Higher Education with Moondog Labs
Film students are challenged to rapidly create projects for a multitude of screen sizes and evolving media platforms, while also learning how to use innovative new technologies in the film industry.
Mobile filmmaking empowers students to express themselves using a technology they already own and use every day. Advances in mobile device camera technology and gear enable students to create high quality films with much smaller budgets. Also, the familiarity of mobile devices, as well as their small size, offer a way to film subjects in a more natural, less intimidating environment, which is beneficial for interviews, documentaries, and independent filmmaking.
Moondog Labs anamorphic lenses and accessories for mobile devices elevate the look and feel of mobile video to become more fully cinematic. Well-respected industry professionals such as Sean Baker (Tangerine) and Steven Soderbergh (High Flying Bird) have chosen Moondog Labs lenses to create memorable full-length feature films with smartphones. We are proud to offer the same affordable and quality gear to student filmmakers as they follow their dreams and tell their own stories.
The higher education programs highlighted below are dedicated to teaching their students about the benefits and intricacies of professional mobile filmmaking and photography.
Award-winning director Johnson Cheng teaches a summer immersion course at Columbia University in New York City. He recommends Moondog Labs anamorphic lens to all of his students who want to achieve a truly cinematic look in their projects.
In the first few days of the course, participants learn the basic principles of mobile cinematography and gain hands-on experience as they progress from equipment assembly to on-set production protocol. They learn how to unlock the filmmaking potential of their mobile phones while taking on various key roles in the different projects - directing, cinematography, editing, sound – so that each student experiences different facets of film crewing.
In the second half of the class, students work together through the stages of production: initial concept, synopsis, treatment, script, storyboards, final shooting, and editing. Johnson provides guidance throughout the process, emphasizing the students’ responsibility for carrying the project from inception to completion. In addition to film production guidance, Johnson provides practical information regarding the film industry, film schools, and career paths.
On the last day of the class, participants screen their completed films for review. These films can potentially be used for submission to short film festivals and as portfolio pieces.
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Rob Layton is a PhD scholar and instructor of mobile journalism and smartphone photography at Bond University in Queensland, Australia. He specializes in shooting ocean and surf videos and regularly captures the activities and natural beauty of the Gold Coast.
As an industry leader in Australia and beyond, Rob often provides guidance on the latest and best products in the industry. When we released our Multi-Camera Filter Mount in February 2020, Rob had this to say:
"This multi-camera filter mount by @MoondogLabs has made such a difference in my workflow. A perfect match for @FiLMiCPro's new DoubleTake app."
Rob lectures regularly at filmmaking, journalism, and creative conferences. In the following video, Rob gives a 20 minute talk on the intricacies of underwater photography at the Mobile Creator Summit by FiLMiC Apps and Luma Fusion.
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Dr. Max Schleser is a researcher at the Centre for Transformative Media Technologies as well as a Senior Lecturer of Film and Television at Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia. He also curates the International Mobile Innovation Screening & Film Festival. For the 10th edition of the festival coming in 2021, Dr. Schleser is writing a book: Smartphone Filmmaking: Theory & Practice.
Moondog Labs Lens Mounting Plates for BeastGrip Pro will be prominently featured in the publication as an example of the quality optics that can be achieved when using a robust mobile rig. The book is slated for release in 2021.
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Moondog Labs is proud to be based in Rochester, New York, the home of innovation in optics, photography and filmmaking since the 1800s.