Danny Boyle Shoots ’28 Years Later’ on iPhones: A New Era of Filmmaking
Danny Boyle, the visionary director behind the post-apocalyptic classic “28 Days Later,” has once again revolutionized filmmaking by employing iPhones as his primary cameras for the sequel, “28 Years Later.” This marks a significant departure from his earlier use of Canon digital cameras, which helped define the eerie and immediate feel of the original film.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “28 Years Later” hit theaters this weekend. To capture the intense action sequences in the sequel, Boyle and his team ingeniously utilized a rig capable of holding up to 20 iPhone Pro Max cameras. This setup, as Boyle described to Wired, effectively created a “poor man’s bullet time,” enabling them to film brutal scenes from multiple angles simultaneously.
Beyond the specialized rig, Boyle, who previously directed a biopic of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, stated that the iPhone served as the movie’s “principal camera.” He emphasized the importance of disabling automatic settings like autofocus and incorporating specific accessories to achieve the desired cinematic effect.
Boyle highlighted the practical advantages of using iPhones, noting that it allowed for greater mobility and reduced the need for bulky equipment. This was particularly beneficial when filming in remote locations in Northumbria, where the landscapes appear untouched by modern civilization. The iPhone’s compact size enabled the team “to move quickly and lightly to areas of the countryside that we wanted to retain their lack of human imprint.”
The use of iPhones in “28 Years Later” not only demonstrates Boyle’s innovative approach to filmmaking but also underscores how accessible technology can be leveraged to create high-impact cinematic experiences. This method opens new avenues for filmmakers seeking to capture raw, unfiltered action with minimal equipment.
