Apple has shared a behind-the-scenes look at the video production of its recent "Scary Fast" M3 MacBook Pro event, which was shot entirely on iPhone 15 Pro Max and edited on Mac.
Titled "Behind the Scenes: An Apple Event" and running two minutes and 16 seconds, the video shared on YouTube reveals how footage was captured using multiple iPhone 15 Pro Max devices, with the production team utilizing integration between iPhone 15 Pro, the Blackmagic Camera app, and Tentacle Sync.
Connected via Bluetooth, Tentacle Sync drives timecode and enables all devices on set — including Macs and preview screens — to be synced throughout the production. Beastgrip accessories, including cages and rigs, were also used during the production, as well as cranes, dollies, gimbals, and drones.
Interview clips with the directors, producers, and editors explain how the capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro allowed them to work effectively with low light conditions, which is traditionally a bit more challenging for a standard video camera.
The production was advised by Apple's Jon Carr, a Pro Workflow video specialist whose credits include Top Gun: Maverick and Terminator: Dark Fate, and Jeff Wozniak, who has worked on productions including Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Avatar, and Iron Man 2.
"When I first got the footage from iPhone 15 Pro Max, I was immediately pleasantly surprised," said Stefan Sonnenfeld, Company 3's CEO, who colored the presentation and has worked on projects including Stranger Things, The Equalizer 3, and Fast X. "The quality of the image on iPhone 15 Pro Max is incredible, and it's there. And I know because I've done it and I've seen it, and we're doing this project with it."
The video specialists also espoused the benefits of being able to shoot directly to external storage and use Apple Log to access more dynamic range in post production.
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models feature an improved camera system, including a main camera with a larger sensor, a new coating to reduce lens flare, optical image stabilization, and better low light performance for Portraits and Night mode.
Top Rated Comments
I'M JOKING... I did have a feeling this was shot using 15 Pro / ProMax. Of course mixed with with other accessories, post editing.
The odd thing about the whole show in trying to show appreciation for this capability was how FCPX seemed left out of the equation. Adobe got explicit references, Blackmagic, etc but where was FCPX? In the same way one could showcase an impressive video capability of "our" phone hardware, it seems there was equal opportunity to showcase impressive video editing capability of "our" FCPX vs. Adobe and Blackmagic.
I presume the professionals involved in making it were just more accustomed to using Adobe, Blackmagic, etc instead of FCPX. But it still seemed a bit odd to me to not get some FCPX love in there somewhere. Apple Motion could have easily got a few callouts too.