Using a Phone to Shoot a Documentary

We used the Samsung Galaxy S23 to Document a Concert with Sabrina Carpenter

Our actress holding the Galaxy S23 to capture Sabrina Carpenter on stage

In late April, we were contacted by an agency to cover their Philadelphia-based production while they were in town. The scope sounded like a lot of fun, and something different so we were all ears. The kicker: it had to be shot on the Samsung Galaxy S23 as part of a mini-documentary for Sabrina Carpenter on her Emails I Can’t Send tour.

The Technology

Filmmakers all around the world have always relied on high-end professional cameras to capture high-resolution footage for their projects. However, the widespread popularity of smartphone technology around the world has caused a shift in this trend. Now, some of the most creatively and professionally shot films and documentaries are shot on smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone is one of the best in the market, which is why we recently shot a documentary for Sabrina Carpenter solely using this device.

The camera you choose for production is often a major factor when planning a successful production. However, in the case of using a smartphone, not just any phone would do. We chose to use the Samsung Galaxy S23 because of its high-end camera setup that includes a 200MP primary sensor, which captures high-quality images at high resolutions and produces detailed low-light shots.

Stabilization

Stability is another critical aspect to consider when recording using a smartphone such as the Samsung Galaxy S23. Without stabilization, the final video will be shaky, which is not only aesthetically unpleasing but also makes for a difficult viewing experience. The plan was to dive right into the middle of the crowd to capture authentic shots like a fan naturally would. I was immediately worried about how we were going to keep this thing steady. Tripod, gimbal? Nope. Just our hands. As soon as I grabbed my first shot, we all looked at each other and said “Woah”. The stabilization was immediately noticeable and allowed us to get just about any shot we found necessary all while being locked in a crowd of about 3000.

Director Notes

This blog isn’t meant to sound like an ad. We just love talking about new technology. We at Anomaly started our careers on the Sony VX2000 so we’ve really seen it all. I think it’s safe to say we’re finally in a place where it doesn’t matter what you shoot your video production content with. What matters is the story and strategy behind it. We were only given about 24 hours with the phone prior to the start of the shoot so it took no time at all to learn how to use the S23 and to feel comfortable enough to start capturing high-quality video content. We did use external sound with a professional mixer (Steve Sklarow) but besides that, we were pretty barebones. If you’d like to see the finished project, head to the link below and watch it on Sabrina’s YouTube channel and see bits from her entire Emails I Can’t Send tour!

Game Changing Video Marketing Strategy

7 Things to Remember When Creating Engaging Videos that Have a Positive ROI

Video marketing is an essential tool for modern businesses to engage their online audience and increase conversions. But with so many businesses jumping into the video content game, it can be difficult to stand out. The truth is, not all videos are created equal. Creating a video that makes an impact is about more than flashy graphics and a catchy jingle. It requires thoughtful planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering value to your audience. In this blog post, we’ll explore seven game-changing strategies for creating meaningful, engaging videos that have a positive return on investment.

Start with a Purpose

Before you begin planning your video, ask yourself what you want to achieve with it. What message do you want to convey? What action do you want your audience to take? Having a clear purpose for your video will help you keep your message focused and avoid wasting time and resources on unnecessary details. An important idea we utilize on every single project is nailing down what success looks like for the brand, organization, or individual we’re working with. We then identify a step by step process on how we can progress to a successful project.

Know Your Audience

Your audience is the most important aspect of your video. Understanding who they are, what they care about, and what motivates them will help you craft a message that resonates with them. Take the time to develop buyer personas and conduct market research to get a better sense of your audience’s needs and preferences. While conducting research, don’t be afraid to track down other videos that are similar to what you’re aiming for. What worked, what didn’t work? Feel free to use the best videos as a north star while putting your own spin and style on the product.

Tell a Story

Humans are hard-wired to respond to stories. Use storytelling techniques to help your message resonate with your audience on a deeper level. Focus on creating a narrative that will capture your viewer’s attention, keep them engaged, and ultimately lead them to take the desired action.

Keep it Short and Sweet

Attention spans are short these days, and most people won’t watch a video that’s longer than a few minutes. Keep your video concise and to the point. If you have a lot of information to convey, break it up into shorter, targeted videos that can be watched on-demand.

Make it Visually Engaging

Visuals are a crucial component of any video. Use eye-catching graphics, animations, and high-quality imagery to keep your audience engaged. Use captions and subtitles to make your video accessible to viewers who may be watching without sound. This is where Anomaly comes in. We make next level visuals and we’re damn good at it! Your videos are often the first introduction to a new audience or client so it’s vital to set the bar on how your brand comes across.

Optimize for Search Engines

Your video won’t do you any good if no one can find it. Optimize your video for search engines by including descriptive titles, tags, and descriptions. Make sure your video is hosted on a platform that allows for easy embedding and sharing. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve created videos for clients and they accidentally use the wrong link, or wrong version without even noticing. Triple check that your video is not only live, but viewable to all audiences.

Measure Your Results

Finally, it’s important to track the results of your video marketing efforts. Use analytics to monitor video views, engagement, and conversion rates. Use this data to optimize your future videos and improve your overall video marketing strategy. If you’re a video agency, it’s extremely important to check in with your clients even after the job is done to see how your videos have made an impact!

Conclusion

Creating meaningful and engaging videos that have a positive ROI requires an ever-evolving approach in order to keep up with today’s rapidly changing digital landscape. Carrying out strategies that make your content stand out, both visually and from a storytelling perspective, are key for creating videos that leave a lasting impact on viewers. By focusing on topics with potential for viral success, ensuring great sound quality for better overall production value, and taking the time to properly plan each video project beforehand, you can maximize the ROI of your videos for greater success. Going across different platforms, leveraging influencers and considering both new and existing trends are just some of the seven game-changing strategies included in this blog post which can help create immersive video experiences that have viewers returning again and again. Together, these strategies ensure that not only is your team running as efficiently as possible during production, but also guarantee your videos reach far beyond their original scope. If you'd like to learn more about how to create meaningful branded content videos that generate return and make an impact, hit us up!