FiLMiC Pro User Guide For Beginners

Learn How To Use FiLMiC Pro For Filmmaking, Cinematography and Videography

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FiLMiC Pro User Guide For Beginners

Version 6.19.1

What’s New

• Log V3+ Support for ProRes 709 Capture.
• Support for Frame.io Camera to Cloud (C2C) to the Cinematographer Kit.

FiLMiC Pro

FiLMiC Pro is a very popular Filmmaking, Cinematography and Videography App for the Apple iPhone used by many Professional Filmmakers, Cinematographers and Videographers. It can shoot in ProRes 422 HQ on Apple iPhone 13 Pro Models.

FiLMiC Pro is an Apple iPhone Video Only App.

In this FiLMiC Pro User Guide, you’ll Learn How To Use FiLMiC Pro for Filmmaking, Cinematography and Videography.

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FiLMiC Pro Advanced Features

• ProRes 422 HQ on Apple iPhone 13 Pro Models – Watch a Video.
• Apple Watch – Remotely Frame and Shoot Video using FiLMiC Pro App for Apple Watch.
• Gimbal Support – FiLMiC Pro supports the new Zhiyun Smooth 5.
• Imaging Panel – Control White Balance, Isolated Temperature and Tint Controls.
• Manual Arcs – Professional Grade Manual Arcs give you precise control over the full range of your image, allowing you to Pull Focus.
• Focus Peaking – FiLMiC Pro’s Live Analytic takes all the guesswork out of where to find your area of critical focus.
• Zebras – Industry standard for quick and responsive exposure analytic for assessing IRE values.
• Frame Rate – FiLMiC Pro shoots at a default 24 FPS for a true, cinematic look and feel to your footage.
• Manual Lens Array – FiLMiC Pro treats each of your available lenses like a premium prime lens with full control over each.

FiLMiC Pro Film Looks

FiLMiC Pro offers real time Film Looks which are inspired by classic film stocks mixed with the look and feel of iconic films for a unique live capture experience.

Film Looks: Infrared | Adamant | Charcoal | Novus.

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FiLMiC Pro Settings For Cinematography, Videography and Filmmaking

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FiLMiC Pro Settings

FiLMiC Pro Settings For Apple iPhone 13 Pro Models

Here are our Recommended Settings for FiLMiC Pro using the Apple iPhone 13 Pro 1TB and Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 1TB with ProRes. We often shoot on the Wide Camera with a Moment Anamorphic Lenses (Blue for Night and Gold for Day).

Shutter Speed

1/48th –> Lock Shutter Speed at 1/48th of a Second for the 180° Film Rule.

Resolution

Aspect Ratio –> 16.9 –> Even when using Moment Anamorphic Lenses.
Quality –> 4K –> ProRes 422 HQ –> Best Video Quality! Files are Huge!

Framerate

Standard –> 24 fps.
Auto Shutter –> Enable.

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Audio

iPhone Mic (Back).
ACC.
48.0 kHz.
Bluetooth Microphone –> Enable If Using Apple AirPods.
Voice Processing –> Enable If Voice Recording.

Device

Save To Camera Roll –> Standard Apple iPhone Location.
Remote Control –> Enable If Using FiLMiC Remote.
See Our FiLMiC Remote User Guide.
Orientation Lock –> Disable (Can Mess Up).
Remote Preview Only –> Disable.
Tap To Hide Interface –> Enable.
Hide Reticles With Interface –> Disable.
Hide Zoom Rocker –> Enable (Hides Digital Zoom – Not Used).
Volume Keys Trigger Recording –> Enable.

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CMS

Time Code Track –> Enable.
Content Management –> Enable For Large Productions.

Hardware

Zhiyun Smooth 4/5 –> Enable If Using Zhiyun Smooth 5.
Anamorphic Adapter –> 1.33x When Using an Moment Anamorphic Lenses.
Desqueeze In Preview Only –> Disable (Video Desqueesed When Saved).

Stabilization

Stabilization –> Off –> If Using a Gimbal.
Stabilization –> Enable –> Standard if Using Hand Held.

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Camera

Wide 26mm ƒ/1.5 (Camera Where Moment Anamorphic Lens is Attached)

Guide

Guide –> Enable The Guide

Presets

Save Your Preset. (ie: Anamorphic 4K 24 FPS 1/48th ProRes).
Some FiLMiC Pro Settings are NOT Saved in the Preset. These include:
Camera Selection – So don’t bother setting up a Preset for Each Camera.
White Balance. This needs to be Set and Locked for Each Scene using a White Balance Card.
ISO. This will need to be set as low as possible after Loading the Preset.
Shutter Speed Is Saved in the Preset, but it becomes Unlocked after Loading the Preset. Remember to Lock Shutter Speed again.
You Cannot Lock both the Shutter Speed and ISO at the same time. I would love to see available.

