The phrase “Shot on iPhone” has evolved from a simple Apple marketing slogan to a source of pride for directors who have employed everyday technology to shoot their latest movies. By not employing common industry tools, these directors are sending a message that they can make quality films without expensive equipment. Of course, for the ruse to work, the film has to be exceptionally remarkable. ..
Despite the fact that Unsane was shot on an iPhone 7 Plus, it was not a major success. This is likely because directors are more likely to use handheld technology to capture stories, which is what Tangerine and 2015’s iPhone movie, Tangerine, were both based on. ..
Jonathan Glazer, the idiosyncratic director of “Sexy Beast” and countless music videos, pondered the idea in 2013 of shooting the entire movie on a smartphone. ..
Glazer’s film adaptation of Michelle Farber’s novel Under the Skin is a loose adaptation that tries to address profound questions about human nature through the eyes of an extraterrestrial played by Scarlett Johansson. The scenes in this film evoke a bit of an indie vibe rather than a sci-fi blockbuster.
Glazer’s use of a small camera allowed Johansson to interact with audiences in Glasgow without revealing that they were part of the film. The result is a truly eerie and often disturbing tone that permeates the entire film. But when considering how best to capture a truly spontaneous moment, Glazer revealed to his Slant Magazine how he initially thought of using an iPhone. “At one point, we talked about filming on an iPhone,” he shared. “It had to be, it had to be the world as it was.” ..
