Award-winning feature film Tangerine, which appeared at Sundance Film Festival and was in competition at Sydney Film Festival this year, was shot almost entirely on an iPhone 5S. Not that you would ever know watching it.
The brash breakout hit about a transgender prostitute in Los Angeles searching for the pimp who broke her heart was directed by Sean Baker and shot on three iPhones - a fact he managed to keep secret until its world premiere.
Baker also used an app called FiLMiC Pro that costs just $9.99, a Steadicam Smoothee ($69.00) to get that fluid feel and make sure there was none of those shaky hand-held issues, and an anamorphic adaptor that enabled the film to be shot in widescreen.
But what he really splurged on - and his one piece of advice for budding filmmakers - was to get professional sound.
"It's what really separates the amateurs from the professionals," Baker told AAP.
"If you had seen us shooting in Santa Monica, the only real giveaway that we were a professional shoot was our boom pole and sound gear. We didn't scrimp on that at all."
Baker says it's all about exploring and experimenting with the various products and apps available.
"You could simply lift up an iPhone and use just the video function on the phone and get something that you could cut into a found footage film, something like a Blair Witch Project and you would be fine," he said.
"But if you want to emulate film or shoot in a more conventional manner, you have to employ different tools."
Here's a guide to some of the tech available out there if you want your smartphone flicks to look pro:
MOONDOG LABS ANAMORPHIC ADAPTOR (from A$220)
An affordable anamorphic adaptor made to clip onto the iPhone, it gives the film a wide 16:9 aspect ratio and a more cinematic look
STEADICAM SMOOTHEE (from A$69.00)
Lose that shaky hand-held look with the same steadicam Sean Baker used for Tangerine.
RODE SMARTLAV (from A$54.00)
Broadcast grade wearable microphone perfect for budding documentary/movie makers with Apple or some Android phones. It plugs into your smartphone and records straight onto the phone.
WIRELESS MIGHTY MIC (from A$141)
Don't want to be restrained by mic cords or need to grab sound from afar? This mic can be paired with your iPhone via Bluetooth and recorded through your favourite recording app. It's then recharged used a USB cord.
HANDLEBAND BIKE MOUNT (from US$20)
Shoot an adventure video, get a cool perspective, or use your bike as a dolly (to film a moving video) by using this silicone mount to secure your Apple or Android phone to your bike.
GORILLAPOD VIDEO TRIPOD WITH GripTight Mount (from A$54.95)
Position your Apple or Android phone almost anywhere to capture your shot, whether it's on uneven terrain, or you want to wind the flexible tripod around trees. The GripTight regular mount will fit standard size smartphones, but for larger smartphones (eg iPhone 6 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S6) you will need to GripTight XL.
FiLMiC Pro (A$9.99)
The app Sean Baker used for Tangerine has been voted iOS Video Camera App of the Year twice and allows for broadcast-worthy 2K HD videos, variable speed zoom, as well as manual control over focus, exposure, shutter speed, tint and colour temperature.
