During Apple's recent "Scary Fast" event, which primarily highlighted the new MacBook Pro and 24-inch iMac, another unsung hero took center stage behind the scenes. All the captivating presentations, stunning locations, and drone footage were captured using the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The resulting footage was subsequently edited on Mac computers.
Apple emphasized in an accompanying article that the camera system of the iPhone 15 Pro Max has revolutionized smartphone videography, offering video quality that rivals that of professional video cameras. The device supports ProRes recording up to 4K60 fps with Apple Log encoding, ensuring remarkable detail for post-production color grading. What sets it apart is its support for the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), a global standard for color workflows.
Fostering Creative Expression -
The renowned documentary film director Brian Oakes, known for his acclaimed works such as "Jim: The James Foley Story" and "Living with Lincoln," expressed his admiration for the democratization of high-quality filmmaking. He highlighted the iPhone 15 Pro Max's capacity to achieve complex shots, stating that it serves as an extension of one's vision or personality.
Oakes mentioned, "We managed to capture intricate shots using the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It truly serves as an extension of one's vision or personality."
Smooth Integration -
Assisting the production were Apple's Jon Carr, a Pro Workflow video specialist with credits including "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Terminator: Dark Fate," and Jeff Wozniak, recognized for his work on productions such as "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," "Avatar," and "Iron Man 2." Wozniak praised the seamless integration of the iPhone 15 Pro Max's ProRes and Apple Log recording capabilities into professional director setups.
Harnessing the Apple Ecosystem -
The team maximized the capabilities of the Apple ecosystem by utilizing multiple iPhone 15 Pro Max devices, linked via Bluetooth to Tentacle Sync for timecode synchronization. They also incorporated Beastgrip accessories, including cages and rigs, to enhance production flexibility.
New USB-C Connector -
The USB-C connector of the iPhone 15 Pro Max supports high-speed data transfer of up to 10Gbps, enabling ProRes video recording to an external SSD drive. This feature facilitates real-time footage review and adjustments during shooting, providing editors with an expanded dynamic range for precise color grading.
Low-Light Brilliance -
The event underscored the improved low-light video performance of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with ProRes Log encoding delivering exceptional dynamic range for post-production color grading. Stefan Sonnenfeld, CEO of Company 3 and a key figure in projects such as "Stranger Things," praised the device's image quality, highlighting its accessibility and intuitive operating system.
Sonnenfeld says, "What I appreciate about the iPhone is that it grants all users access to vast amounts of information. With its user-friendly operating system, anyone, regardless of age, can pick it up and begin using it immediately."
Blackmagic Camera App -
The crew utilized the Blackmagic Camera app tailored for iOS users, which offered professional film camera controls and supported Apple Log encoding on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This app, accessible for free on the App Store, facilitated the seamless integration of conventional filming techniques with the iPhone.
Conventional filming methods, such as employing drones, were smoothly incorporated with the iPhone 15 Pro Max to capture scenes highlighting the new MacBook Pro.
In summary, Apple showcased the filmmaking potential of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, empowering both professionals and enthusiasts to effortlessly create cinematic masterpieces.
