Music video shot entirely on a cameraphone

Mike Hodgkinson shot and directed the music video for “Oceans”, by artist Rob Dickinson, using a Nokia N93 camera phone. I have to say that the results are impressive. Very creative use of the small form-factor of the camera, including some underwater footage taken from a makeshift submersible rig. In one shot, they suspended the cellphone camera from a tethered bundle of helium balloons and used if for an overhead shot. As Ali G would say, “Respect.” You can view the music video at Youtube, as well as a making-of clip.

This isn’t the first music video to be shot entirely with a camera phone. I recall that The Presidents of the United States of America did it with “Some Postman” back in 2005, using several Sony Ericsson video phones. They also have a behind the scenes doc on the production process. And a good story on the PUSA video can be found here.

All this once again serves to illustrate that interesting and quality content is largely not about what equipment you have available to you, but how you choose to use those tools.


3 Responses to “Music video shot entirely on a cameraphone”  

  1. 1 Josh Oakhurst

    I saw that post over on SRO today - 30f has a good take on it too.

    More and more I think people are realizing their greatest chance at reaching an audience lies on the InterWEB. When the web is your distribution channel - resolutions, formats, and aspect ratios all go right out the window.

    As far as that video goes, I hate the song and the concept, but the execution using the cellphone camera is spot on.

    Personally, I know that I’ve stopping and rethinking all the money I was planning in investing into several HD shorts next year. Even six or eight months ago - HD creations were certainly the rage - but HD distribution has still remained non-existent. Unless you’re shooting a feature you know will hit theatres - does HD aqcuisition really make any sense?

    I think Imma’ gonna be stickin’ to some DVX productions for now….But hell, if all our videos end up in 320×240 artifacted boxes, perhaps even standard def is now overkill.

    Hey, do they make 35mm adapters for cellphone camera lenses yet?

  2. 2 Anonymous

    boring. with such a small camera you can get creative with shots. and they fail to do so.

  1. 1 BlogaCine | Blog Venezolano de Cine » ‘Oceans’, video rodado con celular

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