Tutorial One: Mobile Filmmaking

In this inaugural tutorial from Citizen Docs, I share some best practices for shooting a micro-documentary with your smartphone.
Using my short film "The Artist” as a case study, I go over my process for conducting a shoot using my iPhone 5c as my primary camera. This tutorial covers what equipment I used, how I tackled storage and battery capacity issues, and some techniques for getting great shots with your mobile device.
Citizen Docs offers free resources and tutorials on how to create compelling short documentaries using free and inexpensive tools.
Be sure to follow Citizen Docs for more tips and tricks for creating compelling documentary film with your mobile devices!
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Tutorial footage shot on:
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera
Panasonic Lumix G-Vario 12-35mm
Color graded in Premiere Pro CS6
"The Artist" footage shot on:
iPhone 5C, FiLMiC Pro
CamKix telephoto lens
Music:
"Today" by ODESZA
"If You Don't (feat. Cumulus) by ODESZA
"Caer" by Buscabulla

[@myfavoritejourney6021]

I’m so glad you mentioned storage because no one ever does! Good video, very helpful

[@thagrintch]

You made the best video on KZbin for this topic. Great title, easy to find, and best of all a very well made video with a detailed thorough explanation. Thanks so much for your hard work!

[@sterkriger2572]

If you got an Android device that has a micro SD slot it is good to grab a Samsung Evo+ MicroSD for storage. It is one of the best for shooting footage.

[@DARKredDOLLAR]

And if your device has no SD slot, you sure can stick any hard drive or Flash into your OTG.

[@radostudio5031]

I have never commented video on youtube before but today i was so impressed by your effort indeed you won my subscription and please i would love to see more of you videos all i can say is "Bro you are going to heaven"

[@tatel166]

This is literally one of the most entertaining videos I have ever watched! Keep up the awesome work!!

[@StoriesFound]

+Tate Looysen Thanks Tate! I appreciate the kind words. Feel free to post questions or ideas for future videos. Cheers!

[@alexiaviana5699]

Wow this video helps me a lot! Thanks for your tips. I love your idea.

[@loopdoop9684]

Loved this concept! As everything (literally everything) is becoming more incorporated into our smartphones it's neat to see how others are capturing great shots and crafting beautiful videos. Awesome job! I have subscribed and can't wait to see more videos!

[@jaimemedina2183]

I love this tutorial! Thank you it's exactly what I've been looking for!!

[@taniagomez3834]

Great tutorial. I watched many iPhone Filming tutorials, and this is, by far, the best one. Very helpful. Thanks!

[@StoriesFound]

+Tania Gomez Thank you so much! Let me know if you end up using any of these strategies on your upcoming projects. Would love to hear what you think.

[@ilovemee9408]

I would definitely appreciate ur efforts on this and which u did for making this video for us! thumbs up

[@thagrintch]

You have the BEST video of its kind on KZbin. Could you PLEAAASE consider making more?!!?

[@rgokarn2288]

Great Video! Love the smooth footage and editing. Very professional. Looking forward to more videos and more "How to" videos. I am myself getting into smartphone videos. Want to learn as much as possible. Great content. Could you discuss your approach to shooting A-rolls and B-rolls for your videos.

[@meidy_hillary]

you did a great job on your documentary. thanks for sharing!

[@KamiSays]

I love this. I do the same thing like you with Android and your equipment inspired me to make new videos, thank you for that!

[@nicolejsaunders]

Awesome! I'm starting out learning videography using my phone so this helps a ton!

[@nikosyv]

Hey man, this was a very helpful video, i'm subscribing in the hopes that youll do more!

[@AY-ue8lj]

Love your Odesza background music!

[@TechAspiron]

Hi Bud. Thank you so much for this. Gives me the encouragement to make videos with my phone.

[@G2WYNN]

thank you for your channel, it's just what i am looking for to help me start using my phone to shoot video , thank you

[@JessicaGWHan]

this is amazing, thank you for the great tips and HOPE♡

[@user-ql4dv9dq4p]

cant wait for your next video .... really helpful

[@D-M32725]

This video is VERY inspiring! Thanks for the great info

[@guineabable08]

Wow you just seem like a really genuine and cool guy!

[@ubernatureboy]

I love this tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@MsJacquese99]

Pretty good. The light transitions are KILLING my eyes

[@SamaraMartins2561]

Very good advice, I wanna learn more about film making only with phones so thanks for the content

[@RandomNest]

You sound like such a nice person. Your voice is so soothing.

[@AndrewLXiong]

Great video and tips...thanks for sharing!

