Smartphone Filmmaker Wins Best Music Video at Virgin Spring Cinefest

ScreenSpace tutor and award-winning Smartphone filmmaker Cassius Rayner wins award for Best Music Video at the recent Virgin Spring Cinefest.

“Cassius has been an inspiration to our students and his work is a great example of how you can work with smartphones and deliver a creative idea in a new and innovative way.” Lisette Johnston, Head of School, ScreenSpace.

“The fact that he has moved from creating content with cameras and works exclusively on iPhone just highlights the huge potential these devices hold. Starting out with a smartphone is the perfect introduction to storytelling for our students as it’s so accessible and gives a level of freedom not always possible with other forms of filmmaking.”

Cassius has more than 20 years’ experience in film and video production and has been involved with BA (Hons) Content, Media & Film Production since its inception and teaches the courses’ Smartphone Filmmaking module.

During which you’ll cut your teeth using some of Cassius’ favourite equipment including the Zhiyun Smooth Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer, the ULANZI U-Rig Pro and FilmicPro, a state of the art app which transforms your device into a cinematic camera.

BA (Hons) Content, Media & Film Production student and actor Rizwan Shebani (City of Tiny Lights, EastEnders) took the role of the project’s Sound Assistant and also shot the behind the scenes video – watch this below!

Virgin Spring Cinefest is an international film festival, celebrating films from around the globe every month. Winning projects are celebrated at an annual ‘mega-screening event’ held in Kolkata, India. Submissions are taken exclusively through FilmFreeway, the same submission platform used by the likes of Sundance the Atlanta Film Festival.

Smartphone filmmaking and cinematography has grown exponentially over the last few years, from big features like Unsane and Tangerine and even an episode of Jimmy Fallon. Smartphone filmmaking is a fantastic way to create content on a budget anywhere; the possibilities are endless once you know how.

The project was filmed for the artist IMPS at Beckenham Place Mansion in South East London, a venue which hosts outdoor cinema during the summer months. 

You can still BA Content Media & Film Production starting this September.