Ground Level Shot in a Mini-doc Shots taken with the camera on or near the ground tend to be eye-catching because they’re unexpected. But for a memorable result, the subject should to be unusual. This image is from “Something Is Coming,” a mini-doc about the Nharo Bushmen of southern Africa. Directed by @SJvanBreda, “Something Is Coming” is the Mobile Movie of the Week. You can see it at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile).For more on camera angles check out “Camera Angles Explained” by @studiobinder. #ground-level-shot #worm’s-eye-shot #mobilemovieoftheweek #mini-doc #Bushmen #Nharo-Bushmen #culture https://www.instagram.com/p/CjBgINaPOrN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mobile Movie of the Week: “Fursat” In "Fursat," celebrated Indian director Vishal Bhardwaj has created an astonishing genre stew. This 30-minute Bollywood movie includes virtual reality, time travel, dance, martial arts...and love. If you find the plot confusing, you can just enjoy the music, the dazzling locations, and the impressive camera work. You can see “Fursat”—plus a short making-of video—at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #MobileMovieoftheWeek #Bollywood #virtualreality #timetravel https://www.instagram.com/p/CqBQNx-vu1J/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mobile Movie of the Week: “Misaligned" “Misaligned,” provides a wordless and stunning journey into one man’s anxiety. Directed by @sallyanndunn24, this four-minute drama—shot on a Xiaomi 12 Pro using a Zhiyun Smooth 5S—features Dariusz Czarniecki, who uses body language to transform everyday activities into nightmares. The good news—captured in an upbeat but not smarmy climax—is that we can wake up from the darkest of dreams. You can see “Misaligned” at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #mobilemovieoftheweek #anxiety #filmacting https://www.instagram.com/p/CpvZFokJqah/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Golden Hour Skyscapes These colorful shots are from “Overview,” a one-minute movie conceived for the @mobilefilmfest. The short—taken with an iPhone—was directed Benjamin Lapierre and Alexandre Gaudou (@littlewalkoffame) You can see “Overview” and a 13-minute behind-the-scenes video at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #goldenhour #MobileMovieoftheWeek #shotoniPhone #cinematography #filmlighting #naturemovie https://www.instagram.com/p/Co-0lvavxyf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mobile Movie of the Week: “Overview” French filmmakers Benjamin Lapierre and Alexandre Gaudou (@littlewalkoffame) continue to push the boundaries of no-budget iPhone moviemaking. In “Overview,” their push takes us to outer space. This beautiful and thoughtful one-minute movie—an entry in the Mobile Film Festival competition—deals with the theme: “Making Peace with Nature.” You can see “Overview” and a 13-minute behind-the-scenes video at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #MobileMovieoftheWeek #shotoniPhone #naturemovie https://www.instagram.com/p/Co7zTHlvY0T/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mobile Movie of the Week: “I Won’t Let You Down” This kaleidoscopic drone music video—featuring @OKGo—was inspired by Busby Berkeley’s lavish dance productions of the 1930s. The updated ingredients were Honda personal mobile devices and a drone. You can see “I Won’t Let You Down” at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #mobilemovieoftheweek #musicvideo #filmchoreography #dronevideo https://www.instagram.com/p/CoSzgGBvmPY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Shower Scenes If you see the phrase “shower scene,” chances are very good you’ll think of “Psycho.” But over the years, plenty of non-murder actions have been staged in the shower. A comedic example is “Fatty’s Tintype Tangle” (1915). The second example is from “Split,” directed by Charlie Gunn, shot on an iPhone 14. You can see this intriguing short drama at MobileMovieMaking. #showerscene #mobilemovieoftheweek #iPhone14 https://www.instagram.com/p/CoIZEDCv52t/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Three Cinematic Elements in One Shot In this frame from “Split,” director Charlie Gunn combines three techniques: placing the subject off center (“rule of thirds), using side-lighting to create dramatic shadows, and employing an onscreen light source (practical lighting). The result is an eye-catching image. Gunn’s five-minute split-screen drama—shot on an iPhone 14— is posted at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #side-lighting #ruleofthirds #split-screen-movie #mobilemovieoftheweek https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFm-k7J1gS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mobile