LOG and Pro Res support helped with this
Following the broadcast of the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show featuring Usher last weekend, Apple released a video about the preparation of the performance and the show itself.
Apple claims that this video was filmed using more than 40 iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max smartphones. These devices were used throughout the show and rehearsals.
The behind-the-scenes video was directed by Mike Carson, who said: “Choosing the iPhone allowed me to get the amount of coverage I wanted, which was necessary for a documentary project like this because we had to be in so many places at once. And because it's an all-in-one device, and we didn't use any external lenses, we were able to have multiple camera angles and camera angles in spaces that would have proven both difficult and expensive given the scale for this film. Even though we had an incredibly talented crew, I truly believe that it also allowed us to just shoot and focus on beautiful compositions, camera movement and storytelling, and it made filming that much more fun and exciting. The ability to instantly switch lenses when the moment required either more information or a closer-up shot allowed our team to focus on their shots without having to think too much, especially in intense scenarios.
Carson also explained why the iPhone 15 Pro's support for LOG and Pro Res recording was a key factor for this project: «It was a game changer, especially with so many uncontrolled lighting scenarios given our documentary approach. We were able to store so much visual information and data with the amount of dynamic range we had, and Log played a paramount role in that. I was shocked by the final image».
Xiaolong Liu, director of photography for the behind-the-scenes video, added: «iPhones are significantly more portable and discreet than traditional cameras, allowing you to shoot in a wider range of locations and with minimal setup. The ability to quickly change lenses (wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, telephoto) without additional equipment is an effective advantage for busy shooting schedules. iPhone helps you take more natural and spontaneous photos. iPhone's size and flexibility allow you to shoot video from unique angles and in tight spaces where traditional cameras won't fit.