When you have a big crew, much equipment and action scenes, such as in Peter Jackson’s films that Jed has worked on, there are many things that can go wrong. For a shadow that does not belong in a shot, to many technical malfunctions. All the stops extend the time of production and you end up with a few minutes of usable footage in a typical day. Wherein a mobile film like Blue Moon, you end your day with about 30 minutes of usable footage. Jed shares specific differences in crew size and equipment, which can also lower the production time in a mobile film set’s production.
Jed has played creatures in some films. He’s had to endure hours of makeup and prosthetics prep. He shares the experience of that experience. Jed also compares the difference and process he goes through playing creatures versus human characters.
Listen to this episode to listen to the entire conversation, including Jed Brophy’s projects and his views on mobile smartphone filmmaking.
Jed shares great tips and advice on making films using smartphones. He also shares a few stories regarding his experience working with Peter Jackson and the film industry in general. Jed Brophy is very excited about the potential of making films using smartphones and his views are very inspiring. What does Jed Brophy think about the future of mobile filmmaking? Listen to this episode and find out.
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
Jed was also kind enough to send a message to the filmmakers taking part in the International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego April 27 & 28.
Watch the trailer for Blue Moon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxmyCH8-ztk
Jed Brophy on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0112400/
Follow Jed Brophy on Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrophyJed
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jed-Brophy-517155004963438/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedibrophy/
Blue Moon by Dark Horse Films: http://darkhorse-films.com
Previous Episode 54 with Blue Moon Director Stef Harris: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking/blue-moon-smartphone-feature-filmmaking-in-new-zealand-864c2632b96f
Our Links:
Get Tickets to the International Mobile Film Festival April 27 & 28: https://www.freshtix.com/events/international-mobile-film-festival-2
Get all the details about this year’s film festival: http://bit.ly/MobileFilmRocks
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: http://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
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
Hashtag: MobilizeStories Mobile Film Community Website: http://mobilizestories.com
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Are you starting a Podcast? Create a new podcast or network and use the code sbppodcast to apply a 25% discount and save: https://pcast.link/sbppodcast/
© Copyright 2019 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

Blue Moon Smartphone Feature Filmmaking in New Zealand with Stef Harris Episode 54

He shot a photo of a gas station with his iPhone and wrote a treatment. He sent them to an old friend, who was a professional actor. That is the beginning of the backstory to Blue Moon, a feature film shot with an iPhone 7 in New Zealand. The director, Stef Harris is our guest on the SBP Podcast episode 54.
Stef Harris is the writer and director of the, roughly 85 minute film shot with his iPhone. The film’s principal actors are Jed Brophy and Mark Hadlow. The Director of Photography, Ryan O’Rourke, had to shoot the film with the iPhone and had to deal with long takes and a single location.
The story behind the story of the characters is connected to the backstory of how the film evolved. Stef Harris is a police officer in New Zealand and took a picture of a lit up lone gas station using his smartphone. A picture of a thousand words is the saying. But literally, it turned into a screenplay filled with dialogue between two protagonists in a story: Horace Jones and Darren Cates.
Listen to Stef Harris explain how the town came together to help him complete his film. A very inspiring story which may lead to inspiring you to make films using your own smartphone. Because no matter where you are, who you are…with a good story and the willingness to reach out, you can be a filmmaker.
Film Credits: Rueben – Doug Brooks, Gina – Liz Mullane, Security Guard – Nathan Green, Police Officer – Mathew Crawford, Police Officer – Nicole Gardiner, Newsagent – Kyle Abbott, Police Officer - Jeshurun Scheib, Police Sergeant – Robert Ballantyne, Veronica Jones – Alison Lenton, Wahoe Chan – Lai Zhouwen, Gilly – Doug Brooks, Motorist – Simon Paynter, Geoffrey the cat.
Directed by Stefen Harris
Written by Stefen Harris
Director of Photography Ryan O’Rourke
Editor Judd Resnick
Sound Design Chris Winter
Composer Tane Upjohn Beatson
Sound Ben Dunker and Janja Heathfield
Production companies Dark Horse Films - Kahu Media
Producers Stefen Harris and Pegeen O’Rourke
Executive Producer Tim Riley and Rich Vizor
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
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 Blue Moon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxmyCH8-ztk
Follow Blue Moon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueMoonNZFilm/
Website for Dark Horse Films: http://darkhorse-films.com
Our Links:
Get Tickets to the International Mobile Film Festival April 27 & 28: https://www.freshtix.com/events/international-mobile-film-festival-2
Get all the details about this year’s film festival: http://bit.ly/MobileFilmRocks
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: http://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
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
Hashtag: MobilizeStories Mobile Film Community Website: http://mobilizestories.com
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Are you starting a Podcast? Create a new podcast or network and use the code sbppodcast to apply a 25% discount and save: https://pcast.link/sbppodcast/
© Copyright 2019 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

Bring A Personal Story To Light With Your Smartphone with Alexandra Guillossou Episode 53

