Danny Boyle's '28 Years Later' Filmed on iPhones: How & Why

Innovative Filmmaking: From Canon to iPhone

The acclaimed director Danny Boyle initially gained recognition for his work on the post-apocalyptic film “28 Days Later.” Notably, he chose to utilize Canon digital cameras during its production.

This decision facilitated the capture of haunting imagery depicting a deserted London, and contributed significantly to the film’s portrayal of rapidly moving zombies with a heightened sense of dread.

“28 Years Later” and the Rise of Mobile Filmmaking

For the subsequent installment, “28 Years Later,” which premiered recently, Boyle adopted a novel approach, embracing consumer technology in the form of the iPhone.

In an interview with Wired, Boyle explained that a specialized rig capable of holding 20 iPhone Pro Max cameras was employed to simulate “bullet time” effects, offering a cost-effective alternative.

This setup enabled the film crew to record intense action sequences from numerous perspectives.

The iPhone as Principal Camera

Beyond the rig, the iPhone served as the movie’s “principal camera” throughout much of the production, despite Boyle’s prior direction of a biopic centered on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

However, certain default settings, such as automatic focus, were deliberately disabled, and supplementary accessories were integrated to optimize performance.

Agility and Preservation of Natural Landscapes

Boyle emphasized that utilizing iPhones for filming allowed for greater mobility, reducing the need for extensive equipment.

The production team filmed in regions of Northumbria that evoked a sense of timelessness, appearing as they might have a millennium ago.

The lightweight nature of the iPhone setup enabled swift and unobtrusive access to remote countryside locations, preserving their pristine, untouched quality.