I DO know, man. Stop trying to legitimize shitty film tools as a good idea just because they exist. Tangerine was picked up for distribution and had the most talented post-production artists in the world fix it. The 4K smart phone cameras still look terrible, 1080 or worse. Those pin-hole lenses will stop at nothing to ruin your film's look.
Blair Witch used 16mm cameras which isn't exactly ever "not a decent camera", it's a pro move and it worked.
My advice, if you got a great script and a smartphone and are considering using it because it's all you got. Stop. Throw the phone in the dumpster and save up your money for a month to rent something better.
People don't want to watch your film to begin with, why are you making it so easy for them?
The Blair Witch Project used 8mm tape. Hi8 cameras (remember them?). Nothing at all like 16mm film. So no, they didn't.
Also, if you really think a better camera is what will get people to watch your film, I have bad news for you.
I already said I wouldn't use a phone to shoot a movie. And I think there are much better options out there. But c'mon, you can't say that the camera is the most important part of a film either (and I'm a guy who shoots for a living).
Seriously - check out the Zacuto shootout and see how an
old iPhone stacks up against professional cameras. Of course it's not as good, but it's also not bad either. If you're allowing a lack of a 'decent' camera stop you from telling stories, you're a shitty filmmaker.
The difference is being aware. If you want your film to have as much chance of success as possible, then of course shoot on something
much better than a phone.
But you know what, there are kids out there right now at a camera shop spending $1500 on a DSLR because they think that's what makes you a filmmaker. My advice to those kids is shoot on whatever the hell you have. Unless you specifically want to be a shooter, learning to tell stories, learning framing, learning how to get good performances out of actors, learning how the bits and pieces go together, learning how to work with others and negotiate with others to work with you are all significantly more important that learning what f-stop you should set your aperture at.
Spielberg used Super 8mm cameras when he was young. How is a phone any less legitimate than S8? The fidelity on your phone will be better than S8 in many cases.
Do you also recommend against using GoPros?
People get so damn precious about gear. I'm not and never will actively suggest shooting a film on a phone. All I'm saying is, if you want to tell stories, why not use your phone? It's in your damn pocket right now!
I once lit a shot using only the light of a few iPhones flashes. I was in a situation where I had little else. Yeah, the light isn't perfectly colour correct, and it needed some post correction. But it worked fine. There's nothing wrong with using all the tools at your disposal. I didn't pack up the set and bring everyone back another day, costing the production more money, when I had a perfectly workable solution available to me.
