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Dave Cornthwaite

This is the perfect course for anyone wanting to capture their adventure without dishing out extra cash on camera gear. Dave's popular iPhone filmmaking course will teach you everything you need to know to film and edit your own movies using an iPhone.

Dave has filmed adventures, documentaries, events and destinations with his iPhone for years and introduces real-life examples and skills, as well as an interactive live-demonstrations of how to edit on a phone.

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This is the perfect course for anyone wanting to capture their adventure without dishing out extra cash on camera gear. Dave's popular iPhone filmmaking course will teach you everything you need to know to film and edit your own movies using an iPhone.

Dave has filmed adventures, documentaries, events and destinations with his iPhone for years and introduces real-life examples and skills, as well as an interactive live-demonstrations of how to edit on a phone.

  • Learn how to frame basic shots

  • Understand settings on your camera

  • Edit using an app called iMovie on your iPhone

  • By the end of the session you'll have filmed and edited your own movie, and will have enough confidence to practice and improve by yourself afterwards.

  • Get ready to capture those special moments and turn them into a finished film.

  • No more old holiday footage left unused on your phone

  • Make small, easy and fun film gifts for your friends

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to use the camera app for filming
  • How to use imovie to edit films
  • Basics for composition, framing and lighting your videos
  • Using accessories like a tripod to aid your smartphone filmmaking
  • How to add a soundtrack and sound effects to your film
  • Use different camera modes, likes timelapse and slo-mo

Syllabus

Preparing to film and edit on your iPhone means you'll be able to create your films without worrying about settings, battery and memory.

Welcome to the course. Meet Dave, your instructor, and find out what you'll be learning over the coming lessons.

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Find out how to check your phone's memory, and make sure you've cleared some space for the filming you'll be doing soon. Oh, and don't forget about charging the battery!

A quick look at the two apps we'll be using in this course, and a chance to check that they're updated.

Camera is the inbuilt app on your phone, and enables you to take photos and film using different modes.

And iMovie is our video editing app, where we'll be editing our films.

Before we film using the Camera app we need to choose the settings to record on.

This lesson digs down into resolution and frames per second, although it's not all essential if you don't care about the techy stuff.

In this section we take a look at the Camera App, which we use to record our film, and iMovie, where we edit our movies together. After this you'll be ready to start make your own films.

It's time to find out how to use the Camera app, including shooting modes, focus, changing exposure (or brightness) and zoom.

A look at a very cool camera mode, Slo-Mo. See examples of where Slo Motion might be helpful in your films, and also understand how Slo-Mo works.

Another great mode on the iPhone Camera is Timelapse. See how timelapses work and learn how to take hours of footage and speed it up.

This is the longest lesson of the course, so feel free to pause after each section. Here we look deep into how iMovie works. You'll learn about the different tools available, how to do a simple edit, and how to save your movie.

Trailer Mode is a great way to learn basic filming techniques and end up with a fun film to show your friends.

It's time for you to make your own trailer!

A deeper look into how to capture good quality images and use iMovie to bring them together in the same film.

At the heart of a really good film are the basics of composition. In this lesson we'll look at how you can frame, focus and light each part of your film.

A film is a collection of different shots all put together, so in this lesson we'll be looking at all kinds of ways to capture footage. Behind every good film is a camera, and it's up to you to keep it moving.

Be a fly on the wall as Dave films a quick scene. Check out how to capture something simple in real-time.

Now we're going to take the footage captured in the last lesson, and import it to iMovie. It's time to edit a film!

Now we've edited a short film Dave chats through the final product, and why he made certain shooting and editing choices.

Now it's your turn. This is where things get fun. Choose your subject and spend about ten to fifteen minutes filming and editing your first film, from scratch.

Understand the importance of recording sound and avoiding unwanted noise on your film. We'll also discuss audio editing techniques and the positive impact of musical soundtracks and sound effects

Sound is just as important as vision, if not more so. Here we learn about the importance of capturing good sound for your film, and different ways to do it.

Now we've thought about how to capture sound, let's look at editing audio in iMovie.

