“28 years later,” left the iPhone 15 (but there is a reservation)

Even before the premiere on the network, it was mentioned that some of the scenes was recorded on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and as if it would be a turning point for smartphone cinema. Everything turned out to be even easier and more confusing: the iPhone was really used, but not as a complete replacement for professional cameras, but as another tool in the Arsenal – with reservations, nuances and a large number of extra equipment.

It is not about photographing “on the phone” in the sense of household-the actors hold a smartphone and remove something.

Everything is serious: the cameras are mounted in customs, connected external lenses, attached to special installations to reach a wide viewing angle and to create a special effect of the “bulletflight”. In one of the episodes, an installation of twenty iPhone was used at the same time.

This choice is explained by logistics: the shooting took place in the remote corners of Noord -England and the compactness of the equipment has become an important factor. Not only iPhones, but also drones were used – everything that could work quickly and flexibly, without huge film platforms.

Someone might remember that the original “28 days later” was not shot on the film, but on the digital video camera Canon XL1-by modern standards, ridiculous in terms of characteristics. So Boyle already had the experience of a “cheap” photo, turned into an artistic technique.

Nevertheless, the photo leaves “28 years later” a ambiguous impression. Especially in the scene with a night view (without spoilers), where granularity and pixelization are noticeable – it is very possible, intentional, but still striking. After this scene you start to observe the rest of the visual part differently – especially if you watch a movie in a small hall and close to the screen

Smartphones are no longer toys and the iPhone 15 Pro Max can really do a lot. But even with adapted lenses and pumped software, it does not become a complete replacement for studio optics for hundreds of thousands of dollars.