[@campingtogether996]

More subscribers are coming your way keep up the good work!!

[@DanielRize]

Nice, NICE vid! Obviously well planned/edited. Gorgeous camera movement. Good pace. Relaxed manner. Lots of info for the amount of time. Just damn nice. Found the, bright Venetian Blind window in the background a little distracting. But that is sort of a minor quibble in the face of all of the other good stuff. Another quick cheap tip for those who don't want to buy/carry a slider: put some small Teflon furniture gliders on the legs of that little tripod and slide it along a table or any smooth surface. Again --- nice vid !

[@MarcusitusOG]

Great quality video Citizen Docs! :)

[@StoriesFound]

+Marcus ARA Agustin Thanks for watching, Marcus!

[@israasaeed4642]

You have inspired me a lot, Thank you 👌🏽

[@njuepk]

wow i just watched the short film....good job!!

[@amirbenantar9512]

dude those Tripods cost a dslr camera

[@TR3AD3R]

Good Tips Good Edits Good Music Good Filming

[@StoriesFound]

+willy wonka Thanks for watching!

[@ColinMacKinnon-soldbuycolin]

Great tips, thanks brother!

[@prathamesh_c]

You just done the best work..bro keep it up

[@lachlanharmer985]

Nice video, footage looks awesome as well.

[@RezaEvol]

Awesome tips, thank you! Just got some lenses and a beast grip today,

[@StoriesFound]

+Reza Evol Let me know how you like the beast grip!

[@bokeflo]

Great mobile film making tutorial. Looks like you were using some great gear to get the best out of your iPhone camera :-)

[@berneyab]

Awesome video dude, thanks

[@ronirocket3064]

Super helpful video! Thanks!

[@JonCresswellMusic]

I'm sorry man but this is just incredible! So helpful. I never comment on videos haha but I was so impressed. Keep it up i'm pumped to see more!

[@StoriesFound]

+Jon Cresswell Thanks man! Your words are humbling, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@TechBlogOfficial]

How do you only have 687 subs??? Your videos are amazing dude! Keep up the great work! :)

[@StoriesFound]

+TechBlog Haha, slow and steady I guess. I want to put out some more content for you guys soon. Thanks for watching!

[@melanatedhippie4487]

And a year later ...6.4K subs

[@Mydadnamedmeevan]

How could 93 people possibly dislike this video!!! This is some quality info!

[@JoseRuiz-fu3yj]

Great video....lovin it....

[@verarendering9316]

nice and simple tips, thanks!

[@ShawnChang19]

Hi citizen doc, love you video (you should make more). Can you include in the description of what slider and jib you used to make it compatible with a mobile phone?

[@walkingwithjerry]

you should get a battery bank to recharge and an istick for storage

[@StoriesFound]

+Adventures with Jerry Thanks for the tip man!

[@screencastmagazine7144]

Jerry, What would you recommend to back up from iPhone? I'm doing to be doing a documentary where it could be hard to carry a laptop to move data across, also can you give some advice on charging my iPhone in the filed if needed.

[@walkingwithjerry]

look at the istick you can back up your phone to micro sdcards on your trip

[@screencastmagazine7144]

thanks Jerry. Do I need a laptop or anything like that as an interface or just the istick ?

[@ashreybeecham]

Another Tip, you can use rubber band to pull camera on slider for smooth tracking.

[@CAPTAINRUBY]

It's amazing what you have accomplished using an iPhone. Kudos!

[@StoriesFound]

+CAPTAINRUBY Thanks for watching!

[@isabellamcqueen1808]

SUPER HELPFUL! Thank you :)

[@hafizx1018]

For the lens you can use the Sony qx 100 you can put any camera lens you want

[@givelove6400]

I love this!!

[@abdoucamara9932]

thank you for making this video!!! This will definitely save me Hundreds of dollars

[@7ala2009]

Awesome, I will start filming with my One Plus 3 - Thanks for the tips I really like it, can you please share the software for the video editing and the smartphone microphone you using - if you can share it

[@SimplisticallyDigital]

Great video! Very inspiring. I want to record a documentary on my iPhone 7 plus. I am in need of the rig that moves horizontally. I already have a tripod. I also need to get a few lenses.

[@MikeHallman]

This is so good. You deserve more subs.

[@hanktester9495]

Thanks... the video has been very helpful

[@tyraolivia9287]

this was super helpful thank you

[@AntonioCamunas]

keep up the good work

[@gummygam]

hi, great video! can you give more detail on the lavalier microphone you used and and the field recorder at 2:47 second on the video. its hard to understand the name of them so i can search on the internet. thanks

[@VS-fd6os]

keep it up bro, you are posting quality content

[@AtulKhandizod]

Awesome man!😉

[@treasureislandofworld]

really helpful & appreciated !