The importance of using a tripod and other methods to ensure stable still shots, and smooth motion shots.

We're getting to the good stuff now. Watch a film on the TV or at the cinema and you'll notice that movement is everything. If it's not the camera it's the subject. We'll look at some accessories here, and also some free ideas for making your shots look professional.

Now it's time for Dave to make another film, but now he'll be using a tripod to emphasise just how good stable shots make a film look.

Join Dave as he edits the footage taken in the last lesson.

Now take a look at the final movie, and some extra tweaks Dave makes to finish it off.

This is a wrap-up, a summary of what we've learned, how to practice and where to go for further information and community.

A final summary of the course, plus reminders of what we've learned. Dave also shares a companion website with further exercises, films from other students, and links to helpful material that will compliment this course.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to use iMovie, which is a free and accessible video editing app available on iPhones, making it ideal for beginners
Focuses on using readily available technology like iPhones, which democratizes filmmaking and lowers the barrier to entry for aspiring creators
Covers practical aspects of filmmaking, such as composition, framing, lighting, and sound, which are essential for creating visually appealing and engaging content
Includes hands-on exercises and live demonstrations, which allows learners to immediately apply what they've learned and develop practical skills
Emphasizes the importance of sound recording and editing, which is often overlooked but crucial for creating professional-quality films
Explores using accessories like tripods to enhance stability and motion, which can improve the overall quality and professionalism of films

