Director
Owns the vision and how it will read on a display held in one hand. Thinks through which scenes can survive the small size and builds the story around faces and details.
People
People and makers
A film shot on a phone often looks like the work of one person, but there are almost always several roles behind it. Someone comes up with the story and directs the actors, someone holds the camera, someone handles sound, someone shapes the footage in the edit. Sometimes a couple of friends cover all of these jobs, and still each role deserves its own attention. That is what we write about here.
On a small crew, nobody is extra: everyone holding a phone or a microphone becomes a co-author.
How this section works: we write about professions and roles, not about specific people, and we don't name names. That keeps the stories useful to anyone who wants to understand how mobile filmmaking works or try out one of these roles.
Who makes mobile films
Six roles a short film for the small screen can't come together without.
Smartphone camera operator
Works with a camera that is lighter and less conspicuous than usual. Looks for natural light, keeps the frame steady and takes advantage of being able to get very close to the characters.
Sound designer
Fights wind, echo and street noise, which a built-in microphone eagerly records. Knows that viewers will forgive an imperfect picture sooner than unintelligible dialogue.
Editor
Builds a rhythm that holds attention on a small screen. Decides where to trim a pause and where, on the contrary, to let a scene breathe.
Vertical series creator
Writes stories in short episodes for a narrow frame. Thinks about how to hook the viewer at the start of each episode and leave a question hanging at the end.
Short film festival programmer
Watches a great many submissions and picks the ones that will make up the program. Values a clear idea, honest sound and the ability to say a lot in a short time.
How to work as a small crew
- Agree on roles before the shoot: even if there are only two of you, let one handle the picture and the other take care of sound and order on set.
- Write a short script or at least a shot list so you don't waste time arguing on location.
- Shoot in natural light and check the image on a phone screen, not just on a big monitor.
- Record sound separately when you can, and capture a few seconds of room tone for the edit.
- Shoot extra takes of short shots: in the edit, they give you room to choose the rhythm.
- Sort out the rights to your footage and music in advance so the finished film can be screened at a festival or contest.
Read next
- Analysis
How the first seconds of a short film work and how a vertical frame differs from a horizontal one.
- Events
Short film festivals, contests, film talks and mobile filmmaking workshops, and how to vet an announcement.
- Collections
Three reading paths: for viewers, for first-time filmmakers and for anyone curious about sound and editing.
- History
How the phone got a camera, then became a screen for movies and a filmmaking tool, told decade by decade.
- Articles
Six magazine topics, from the screen in your hand to viewing habits, plus the catalog of articles for the English edition.
Sources
- Pqfilm editorial materials
- Reference materials on the history of mobile communications and video (general overview)
We describe the history of mobile filmmaking and video only by decade and in general terms, without exact dates or figures. Always confirm the terms of festivals, contests, talks and workshops with their organizers.