There’s that darned word again! According to reports on Bloomberg, Apple’s highly anticipated new 2021 iPhone line (which we’re going to go ahead and assume will be called the iPhone 13) is pulling out all the stops for video.
They’ve even added the buzzword of buzzwords right now in the film and video industry by teasing a new “cinematic video” feature, which should function similar to their familiar “portrait mode” for photography.
This new iPhone 13 is also going to reportedly include ProRes video support and some new photography editing options as well.
Is this anything filmmakers should get excited about though? Let’s explore…
iPhone 13 Cinematic Video
As discussed in a previous article about camera movement and grip rigs, this term “cinematic” appears to be thrown around more and more these days. Apple, not one to be outdone in the buzz category, appears to have noticed.
According to the reports, Apple plans to try to capitalize on the success they found with the portrait photography mode, which they first introduced with the iPhone 7 Plus in 2016.
This mode, which many have undoubtedly used, and even more should probably recognize on Instagram or the like, features a technique where the subject is kept in sharp focus while the background is blurred in a bokeh effect—you know, kind of like a portrait!
The iPhone’s depth sensor will feature the logical next step for this technology as the new iPhone will include a similar portrait mode for video, which has already been “internally dubbed Cinematic Video.”
An iPhone being used on the production of Sean Baker's 'Tangerine' (2015).Credit: Magnolia Pictures
New ProRes Video Recording
Yet, while this cinematic video news might steal the headline, the bigger news might be the reported inclusion of new ProRes video recording capabilities.
Certainly, iPhone filmmaking has been doable for several years now, but smartphones in general have always been limited in terms of recording capabilities and quality. This new higher-quality ProRes format could possibly be a game-changer though.
We’ll have to see what these recording specs truly look like though as more information becomes available.
Credit: Forbes
Other iPhone 13 News and Features
So far, though, outside of some new filters and updates for photography and reports of a new ultra-wide-angle camera lens, it doesn't sound like we have a full scope of what the new iPhone 13 is set to include. If Apple is indeed pivoting to video—and if they truly want filmmakers, video professionals, or digital content creators to take notice—there still might be more news on the way.
No word though on how Martin Scorsese feels about his iPhone now suddenly being able to record “cinematic video” yet… but we’ll keep you posted!
In the meantime, let us know how you feel about this new ProRes video and cinematic features news makes you feel. Any more or less interested in potentially using the iPhone 13 for your film or video projects?
Let us know in the comments below!