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Make Films With an iPhone: For Beginners with these activities:
Review Basic Photography Principles
Reviewing basic photography principles will help you better understand composition, framing, and lighting, which are essential for creating visually appealing films with your iPhone.
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos on the rule of thirds, leading lines, and other composition techniques.
  • Practice framing shots using different perspectives and angles.
  • Experiment with natural and artificial lighting to understand how it affects the mood and look of your videos.
Read 'iPhone Filmmaking: How to Shoot Video with Your iPhone'
Reading this book will provide a more in-depth understanding of iPhone filmmaking techniques, complementing the course material and helping you create better films.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book, either physically or digitally.
  • Read the book, paying close attention to the chapters on camera settings, composition, and lighting.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Practice Shooting Short Video Clips
Practicing shooting short video clips will help you develop your skills in composition, framing, and lighting, as well as become more comfortable using the Camera app on your iPhone.
Show steps
  • Choose a subject to film, such as a person, object, or scene.
  • Experiment with different camera angles, distances, and movements.
  • Adjust the exposure and focus to achieve the desired look.
  • Review your footage and identify areas for improvement.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Follow iMovie Editing Tutorials
Following iMovie editing tutorials will help you master the software and learn advanced editing techniques to enhance your films.
Show steps
  • Search for iMovie tutorials on YouTube or other online platforms.
  • Choose tutorials that cover specific editing techniques, such as color correction, transitions, and audio editing.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step, practicing the techniques on your own footage.
Create a Short Film Trailer
Creating a short film trailer will allow you to apply the skills and knowledge you've learned in the course to create a finished product that showcases your filmmaking abilities.
Show steps
  • Plan your trailer, including the story, characters, and key scenes.
  • Shoot the footage for your trailer, paying attention to composition, framing, and lighting.
  • Edit your trailer using iMovie, adding music, sound effects, and text.
  • Share your trailer with friends and family and get feedback.
Read 'Cinematography: Theory and Practice'
Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of cinematography principles, allowing you to make more informed decisions about your shots and create more visually compelling films.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book, either physically or digitally.
  • Read the book, focusing on the chapters that are most relevant to your interests and skill level.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Create a Short Documentary
Starting a short documentary project will challenge you to apply all the skills and knowledge you've learned in the course to create a meaningful and engaging film.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your documentary that you are passionate about.
  • Research your topic and develop a story outline.
  • Shoot interviews and b-roll footage using your iPhone.
  • Edit your documentary using iMovie, adding music, sound effects, and narration.
  • Share your documentary with the world and get feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Make Films With an iPhone: For Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Videographer
A videographer captures and edits video content for various purposes. This course is a perfect starting point for aspiring videographers. It covers essential techniques like framing, composition, and using different camera modes, all within the accessible context of an iPhone. The course also teaches video editing using iMovie, a skill directly applicable to a videographer's work. In this profession you might work on projects such as short films, documentaries, news segments, or promotional material. Specifically, the course's focus on practical, hands-on learning through filming and editing your own movie helps build a strong foundation for a career as a videographer. The emphasis on understanding camera settings, audio capture, and the use of accessories will help you create compelling visual content.
Content Creator
Content creators produce engaging material for digital platforms. This course helps you learn how to produce video content using tools already at your disposal. Content creators must master skills like filming, composition, and editing, and this course focuses on these very skills using the accessible interface of an iPhone. The course provides hands-on learning, letting you film and edit your own movie, an experience that is beneficial to a content creator creating online videos. The ability to use different camera modes like Slo-Mo and Timelapse, along with editing applications like iMovie, can help content creators produce a variety of engaging videos. This course also teaches you about the importance of sound, so you will be able to produce high quality audio while filming.
Video Editor
A video editor is a professional who manipulates and arranges video footage to create a final product. This course helps you build a foundation in video editing by teaching you how to use iMovie on an iPhone. The course guides you through different iMovie tools, doing simple edits, and saving your movie. You'll also learn how to add sound effects and a soundtrack, which is an essential part of video editing. A video editor must be able to create coherent and visually appealing sequences, and the course teaches composition, various shot types, and camera movement. This knowledge helps a prospective video editor learn the basic knowledge of the field. The course also features a lesson where you edit a short film.
Social Media Manager
Social media managers are in charge of overseeing an organization's online presence. They often need to develop content, and this course can help build those skills. Social media managers may need to create short videos and this course emphasizes hands-on learning to film and edit your own videos using an iPhone. By learning about camera settings, framing, and composition, social media managers can produce higher quality video. The course’s instruction on using editing software iMovie also helps a social media manager develop valuable skills. The course also teaches the importance of sound design, which would help ensure high quality presentation when posting your content online.
Digital Storyteller
Digital storytellers create narratives using various digital media, often combining video, audio, and text. This course will help you develop the video skills necessary for digital storytelling. You will be able to capture your adventures and turn them into engaging movies using your iPhone. This course is useful for digital storytellers because it provides the basic technical skills needed to create compelling content. The course also covers important aspects of storytelling, such as composition, framing, and movement. The class emphasizes a hands-on approach, teaching editing using iMovie, and focusing on the importance of sound design as well. These concepts help a digital storyteller create impactful, concise stories.
Documentary Filmmaker
