Media Studies: The Journey of our Videos: #17 Phone Vs Professional

When it comes to camera work…

Well, the definition of camera work is “the art or skill of operating a camera, especially in film or television production.” (redkiwiapp.com). It entails techniques such as handheld, panning, dolly and drone shots. With the power of technology however, phones have been able to replace professional cameras in some short film/film/music video productions, and it has been particularly going well.

Camera work in a film is important because it can emphasize certain emotions, enhance important settings, it sets the tone and conveys the message of a film, it also creates visuals which develop the atmosphere of the film. Furthermore, it is vital because camera work “...play a vital role in how moments are narrated on the screen” (domestika.org).

Phone…

Although it seems like a pretty recent concept (especially since the release of the Weeknd’s music video shot on the iPhone 16 Pro, in 2024), there has been films shot on a phone. Particularly, Night Fishing (2011), a 30-minute feature film by a South Korean filmmaker by the name of Park Chan-wook, part of the production brand: PARKing CHANce. It is a fantasy-horror film, shot completely on an iPhone 4, about a man on a causal fishing trip but finds a woman’s body from the water that comes back to life, that same man passes from drowning. Although the quality was a bit choppy, it still gave to the essence of the film, aka it increased the creepy vibes.

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Another example is Romance in NYC (2014), this short film that runs 18 minutes, was directed by Tristan Pope. It expresses the point of view of a boyfriend and his girlfriend enjoying a day in NYC. It captures romantic moments, even the tiny ones that really make a relationship thrive. It is simply a sweet, romantic short film emphasizing the excitement a relationship brings in the beautiful backdrop of NYC (new york city, just in case it has not clicked). In my own film intro, I will be highlighting what makes a relationship exciting, but also the pain felt by having a relationship, such as the heartbreak of long distance, and how it truly affects relationships that are rooted in physical touch and quality time.

Professional…

I mean plenty of films use professional cameras, there are endless examples, but here is two examples of ones that really focus in on cinematography:

The Florida Project (2017), a film contrasting poverty and beauty, the differences between classes. A prime example also of exploring binary opposition. The camera work depicts life through the eyes of a six-year-old, who takes the circumstances of her life and twists it, imagining it is Disney World. [Directed by Sean Baker, Starring Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinaite, Willem Dafoe]

Blade Runner 2049 (2017), this film contains more dusky colored settings, creating new pathways in the genre of sci-fi. It also includes many shots of silhouette figures and cinematic panoramas. The camera is steady, and the setting has a sense of symmetry to represent “Deakins’ keen control over the screen.” To represent binary oppositions, the movie has many shots exploring desolate, bare desert settings (almost like a ghost town) that contrast the dystopian town settings in the film as well. [Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Starring Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas]

My choice…

At the moment, I will be filming on my iPhone 12 pro. Relying on the power of natural lighting from the sun during sunset, and the great filter/coloring of editing to create a Hollywood worthy film intro. Which takes me to the title: Yea, A Great Valetine's. (2025) ~ just wanted to make myself feel special

I'm going to start including my schedule in every blog so you can see in real time what I get done (and don’t get done…)
- January 18th-20th: Further blogs on idea
- January 27th: blogs due
- February 1st: chose filming location
- February 3rd: Blogs due, reveal title of film intro
- February 7th: ask Frances (again) to be in video and write the plot/dialogue [half done]
- February 10th: figure out costumes, camera, and editing software (AND BLOGS DUE)
- February 14th: Get filming down for first 45 - 60 seconds of film intro
- February 17th: Blogs due
- February 24th: Blogs due
- February 28th: Get filming done for the second half
- March 1st: Save the day for any refilming needed
- March 3rd: Begin editing process
- March 7th: See if you have time to stop by You Media.
- Marth 10th- 11th: complete CCR
- March 17th - 21st: Edit CCR and finalize the film intro