Wellness: Make a Film on your Smartphone

Wellness: Make a Film on your Smartphone

We live in an age where many of us are connected to the internet 24/7. Even when we are not using our phone, the device is still primed to notify us every time someone likes our Instagram post or messages us via WhatsApp. In short, we are becoming increasingly addicted to our smartphones.

But if you find yourself compelled to check your phone, more and more every day – don’t blame yourself. Tech companies have specifically designed their platforms to trigger addictive instincts. And this addiction is having a negative effect on our minds and bodies.

Just like addictions to drugs or gambling, addictions to social media platforms and the like increase our chances of suffering depression and anxiety. Plus the inactivity they induce is not good for our physical health either.

With doctors saying inactivity is going to be the new smoking, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and many other companies are the tobacco companies of the 21st century.

Due to this, us smartphone and computer addicts are turning to wellness apps and books to help us get (literally) back on our feet. We’ve heard of Moment lenses, but what about the Moment app? It was designed by a programmer to help him cope with his own smartphone overuse and encourages you to limit your daily dose.

Well, here’s another suggestion to help you get away from mindlessly and compulsively switching between Twitter, Facebook and Instagram:

Make a film with your smartphone

If you are like me, you’re terrible at sticking to fitness and wellness regimes. I’ve never joined a gym and I know I would last about a week before I started thinking of reasons not to go. I just find physical exercise for the sake of exercise… well… boring.

Like many others, I’m someone whose work means sitting at a laptop most of the time. So I’ve been trying to do my 7000 steps a day regime, but if I have no reason to go walking I usually miss that target. I set off along my regular route and after about 10 minutes, boredom sets in.

True, the little stepometer (Pedometer Step Counter) I have installed on my phone does at least help me to keep walking a bit further. But it’s a struggle. How many of us start these regimes with good intentions but find they slowly fade from the daily routine, whilst in the back of our minds we have a little voice going “I will do extra tomorrow”.

So, why not turn the device causing your addiction into a device which motivates you to get up and out and moving again? Make a film with your smartphone. Just for the sake of your health.

As I said, most of the time I’m hunched over a laptop. When I’m not, I’m checking the news on my phone or my Twitter posts. My body starts to seize up – and it doesn’t get better as you get older, obviously.

But when I’m filming with my smartphone, it’s an entirely different experience. I’m moving around all day – setting up shots, shifting props around, travelling to different locations. There’s also teamwork. All of this means I’m not slumped on the sofa, neck bent permanently down.

Smartphone filmmaking requires lots of movement. It also requires lots of people interactions. Activities recommended for physical and mental wellness. It’s hard work – but in a good way. And after just 3 days filming I feel much better, physically and mentally.

Having a reason to be healthy

Like I say, I really struggle with health for the sake of health. But if I have an extra motivation, I find it easier. So at the end of 3 days filming, I not only feel better but I have the footage for a 10 minute short film. I’ve achieved something.

Achieving things is a great motivation for activity. Some people like to run marathons for charity. My brother is running the London Marathon 28th April, for example.

If running marathons is not your thing, maybe shooting a movie is. Filmmaking doesn’t demand as much physically, but it’s better than no motion at all.

Maybe you’ve always wanted to have a go but came up with reasons not to: you’re not creative, you don’t have time, you don’t have a professional camera… and so on. But now you have a much better reason: your health.

And doing it for your health takes the pressure off. If it doesn’t compete with the next Star Wars at the box office, no problem: you’re fitter anyway, so object achieved. If you happen to make a great film as well, even better! And who knows, you might find this turns into a regular hobby/activity.

You’ll get to meet more people and you’ll have more reasons not to be checking your Facebook notifications.

You have friends

If you do decide to have a go at smartphone filmmaking for the sake of your personal wellness, there’s a whole bunch of us waiting to cheer you on.

We have an active Facebook group (I know, but at least if it’s encouraging a physical activity it’s ok, isn’t it?). We have Meetup Groups in Zurich and London (you can always find one or set one up yourself in your nearest town or city).

If you love movies, then why not shoot one? This might be the perfect inspiration to get active – and you don’t even need to put your phone away. In fact, the opposite.

Because smartphone filmmaking proves that smartphones can be used for useful purposes and without making you ill in the process.

Don’t know where to start? Read our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Smartphone Filmmaking

Consider Supporting us on Patreon.

We have a limited offer! Be listed on our exclusive filmmaker network page and submit any films to our festival free.

Eager to learn more?
Join our weekly newsletter featuring inspiring stories, no-budget filmmaking tips and comprehensive equipment reviews to help you turn your film projects into reality!