Making Sci-Fi Movies on a Google Pixel Smartphone – Smartphone Filmmaker Interview
We’ve been running a series of interviews with some of the most active and successful filmmakers in our Facebook group. Today, we are talking to a dedicated new filmmaker who has been throwing himself into a tough challenge: making Sci-Fi on a zero budget.
First, please introduce yourself
Hello all. Christopher English. Web developer/graphic designer is my day job. On the side, music producer extraordinaire and now… mobile filmmaker?
When it comes to smartphone filmmaking, what are you up to and what are your goals?
Right now I’m working on two sci-fi films, Kepler 22-B and Revenge. As far as my goals, they’re simple… I want to get good enough to create a film on my phone that no-one will be able to tell was shot on mobile. Like Zack Snyder’s Snow Steam Iron.
Oh sure – filmmakers once they know it’s shot on a phone can find all of the ways they can tell it wasn’t shot with a “proper” camera. But most wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t outright stated. I belong to a lot of Facebook filmmaking groups and when I post my shorts, none really pick up on the fact that they’re shot on a phone.
Maybe that’s because right now my stuff is just really amateurish. Lmao.
What is your creative background?
I’m a self taught techie. In high school I created video games for the old Tandy Color Computer 3 that I sold as shareware. Even got a magazine write up about it.
Then, in 2005, I created a latin music download site well before Apple iTunes was interested in latin music. I garnered a few write-ups in Macworld Magazine, Lowrider Magazine and the New York Post. The site caught the attention of the publisher of Latina Magazine and for a minute it looked like I was going to be a millionaire before the deal fell through.
My next venture was Hoodgrown Magazine – the first interactive hip hop magazine on the Apple digital newsstand. I’ve also written a series of articles on web design for Practical eCommerce magazine and now I’m a web designer/developer for a top design agency.
Did you study film, other than teaching yourself?
No, I’m definitely self taught. I watched every video about filmmaking that I could find on Youtube for about six months before I even began to shoot anything with my phone.
How did you get into making films on smartphones?
I run an indie record label where I can produce, do the graphic design for the artwork and websites as well master the recordings. I wanted to be able to shoot my own music videos. Also, so that I would have less people to depend on (and pay). So I wanted to learn filmmaking.
I was in the process of trying to figure out how the hell I was going to be able to afford a camera to film with when I came across two things that opened my eyes. Patrick Levar’s channel, specifically his mobile filmmaking series and a sci-fi anthology series shot on a smartphone entitled, Silent Eye. Lol.
This was the catalyst for me picking up my phone and deciding that maybe I can do this as well.
What would be your biggest filmmaking dream come true?
I would love to be on set with Zack Snyder. As a graphic designer, I’m a very visual person and I just love his visual style. I would love to see how he puts his movies together from beginning to end.
I see you are working on a few sci-fi projects, what are your main scifi inspirations?
Yeah, I love sci-fi. I feel that I was born way too soon. That I should have been conceived in a time period similar to that of Star Trek. Lmao.
I’m inspired by damn near everything. I’m a huge comic book fan. I used to buy everything.
I loved the old Heavy Metal magazine and Marvel’s ripoff, Epic Magazine. I used to watch Lost in Space and Space 1999 when I was a kid. But in the 4th grade my teacher took the whole class to see this new movie that had just come out called Star Wars (yes I’m dating myself… lol) and from then… I was hooked. I devoured everything sci-fi that I could. I’m a huge anime fan as well.
Scifi usually involves a lot of VFX work, these days, what are the main challenges there?
The main challenges for me is… I don’t know any of the VFX programs. I’ve gotten around it so far by using vfx apps or green screened stuff found on Youtube and sites like Videoblocks.com. I find something I think is interesting and write a story around it.
I know that to take my filmmaking to the next level, where I’m not limited by what I can find, is to learn a program. I’ve downloaded Blender but have yet to open it. It’s hard finding the time to learn new software between work, family and my music.
At this stage of the game, I’d love to find someone who does VFX that I can work with but ultimately… I know I’m going to have to learn to do it myself.
Modern audiences seem quite tough on any VFX work they deem below par, how do you intend to overcome this working on a limited budget?
Well, right now I don’t see an issue for me because I feel I’m cut a little slack due to the fact that I’m just starting out. Like, I’m not on Kickstarter trying to raise money to do a feature film using my current work as a showreel. I’m really just having fun with it. But yeah, I’m going to really have to dig into Blender.
What are your favourite projects you have worked on, paid or unpaid?
My favorite project is the HERO video that I’ve done. That and the trailer for episode 2. People seem to really like those as they’re my most watched videos.
I was hoping to get episode 2 done before the winter but that’s didn’t happen. I think visually, it’s going to be a step up from the first episode. Hell, even the trailer looks better.
What do you like or dislike about smartphone filmmaking?
I like the fact that I can actually make and edit movies with my phone. That’s just so amazing to me. I’ve garnered a lot of respect from those on the Facebook film groups from my posting and have people reaching out to work with me, which is just amazing.
What equipment do you use?
I have a Google Pixel 1 which is not even on my network. I purchased one used specifically to shoot with for two reasons. 1 – it’s 100% compatible with Filmic Pro which the 2,3 and 4 aren’t. 2 – it’s the only one I could afford.
My budget is stretched so thin right now that while I’d love to have an iPhone 11 or a Samsung, I just can’t afford it. If anyone reading this wants to donate one.. feel free. Lmao.
I do a lot of chroma key editing and scene composition in Vivacut for Android but then it’s back to my MacBook Pro to edit and do sound design. While I have Premiere Pro and Davinci, I really haven’t had time to dig into them and learn them like I should.
I’ve edited everything I’ve done so far in Filmora 9 which is limited compared to the others.. but allows ME, to work faster.
How useful are the MoMo Facebook group and filmmaking posts?
I find it invaluable. I met some really great people, I read interesting articles, I get my work critiqued and more importantly I get to see the work of some truly talented people, which is inspiring to me.
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How do you find filming with a Pixel 1?
The pixel is cool to work with. It doesn’t have all of the flash of the iPhone but I make it work. The battery life is not as long as my Motorola E5 Supra but I use a 20,000 ohm battery pack when I’m filming so that’s not really an issue.
I wish Google would gear their line of Pixel phones to videographers as well as photographers like Apple does. Because after seeing the iPhone 11 I had high hopes for the Pixel 4, but was let down.
What do you see for yourself regarding filmmaking in the future?
That’s a good question. I don’t know. I didn’t get into this to be some big time movie guy and create the next cinematic universe. I’m in this to basically have fun and tell the stories that I have in my head. If something I make happens to go viral and catches the eye of the studios… that’ll be cool but it’s not what I’m aiming for.
At this stage in my life, I have no desire to shoot a feature film. But what I have been thinking about is shooting an ongoing series like what you do with Silent Eye and throw it up on Amazon.
Anything else you want to add?
Yeah, it’d be cool if everyone reading this follows my Youtube channel and my instagram. I think my Instagram is exciting because you get a clear picture of my journey from where I started to where I’m at now.
Also, if you want to hear the music I produce. So follow my record label channel: https://www.youtube.com/
Big thanks to Christopher!
We look forward to seeing more low budget sci-fi episodes in 2020 and beyond…
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