What you need to know about mobile filmmaking, according to filmmaker Chris Cahilig

Scene from “Ming ♥ Tomas”

Mobile filmmaking is a lot more technically simple than traditional filmmaking, but that’s exactly what makes it complex,” said filmmaker Chris Cahilig, who codirected the romantic-comedy online miniseries “Ming ♥ Tomas” with Joel Ferrer.

“You can’t just pull off the usual camera tricks the way you can with traditional filmmaking, you really have to be as precise as possible in shooting the kinds of scenes and emotions you want to convey,” Cahilig told Inquirer Entertainment via an email interview.

“The series shows how fate brings two individuals together and makes them fall in love. On one hand, we have Ming (Queen Semana), a dainty girl blessed with a voracious appetite. On the other hand, we have Tomas (Antonio Nicolas), a hardworking guy, who has more to this than meets the eye. Each episode reveals several twists and turns to their love story that makes viewers curious about what will happen next.”

Asked for pointers for aspiring artists who may be interested in mobile filmmaking, Chris said: “Firstly, know that you don’t need the best equipment. Mobile filmmaking is all about resourcefulness and thinking out of the box. If your phone isn’t as high-tech as the latest models, it shouldn’t stop you from achieving your dreams.

‘Don’t overthink’

“Secondly, learn the basic principles of shot composition—being able to maneuver natural light will be your advantage,” he added. “Thirdly, just do it. Don’t overthink. Mobile filmmaking is supposed to be handy and easy, so stop making excuses. Pick up your phone, and shoot that film.”

Shot exclusively on mobile phones with the guidance of Mark Tristan Cua, one of the people who spearheaded mobile filmmaking in the country, the video offers “a more intimate and immersive view into the lives of the characters,” Cahilig shared with Inquirer Entertainment. “As a format, using a mobile phone for filming made the series feel very authentic, almost as if you’re with the characters. Beyond sharing conversations over dinner, is there a more intimate experience these days than connecting through the phone screen?”

Catch the first two episodes of the series for free on the Mang Tomas Facebook page and NutriAsia YouTube page. INQ