From Skepticism to Excitement: How Traditional Filmmakers Discover the Power of iPhone Virtual Production

When director Susanna Hornill first told her cinematographer they would be shooting with an iPhone, she was met with skepticism. "Oh my gosh," was his initial reaction, followed by a series of question marks. It's a response we've heard before, and one that quickly transforms into excitement once filmmakers experience the technology firsthand.

Breaking New Ground at Pace Pictures

Recently, we had the privilege of hosting Susanna Hornil and her Director of Photography, Carlos Suarez, for a technical camera test at Pace Pictures. Their project? An ambitious feature film with a "crazy futuristic world" that would traditionally require extensive VFX work and substantial budget for equipment and studio time.

Discovering a New Cinematic Language

The test session explored various shooting scenarios:

• Dynamic lighting setups

• Walk-and-talk sequences

• Over-the-shoulder shots

• Single-subject framing

From VFX Veteran to Virtual Production Pioneer

For Carlos, with his strong VFX background, the technology represents a paradigm shift. "I know how hard it is to achieve this kind of look," he explains. Traditional methods require extensive equipment, complex setups, and significant post-production work. With our iPhone-based virtual production system, these barriers disappear.

Beyond Budget Limitations

Perhaps the most exciting aspect for the team was how the technology eliminated traditional budget constraints. Shots that would typically require expensive equipment and elaborate setups became immediately achievable.

"We are able to achieve the kind of look that we want for this film, without the limitations of budget setups and all the toys that usually you need," Susanna enthuses.

"I found that the process was very intuitive," notes Susanna. "It felt like an empty canvas. You just kind of keep trying stuff out." This experimentation is crucial as filmmakers develop a new cinematic language that bridges physical and virtual worlds.

Exceeding Expectations

The transformation from initial skepticism to creative excitement was dramatic. "My expectations were like, here," Susanna’s hand moves down, "and now, after this test, I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, I can do so much!'" This revelation of possibilities is exactly what drives our innovation.

Looking Forward

As filmmakers continue to explore and push the boundaries of what's possible with our technology, we're seeing a new generation of creators who are unafraid to embrace innovation. The future of filmmaking isn't just about high-end equipment and massive budgets – it's about empowering creators with tools that make their visions achievable.

"I invite everybody to try this," Susanna concludes. And so do we. Because sometimes, the most powerful revelations come from simply being willing to test something new.

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Interested in exploring how our technology can transform your production? Contact us to schedule a test session.