11 Biggest Myths and Mistruths about Smartphone Filmmaking

In the age of digital filmmaking, many people are skeptical about the capabilities of smartphone video. After all, how can a device that fits in your pocket be used to create professional-grade content?

The truth is that most of the “professional advice” being passed around about smartphone filmmaking are really myths and misconceptions. And with some practice and creativity, anyone can produce stunning results – regardless of their budget or skill level.

In this blog post, I will debunk the biggest myths and mistruths about smartphone filmmaking so you can get started on creating beautiful cinematic content with just your phone!

Myth 1: You need expensive professional gear to create high quality cinematic video

False – While professional cameras and equipment can certainly improve the quality of your footage (and impress other people), it is certainly not a prerequisite for creating amazing content.

Using the right techniques and apps, you can create stunning videos with just your smartphone.

In fact, many independent filmmakers use their phones to capture beautiful scenes with minimal effort and under $200 in additional gear!

💡Perspective: Here’s about half of the expensive “professional” gear I used to have to lug around before I shifted to smartphone filmmaking:

Myth 2: I can’t get client work shooting on smartphones

False – Many of today’s top brands are embracing the power of mobile filmmaking and hiring independent filmmakers to create content for their campaigns.

Smartphones have become a very viable option for shooting commercial content, even at higher budget levels.

For example:

Intelligent Details is a documentary commissioned by Bentley Motors which follows Bentley’s lead designers and gives insight into their design process for creating some of the world’s most luxurious vehicles — the documentary was shot using an iPhone 5S…

You can watch the documentary right now:

And here’s the behind the scenes video to show you the process in action:

This story gets even more interesting once it was time to edit — (more about that later 👇🏾)

Myth 3: Smartphones match the quality of “professional” video cameras

False – While smartphone cameras have come a long way in terms of image quality, they are still not at the “professional” level when it comes to sharpness and detail.

Although the specs and outputs of “professional” camera gear are much higher grades than smartphones, 95% of all the content shot on “high grade” camera gear is still viewed on the same 1080p & 4K displays as smartphone content.

So unless most of your viewers are watching your content on 8K televisions or high end projection systems, the end-users aren’t able to see the difference in image quality between the two anyway.

In addition to that, most video content is viewed through online streaming platforms (like YouTube, Vimeo, etc) which have to compress all the fine details captured in the “professional” cameras — so once again, viewers don’t usually get to truly enjoy the benefit of the high end equipment anyway.

Myth 4: You need an expensive powerful computer to edit your smartphone footage

False – As long as your computer meets the minimum requirements to run an editing program (like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro), you can edit your smartphone footage with ease.

In addition, most computers have enough processing power and RAM to handle basic video editing tasks. So you won’t need a super expensive machine just to get started.

But let’s go a little deeper…

💡I personally believe that modern smartphones put the capabilities of an entire video production studio right in your pocket.

💡Here’s an example:
Remember the crew who shot the Bentley documentary on an iPhone 5S?

They doubled down on smart device technology and edited the entire documentary on an iPad Air using stock apps (iPhoto and iMovie) — this all happened over 7 years ago back in 2016!

NOW imagine what smartphones can do today — the opportunities are truly becoming endless.

Myth 5: The learning curve for smartphone filmmaking is long and requires years of experience

False – Smartphone filmmaking has come a long way and it’s now easier than ever to create quality content quickly with just your phone.

From apps for recording audio, taking steady shots, controlling the camera remotely and even editing on the go — you can get started shooting professional-level content with relative ease.

The best part is that now there are several affordable courses and resources to help streamline your smartphone filmmaking journey and get you up and running in a matter of days — not years.

👇🏾At the end of this post, I’ll provide you my top favorite resources to level-up your smartphone video fast⚡.

Myth 6: Your can’t capture good dialogue (for interviews and documentaries) with smartphones

False – There are so many ways to capture great quality audio on your phone now. From lavalier mics that can be plugged directly into your device, to field recorders connected with an audio cable — you can get the same results from either a smartphone or a professional rig with multiple microphones.

