Apple took the world by storm at their Scary Fast event on Monday, October 30, where they unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 15 Pro Max. The event showcased the incredible capabilities of the smartphone, particularly in the hands of creative professionals and filmmakers. Led by renowned documentary film director Brian Oakes, the production team behind Scary Fast exclusively used the iPhone 15 Pro Max to film all the presenters, locations, and aerial footage using drones.
Video: Can rival a large $20,000 camera
The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera system has been hailed as the best video camera in a smartphone, with video quality comparable to that of professional video cameras. One of the standout features is the ability to capture ProRes video up to 4K60 fps and save it directly to an external drive using Apple Log encoding. This allows for more detailed footage that can be easily adjusted during post-production color grading. What makes it even more impressive is that the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the first smartphone in the world to support the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), a global standard for color workflows.
Brian Oakes, the director behind award-winning films such as “Jim: The James Foley Story” and “Living with Lincoln,” praised the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s capabilities, stating, “It’s amazing to see that the quality from a device that is so small and so portable can rival a large $20,000 camera.”
The Dream Team Behind the iPhone 15 Pro Max
Let me introduce you to the masterminds behind the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The team was led by none other than Apple’s Jon Carr, a Pro Workflow video specialist. You might recognize his work from blockbuster hits like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Terminator: Dark Fate.” Alongside him was Jeff Wozniak, who has lent his expertise to films such as “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” and “Iron Man 2.”
The Game-Changing USB-C Connector
One of the standout features of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the USB-C connector. This isn’t just any connector, though. It allows for lightning-fast data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for professionals. For instance, they can now record ProRes video directly to an external SSD drive. This means the production crew can review footage almost instantly and make adjustments on the spot. Plus, editors get to enjoy the higher dynamic range provided by Apple Log, giving them more control and flexibility during color grading.
The Scary Fast Event: A Nighttime Shoot at Apple Park
The Scary Fast event was a real treat. It featured a nighttime shoot at Apple Park, showcasing the improvements in low-light video performance on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Thanks to ProRes Log encoding, the smartphone offers an enhanced high and low light range. This results in a better overall dynamic range and more flexibility for color grading in post-production.
Praise from Industry Experts
Stefan Sonnenfeld, CEO of Company 3 and renowned colorist for projects like “Stranger Things” and “Fast X”, had nothing but praise for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. He was particularly impressed with the image quality, stating, “The quality of the image on iPhone 15 Pro Max is incredible, and it’s there. We’re doing this project with it, and I know because I…”
Harnessing the Power of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in Filmmaking
I’ve seen it, and it’s truly remarkable. The crew had the privilege of using the Blackmagic Camera app, a tool specifically designed for iOS users. This app, which is available for free on the App Store, brings the power of digital film camera controls right to your iPhone. It’s like having a professional film studio in your pocket, offering the same tools used in big-budget feature films, TV shows, and documentaries.
Collaborating with Blackmagic Design
Jon Carr, a key member of our team, mentioned how closely we worked with Blackmagic Design and their innovative app. He said, “We’ve done a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes. This collaboration allows us to have a multitude of monitors and crew members, all working in the traditional way they’re accustomed to.”
Integrating Traditional Filming Techniques
Throughout the production, we seamlessly integrated traditional filming techniques and equipment, including cranes, dollies, and drones, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Brian Oakes, another integral part of our team, noted the lively environment this created. He said, “Everybody’s moving and has their job to do. It’s just a very exciting and lively environment.”
The Versatility of the iPhone
Reflecting on the iPhone’s versatility, Stefan Sonnenfeld praised its accessibility and ease of use. He stated, “Whether it’s myself or my 7-year-old, anybody can pick it up and pretty much use it right away.”
Revolutionizing Filmmaking with the iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has certainly revolutionized the possibilities for creatives and filmmakers. It offers professional-grade video capabilities in a compact and portable device. With its exceptional image quality, support for industry-standard workflows, and a host of innovative features, it’s no wonder the iPhone continues to be the preferred choice for professionals in the field.
Conclusion
Apple’s Scary Fast event on October 30th introduced the iPhone 15 Pro Max, showcasing its capabilities, particularly in the hands of creative professionals and filmmakers. Renowned documentary film director Brian Oakes led the production team exclusively using the iPhone 15 Pro Max for filming. The smartphone’s camera system, hailed as the best in a smartphone for video, is capable of capturing ProRes video up to 4K60 fps, with the ability to save it directly to an external drive using Apple Log encoding. It supports the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), a global standard for color workflows. Industry experts and professionals praised the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s image quality and versatility, with Stefan Sonnenfeld, CEO of Company 3, impressed with its image quality. The Scary Fast event showcased the smartphone’s low-light video performance and the benefits of ProRes Log encoding for dynamic range and color grading flexibility. The event highlighted the power of the Blackmagic Camera app, enabling digital film camera controls on the iPhone. The iPhone 15 Pro Max revolutionizes filmmaking with its professional-grade video capabilities, making it the preferred choice for professionals.
Photo: Apple.com
