A Conversation with Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj and Filmmaker Prateek Vats
The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) recently showcased five short films selected for their '2024 MAMI Select-Filmed on iPhone' program. These films were all shot using the iPhone 15 Pro Max under the guidance of renowned filmmakers Vishal Bhardwaj, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Rohan Sippy.
In an exclusive interview with Tech Today, Bhardwaj discussed the transformative technological changes impacting the film industry. He emphasized the increasing role of small handheld devices like iPhones in mainstream filmmaking. Bhardwaj revealed his own use of iPhones for shooting, particularly in situations where obtaining permission is difficult. He cited an example of a "guerrilla shoot" with an iPhone in a public space.
Bhardwaj mentored Prateek Vats, who directed the film "Jal Tu Jalal Tu" (You Are Water, You Are the All-Powerful). The film explores the anxiety of a factory worker who inadvertently offends his employer.
Vats shared his experience shooting the film entirely on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. He praised the device's capabilities, particularly its low-light performance, dynamic range, and post-production color and exposure control. He described the iPhone as empowering filmmakers to realize their vision. Vats highly recommends the iPhone for aspiring filmmakers.
Vats edited the film using a MacBook Pro with an M3 Max chip. He lauded the machine's ability to handle multiple tasks and process them in real-time without delay. Vats described the MacBook Pro as ideal for editing, animation, and gaming, highlighting its potential to maximize creative output.