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The mobile cinematography app Filmic Pro has come a long way over the years, adding features that truly made it a ‘killer app’ for mobile filmmakers. Plenty has happened recently that calls for a new review.
I thought I’d break this into two separate parts, focusing on what I think of the update on my iPhone 14 Pro, then discuss what’s new with version 7.4.1.
If you’re going to film using a mobile solution, Filmic Pro is the way to go. There are other apps available for both the iPhone and Android, including what’s included with the device’s operating system, but I still think Filmic Pro is the gold standard.
The footage looks great and you can film in LogV3+ or use LUTs (see below for more information). It’s much easier now to work with the app, so it ‘gets out of the way,’ meaning you’re not spending more time fiddling with controls than you are framing and capture a shot.
The cinematography app includes manual controls, cinematic features (aspect ratio, frame rate, etc.), and more, makes it stand above the others. I also like that other features are ‘unlocked’ depending on the mobile device. So using the iPhone 14 Pro (the latest and greatest as of late spring 2023) gives you even more options, as I mention below.
While you can go handheld with your device and Filmic Pro, you can also purchase special support systems or gimbals such as the DJI Osmo Mobile 6, which has a 3-axis stabilization for smoother filming. You can also add supported lenses to the mobile device to achieve a true anamorphic look, or any sort of look with the right lens.
Check out some quick-and-dirty footage from a recent trail run in a South Florida swamp and gravel trail. I felt like the colors looked great, and the light and shadows were fairly even. I ran around 8am in the morning, local time.
What’s new in Filmic Pro V 7.4?
Filmic Pro launched some major updates with versions 7 and 7.3, the latter of which you can read about here. Some of the key new features include customizing up to six function buttons to access the shutter, zebras, auto white balance, and more. It builds upon the QAM (Quick Action Model system) from ver. 7 and really makes it easier to call up features you’ll need while framing up a shot, for example.
Once I programmed the buttons, things just moved quicker. Anything that can take less swipes or actions, thus taking me out of my filmmaking zone, is a great thing.
Filmic Pro 7.4 is the latest version and adds LUT support, which is an important new feature. You’ll be able to import up to eight .cube LUT files and apply them while in preview mode. That also means you’ll be able to burn them into the final recorded footage. Why is this so important? A feature like this is usually found in higher end (and expensive) cinema cameras, so having LUT support on hand in Filmic Pro, but on a supported mobile device is a bit of a game changer.
There are now even more options to get that truly cinematic look. Or use your iPhone as a B camera and work with FilmConvert or Cinematch (and Filmic Pro’s LogV3+ with the iPhone 14 Pro) to duplicate the shot of your A camera, such as a RED, ARRI ALEXA, etc.
Filmic Pro was recently acquired by Italian app developer Bending Spoons and is now available as an subscription of $49.99. If you don’t need to use it for long, there is a weekly rental option at $2.99/week. Learn more at Filmic Pro's site.
One more little note: The app got a name rebranding of sorts when it got purchased Gone is the fun/annoying depending on your point of view mixed case FiLMiC Pro, but it's still a great cinematography app.
Tags: Production
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