[@MrSilverfish12]

Great tips thank you! Do you have any advice for outdoor filming? I want to make a movie for my trip to Fiji.

[@Zaw_Ali]

Hey. Great video. I looked through your channel to find more videos on mobile filmmaking. How come you guys never posted anything after this? I'd love to see your work.

[@heythereholland4575]

Great video and thanks for sharing! Have you seen the Gnarbox yet? I wonder if you could use this to dump your footage without having to bring the laptop.

[@dseednorwayn47]

good video, subbed :) in the middle of researching a set up for iphone 6s. Will be following your channel and waiting for next video. Would be cool to see the progress :) Where did you get hold of that slider btw?

[@NGUJZ]

just came across this and excellent advice

[@Dakamaru]

And of course don't forget Odezsa to make any video epic 😃

[@StoriesFound]

+ELG So true!

[@ArdiRatode]

Absolutely helpful mate,, i use iphone 6 to shoot my video,,, thanks

[@bbrunoliveira]

That was so great, man! Quick question: how can we use a microphone on iPhone 7 with the dji mobile? Thank you so much!

[@kmlpossible]

Hey thank you for the video, can you please mention his more art pieces and paintings.

[@rajubhaiya7877]

amazing work bro

[@AarambaLLC]

This is great information ! very helpful. What sequence settings do you use on CC when you are editing ?

[@JamesCunninghamex]

NICE video man great quality!

[@StoriesFound]

+James Cunningham (Exjames12) Thanks for watching, James!

[@balamar2118]

A true legend

[@aimanyaakob7724]

You deserve more subscribers!!

[@Song1022]

that was a great documentary!! cant wait to see more of your work!

[@StoriesFound]

+Irv Vaz Thanks so much for watching, and thank you for sharing your kind words!

[@screencastmagazine7144]

awesome tips thanks, I'm planning on shooting a small documentary trekking to Everest and I was thinking if using the iPhone. Do you have a link to your completed doc? also do you have part 2,3 coming out?

[@Arthur-Silva]

Very nicely produced

[@nusaparadise4221]

great tips.. thanks bro..

[@i1msrm]

awesome man...

[@adelaizarosales4766]

with innovations of power banks, gimbals, 2 lens in iphone7+, monopod-tripod combo, external audio, and many more, this video will greatly improve, pls do an updated version!

[@shawnfung9428]

Inspirational ! Did it well man !

[@StoriesFound]

+Eric Fung Thanks for watching, Eric!

[@enqi7820]

I'm a beginner and I am using my iPhone earpiece microphone but there are background noises. Is there a tutorial on sound recording and editing for IPhone filming?

[@MikeMorash]

Cool creative process

[@MtATSEL91]

Hello Sir, Thank you for this video. It was very helpful. Could you kindly make one for Samsung Galaxy S7 edge? I really need advice on what tools to get in order to improve my filming/movie making game. Let me know if that would be possible.

[@Arhatgoel1]

This was totally amazing. Subscribed. Please give a link to your short film 'THE ARTIST'.

[@StoriesFound]

+arhat goel Hey man, the final film is up on the Citizen Docs channel. Here's a link if you need it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqKXZXp5o758edk

[@ScottTelle]

Lots of great tips on gear to pair with my phone. Thx, man. I've pretty much been shooting handheld with the on phone stabilization on my iPhone 7+. In fact, I'm going to be releasing some of that footage soon on my channel. Would love your feedback!! Later! :)

[@ravichandrank5182]

subscribed.. very useful information 😃

[@mayurlagad1021]

YOU ARE THE BEST GENTLEMAN I HAVE EVER SEEN.

[@DarpanJoshi]

You are AWESOME :)

[@selenaswan764]

your videos are awesome . can u pls tell me which app u used to edit it .

[@STARLIAFIRE]

This is a helpful video. Can you provide the links for the products used in the video?

[@somnathsentertainment2893]

Great bro

[@DCfred]

Greats tips. I also find that google drive is a great place to store vid clips in HD quality.

[@kialovefitnessbeauty9065]

Can you put the link to where you found the lens in your description please?

[@HayatNaqvi]

How to purchase that iPhone luts....? Or suggest me for other apps

[@bishwajitbarman6002]

sir is it better 2 use samsung note 7 n can i get lense 4 this phn