We suggest setting up one Preset for 24 fps and one for 60 fps (2.5x Slow Motion).
If you use an Anamorphic Lens, setup Anamorphic Presets with Anamorphic Desqueese Enabled, one for 24 fps and one for 60 fps (2.5x Slow Motion). Some Filmmakers and Videographers shoot in 60fps all the time and just drop the frame rate down to 24 fps in Post Production. The disadvantage to this is if you wanted to share or post your video online – it will be stuck in slow motion.

Histograms

You can use a Histogram to identify if your video exposure is evenly balanced and make any corrections necessary. By tapping the time code counter medallion you can cycle between 3 different imaging Histograms:
1) Tap once to access a dynamic full luminosity histogram.
2) Tap again to access a histogram with composite and RGB layers.
3) Tap again to access a Waveform monitor. This plots luminance values on the vertical axis and the width of the current frame across the horizontal axis.

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White Balance

AWB –> Adjust White Balance Tap the Imaging Panel icon to adjust the white balance manually or use a White Balance Card (Photo: Left) under the scene lighting conditions and press AWB to lock the White Balance. Pay special attention to the White Balance Setting when switching Camera Lenses.

Focus

Set Focus before Exposure, Focus performs better in all available light. Always stop down Exposure after Setting Focus if possible.

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Variable ND Filters

When shooting with a Wide Open Aperture (ƒ/1.5 – ƒ/1.8 – ƒ/2.8) your Apple iPhone video will often be over exposed in daylight. We recommend using a 2 to 5 Stop Moment Variable ND Filter to reduce your exposure. This will dramatically improve your chances at catching your shot correctly. Variable ND filters make it possible to maintain your desired exposure settings, while still reducing the amount of motion blur being produced by a slow shutter speed (1/48th at 24 fps). Variable ND Filters can be helpful for shooting timelapses or very slow motion that requires additional tools to perfect that shot. The Variable ND Filter now controls just your Exposure.

You can add a Variable ND Filter over the Moment Anamorphic Lenses using a Moment Filter Mount Adapter.

Company Reference

FiLMiC Pro User Guide

Apple iPhone Camera Tips and Tutorials

Ad • Apple Watch – Got an Apple Watch? Did you know that you can use your Apple Watch to Remote Monitor and Remote Control your Apple iPhone? Apple Camera, Moment Pro Camera and FiLMiC Pro support Remote Monitoring and Remote Control using your Apple Watch.

Learn How To Use FiLMiC Pro With Zhiyun Smooth 5

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Learn How To Use FiLMiC Pro With Zhiyun Smooth 5 – Watch a Video

FiLMiC Pro now yet provide Full Support for the Zhiyun Smooth 5. In this FiLMiC Pro User Guide, you’ll Learn How To Use FiLMiC Pro with the Zhiyun Smooth 5’s Controls and Modes:

Pairing FiLMiC Pro with Zhiyun Smooth 5

Enable Bluetooth on your Apple iPhone.
Open FiLMiC Pro’s Setting –> Hardware Menu –> Enable Zhiyun Smooth 4/5.
Select your Gimbal Name.

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Zhiyun Smooth 5 Button Layout For FiLMiC Pro

Power Button – Press and Hold for 2 seconds to Power On | Off.
Single Press Power Button when powered on to Check Battery Level.
Flashing Red PF light indicates Low Battery.
Interacts With FiLMiC Pro’s Menus as a D-Pad.

Center Thumbwheel – Controls Intensity of Gimbal LED Lights when Attached and Light(s) Turned On (Photo: Left).
Interacts With FiLMiC Pro’s Menus as a D-Pad.

Red Record Button – Stops | Starts Recording or Takes a Still Photo. (Volume Button Shutter Needs to be Enabled).

Rear Trigger Button – Press and Hold to Enter Go Mode.
Press 2X to Reset Orientation.
Press 3X to Flip Phone 180° (Selfie Mode).

Joy Stick – Pan Up | Pan Down and Pan Left | Pan Right. This is pressure sensitive allowing for precise control.

FN Button – Press 5X to Reset Bluetooth (If Switching Apple iPhones).

Mode Button – Single Press Mode Button –> Switch Gimbal Follow Modes (PF – L – F – POV – V)
See Our Zhiyun Smooth 5 User Guide For Mode Button Descriptions.
Top LED Panel – Tells you which Gimbal Follow Mode the Gimbal is in.
2X Press Mode Button –> Returns to Previous Follow Mode.

