How to make a film with a smartphone?

CHOOSE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

First and foremost, make sure you have the right equipment to follow you on your adventures. If you want to shoot outside, on or in the water, opt for a smartphone that's waterproof and resistant to heat and cold. At CROSSCALL , our phones meet IP67 or IP68 standards, which means they're waterproof to all solids and liquids. They are also resistant to both cold and heat.

You'll also need space to store your rushes (1). CROSSCALL smartphones are equipped with a dual SIM drawer, so you can add a micro SD card to increase your multimedia storage space. Your phone's autonomy will also be an important consideration. You don't want to run out of battery when the sun goes down! To make sure you don't run out of battery power, you can also purchase an external battery. If you have a CROSSCALL smartphone, the X-POWER external battery will enable you to recharge your phone wherever you are without even having to plug it in, thanks to X-LINK™ by Magconn Technology.

For on-board images or close-up action, consider accessories. With a telescopic pole, take a selfie, and with CROSSCALL's X-STICK , transform your pole into a tripod for a more stable image, and launch your videos remotely thanks to its Bluetooth remote control. If you want to film during your mountain biking, kayaking or other activities, opt for the X-CHEST, an attachment harness that keeps your hands free.

(1) Shots as they appear on return from the development of what was filmed, before the choice of editing.

OUR SHOOTING TIPS

• Always shoot in the same direction. Depending on the format you wish to share, film either in landscape or portrait format.
• Avoid filming with the front camera, as the quality is often inferior.
• Avoid zooming: smartphones are equipped with digital zoom, which can degrade image quality.
• Shoot rushes of between 5 and 30 seconds, to make it easier to find your way around when editing.
• If you're shooting close-ups, make sure they last at least three seconds.
• If you wish to include dialogue, wait one or two seconds after starting the recording before starting to speak.
• Anticipate your transitions with specific shots. To do this, use elements of the set in transition. This could be an object, a wall or the sky. The idea is to maintain a certain continuity in your shots, so that at the end of one shot and the beginning of another, you get the impression that it's the same image. For example, you may be following a subject, then slowly working your way up towards the sky. The next shot should begin with this shot of the sky, then you move back down to your subject in another location. Got the trick?

TIME FOR ASSEMBLY

Now that everything's in the box, it's time to start assembling. To do this, download an assembly app. If you have a CROSSCALL smartphone, the X-STORY editing app is ideal. Simple and intuitive, this app will let you edit wherever you are, in no time at all.

The first step is to select your shots. Before loading all your videos into the library of your editing application, don't hesitate to make a first selection using the "Favorites". Then choose your music according to the mood you want to convey and the shots you've created. For perfect synchronization with the music, play with the rhythm of your videos. Switch between normal, slow motion and accelerated modes. To make your film as fluid as possible, work on your transitions. Once your film is ready, all you have to do is export and share it! With X-STORYshare your content directly from the application in just a few moments.