FMP Research and Analysis; 'Unsane'

Key details

'Unsane' directed by Steven Soderbergh, is a film shot entirely on an iPhone 7 Plus which was moderately successful upon its release in 2018. I am revisiting this film as it is one of the best known films shot on an iPhone, which I think is important to have a look at considering I am shooting my production on an iPhone as well. They both are shot using 4K, although my phone is a newer model. There is a lot to learn in terms of techniques and filming, so I rented the film to research.

The film was simply shot an an iPhone 7 Plus on a DJI Osmo (a sophisticated selfie stick) stabiliser remains well hidden as its footage mimics that of any other higher-budget film. It was made using an app, FiLMiC Pro, for the shutter speed, colour and focus.

Plot Summary

Sawyer Valentini is a troubled young woman who flees her home to avoid a stalker. As a result of her experiences, Sawyer discovers that she is still triggered by interactions with men. She schedules an appointment with a counsellor at Highland Creek Behavioral Center. She signs a waiver voluntarily committing herself to a 24-hour stay at her appointment, which she is unaware of. When the cops arrive and see the signed release, they do nothing. Dr. Hawthorne claims she will be held for seven more days after physical altercations with a patient and a staff member. Sawyer is given a tour of the facility by another patient, Nate Hoffman. Highland Creek is profiting from health insurance claims. They deceive people into willingly committing themselves as long as the patients' insurance companies pay; after the insurance claims run out, the patient is "healed." Sawyer comes upon her stalker, David Strine, working as an orderly under the alias George Shaw one day. She is restrained after an outburst. Restraints and sedation are used frequently as a result of her outbursts.

Notes

As I watched the film I made some notes, in order to help me understand the plot better, so that I could take some ideas for my own production and to observe the methods of filming. I stopped making such detailed notes round about where Sawyer is reunited with her stalker David Strine (who is under the alias George Shaw).

Critical Evaluation

In my personal opinion, the film went a bit downhill from the first encounter between Sawyer and David, as I don't think the actor for David Strine did a convincing job of appearing awkward as well as totally lovestruck over her despite the words he said. There wasn't enough tension or awkwardness between Valentini and Strine, and Valentini didn't even seem that angry. I think it felt rather tame, without any sort of dramatic/suspenseful music for the encounters they both had. I think the post production could have been improved to make those moments more poignant, as everytime Valentini faced Strine to get her meds, it did feel a bit like I was watching two people who don't really get along at the pub together. What would have improved it was more dramatic music, louder foley sound effects (like SV banging her palms in frustration) for more intensity as well as more exaggerated acting.

Not only with the encounters with the stalker, for example in the scene where Sawyer tries to initiate sex with Mark, she just flies off of him suddenly and collapses against and to me that felt false and not convincing at all. Apart from that I think Claire Foy did a great job up until she meets Jeffrey Leonard (Strine). This kind of gave it the vibe to me of a student film, the acting that wasn't 100%.

However strictly about cinematography, I thought it was excellent. It was barely distinguishable from any other regular film, except for the occasional unusual angle on the main characters; and potentially the quality, but still impressive seeing as how it was apparently shot on an iPhone 7 Plus. Overall I'd give the film a 6 out of 10.

I believe critical evaluation of a piece of work you are studying is important because it helps you to see how to make improvements in your own work.

To conclude, I think there is a lot I've learned about shooting film on iPhones, and how it can produce a pretty convincing display of a film/video. However I am happy to take notes on things I could improve on in a piece of work for my own piece of work, including things like the acting as well as shooting from different angles.

Works Cited Soderbergh, Steven, et al. “Unsane.” IMDb, 23 Mar. 2018, www.imdb.com/title/tt7153766/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0. Accessed 15 May 2022. “Watch Unsane | Prime Video.” Www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.co.uk/Unsane-Steven-Soderbergh/dp/B07C8GBLZM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28J7WTN8ST2NX&keywords=unsane&qid=1653684986&s=instant-video&sprefix=unsane+%2Cinstant-video%2C138&sr=1-1. Accessed 15 May 2022.