Understanding each other is part of our communication skills as we share our stories with others around us. Sometimes, a story needs to go further than the people around us. We can write or share it on social media and reach a lot of people around the world. Alexandra Guillossou went a step further. She brought her skills to create a film about a personal story very dear to her family.
While on vacation, she just happened to have her smartphone with her, just like many of us do. She began to record her brother, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Episode 53 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking shares the story behind how she was able to turn the footage into a delicate story using her smartphone.
There are many steps to creating a film but usually, films are planned. Most filmmakers don’t carry a camera around wherever they happen to go. It can be bulky and maybe very inconvenient. Sitting out by a lake as your family is barbecuing…that just may not be a scenario you bring a professional camera to. But Alexandra had her phone with her and decided to record and document the scene without much planning.
It wasn’t until she had captured the footage that she began to construct the story. The story has an impact for those who watch the entire film. It is a reality many of us do not understand what it’s like to have or live with the effects of someone close suffering with this disease.
The power of stories can change lives. There are people who don’t understand what is happening during the course of an event but can watch a film like The Deepest Cut and realize the whole story in a way they couldn’t before. During our podcast conversation, Alexandra says, “It’s one thing to tell a story. It’s another thing to watch the story you just told.”
The purpose of sharing her story is to bring awareness to debilitating diseases that many people do not understand. Sometimes, we need to understand these things happen to normal people and perhaps it can bring some light to the challenges. Alexandra points out how some people do not have a strong support system and their voices can get lost.
We hope sharing her film, The Deepest Cut can help connect us as a society and as human beings. It would make the world a better place for each other if we could all respect and understand the challenges we all face each and every day. After all, we are all a story unfolding through the course of our life.
Meet Alexandra Guillossou during the International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego April 27 & 28 and watch her film with her and other filmmakers. Get Tickets.
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 The Deepest Cut, screening during #MFF2019SanDiego: https://vimeo.com/319349811
Follow Alexandra Guillossou:
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/alexguillossou
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onemousecreative/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onemousecreative
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onemousecreativ
Our Links:
Get Tickets to the International Mobile Film Festival April 27 & 28: https://www.freshtix.com/events/international-mobile-film-festival-2
Get all the details about this year’s film festival: http://bit.ly/MobileFilmRocks
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: http://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
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
Hashtag: MobilizeStories Mobile Film Community Website: http://mobilizestories.com
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Are you starting a Podcast? Create a new podcast or network and use the code sbppodcast to apply a 25% discount and save: https://pcast.link/sbppodcast/
© Copyright 2019 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

Become A Cosplay Smartphone Filmmaker with Star Wars Steampunk Universe EP 52

Star Wars Steampunk Universe is a charity support group based in Southern California which takes part in charities and events in southern California. They do crossover events with other charity groups. Two of the founding members of the Star Wars Steampunk Universe are our guests in Episode 52 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking.
Founders of the group, who are still active participants, are Dude Vader (Chris), Captain Solo Seekerman (Nathan Seekerman), Hot Nerd Girl (Tracy), Kansas City Photography (Kansas Johnson), Lando Chronos / Family Goals Cosplay (James) and DLo Cosplay (Shaylor). They’ve added many more members to their group over the years.
Chris emphasized they are not a cosplay group but a charity support group for Southern California and is specific to Star Wars. He mentions the Sci-Fi Coalition as one of the main groups they team up with and how they “do every version of cosplay you can think of.” Chris mentioned he is a part of about 100 events a year and 80 or so, of them, are charity.
The group caught the eye of Lucas Film when they teamed up for a panel at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in 2015. They soon began to form the Star Wars Steampunk Universe and their debut as a group was at the San Diego Comic-Con International in 2016 where they received an award as the Best Costume Group from the Hollywood Costume Designer’s Guild.
Chris plays Dude Vader which is a steampunk version of Darth Vader and Tracy “Hot Nerd Girl” plays Sabe Sprocket, a steampunk version of Queen Amidala's bodyguard. The group is able to get creative with their Star Wars character outfits thanks to encouragement from Lucas Film and Disney.
We shared an insight story of how we connected with the group to include them in our film festival. Tracy has changed her outfit at least three times and Chris said that when it comes to Dude Vader, “There are over 300 versions right now.”
We asked Tracy where the name “Hot Nerd Girl” came from. Tracy shares the story including her blog and social media following on Facebook of around 70 thousand.
The story about this group is very interesting and their insights are intriguing. Chris and Tracy share many names from the history of their group and their current story. They were a part of the world premier of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood and they shared an emotional moment during the film screening with their group with Nathan Seekerman who plays Captain Solo Seekerman.
One thing we spoke about was how being behind a mask can help them deal with emotional situations during events as a charity. There is a similarity in documentary filmmaking behind the camera.
Of course, we spoke about the importance of the red carpet for film festivals including what happens on our red carpet. At around 42 minutes into the podcast, Chris and Tracy speak about how and why cosplayers should make films using their smartphones.
We had one of the funnest shout outs to the sponsors for #MFF2019SanDiego: Red Giant, Film Convert, Hall H Show Podcast, Star Wars Steampunk Universe, and Grip & Shoot. We also gave a special shoutout to Swords and Circuitry Studios and Uncharted Regions’ Neal and Jana Hallford.
This podcast is a little longer than usual but you’ll want to stay through to the end…if anything, for pure entertainment.
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 their video which they made in 2017 for the International Mobile Film Festival: https://youtu.be/uMdOzXTYx54
Follow Star Wars Steampunk Universe on Facebook and Instagram:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starwarssteampunkuniverse/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarWarsSteampunkUniverse/
Website for Hot Nerd Girl: http://hotnerdgirl.com
Dude Vader on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DudeVaderCanole/
Our Links:
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: http://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
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
Hashtag: MobilizeStories Mobile Film Community Website: http://mobilizestories.com
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Are you starting a Podcast? Create a new podcast or network and use the code sbppodcast to apply a 25% discount and save: https://pcast.link/sbppodcast/
© Copyright 2019 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.