Creating Cinematic Montages with iPhone 13: A Collaboration with Arielle Bobb-Willis

In this creative project, Myra and her friend Arielle Bobb-Willis team up to create stunning video montages using the iPhone 13. They utilize the Cinematic mode feature to capture all the details and movement that make someone who they are. The camera work is accompanied by editing using the Clips app, allowing for a seamless blend of photography and videography.

The project takes place at the Apple Tower Theatre in downtown LA, a city known for its cinematic appeal. Myra introduces Arielle, a portrait photographer whose style is inspired by paintings. She focuses on shape, color, and elements that make her subjects stand out. Shooting video adds another layer to bring out personality and movement. Myra asks Arielle how she would describe her photography style and how it translates into a video montage.

Arielle explains that 99 percent of her work is inspired by paintings, and she focuses on capturing key details such as clothing, accessories, or the way her subjects move. She emphasizes the importance of specificity in each shot, making them unique to the individual being photographed. Myra tries out Cinematic mode, demonstrating how it works by blurring the background and focusing on the subject. Arielle shows that she can put her head down on each other, allowing for a more intimate focus.

To create montage shots with detail, Tyris stands right next to Myra, who activates Cinematic mode. The camera follows Tyris as he moves, capturing his details in sharp focus. Then, they shift focus by adjusting the subject's position. Arielle explains that this allows her to draw the viewer's eye to what she wants them to see. They also use a different technique by tapping on specific elements within the scene.

Myra uses a gimbal to create smooth camera movement and pans across the scene, experimenting with various angles. Arielle tries it out as well, demonstrating how the focus tracking feature works automatically. Chanel is introduced, who walks into frame to activate the focus tracking feature. The team decides to go back to the store to put all their favorite shots together.

Before editing, they favorited the most impressive shots in Photos, making it easy to select them later for the montage. They then use the Clips app to import the photos and arrange the clips according to their preference. After giving each clip a trim and rearranging the order until they like how the montage flows, they mute each clip before adding a soundtrack.

The final result is showcased by Arielle, who adds music and completes the video montage. Myra watches as Arielle brings such vibrant styling to her subjects, making each person stand out. The collaboration has resulted in an impressive video montage that highlights the unique qualities of each individual being photographed.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enMyra: Today,we’re making video montages on iPhonewith portrait photographerArielle Bobb-Willis.Together, we’ll use Cinematic modeto capture all the details and movementsthat make someone who they are.Then, we’ll edit them into shareable videosusing Clips. All on iPhone 13.I’m Myra.Myra: This is Arielle.Arielle Bobb-Willis: Hey.Myra: And you’re watching Creative Projects.We are here at Apple Tower Theatrein downtown LA,a city that knows a thing or twoabout making people look cinematic.How would you describe your photography styleand how do you see that translating into a video montage?Arielle: 99 percent of my workis inspired by paintings.I focus on shape, color, and all the elementsthat make my subjects stand out.Shooting video adds another layerto bring out personality and movement.Myra: I can’t wait to see what you do today.Helping us out today are our friendsTyris, Elii, and Chanel.To create montagesthat best represent who they are,we’ll capture a mix of detail shotsand ones where we shift focus.First up, highlighting key details.Myra: OK Tyris, just stand right there;that is perfect.Swipe over to Cinematic mode.See how Tyris is in focusand everything else around him is blurry?That’s Cinematic mode at work.Arielle: You can put your heads down on each other.Yep, just like that.Myra: Ooh, I love that.Arielle: Yeah, and then we’re going to zoom.Myra: What details do you look forwhen you shoot?Arielle: I look for clothing, accessories,or even the way they move.It’s so specific to them, so I just focus on that.Let’s go here because the shadows are really cute.Arielle: I love that.Myra: Yes.Myra: Cinematic mode works bestwhen there’s some more distancebetween the background and the subject.So Tyris, why don’t youtake a few steps forward? Yes!I’m also just going to tap on his face hereto activate auto-focus tracking lock.Arielle: Yes.Myra: Which will keep you totally focusedas you’re doing these movements.I can move around a little bit too...Arielle: Yeah, it follows.Myra: Yes, even when he spins around. Look at that.Myra: Now that we have some detail shots,let’s try some where we adjust the focus.Arielle: Shifting the focus allows meto draw the viewer’s eye to what I want them to see.Myra: OK, cool. So there’s a couple of waysthat we can do this.The first way, easy. You can just tap.So we can start by tapping on the flowers,tap on his gorgeous face,back on the flowers, back to the face.Or, and you might like this one better,we can actually just use the camera movement.And let Cinematic modetrack the face for you automatically.Arielle: Look away. Then come back around.I’m having Elii turn his head,so the focus shifts to him.Myra: OK, so let’s try adding some camera movementand I’m going to use this gimbal,which will make everything look really smoothbecause my hands are shaky.Yes.Now I can pan across the scene,or even try a different angle.Arielle: Look at me now. Do that again.Yep.Myra: OK Chanel, give me a little walk.You can also have your subject moveinto frame to activate focus tracking.Love. Come on. What?Let’s go back to the store and put it all together.Arielle: Sounds good.Myra: All right, let’s go!Arielle: Cool.Myra: So before we edit,let’s favorite the shots we really like in Photosso that we can easily find them later.Arielle: Cool.Myra: This one…and I like this one too.OK, what do you think about this one?Arielle: I love how there’s a lot of texturein the foreground before that reveal.It’s beautiful.Myra: So it will be easiest and fastestif we use the Clips appto put our montage together.First, go to import, then Photos.Look at all those heartson the clips we favorited earlier.Let’s select a few of those.Nice. We’re ready to edit.Let’s give them all a trim.Tap on a clip and drag either side to edit.While you’re here, play around with the orderuntil you like how your montage flows.OK next, you want to mute each clip...before tapping the music noteto add a soundtrack.Done.Myra: I want to see yours.Arielle: Whoa.Myra: Oh my gosh. What?Arielle: Oh, whoa.Arielle: Whoa.Myra: I’m done, I’m done. I’m leaving.Myra: It’s simple but it’s so beautiful.I just love how you bringsuch a vibrant styling to your subjects.Arielle: Thank you.Oh!That was cute. I love that.Arielle: Whoa.Myra: She said, \"whoa\"!Myra: She said, \"whoa\"!Arielle: I love how you capturedthe duality of Tyris’s personality.Myra: To me, like color, shape, shadow, and personalityreally were my inspiration for this.Arielle: It shows.Myra: And that’s how you make a video montageusing Cinematic mode on iPhone.I had so much fun creating with you today.Arielle: Me too.Myra: Now it’s your turn!Try making your own video montage.And remember to add #TodayatApple.Want more Creative Projects?Keep watching!And, be sure to like and subscribeso you never miss out.To learn even more about Cinematic mode,join our Apple Creatives for live sessions,or try it out on a Video Tour.Head to the link belowto find one near you. Until next time.\n"