Mon Sep 23 21:55:19 UTC 2024: ## Zombie Apocalypse, iPhone Style: Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later” Makes Headlines with Smartphone Filming
Award-winning director Danny Boyle, known for his innovative filmmaking, is once again pushing boundaries with his upcoming zombie thriller “28 Years Later”. While the film is a sequel to the critically acclaimed “28 Days Later”, it’s making headlines for a rather unexpected filming choice: an iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Boyle’s history with unconventional filming techniques goes back to 2002, when he chose a Canon XL-1 camcorder for “28 Days Later”. At the time, the camcorder’s affordability and accessibility made it a perfect choice for capturing a believable, “found-footage” style zombie apocalypse.
Fast forward to 2024, and the smartphone has become the dominant video capture device. While Boyle and the cast, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Cillian Murphy, have remained tight-lipped about the iPhone usage, leaked photos from the set and confirmed information from sources point to the iPhone 15 Pro Max being used in filming.
However, the smartphone isn’t being used “as is”. It’s paired with a professional setup including a support rig, monitor, audio equipment, and even a Panavision cinema lens. While iPhones are capable of high-quality video, some question whether this setup will retain the “found-footage” aesthetic that made the original film so impactful.
Jordan Drake, YouTube director for PetaPixel, argues that the iPhone filming aligns thematically and technologically with the original. He points out that the film’s original standard definition format gave it an immediate, unscripted feel. Shooting with the current most popular video capture format, Drake believes, will create a similar effect, making the film feel more like a news event than a traditional movie.
However, he also wonders about the purpose of using the Panavision cinema lens when a dedicated cinema camera could have been used. This raises questions about the artistic vision behind the filming choice, which will be answered only when the film hits theaters.
The $75 million budget and the lack of a trailer add to the intrigue surrounding “28 Years Later”. While it remains to be seen how the iPhone-shot scenes will translate on the big screen, the news of this unorthodox filming decision has certainly captured the attention of the film industry and the world.
First Piper 