Movie of the Week: “Through the Five Passes” Peng Fei’s “Through the Five Passes” reinvents a 14th century Chinese opera. Produced by Apple, the 18-minute movie features a young performer who is determined to bring the classic opera to contemporary audiences. You can see this dazzling film—accompanied by a making-of video—at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #mobilemovieoftheweek #shotoniPhone #Chinese opera https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnh0rAlvMQK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mobile Movie of the Week: “Unwelcome” The high point of Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1933 inaugural address is a 10-word sentence: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." The new president was talking about the economy. But his famous observation could serves as the theme of most great horror pictures. Wherever the setting, the protagonist is challenged to confront his or her worst nightmare. This happens literally in "Unwelcome," a four-minute horror short that Simon Reed and Colin Kieran shot and edited on an iPhone XR. You can see “Unwelcome” at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #mobilemovieoftheweek #horror-short #fear https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm93u1Jy_pS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mobile Movie of the Week: “The Night Shift” The word “shift”—as it relates to work—originally applied to the period of time miners spent underground. It’s not surprising, therefore, that the expression “night shift” suggests activity that is not “prime time.” But as we see with “The Night Shift,” you can’t always judge a movie by its title. Not wanting to give away too much of the story, we’ll just say that this three-minute film—directed by Sally-Ann Dunn and Bartosz Wozniak and shot using a @Xiaomi.global 11—was set in a museum. You can see “The Night Shift” at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #MobileMovieoftheWeek #dancemovie https://www.instagram.com/p/Cly3YmZvX-4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Monster? This spiky plant might star in a sci-fi or horror movie. Shooting it isolated and close-up emphasizes the thing’s ability to inflict pain. In reality, the plant is part of the African landscape captured in “Forever Home,” a haunting mini-doc about the impact of drought in Kenya. Directed by Artsy Solomon and shot on a @Samsung Galaxy 30, “Forever Home” won the Emerging Talent and Cinematography awards at the 2022 @SmartPhilm Fest. You can see it MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #mobilemovieoftheweek #drought #water #SamsungGalaxy30 #Kenya https://www.instagram.com/p/Clt4BIAvjzo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mobile Movie of the Week: “Forever Home” The phrase climate change is never spoken in "Forever Home." Yet climate reality is present throughout Artsy Solomon's documentary about a small band of African migrants. Their local struggle to find water shines a light on what is a growing global problem. The eight-minute movie—shot on a @Samsung Galaxy 30—won the Emerging Talent and Cinematography awards at the 2022 @SmartPhilm Fest. The beautiful imagery and deeply reflective commentary make a familiar subject seem new. #mobilemovieoftheweek #water #SamsungGalaxy30 #Kenya https://www.instagram.com/p/Clg7uKdPpUN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mobile Movie of the Week: “First Time for Everything” In the old days, low-budget productions were usually limited to a few locations. But with the advent of digital backgrounds, at little or no cost, you can move the action to scores of settings. This happens with fascinating artistry in Jeremy Massa’s “First Time for Everything.” In addition to directing, Massa sings in this kaleidoscopic three-minute rap video. The music is as delightful as the visuals. You can see “First Time for Everything” at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile). #mobilemovieoftheweek #musicvideo #digitalbackgrounds. https://www.instagram.com/p/ClUI57oPRYQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Metaphoric Sign In “The Unseen,” Tom Major uses a pedestrian sign as a metaphorical warning about the dangers of gambling. The filmmaking lesson: serendipity is your friend; keep your eyes open for found images that relate to your project. Major’s three-minute movie won the @LumaFusion prize at SF3. You can see it at MobileMovieMaking (link in profile) #metaphor #moviemetaphors #signs #mobilemovieoftheweek #addiction #gamblingaddiction #shotoniPhone #one-person-movie https://www.instagram.com/p/ClHZEQeymp7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=