MA Cinematography student Sameer Baria shoots short film using iPhone
By MetFilm School
16 April 2025
As part of a class assignment, six MetFilm School students teamed up to create The Silence Between Us, a short film that explores the power of silence.
Shot entirely on an iPhone, the film was selected for the Lift-Off Global Network’s Official Selection. Meet the talented creative team:
- Director of Photography: Sameer Baria (MA Cinematography)
- Director & Editor: Hardik Parikh (MA Directing)
- Cast: Maria Michael and Rux Amărăzeanu (both MA Directing)
- Composer: Jack Ledger-Dowse
- Vocals: Saffron Margaret
We caught up with Director of Photography for the project, Sameer Baria, to learn more about the creative process and the challenges of shooting a cinematic project on an iPhone.
Had you ever shot a film on an iPhone before? How did you adapt your typical approach to suit this medium?
Before this project, my experience with mobile filmmaking was limited to personal videos and photos – I’d never really considered incorporating them into my professional practice.
There were a couple of challenges: limited exposure control, and composing shots with a fixed focal length, for example. I also had to prioritise scheduling shots based on the sun’s path to try and maintain some control over the final ‘look’.
My focus had always been on industry-standard cameras, but after dealing with these new challenges, I found I was able to maintain a similar approach. Concepts such as framing, shot division, and lighting are always relevant, after all, regardless of your equipment.
Can you share a bit about the process of establishing the film’s dreamy, hazy visuals?
During pre-production, Hardik and I discussed experimenting with the film’s look to make it distinctive and surreal. He discovered a super affordable set of attachable macro lenses on Facebook Marketplace, all designed for iPhones.
The set included 24mm, 50mm, and 85mm lenses, and although they were intended for macro shots, I decided to explore how they’d work for composing wide-angle.
To my surprise, they produced a distorted bokeh effect around the edges, with sharpness in the centre. Coupled with the moody weather that day, it all came together to create the desired atmosphere.
What new opportunities did you find through mobile filmmaking?
Filming on an iPhone certainly presents its own set of limitations and challenges, but I really appreciated the creative freedom it provides for experimentation.
The ability to place the camera anywhere, without the need for grips, is just one of the many advantages. With a phone, anyone has the power to tell a story without the constraints of crew, budget, and other production limitations. This freedom is what every filmmaker dreams of achieving in their professional journey.
For this film, the mobility afforded by mobile filmmaking allowed us to move quickly between setups and focus more on storytelling.
The time saved on setting up and lighting shots was redirected towards fruitful conversations with our director, which resulted in a really creatively enriching experience. It ended up giving me a completely different perspective on cinematography.
I really would recommend that all filmmakers try experimenting with mobile filmmaking at least once during their practice.
Ready to make your move?
At MetFilm School, our MA Cinematography course offers students the chance to develop advanced skills in visual storytelling, while learning from some of the best in the business through regular masterclasses, workshops, and real industry briefs.
Students are able to develop technical and creative skills in camera, lighting, and post-production to an industry standard. They’ll also have opportunities to work on professional shoots and collaborate across departments on a course that is led by active industry professionals.
Apply now to study MA Cinematography in Berlin, Leeds, or London and take your next step into the screen industries.
