All of us iPhone users have been impressed with the steady increases in image and video capturing quality, routinely enhanced with each new model. Yet who knew that the same camera that we nonchalantly use for our selfies could be used to make a feature film, especially one that debuted to high-acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival?
Tangerine, considered one of the most talked about films of this year's Sundance Festival, was filmed entirely using an iPhone 5s. The film, which centers around the story of Sin-Dee – a transgender prostitute in Los Angeles – and her friend Alexandra, has also been picked up by Magnolia Pictures for distribution globally.
Although the filming was far more complicated than the videos we upload to Vine and Instagram, director Sean Baker stated that using the iPhone was "surprisingly easy." But as James Ransone, who acts in the film said, "Yes, you can make a beautiful-looking film on a shoestring budget but you have to know 100 years worth of filmmaking."
In addition to three iPhones, the film crew utilized special lens prototypes created by Moondog Labs, a Steadicam and an $8 app called Filmic Pro, which gave the production crew better control over aperture, color, focus and temperature. Following filming, the footage also went through a significant amount of post-production, just like any other feature film.
During the post production stage, the saturation of the footage was cranked up to enhance the already bright colors of the captured imagery. Orange became the most prominent color throughout the film, inspiring the name. A strong digital grain was also added, serving as a tribute to classic 35 mm film.
Baker claims that in the end, he wouldn't have even made the film without the iPhone, stating that, "It truly elevated it to a cinematic level."
Some of the film's actors were initially skeptical when they learned it would be filmed using iPhones. Ransone said, "I’m like, Jesus Christ, man, I was on The Wire . I’ve ended up in iPhone movies!" In the end, he came to see the unique flexibility and capabilities of the small cameras.
The narrative of the comedy drama focuses on Sin-Dee, a transgender prostitute who discovers her pimp boyfriend has cheated on her while he was in prison. Seeking answers and confrontation, Sin-Dee attempts to find her boyfriend's mistress on Christmas Eve, while her friend Alexandra attempts to restrain her and to fix the problems Sin-Dee causes throughout her angry quest.
A lot of previous amateur films have utilized iPhones for filming; however, this is the first time such a film has played at the Sundance Festival. While Baker originally chose the iPhone due to budget constraints, in the end the decision has no doubt contributed to the notoriety of the film.
However, the subject matter and plot should not be discounted either. As the film features a transgender woman as its leading character, the topic of the film is unique and timely as transgender issues have been receiving prominence through other productions as well – including the popular American series Orange Is the New Black .
Although most of us probably will not be premiering our edited Instagram videos at Sundance, the success of Tangerine should serve as inspiration to young filmmakers lacking funding. As Tangerine 's success demonstrates, you don't need the most expensive equipment and millions of dollars to find silver screen success. Creativity and skill can go just as far.