October 31, 2023
PHOTOS
Go Behind the Scenes at Apple’s Scary Fast Keynote Event Shot on iPhone and Edited on Mac
Get an exclusive look at what went on behind the scenes at Apple’s Scary Fast special event on October 30, where they unveiled the new MacBook Pro and 24-inch iMac. While all eyes were on the presenters and product reveals, the true star of the show was the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the go-to smartphone for creative professionals and filmmakers. With award-winning documentary film director Brian Oakes leading the way, Scary Fast showcased the incredible capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro Max camera system.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera system is setting new standards for smartphone videography. Its video quality rivals that of professional video cameras, allowing creatives to capture footage in ProRes up to 4K60 fps and preserve even more detail for post-production color grading. In fact, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are the first smartphones in the world to support the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), a global standard for color workflows.
“We were able to achieve complex shots using the iPhone 15 Pro Max,” says Oakes. “It has everything you need to bring your vision or personality to life. The image quality of the iPhone truly democratizes access to professional-grade equipment.”
The production was guided by Apple’s Jon Carr, an expert in Pro Workflow video, and Jeff Wozniak, who has worked on blockbuster movies like Top Gun: Maverick and Terminator: Dark Fate. With the ability to record ProRes directly to an external drive and support for Apple Log encoding, the iPhone 15 Pro Max delivered exceptional performance. According to Wozniak, “It’s amazing how this smartphone can seamlessly integrate with the equipment and processes that professional directors are accustomed to.”
The team captured footage using multiple iPhone 15 Pro Max devices, taking advantage of the integration between the iPhone, the Blackmagic Camera app, and Tentacle Sync. By syncing all devices on set, including Macs and preview screens, via Bluetooth, they were able to fully leverage the power of the Apple ecosystem. Beastgrip accessories, such as cages and rigs, were also utilized to enhance the production.
Now let’s dive into what happened behind the scenes of Scary Fast.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max, with its new USB-C connector, revolutionizes data transfer with speeds of up to 10Gbps when paired with a compatible USB 3 cable. This enabled the crew to transfer ProRes video recordings directly to an external SSD drive, providing near-real-time access to footage for on-the-fly adjustments. In post-production, editors can take advantage of the higher dynamic range enabled by Apple Log, offering greater control and flexibility in color grading.
Shot at Apple Park under the cover of night, Scary Fast showcased the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s improved low-light video performance. With ProRes Log encoding, the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a wider range of highlights and shadows compared to previous models, resulting in better overall dynamic range and enhanced flexibility for color grading in post-production. Stefan Sonnenfeld, CEO of Company 3 and a veteran colorist who has worked on projects like Stranger Things, praised the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s image quality, stating, “It’s incredible, and I know because I’ve seen it and we’re using it for this project.”
The crew utilized the Blackmagic Camera app, specifically designed for iOS users, which provides the same tools and interface used in professional filmmaking. Offering digital film camera controls and support for Apple Log encoding on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the app has become an invaluable asset for filmmakers. Carr explained, “We collaborated with Blackmagic Design to create an incredible app that allows us to work with multiple monitors and crew members, just like we would with traditional film cameras.”
On set, the crew seamlessly integrated traditional filming techniques, including the use of drones, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max to capture scenes and showcase the new MacBook Pro. Oakes described the energetic environment, saying, “There’s cranes, dollies, all the toys that filmmakers love, and everyone has their role to play. It’s an exciting and dynamic atmosphere.”
Reflecting on the versatility and user-friendliness of the iPhone, Sonnenfeld expressed his admiration, stating, “What I love about the iPhone is that it provides access to incredible amounts of information for anyone who uses it. Its intuitive operating system allows anyone, from myself to my 7-year-old, to pick it up and use it right away.”
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Apple
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