iPhone: The Best Equipment and Apps for Filming and Editing on an iPhone

So it was fascinating following the News re-wired conference last week – couldn't be there but amazing following it online. Huge thanks to the bloggers and tweeters who worked very hard to keep us armchair followers up-to-date.

One of the really interesting discussions was Sky's Nick Martin who talked about the possibilities and the opportunities of journalists using iPhones. He specifically talked about the riots last year when camera crews were being attacked and journalists used their iPhones to filmed footage incognito. Here the link to find out more about his talk at News RW http://www.newsrewired.com/2012/02/03/newsrw-three-pieces-of-advice-for-mobile-reporting-from-skys-nick-martin/

Coincidentally another interesting development at the end of last week was the surprise release of Avid Studio for the iPad. A really interesting contender for best editing app and serious competition for iMovie and 1st Film Net editing apps. So far all three do separate things really well – wish they could all be merged into one for the perfect editing app.

With all this talk about mobile video recording and exciting new apps released I thought I'd put together my definitive list of equipment and apps for iPhone filming and editing – please feel free to suggest more!

iRig Microphone £38.99
Budget made for iPhone microphone

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Tamrac Tripod - £17-20
Light, cheap, portable and essential for steady shots

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The Glif - £14.00-£18.00

You'll need it to attach your iPhone to the tripod!

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Libec TH-650DV- £138

Personally I like a tripod which feels stable – for the build quality this Libec one is cheap as chips but has a good solid feel and importantly a ball head leveller 

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XLR converter £39.99
To record a decent interview you MUST have an external microphone attached to you iPhone and this cable enables you to use a decent XLR microphone.

This one has a headphone jack but be aware that (as far as I'm aware - let me know if you've come across one) no filming apps send sound out for monitoring so the headphone only useful for monitoring audio interviews. This enables you to take your pick from a variety of XLR quality microphones. 

The Life is a Prayer blog has a great review of a huge range of microphones for iPhone http://www.lifeisaprayer.com/articles/photography/iphone-4-ipad-external-mic-audio-input

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The Owle HD Video Kit £275
Everything you could ask for beautifully packaged - but at a price!

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Filming Apps
FILMiC Pro
Great filming app with white balance, exposure, focus control

Editing Apps
iMovie - £2.99 
Couple of great themes and music, perfect for using on iPhone/iPad
 
1st Video Net 
Much more professional level editor – two video tracks and pro features

Avid Studio - £2.99 (iPad)
New app on the block with some interesting 3D montage effects

Effects Apps
Extras for iMovie
Create a better range of titles for iMovie

Tilt-shift Video
Love the tilt shift effect – this incredibly easy app stands out

 iSupr8/8mm/Movie Looks
 Take your pick (I like Red Movie Looks) to transform your footage into well anything you want – B&W, Vintage, Noir etc etc

Transfer
 I use this to transfer video from my iPhone to iPad – just a bit less fiddly to edit on
 
As the capabilities of filming and editing with iPhones gets better and better so more apps and equipment will be brought out it's just a case of tracking them down. I'm still waiting for a filming app to come out which allows you to monitor audio – if you know if one let me know.