SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking

Jed Brophy is an Honorary Ambassador for the IMFF, where all films are shot with smartphone cameras, and has been a recurring judge in the short film competition. Episode 145 is a bit of a first bringing you a part of our in-person film festival with Jed's presentation.

Since 2020, Jed has been trying to make his way to our film festival in San Diego. Of course, we all know what happened in 2020 but Jed had been busy working on The...

Levi Austin Morris won the Best Feature film Award for Paralysis at this year’s International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego, California. The entire film was shot with two iPhones. 

Paralysis is a horror film of about an hour 47 or so minutes long. Levi and I discuss the intricate details that went into making the film and the reactions it received at the festival.

We discuss the impressive experience he and his team had during ...

It was September 11, 2001 and my experience that day sparked a vision of the future that lasted for years. Eight years later, from that vision, I launched a film festival where all the films only qualified if they were shot with a cell phone camera. It was before the iPhone 4 launched introducing me to smartphones.

You can read and listen to the original audio story with it’s full description: https://susybotello.substack.com/p/how...

Our guest in episode 142 is Luis Fernandez who is an actor, filmmaker and live performer. His feature film, Desconocidas (Unknowns) is screening during San Diego’s International Mobile Film Festival in its 12th edition April 28-30. 

Luis shares the story behind a filmmaking experience which is pretty mind-blowing. Filming during the pandemic was already challenging, but when each actor was in another country, and so were the live v...

In episode 141 I invite L.A. filmmaker Levi Austin Morris back for an update on his iPhone feature film, Paralysis. We talk about the completion of the film and funding campaign. Details on turning a horror story into an entertaining, high quality film using iPhone 11 Pro & iPhone 12 Pro. Why he connected his own story to sleep paralysis.

Topics we discuss:

- The props, locations, actors, makeup, after effects, audio, wardrobe, ADR...

Episode 140 is a treat! We discuss feature documentary filmmaking with director Chris Collier. Chris and I take a deep dive into the genre from his perspective as a filmmaker. We discuss his feature doc, FrightFest: Beneath the Dark Heart of Cinema. We go all in on what you need to know to make your own documentary film. Chris thinks your smartphone camera is ideal for the genre. Are you up for the challenge to make a cinematic fea...

In this episode 139 I share how the stars connect to moments and moments turn into stories. Then I share insights on how the turning point for a filmmaker in an industry that is revolutionizing could be the biggest decision to making a successful film.

Read inspiring articles on our Smartphone Filmmaking Publication, including an article that accompanies this episode: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking  

SBP Podcast Mobile Fil...

In episode 138 I introduce Alex Reid to our listeners and also introduce Alex to some of the accomplishments previous filmmakers have made using smartphones to make films. Alex made a film, The Countdown, with no gear or crew and filmed it using his iPhone. 

“We are all just one strange moment away from going viral.” —The Countdown

We discuss several topics, such as 

• Alex’s film The Countdown
• A tripod and no gear
• Lighting witho...

In episode 137 I share a radio interview. The interview took place at Grossmont College by Griffin Radio Show Host Paulina Colis. She asked me to share my journey with smartphone filmmaking, our podcast, and how the vision came to be during my time at the college during September 11, 2001. I also share some words for students on their journey which Paulina found inspiring.

We discuss several topics, such as:

• The International M...

In episode Number 136, I share some tips and reasons on why and how you can start filmmaking today. After listening to this episode, you’re going to want to. I recorded this episode early the same morning I published it, drinking espresso. How to start filmmaking without a story? Really? Yes! I’ll share how you can without breaking my rule: Story first. 

I discuss several topics, such as:

• The magic of storytelling through film
• ...

In episode 135 we have a very resourceful discussion with Joey Min and Stephanie Pham of Art School Dropouts: A Film Production Company and YouTube Channel based in the east coast. They are a media group that creates narrative-driven weekly exciting, fun and “feel-good” content. We discuss how to build a family to work with on more than one project. *Correction in the title: Joey Min is the correct name.

We speak to the shift for ...

In episode 134 we bring you Jasper Capalad. Jasper is a multi-talented creator, with a great number of talents and skills. One of them is making movies with his iPhone.

He’s recently won an award with his fan film, Spider-Man: Field Day. Which won ‘Best Fan Film’ at the Tarzana Comic Con Film FestThe film won over another incredible film shot with a traditional camera. His film was made with only $1,000.

We discuss several topics, ...

In episode 133 we have an instructive discussion with our friend Ant Pruitt of Hands On Photography. Ant Pruitt has accepted an invitation to sit on two judging panels for the 12th edition of the International Mobile Film Festival. 

Some things we discuss:

• The smartphone photography myth
• Printing smartphone photos to canvas
• Photography basics for all photographers
• Pixels and resolution
• Storytelling with photographs

A few...

In episode 132 I have a great discussion with Shola Ajayi. Shola is an instructor at Ithaca College in upstate New York. She founded UR4Africa as a filmmaker after her experience filming in Lagos. We discuss Nollywood, New Nollywood and making movies with mobile phones.

Some things we discuss:

• What is Nollywood and New Nollywood
• Storytelling is part of culture
• How we’re missing stories from elders in our communities, and home...

In episode 131 I bring you independent filmmakers, Ryan and Brandie McDonald from Ogden, Utah. They submitted a feature film shot with an iPhone for the International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego back in 2020 and attended the festival this past April for the 11th edition and presented a workshop at the festival. We'll discuss their workshop on feature filmmaking with iPhone and indie filmmaking. Plus, we share some news!

Some ...

In this episode 130 I invited my pioneer colleague Max Schleser, in Melbourne, to share some uplifting history of 2011 versus today. Where do we go from here? This episode is based on the news late last week that Filmic Pro has been acquired by a company and it has moved into a subscription based app. The pricing is out of touch with mobile filmmakers worldwide.

Some things we discuss: - What Filmic Pro has done to grow mobile film...

In this episode 129 I share the story of why indie filmmakers are embracing smartphone filmmaking and why mobile filmmakers should acknowledge where we are today.

Some things I talk about:

• Distribution potential for your feature film shot with a smartphone
• Independent filmmaking versus mobile filmmaking
• Why the accessibility to the camera is what distinguishes traditional from mobile
• The media attention famous directors receive...

In this episode 128 we talk to Jason C. Marshall as part of our ongoing In The Weeds series. We discuss the art and technicality of screenwriting great stories as films. False beliefs and flaws was a large topic we discussed in this episode.   

What we discuss:

• Ideas aren’t stories
• Why you should begin with your characters before you begin writing your idea into a screenplay
• The flaws of your characters and how it can benefit ...

Inspired by our experience in San Diego’s Comic-Con International just weeks after our 2022 edition of the International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego, our brand ambassador Aaron Nabus and I share stories from SDCC and IMFF. I bring up my smartphone video experience during the convention and Aaron shares his experience as a moderator in a special panel with Kid-Comics creator Keithan Jones, https://www.kid-comics.com/.

Listen t...