Company Reference

Zhiyun Smooth 5 User Guide

Apple iPhone Camera Tips and Tutorials

Ad • Zhiyun Smooth 5 LED 580 Lumens – The Zhiyun Smooth 5 Combo Package comes with 1 Magnetic Fill Light, but the Gimbal can support up to 2 LED Lights. Each LED provides up to 580 Lumens of White LED Light. The LED Lights can be mounted on top and/or bottom of the iPhone Clamp. Very Bright and Highly Recommended!

FiLMiC Pro Shooting Modes With Zhiyun Smooth 5

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FiLMiC Pro Shooting Modes – Reticle Mode – Auto Mode – Manual Mode

Cycle Through Each of the 3 Shooting Modes By Pressing the Center Shooting Mode Button (Light Bulb) on the Center Thumbwheel.
Circle Reticle is Exposure – White: Unlocked. Red: Locked.
Square Reticle is Focus – White: Unlocked. Red: Locked.

Mode 1 – Reticle Mode (Default Mode)

Click Left on the Thumbwheel will Lock | Unlock the Exposure Reticle.
Click Right on the Thumbwheel will Lock | Unlock the Focus Reticle.
Click Up on the Thumbwheel will Lock | Unlock both the Focus Reticle and the Exposure Reticle at the same time.
Click Down on the Thumbwheel will Open | Close the FiLMiC Pro Video Library.

Mode 2 – Auto Mode (To Enter Auto Mode Press Light Bulb Button Once)

In Auto Mode, FiLMiC Pro will use its wider center weighted Auto Focus and Exposure Reticles. Better For Shooting Selfies.
This is our Recommended Shooting Mode with the Shutter Speed Locked at 1/48th of a Second and ISO Set as Low as Possible.
Use a Variable ND Filter to control your Exposure.

Click Left on the Thumbwheel will Lock | Unlock the Exposure Reticle.
Click Right on the Thumbwheel will Lock | Unlock the Focus Reticle.
Click Up on the Thumbwheel will Lock | Unlock both the Focus Reticle and the Exposure Reticle at the same time.
Click Down on the Thumbwheel will Open | Close the FiLMiC Pro Video Library.

Mode 3 – Manual Mode (To Enter Manual Press Light Bulb Button Once)

Manual Mode displays the 2 Side Manual Control Arcs.
Left Arch is Exposure. Scroll the Center Thumb Wheel to Adjust Manual Exposure.
Right Arch is Focus. Scroll the Large Left Focus Wheel to Adjust Manual Focus.
Use the Left Handwheel to Manually Adjust your Focus.
Use the Center Thumbwheel to Manually Adjust your Exposure.

Focus Pulling in Manual Mode

Right Press of the Center Thumb Wheel D-Pad will Engage your Focus Pull Points.
First, use the Large Side Focus Wheel to Choose your Starting Focus Pull Point Position.
Tap the Current Focus Marker to Snap Pull Point 1 into Position.
Next use the Large Side Focus Wheel to set your End Focus Pull Point Position.
Tap the Current Focus Marker to Snap Pull Point 2 into Position.
Now you can press the Right D-Pad to engage your Focus Pull Points.

Exposure Pulling in Manual Mode

This same technique can be applied to the Exposure Arc for Exposure Pulling.

Manual Override

This is the ability to perform a Manual Focus or Manual Exposure Override while in the Reticle Mode 1 or in Auto Mode 2.

To take Manual Control over the Focus, just adjust the Large Left Focus Wheel.
To dismiss the Focus Arc, Press Right on the Center Wheel Thumbpad.
The same procedure applies to Exposure.

Fast Lens Switching – Apple iPhone 13 Pro Models

FiLMiC Pro offers full support for Fast Lens Switching, using the Right Side Fn Button.
Single Press Fn Button to Switch between your last used Rear Camera and the Front Selfie Camera.
Long Press Fn Button will display the Manual Lens Picker. You can either scroll the Center Thumb Wheel to select your Lens and press the Center Shooting Mode Button (Light Bulb) to Accept, or click on the corresponding D-Pad to make an instant Camera Selection.

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LED Light (1 or 2 LED Lights Can Be Used Together – Extra LED Light Sold Separately)

Gimbal LED Lights attach magnetically to the Smooth 5 Gimbal can be used With FiLMiC Pro. (Photo: Left).
Long Press the Center Shooting Mode Button (Light Bulb) to Enable it. When Lit, FiLMiC Pro no longer has the option to Control Manual Exposure and the Center Thumb Wheel Controls the Intensity of the Gimbal LED Lights. To Turn the LED Light(s) off, Long Press the Center Shooting Mode Button (Light Bulb) to Disable it.

