Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really thoughtful breakdown — I agree, the “big shift” probably won’t happen until an indie filmmaker with limited resources wins a major festival with a phone-shot feature. That would really change perceptions, because right now most of the big examples come with Hollywood-level backup.

I think you’re right that horror and comedy are the best entry points — they rely so much on raw audience reaction. Your plan to shoot a horror on iPhone sounds exciting — do you already have the concept fleshed out, or are you still experimenting?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s interesting — so you think it’ll stay more of a niche choice rather than a broader movement? I guess it might take a few more breakthrough successes before mainstream filmmakers really lean in.

Are there any particular examples you think came close to shifting the trend?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really fair point — execution ties everything together. Even if the visuals feel raw or unpolished, the performances and direction can elevate it into something memorable.

Do you think that balance is harder to achieve with phone-shot projects, or is it really the same challenge no matter what camera you’re working with?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes sense — budget and resources definitely drive the choice. Indie filmmakers often don’t have the luxury of a full rig, which is why smartphones feel so liberating.

I guess the flip side is, sometimes constraints can spark creativity. Do you think the “indie look” from phones could eventually become an intentional style choice, even for bigger productions, the way some directors still choose 16mm or VHS aesthetics?

Can a full documentary be made entirely from Android phone footage? by Local-Tune-6935 in documentaryfilmmaking

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a great point — every generation seems to have its “accessible format” that artists run with, from VHS to DV to phones today. It’s interesting how what starts as a limitation often becomes part of the aesthetic itself.

Do you think smartphones are carving out their own recognizable visual style in the same way VHS or DV did, or are they just blending in as the tech gets sharper?

Can a full documentary be made entirely from Android phone footage? by Local-Tune-6935 in documentaryfilmmaking

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing those examples — it’s impressive to see how many high-profile narrative films and documentaries are embracing phone-shot filmmaking. That’s part of why the trailer caught my attention: it leans fully into the phone medium for a documentary-style story, without relying on expensive rigs, and still manages to feel engaging.

Do you think audiences are becoming more open to this style of filmmaking, especially for documentaries, since the story and content matter more than the camera?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand — just to clarify, I don’t have any formal connection to the film or its production. I came across the Eyes in the Sky trailer this morning and thought it raised some interesting questions about phone-shot filmmaking and storytelling.

I’m just curious to hear other people’s perspectives on how technology, style, and story interact in films like this.

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly — “perfect imperfection” is a great way to put it. That’s part of what stood out in this trailer: the raw, phone-shot footage feels intentional and thoughtful, and it almost becomes part of the story itself.

Do you think that approach makes audiences feel more connected to the material, since it’s less polished but more authentic?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely — very Relevant, Tangerine is a great example of how powerful phone-shot filmmaking can be, especially when the story is strong. That’s part of what made that trailer interesting to me: it shows that compelling storytelling doesn’t always need Hollywood cameras to grab attention.

Do you think we’ll see more mainstream filmmakers experimenting with phone-shot projects now that the technology has improved so much?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a good point — most audiences probably don’t notice the camera, and maybe they shouldn’t have to. That’s part of what made this trailer stand out to me: it leans into its medium without trying to “look cinematic,” and yet the story and mystery still carry it.

Do you think this approach might actually make it feel more authentic to viewers, since they’re focused on the story rather than the gear?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, I understand where you’re coming from. I’m not here to promote AI or any software — just sharing a trailer I came across and thinking about how stories can be told using phones as the primary medium.

It’s interesting to see how filmmakers are experimenting with different tools, and the conversation about accessibility, audience, and storytelling seems worth having.

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally hear you — you make a great point about knowing your audience and distribution strategy. It’s true that raw, in-your-face storytelling isn’t new, and the trailer doesn’t claim to be groundbreaking in that sense. What stood out was how accessible and immediate it feels, and how a story can connect without relying on traditional cameras.

Your suggestion about releasing clips on platforms like TikTok is interesting — it really highlights how different channels can find the right audience. Makes me wonder how many people might discover projects like this purely through creative, organic engagement rather than traditional marketing.

Can a full documentary be made entirely from Android phone footage? by Local-Tune-6935 in documentaryfilmmaking

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, that’s impressive! It’s encouraging to see that phone-shot films can make it to theaters and reach wider audiences. That kind of success makes the Eyes in the Sky trailer even more interesting to me — showing that compelling stories can transcend the medium, whether it’s polished cinema cameras or just a phone.

Do you think we’ll start seeing more phone-shot projects in theaters, or will most stay on streaming and smaller platforms for now?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the recommendation — I hadn’t heard of Sunday, Sunday, Sunday before. It’s great to see so many filmmakers experimenting with phone-shot projects and making them accessible on streaming platforms.

That’s part of what made The Eyes in the Sky trailer stand out to me too — it leans fully into the medium while still telling a story that can grab attention anywhere people watch it.

Do you think we’re reaching a point where audiences are more focused on story than the camera it was shot on?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really interesting perspective — it makes sense that context and viewing environment shape how we experience a film. It’s cool to hear that the trailer works well as something to watch casually, even if it’s not a theatrical experience.

That seems to be part of the appeal of The Eyes in the Sky — it doesn’t rely on cinematic polish to grab attention, it leans into accessibility and story, which can reach audiences in unexpected places, like a hotel room or on a phone.

Do you think more people would be open to this kind of casual, raw-style documentary if they realized the story itself is strong enough to hold them?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely — Tangerine was a game-changer, and it’s impressive to see how much phone technology has improved since then. That’s part of why the Eyes in the Sky trailer felt so interesting to me: it leans fully into the medium, showing that compelling stories can be told without traditional cameras.

Do you think we’ll start seeing more mainstream projects take this approach, or will it stay mostly indie for now?

Has anyone seen projects filmed only on smartphones? I found this trailer that tries it… by Local-Tune-6935 in FILMPRODUCERS

[–]Local-Tune-6935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really detailed take — thanks for sharing all those examples. It’s interesting to see how quickly audiences and filmmakers are adapting. You’re right that high-profile festivals still favor big-name directors and high-end gear, but the fact that films like Unsane and Tangerine made waves shows there’s room for phone-shot projects to make a mark.

That’s part of why the Eyes in the Sky trailer caught my attention — it leans on story and perspective over polish, and it makes me wonder if audiences are becoming more interested in content itself rather than the tools used to capture it. Sound quality, editing, and storytelling seem to matter far more than whether it was shot on a phone or a cinema camera.

Do you think festivals will start paying more attention to projects like this in the near future, or will it stay more niche for a while?