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Editing video with the iPhone SE: Fix it in the post?

9.10.2020

Translation: machine translated

The challenge: editing video material produced on the iPhone SE on the device itself. The result: an unagitated action film. In between, there are hours of material viewing and somewhat tedious handling.

The video shoot with the ihone SE - Bike Action Video - has been completed by photographer Thomas and video producer Manuel. I can now edit 162 video clips into an action film. You might be thinking: "Oh, it's not that much, better too much footage than too little!" Yes, that's basically true, but I'm supposed to edit in 4K on this very iPhone SE and only have half an afternoon to do it.

I sit down in my office chair, holding the smartphone with the 162 clips from the video shoot. How am I supposed to edit it all? There is no pre-installed editing programme. Am I supposed to edit the clips on Snapchat, Instagram and the like, export them and put them together somewhere? Oh boy. My two team mates help me out. Thomas suggests the editing programme LumaFusion and Manuel puts together a setup that allows me to work like in my old editing suite. Whoop whoop, here we go!

Here's the setting:

Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter (Lightning, HDMI (type A), Lightning)

Mobile device adapters

CHF44.70

Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter

Lightning, HDMI (type A), Lightning

Eizo CS2731 ColorEdge (2560 x 1440 pixels, 27")

Monitor

−10%

CHF925.– was CHF1029.–

Eizo CS2731 ColorEdge

2560 x 1440 pixels, 27"

Keyboard

Logitech Craft

CH, Wireless

Mouse

Used

CHF79.–

Logitech MX Master 2S

Wireless

Not quite a Hollywood blockbuster

When I start the programme, I think of my absolute favourite action films: "Terminator 2", "Die Hard", "The Raid", "Ong Bak", "John Wick" and almost everything by Jackie Chan. I want my phone film to be able to measure up to that, and when I watch the footage, I feel disillusioned. Someone is driving down the hill. Stop. Ok, it's not just anyone driving, it's Fiona Kälin and of course she's not driving at a leisurely pace. Nevertheless, I see a certain discrepancy in content between what I consider to be entertaining action and the 162 bike clips.

Surprise?

I spend hours watching bike scenes, highlighting the strongest ones in terms of content and technology and putting it all together to create a well-rounded film. Looking at the end product, I would say that I have mastered the task with ease. I would even say that I could have edited the film Ong Bak, which has almost no VFX, on it. But I won't be editing any other films on a smartphone, the handling is too complicated for me.

What are your favourite action films?

For those who can't stand me, there's only bike action here: [[video:142938]]

17 people like this article

Armin Tobler

Senior Video Producer

Armin.Tobler@digitecgalaxus.ch

You actually read this stuff? Well in that case... hi!

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