Gillmor Gang: Wooo Wooo - Podcast Details

The Allure of the New iPhone: Beyond the Specs

Despite my attempts at logical reasoning, acquiring a new iPhone often feels like a self-deception. Is it a necessity? Certainly not. Is it something I desire? Quite possibly. However, the real challenge lies in formulating a convincing explanation for this purchase to my family, one that won’t initiate another cycle of device upgrades.

Initial Impressions and Incremental Changes

It’s widely acknowledged that a new iPhone initially feels remarkably faster and more powerful, capable of seemingly impossible feats. This sensation, however, typically lasts only a day. Soon, it settles into a performance level comparable to its predecessor. The most noticeable physical alteration in the 13 Pro Max, compared to the 12 Pro Max, is a slight reduction in the size of the notch at the top of the screen.

While the camera boasts numerous new features, these enhancements are primarily driven by software optimization rather than fundamental hardware changes.

Matthew Panzarino’s Insightful Perspective

It was tech editor Matthew Panzarino who truly shifted my perspective and ultimately influenced my decision. He annually travels to Disneyland to rigorously test the latest iPhone within a real-world environment. This year, he combined his camera tests with interviews of two Apple engineers, yielding compelling results.

The Gillmor Gang and the Upgrade Dilemma

On a recent episode of the Gillmor Gang podcast, we discussed the timing of acquiring the iPhone 13. However, this isn’t the primary motivator for an upgrade. The ability to impress others with the latest technology is less relevant given the continued prevalence of remote meetings. My personal hurdle is that I am still within the initial year of my Update program, requiring a monthly fee on a two-year contract before I can restart with a new device.

The Power of Anticipatory Focus

But Matthew’s video revealed a deeper understanding. This isn’t simply about rack focusing; it’s about predicting movement within the frame and utilizing overscan – the extra pixels around the video – to mitigate camera shake. It’s about employing a depth map, created through sensor technology, and controlling it with software to direct the viewer’s attention to the focal point of the scene.

The new tools imbue footage with the intuitive algorithms filmmakers use to craft a more engaging and pleasurable viewing experience.

Creating Enhanced Realities

The true appeal of these advancements lies not in providing professionals with cheaper, lighter tools, but in empowering everyday users to create content that appears more polished, refined, and visually appealing. We can subtly enhance reality, appreciating not the event itself, but the recorded and improved experience of it. Matthew’s camera followed the activity on Disneyland’s streets, and the system intelligently adapted to the scene.

When his daughter turned away from the camera, the focus seamlessly shifted to the rest of the family in the foreground.

Reflections on Filmmaking and Innovation

I shared these observations during a Gillmor Gang livestream, sparking a lively debate. The general consensus was that these incremental improvements didn’t represent a significant milestone in technological progress. I, however, considered the potential impact on professional filmmaking to be substantial.

This prompted me to reflect on my time at film school, first at Brandeis University and later at the California Institute of the Arts. I chose Cal Arts specifically because of Alexander (Sandy) Mackendrick, the renowned comedy director and dean of the school.

The Experimental Spirit of Cal Arts

Cal Arts, initially funded by the Disneys, was quickly taken over by the experimental artists of the 1960s. During its first year, students freely socialized around the pool at the earthquake-damaged Villa Cabrini campus. Nearby stood the Bradbury Building, a frequent filming location for 1940s detective stories. The backlots were gradually being sold for real estate development.

As the 1970s approached, the music industry gained prominence, fueled by the Beatles’ revolution of music production, songwriting, graphic design, and the studio system.

Godard and the Rolling Stones: Capturing a Moment

In 1968, Jean-Luc Godard filmed the Rolling Stones during recording sessions for their album, *Beggars Banquet*. As Godard’s camera slowly circled Olympic Studios, a song began to emerge while Brian Jones, the Stones’ founder, deteriorated in the background. *Sympathy for the Devil* documented the recording process, evolving from a folk song to a samba punctuated by chants.

Chaos, Beauty, and the Resilience of Art

From chaos emerges beauty and power, boldly confronting death, drugs, and decay. The image of Jones slumped over his guitar speaks volumes about the self-destructive tendencies within rock culture. His final public performance, playing maracas in the Stones’ *Rock and Roll Circus*, was a powerful moment. Despite his tragic death, the alchemy of the early Stones proved enduring.

Years later, a performance in St. Louis continued without Charlie Watts, with Steve Jordan on drums. The spirit of the Stones persisted, offering a glimpse into both the past and the future. After all, it’s you and me. Woooo woooo.

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The Gillmor Gang — Frank Radice, Michael Markman, Keith Teare, Denis Pombriant, Brent Leary and Steve Gillmor. Recorded live Friday, September 17, 2021.

Produced and directed by Tina Chase Gillmor @tinagillmor

@fradice, @mickeleh, @denispombriant, @kteare, @brentleary, @stevegillmor, @gillmorgang

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