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12:55, 04-Feb-2018
Professional efforts behind iPhone X film 'Three Minutes'
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A short film centered on a "family reunion" was released by Apple on Thursday to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, garnering acclaim for its touching storyline and artistic direction.
The film “Three Minutes” was shot entirely on the iPhone X.
The seven-minute clip by Chinese director Peter Chan touched millions with the story of a train attendant only able to spend three minutes at a train station with her son for the New Year before she has to head out again.
The film "Three Minutes," directed by Chinese director Peter Chan, was shot entirely on the iPhone X. /Photo via Apple
The film "Three Minutes," directed by Chinese director Peter Chan, was shot entirely on the iPhone X. /Photo via Apple
Aside from the tear-jerking narrative, the most common comments regarding the film are “Why can't my iPhone X make a video like this?” and “Was the iPhone X the only camera used?”
According to Chan and Apple, the film was shot entirely on the company’s 2017 flagship smartphone, but “with extra equipment and apps.”
Drone
A spectacular distant shot of the train and the surrounding scenery at the beginning of the film suggests that a drone was at work.
Spotted by netizens from behind-the-scenes videos, an industrial drone with an iPhone X attached was adopted to support the shooting.
To fly a drone for the shot, professional operators were a necessity. /Photo via web
To fly a drone for the shot, professional operators were a necessity. /Photo via web
The drone Chan used is very similar to certain models from DJI, a Chinese tech company known for its unmanned aerial vehicles used for aerial photography and videography, which costs at least 1,199 US dollars.
Stabilizer and tripod
One of the most common accessories that can be seen in the behind-the-scenes video released by Apple is the gimbal, which works as a handheld stabilizer for smartphones.
Moving shots are used constantly in the film, which makes the stabilizer an important element during the shooting.
Besides handheld gimbals, some stabilizers were attached directly to actors to achieve certain effects. According to Chan, a special gimbal was attached to the “son” during the scene when he was running on the platform searching for his mom.
A special gimbal was attached to the “son” during the scene when he was running on the platform to search for his mom. /Screenshot via Apple
A special gimbal was attached to the “son” during the scene when he was running on the platform to search for his mom. /Screenshot via Apple
Various professional tripods and smartphone holders are also common accessories to make fancy camera motions that can’t be done by hands alone.
Professional crew
Chan, who started his directing career in 1991, is one of the most famous directors and producers in China.
Besides an award-winning director, a group of professionals including cameramen, gaffers, grips and editors also participated in the production.
Some tips for shooting with the iPhone X, such as slow motion, time-lapse and moving shot, were released by Apple along with the film. However, without help from photography equipment and professionals, it is almost impossible for amateurs to make their own “Three Minutes.”
(Cover photo courtesy: Apple)