Brothers

I filmed the entire Brothers documentary with an "Out of the Pocket" iPhone. Out of the Pocket, meaning no apps or accessories were used. This iPhone documentary, BROTHERS, captured the story in a natural way without any type of film crew. I believe that the emotional impact of the story is enhanced by both the verite filmmaking approach and the unobtrusive use of the iPhone.

As I filmed these two men they never saw a camera, they never saw a sound person holding a boom mic or witnessed a cinematographer shuffling through their bag to find the best lens or accessory for the shot at hand. The fact that the subjects never caught a glimpse of any video equipment and barely noticed the iPhone contributed greatly to a more authentic and truthful film.

The documentary was filmed in handheld iPhone cinema verite. Everything the viewer learns from the story unfolds as the two brothers are doing things that they would have been doing even if I wasn't there filming. I never zoomed the iPhone in while making the doc, what I did was I moved the camera closer to get close-ups just like a person would walk closer to see something up close. I also panned the phone in the same manner someone would move their head. This approach gives the viewer the same natural viewing perspective that we all have, making the viewer feel that they are right there in the scene.

I represent the viewer when I film as I bring them into the story with the hope that they see and feel as I do. There aren't any formal interviews in the movie. I only asked questions when I felt the viewer would have asked it if they were there...I didn't get into heavy questions. I let the heavy questions answer themselves throughout the film.

A photographer once said "It's not the camera, but the person behind it.” I think that would also apply to my iPhone film BROTHERS. “It’s not the camera, but the story it tells.”