The iPhone 15 Pro Max Is Finally A Filmmaking Tool
At the recent Scary Fast event, expertly filmed by the acclaimed documentary filmmaker Brian Oakes, Apple unveiled its latest technological marvels, including the groundbreaking MacBook Pro featuring the formidable M3 chip family and the sleek 24-inch iMac powered by the M3 processor.
On the eventful evening of Monday, October 30, the stage was set at Apple’s Scary Fast special event to reveal the all-new MacBook Pro with the potent M3 chip family and the exquisite 24-inch iMac equipped with the M3 processor. Yet, the true unsung hero behind the scenes was the iPhone 15 Pro Max—a preferred choice for creative professionals and filmmakers. Leading the charge was the award-winning documentary director, Brian Oakes, renowned for his outstanding works such as “Jim: The James Foley Story” and “Living with Lincoln.” Scary Fast placed the iPhone 15 Pro Max squarely in the heart of the action, capturing all presenters, scenic shots, and mesmerizing drone footage.
The camera system of the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts unparalleled video quality for a smartphone, rivaling even the most professional video cameras. It empowers creatives to capture in ProRes at impressive 4K60 fps to an external drive with Apple Log encoding, ensuring the preservation of intricate details for post-production color grading. Notably, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max stand as the world’s first smartphones to support the prestigious Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), a globally recognized standard for color workflows.
Brian Oakes effused, “We achieved complex shots effortlessly with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It serves as a seamless extension of a creative vision or individual personality. The image quality of the iPhone undoubtedly democratizes accessibility.”
The production was steered by Apple’s very own Jon Carr, a video specialist renowned for his contributions to films like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Terminator: Dark Fate,” alongside the skilled Jeff Wozniak, known for his work on blockbuster productions including “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” “Avatar,” and “Iron Man 2.” Wozniak elaborated, “This year, the iPhone 15 Pro Max received a supercharge, enabling ProRes recording to an external drive and introducing Apple Log, a format akin to those employed by high-end digital cameras.”
Carr chimed in, “It’s truly remarkable how professional directors can seamlessly incorporate the iPhone 15 Pro Max into their workflow without the need for equipment or methodology alterations.”
To capture footage, multiple iPhone 15 Pro Max devices were deployed, capitalizing on the seamless integration between the iPhone 15 Pro, the Blackmagic Camera app, and Tentacle Sync. This synergy exemplifies the unrivaled power of the Apple ecosystem. Linked through Bluetooth, Tentacle Sync synchronized timecode across all devices on set, including Macs and preview screens, ensuring precision throughout the production. Additionally, the production harnessed Beastgrip accessories, including cages and rigs.
The grand unveiling of the new MacBook Pro and the 24-inch iMac featuring the M3 chip family unfolded with a dedicated team of filmmakers, editors, and colorists, all working diligently with iPhone 15 Pro Max and Mac computers.
The introduction of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, equipped with the new USB-C connector, ushered in a new era of data transfer, boasting speeds of up to 10Gbps with a compatible USB 3 cable. This innovation enabled new workflows, such as ProRes video recording directly to an external SSD drive, allowing the team to review footage almost in real-time and make on-the-fly adjustments. Editors could leverage the extended dynamic range afforded by Apple Log, offering increased control and flexibility during color grading.
With the aid of a custom SpaceCam rig, frequently employed in major productions, the team seamlessly incorporated the iPhone as their primary camera, capturing even the most intricate shots.
Filmed under the shroud of night at Apple Park, Scary Fast provided a spectacular showcase of the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s enhanced low-light video capabilities. With ProRes Log encoding, this iPhone model offered an expanded high and low-light range, outperforming its predecessors and providing greater flexibility for post-production color grading. Stefan Sonnenfeld, CEO of Company 3, who lent his expertise to color the presentation, praised the iPhone 15 Pro Max, saying, “The image quality is truly incredible, and it’s all there for the taking.”
On set, the crew leveraged the Blackmagic Camera app, a remarkable iOS-exclusive application that provided the same user interface as Blackmagic Design’s esteemed digital film cameras. This app, available for free on the App Store, introduced digital film camera controls to the iPhone and supported Apple Log encoding on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Carr praised the collaboration, saying, “We’ve worked closely with Blackmagic Design, a respected third-party developer, to create an extraordinary app that allows us to maintain the traditional work environment with a plethora of monitors and a dedicated crew.”
While on set, the crew seamlessly combined traditional filming techniques, including the use of drones, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max to capture mesmerizing scenes and highlight the new MacBook Pro’s features. Brian Oakes marveled at the vibrant atmosphere on set, stating, “We had cranes, dollies, and all the tools a filmmaker could dream of. Everyone was in sync, each with their own role, creating an exhilarating and dynamic environment.”
While capturing the scenes, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, placed on a dolly, artfully showcased the new MacBook Pro in a mock medical setting, emphasizing its capabilities for health professionals.
In a reflective moment, Sonnenfeld praised the iPhone’s remarkable versatility and user-friendliness, noting, “What I adore about the iPhone is its ability to provide access to a wealth of information, thanks to its intuitive operating system. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a 7-year-old, it’s a device that anyone can pick up and use with ease.”
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