Setting Focus and Exposure Wheel Responsiveness

You can set the responsiveness and smoothness of the Large Left Focus Wheel and the Center Exposure Wheel to achieve perfect results for your shooting style.
Revel the Manual Arcs, then Swipe in from the Edge of Each Arc to reveal the hidden Variable Speed Slider. Default is Speed 5, but you can decrease or increase the Speed until you achieve the perfect tactile response.

Company Reference

Zhiyun Smooth 5 User Guide

Apple iPhone Camera Tips and Tutorials

Avoid Digital Zoom – The Apple iPhone Cameras can’t Zoom in and out like a Traditional Zoom Lens can. The Apple iPhone Cameras are fixed focal length, like Prime Lens. Digital Zoom is Not Recommended because it relies on software to zoom. If you need to get closer, switch to the Telephoto Lens or add an External Lens to your Apple iPhone.

Learn How To Use FiLMiC Pro For Timelapse Videos

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Learn How To Use The Timelapse Mode in FiLMiC Pro

FrameRate –> Timelapse –> Set Time Interval Seconds Per Frame (2s – 5s)

FiLMiC Pro can be placed in Timelapse mode. This is an alternate form of framerate system by which the app will take video images based on seconds per frame rather than frames per second. Timelapse is used to create beautiful, smooth clips that capture over a long period of time and play back at an accelerated pace. Shoot a sunset scene or capture the hustle and bustle of an entire day’s downtown traffic in one small finished video clip.

FiLMiC Timelapse can record on one of eight pre-defined capture intervals and playback at one of the standard broadcast video frame rates (24fps, 25fps and 30fps). When in timelapse mode the app will display ‘ TL’ in the timecode medallion and use the third segment of the counter to count off frames taken. The first two segments of the counter will display as minutes and then seconds of final footage.

Learn How To Use FiLMiC Pro With Apple Watch

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FiLMiC Pro With Apple Watch

Ad • Apple Watch – When paired with the FiLMiC Pro on your Apple iPhone, the Apple Watch allows the wearer to remotely call FiLMiC Pro’s start and stop functionality as well as preview.

Pre-Record State – Pause for Stitch Recording. Disabled until recording commences. Current Time Video Preview Initial Start of Recording. Tap to start recording.

Active Recording State – Pause for Stitch Recording. Tap to pause recording using Stitch Mode.

Active Recording State Stitch Clip Paused – Paused Stitch Recording. Tap to resume recording using Stitch Mode. Active Recording, Paused in Stitch Mode - Tap to stop recording.

Learn How To Rename Files On Your Apple iPhone

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Apple iPhone Files App

Learn How To Rename Files On Your Apple iPhone – The Easy Way

Many Photography Contests want the Photos renamed in a Certain Format. Here’s How To Rename Photos on your Apple iPhone.

1. Open the Apple iPhone Files App.

2) Select the File you want to Rename.

3) Long Press on the File.

4) Select Rename and Type in the New Name.

5) Press Done.

Learn How To Save Your Files To SD Card

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Learn How To Save Your Files To SD Card Using Apple Lightning Adapter

Many Photography Contests want the Photos renamed and put on a SD Card. Here’s How To Save Photos to SD Card on your Apple iPhone This procedure can also be used to Backup Your Apple iPhone Photos to SD Card.

1. Insert the SD Card into the Apple SD Card Reader and plug it into your Apple iPhone.

2. Open the Apple iPhone Files App.

3) Select the File(s) You Want to Save To the SD Card.

4) Select the SD Card at the Bottom.

5) Press Save. This may take a few minutes, depending on the SD Card Transfer Speed and the Number of Files.

Learn How To Save Video Files To Your Mac

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Learn How To Save Video Files To Your Mac

1. Connect your Apple iPhone via USB-C to Lightning Cable to your Mac and Launch Image Capture.

2. Select the Video Files you want to Save to your Computer. Click Save To... and select a directory on your Mac.

3. After Video File Transfer, you can Delete any Video Files from your Apple iPhone by Selecting and pressing the Delete Key.

Apple iPhone Camera Tips and Tutorials

Ad • Thunderbolt 3 Ports – If your iMac has Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Ports, these are compatible with USB-C Devices. Connect your Apple iPhone to a Thunderbolt 3 Port with a USB-C to Lightning Cable to Transfer Files from your Apple iPhone to your iMac. Supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s transfer rate. Perfect for a USB 3 Backup Drive.

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Blue Ridge Media

PO Box 1571
Blowing Rock, NC 28605

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