Documentary filmmakers create non-fiction films that explore real-world topics. If you are interested in this career, this course is a perfect starting point, because you will learn how to create a film using only your iPhone. The course provides instruction on essential filmmaking skills, such as framing, composition, and lighting. It utilizes real-life examples, and is structured around real-time filming and editing using iMovie. A documentary filmmaker must be able to handle various aspects of video production, including camera operation, sound design, and editing. The course's lessons on using camera modes like Slo-Mo and Timelapse as well as the emphasis on capturing good sound are beneficial to anyone in this field.
Film Director
A film director is responsible for overseeing the creative aspects of a film project. While this course will not make you a director, it may help you gain a better understanding of what a director does, or help you in the early stages of your career. It provides a starting point for learning the technical aspects of filmmaking. You will learn about film composition, camera operation, and editing using iMovie on your iPhone. By learning how to frame shots, use different camera modes, and add effects, you can gain an understanding of the filmmaking process. This is a solid introduction to filmmaking, where you will be able to film your own movie using your phone, and learn about the process from beginning to end. This knowledge may help you in your career as a film director.
Multimedia Artist
Multimedia artists create art using a combination of different media, and this course may be useful if you decide to add video components to your work. Aspiring multimedia artists can benefit from learning video filming techniques on a device that is often already at hand. This course introduces the basics of framing, composition, and using camera modes on the iPhone. The course also provides an introduction to editing tools using iMovie, which helps artists explore different methods of expressing themselves. Multimedia artists must be able to translate ideas into visually compelling pieces, and this course helps build foundational skills in video production, particularly concerning sound and camera movement.
Travel Blogger
Travel bloggers share their experiences through various media, and this course is designed to help you capture and share your adventures using your phone. The course teaches how to use your iPhone to record and edit videos. You will learn how to capture basic shots, use different camera settings, and how to edit with iMovie. Travel bloggers need to create quality content that is clear and engaging ,and the course focuses on helping you hone your practical skills. The course emphasizes hands-on learning, offering an experience where you will film and edit your own movie, which will help you create and share your own travel videos with ease.
Instructional Designer
Instructional designers create educational materials, often incorporating visual aids, including video. This course may help anyone in this field who needs to create simple training materials. You will learn how to use your iPhone to capture video by understanding camera settings, framing, and composition. The course also teaches editing using iMovie. By the end of the course, you will have filmed and edited your own movie, which helps you learn the basics of visual production. This course’s teaching on sound will help you create clear and impactful training videos.
Journalist
Journalists report news and current events, often needing to capture or create their own videos. This course may be helpful for journalists who need to use their phone to record and edit footage. The course offers a hands-on approach to understanding how to capture, frame, and compose good video. By learning to use camera settings on your iPhone, edit with iMovie, and add sound, you will be able to produce clear and concise videos that are fit for publication. This course can be helpful for journalists who need to be ready to capture footage at a moment's notice. This course provides these practical skills in an accessible way.
Marketing Specialist
Marketing specialists develop strategies to promote products or services, often using video content. This course may be useful for this role by helping you learn to create video content using an iPhone. The course teaches essential video skills like basic shots, camera settings, and editing with iMovie. Marketing specialists must be able to engage a target audience, and this course helps you develop the ability to produce video with compelling visual elements. You will also learn about the importance of sound, which will help you create high-quality marketing videos. By the end of the course, you will have experience in filming and editing, which will help you begin producing your own promotional videos.
Photographer
Photographers capture still images. A photographer may find this course helpful in expanding their artistic toolkit. As photography and videography have many overlaps, a photographer can gain a better understanding of how to use composition and lighting to create high-quality video. In this course you will learn to apply these concepts to video, and learn additional skills, like how to move the camera. This course may encourage photographers to explore the medium of video in their own artistic practice. By familiarizing yourself with iMovie, you will also be able to produce short videos that you can share with your audience.
Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents assist clients in buying, selling, or renting properties, and may benefit from producing videos to showcase properties. This course may help a real estate agent learn to create simple and effective videos using their phone. The course teaches you how to use your iPhone's camera, how to frame shots, and how to edit with iMovie. Real estate agents need to capture key features of a property, and this program will teach you the practical skills necessary to do that. By learning how to utilize the camera's different settings, you will be able to capture high-quality videos for your clients.
Event Planner
Event planners organize and execute events, and may benefit from learning to capture high quality video. This course teaches you how to film and edit events so that you can present them to your clients. An event planner may also be tasked with creating video content for the events that they organize. The course teaches valuable skills, such as framing shots, and using different camera modes, which can be helpful when making promotional videos. By learning how to use iMovie, you will also be able to edit your footage and create a professionally finished product. The course’s focus on sound design can also be helpful when you are capturing footage of an event.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Make Films With an iPhone: For Beginners.
Provides a comprehensive guide to filmmaking using an iPhone. It covers topics such as camera settings, composition, lighting, sound, and editing. It valuable resource for beginners who want to learn how to create professional-looking videos with their iPhones. This book expands on the course material by providing more in-depth explanations and practical tips.
Delves into the art and science of cinematography, covering topics such as camera movement, lighting, composition, and color. While not specific to iPhone filmmaking, it provides a solid foundation in filmmaking principles that can be applied to any camera. This book is more valuable as additional reading to provide a deeper understanding of the technical and artistic aspects of filmmaking. It is commonly used as a textbook in film schools.

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