Q&A with Aaron Rose
We sat down with Aaron Rose to ask him a few questions about the making of his short film Kreuzberg which was shot entirely on an iPhone 4. Here’s what he had to say.
When filming Kreuzberg, you told us that you used a tripod. How did you alter the tripod to meet your needs?
I actually didn’t have to alter the tripod at all. The big problem was how to attach an iPhone to an existing tripod.
What materials did you use?
I rigged a contraption using a basic steel “T” bracket from the hardware store and attached it to the tripod using a simple wing nut. It was a pretty DIY setup, but worked well for my needs (lock shots, simple pans, etc.).
How did you attach the iPhone 4 Slider Case to your tripod?
I attached the “T” bracket to the iPhone case by punching holes in it and using nylon plugs to keep it in place.
What was your experience like filming and shooting photos with your iPhone 4?
It was actually quite fun. My biggest problem was holding the camera steady when shooting hand-held. Other than that, it worked great. A zoom mechanism would have been handy, but I quickly got around it.
Do you feel that iPhone 4 will spark an increase in DIY filmmaking? If so, how?
I would hope so. Again, I don’t really think a camera makes a good film. The person looking through it has to have good ideas. That said though, being able to just pull an iPhone camera out of your pocket with a few seconds notice was a really nice plus. A lot of my favorite shots in Kreuzberg were taken that way. I would see something and within seconds be shooting. That’s hard to do with even the simplest SLR or video camera.
What kinds of projects would you like to see other people create using iPhone 4?
The phone/camera hybrid offers an amazing intimacy when shooting. Subjects aren’t intimidated by a camera on a phone. It somehow seems less serious. This is really helpful in getting subjects to relax. I would hope that people would continue to explore this intimacy and make very personal films on the iPhone 4 that couldn’t be obtained any other way.
And now, a few questions for you…
- Do you find that you take more photos and videos with your iPhone 4 than with your camera?
- How has the iPhone 4 changed the way you make and edit video?
- Has there ever been an unexpected situation when your iPhone 4 came in handy?
Leave us a comment with your answers. If you leave one of our favorite comments, we’ll send you an iPhone 4 case.
Oct 22, 2010 at 11:29 am
I pretty much only take photos with my iPhone 4. I rarely have my camera with me, so the iPhone has become my camera.
I am not really a video maker or editor, so it has not changed that in any way.
The iPhone has been invaluable when I get lost, which happens frequently. I really dont know what I would do without it.
Oct 22, 2010 at 11:34 am
I feel that DIY is making a comeback just like Aaron. The best camera is the one you have on you and that typically is my iPhone. You cant beat HD Video recording in seconds. I also hope that movie editing also move over to the mobile world just like iMovie for iPhone.
PS – I cant lie that rigged up tripod with the Slider is amazing! I want to do that sooo bad!
Oct 22, 2010 at 11:54 am
I live in San Francisco, so my iPhone 4 camera comes in handy all the time.. I can’t just pull out a camera to take pics of crazy people in the city or on the BART, but when I see a lady dressed completely in turqouise (hair and all) or a gentleman who’s busting out a drum solo on the Bart seats, the iPhone is a much more incognito way to share the fun with my friends.
Oct 22, 2010 at 11:55 am
1) Not only do I take more photos and videos with my iPhone 4, I take BETTER photos and videos.
2) The iPhone 4, with it’s compact size, allows me to be more ’stealth-like’ with my video making. It’s perfect for taking candids – because of it’s small and discreet size, most people don’t even know I’m taking a video! And the ability to edit right on the phone is a dream-come-true! No more waiting until I get home.
3) The handiest my iPhone 4 has been: I was shopping for a leaf blower and the store was trying to gouge the price – thanks to the speed of the iPhone 4, I was able to show them the REAL price. I guess now I need a video of me blowing leaves…
Oct 22, 2010 at 12:05 pm
1. The camera you use the most is the one you always have with you, so I’m definitely using my iPhone 4 more than my Canon Rebel XTi.
2. As far as changing the way I make and edit video, the iPhone 4 hasn’t changed it that much yet, however I do plan on making several edits with it in the near future.
3. Animal shots are always the most sporadic to get and I’ve found that having my iPhone 4 around always makes these easy to capture. I also have captured many photos in my car on trips or on my bike rides around town. It’s very handy to have it and definitely integrates well with online sites such as twitter and facebook.
Oct 22, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Ever since I got the iPhone 4 I started using it more as a production tool rather than just a fun gadget. With the higher end camera I’ve felt more confident in taking pictures with my phone and using them on my blog and flickr.
As for the video, I’ve been shooting what ever I can on it. From location scouting to shooting short films(just one scene stuff). And to my surprise it’s really good!
The best random video recording moment I’ve captured was my god daughter scoring her first goal in soccer. In 720 hd glory.
Seriously, the iPhone has been the best tool to capture stunning video and photos. I still love my 7D.
Oct 22, 2010 at 3:25 pm
1. Not sure if I take more photos with it, but I sure use it more than my DSLR! I’m taking part in a photo blog and I have found probably at least half of my photos are iPhone shots. I also find, quite frequently, that I like them better, too. The iPhone makes me think more about the shot I’m taking and as a result, I guess, they turn out better. I love that it’s always available to capture the moment.
2. I’m taking more video and sharing it more.
3. Wherever I am I just hit up Google maps for directions, local businesses, etc. I love the ease of use and integration, such as how easy it is to call something found within Google maps. But, really, there’s been too many times and ways to list when the iPhone has come through in a pinch.
Oct 22, 2010 at 3:52 pm
1. I do tend to take more photos with my phone than my camera just since it’s handy
2. It has not changed the way I edit though since I always use iMovie to edit on my computer
3. There’s been many situations. Mostly at parties with my friends or if something funny happens while we are hanging out
Oct 22, 2010 at 4:08 pm
1. The iPhone is the the first phone I like useing for photos but still use my DSLR mostly I do take quite a bit of video of my kids
2. It sort of introduced me to video I’m really a stills persons but I’m increasingly interested in what the iPhone can do
3. I have the worst memory so I take a lot a reference shots stills mostly… A as landscape photographer the iPhone is great I have weather, tide times, dof calcs and all sorts of apps that really help me out.
Oct 23, 2010 at 10:58 am
Yes, I have taken more photos with my iPhone 4 than with my regular camera, but sometimes
I still feel as though the pictures aren’t worth saving because they are just camera phone pictures. I have to reset my thinking so I will take more with it and keep them around. Also, I am more willing to share my photos on Facebook or twitter because one can actually see a beautifully taken picture I stead if trying to figure out what I’ve taken a photo of.
I definitely think to myself wow I can take video with the phone too, so I’ll end up video recording something rather than taking a photo of it. I haven’t really changed my editing style yet but I am more adapt to taking video of anything that might come in handy to add to a storyline or collage if video later.
Nothing unexpected yet, but more of people around me wishing they had their camera around to get a good picture of something and I pull out my iPhone and take a picture and send it to them without knowing what I did and hearing later of the amazing picture that was taken.
Leave us a comment with your answers. If you leave one of our favorite comments, we’ll send you an iPhone 4 case.
Oct 25, 2010 at 11:15 am
Thanks for the comments people. This week we will be handpicking a select few and contact you so we can send you an iPhone case.