In fact, some of the most popular documentary filmmakers are now using iPhones over traditional cameras because of the audio quality and convenience.

So you don’t need to be intimidated by great audio capture — with the right gear and know-how, you can get professional results from your smartphone.

Myth 7: Using my smartphone for filmmaking will make me look amateur

False – The truth is that the quality of your work will reflect how professional you are. It doesn’t matter if you use a smartphone or any other camera — what matters is the end result and how good it looks.

Professional filmmakers have realized this, and now they’re investing in accessories to make their phones look like professional rigs. Think of it like a toolbox — having the right tools for the job is what’s going to give you the best results and make your videos stand out!

So don’t let anyone tell you that using a smartphone will make you look amateur — investing in quality accessories and learning proper techniques will help you capture amazing footage with the smartphone you already own.

Myth 8: You need a big film crew to capture amazing results

False – One of the greatest things about smartphone filmmaking is that you can now achieve cinematic results with just one person.

You don’t need a big crew to capture amazing shots — you just need the right tools and techniques for the job.

With apps like Filmic Pro, FiLMiC Pro Remote, and DJI Osmo Mobile gimbals, you can get professional-quality footage with just your phone and a few accessories.

⚡I did a comparison between my camera crew (and “pro” equipment) and a solo content creator to see who’d have the best results… the outcome will shock you!

So if you’re a solo filmmaker looking to capture amazing results, don’t let the size of your crew stop you — embrace the advantages of being small / solo and agile!

Myth 9: My smartphone footage will look too shaky to feel “cinematic”

False – One of the biggest keys to cinematic smartphone videos is having smooth and steady footage.

With built-in features like image stabilization, built-in OIS, and gimbal stabilizers like the DJI Osmo Mobile, you can achieve incredibly smooth results without any external gear.

So if you’re worried about your videos looking like home movies, investing in a gimbal or other stabilizing device can make all the difference.

Myth 10: It’ll take too much time to sift through all the “smartphone filmmaking” tips and tricks online

False – With an overwhelming abundance of knowledge out there these days, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to learning about smartphone filmmaking.

I make this process easier by providing all the tips and tricks you need in one place.

From reviews on the latest gimbals and apps, to essential principles for capturing good audio and video, to (future) interviews with experienced filmmakers — I have all the resources you need to get up and running in no time.

So if you’re looking for up-to-date information on smartphone filmmaking, look no further than this blog post. I’ve put my highest recommended starting points at the end of this article 👇🏾.

Myth 11: I’ll need too many accessories for my smartphone to get professional footage out of it

False – You don’t need to spend a fortune on gear to get cinematic results from your phone.

Basic accessories like tripods, microphones and lenses aren’t even essential for any mobile filmmaker.

⚡My strongest recommendation is that you invest in a quality gimbal (~$150) and a “professional” video app.

Wrapping it Up + Bonus Resources

There you have it — some of the top myths and mistruths about smartphone filmmaking — debunked.

As you can see, it’s not as hard or complicated as it seems to capture stunning footage with your phone — all you need is the right know-how and some decent gear to get started.

To help here are a few of my personal favorite bonus resources to get you moving on your cinematic journey — fast⚡:

Mobile Filmmaking: Learn to Shoot Cinematic Videos with Andy To

Andy To is famous for blowing minds with what you can capture on your phone. His cinematic style is so unique that Apple often calls on him to show off what you can do with their new iPhones. 🤯.

Price: $99 | Course Duration: 3 Hours | Learn More

Smartphone Filmmaker Pro

The Masterclass for smartphone filmmaking — includes over 200 lessons and 20+hours of instruction. This is your one stop shop for all things dealing with smartphone cinematography.

Price: $379 | Course Duration: 20+ Hours | Learn More

The Smartphone Filmmaker Pocket Guide

Get my FREE 17 Secrets to Shooting Gorgeous, Cinematic SMARTPHONE Videos.

Join the 100k+ aspiring filmmakers, influencers, content creators & professionals who realize filmmaking is no longer reserved for the few with big expensive camera gear…

Price: FREE | Length: 18 pages | Get the FREE Guide