A recent short film released on YouTube, titled “Big Man,” may give off a cinematic blockbuster vibe, but the entire production was shot using an iPhone. The film features R&B icon Stormzy in the lead role of Tenzman, a seasoned musician whose life takes an unexpected turn when two spirited kids enter his world.
Directed by Academy Award winner Aneil Karia, this mini film utilized the iPhone 16 Pro’s advanced triple-lens camera instead of traditional high-end filming equipment. Karia expressed his excitement about the unique experience of filming an entire narrative project on an iPhone, highlighting the device’s compact size and flexibility for capturing intimate character moments effectively.
“Big Man” is now accessible on YouTube, offering viewers a glimpse into the impressive visuals achieved through iPhone cinematography. The iPhone 16 Pro boasts enhanced features like the ability to record cinematic slow-motion sequences at 4K 120 fps, providing a dynamic visual quality. Additionally, the Cinematic mode adds depth to shots with blurred background effects, along with improved low-light performance.
Director of Photography Stuart Bentley emphasized the democratization of filmmaking enabled by smartphone technology, noting how accessible filmmaking has become with a powerful camera in every pocket. The iPhone’s versatility, including features like Cinematic mode and high frame rate shooting capabilities, offers aspiring filmmakers a comprehensive toolset to create professional-grade content directly from their phones.
Highlighting the transformative potential of smartphone filmmaking, Bentley praised the iPhone’s diverse functionalities, such as its dynamic range, low-light adaptability, and post-production flexibility with Apple LOG support. The team behind “Big Man” pushed the iPhone’s capabilities to their limits, showcasing the device’s resilience in capturing high-quality visuals for the film.
While this project marks a significant milestone in iPhone filmmaking, it follows Apple’s previous achievement in 2023 when the tech giant filmed an entire 30-minute keynote presentation for the MacBook using an iPhone 15 Pro. The success of “Big Man” underscores the evolving landscape of filmmaking, where smartphones are increasingly becoming powerful tools for creative expression.