Make your own 28 Years Later movie with your iPhone!
28 Years Later is a post-apocalyptic horror film produced and directed by Danny Boyle, and written by Alex Garland. It is the third instalment in the 28 Days Later series, following 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007).
The story takes place twenty-eight years after the original film, when a Rage virus escapes from a medical research laboratory and the survivors must find ways to exist amidst the infected.
The film looks stunning, but what many don’t know is that it was filmed primarily on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with the aid of several specialised attachments.
This decision wasn’t due to budget constraints (the film cost $75 million to make) but to achieve a unique look only the iPhone could provide. This follows the spirit of the original film, which was shot using low-cost DV cameras.
With that in mind, you might ask: is it possible to make your own post-apocalyptic horror movie with just your iPhone? While you may not have a $75 million budget, you’ll be surprised at the affordable gear available to help you create a professional-looking film with your iPhone. Let’s take a look at what you might need.
Video Camera App
Although the iPhone comes with a decent camera app, it doesn’t offer all the advanced features needed to shoot high-quality video for a movie. What you’ll need is the free Blackmagic Camera app for iPhone, which includes all the tools required to shoot like a pro.
Blackmagic Camera offers a user-friendly interface with simple tap controls—no complex menus. Its heads-up display (HUD) shows key settings like status, recording info, histogram, focus peaking, levels, and frame guides.
Swipe up or down to toggle the HUD, and tap the screen to autofocus. The app supports both 16:9 and vertical formats, even allowing discreet 16:9 recording while holding your iPhone upright.
The HUD includes essential camera tools such as lens selection, frame rate, shutter angle, timecode, ISO, white balance, tint, and audio levels. Adjusting exposure or audio is as simple as tapping the respective icons.
You can manage media, upload to Blackmagic Cloud, use the built-in chat, and access advanced menus. Among free apps, it stands out as a top choice for effortless, professional-grade filming.
iPhone Camera Rig
Chasing all those infected around can be hard work, so you may need an iPhone camera rig to help out. If you want to add lights and microphones to your iPhone, a rig with cold shoe mounts will be a great asset. There are plenty of options on Amazon, but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly choice, consider the Ulanzi U Rig Pro.
The Ulanzi U Rig Pro includes two cold shoe mounts for attaching accessories like lights or mics. It features dual handles for a secure, comfortable grip and improved handheld stability, plus a 1/4-inch screw mount for tripod use.
Its universal design fits most iPhones, though it’s a good idea to check compatibility with larger models before purchasing.
Lights
If you’re filming in low light and want to get a good image, you’ll need a light. LED lights are the preferred choice for budget filmmakers because they consume low power and emit plenty of light. A good affordable option is the SmallRig P96 RGB Video Light.
The SmallRig P96 is a compact, versatile LED light with 96 high-efficiency beads and a 120° beam angle. It delivers natural lighting with a CRI of 95, making it ideal for iPhone videography. Brightness ranges from 0–100%, and color temperature spans 2700K–6500K for flexible lighting.
Its 2200mAh battery provides up to 105 minutes of use at full power and charges via USB-C. With three cold shoe mounts, you can connect multiple lights, and the 1/4″ threaded adapter ensures easy attachment to rigs or stands.
This light is great for lighting faces, though for larger spaces you might want to consider something bigger.
Tripod
To keep your iPhone steady, a tripod is essential—ideally one that’s lightweight, portable, and allows smooth pan and tilt movements.
The K&F Concept Travel Tripod fits the bill. It supports smartphones via a standard 1/4″ screw or the included adaptor, extends from 20.9″ to 70″, and converts to a monopod (16.1″ to 57.9″). Weighing just 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg), it comes with a storage bag for easy transport and features a handle for smooth video motion.
Gimbal
If you want smooth handheld tracking shots with your iPhone, you’ll want to invest in a gimbal. Gimbals use motors to balance your iPhone while you move, giving you smooth tracking shots. In the past, gimbals were expensive, but now you can get a quality one for a fraction of the cost.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 7 and 7P are smartphone gimbals featuring seventh-generation stabilisation and ActiveTrack 7.0. Both include a built-in retractable tripod, a ¼-inch mount, and support DJI’s magnetic multifunction module, which adds gesture control, subject tracking, and a bi-colour fill light.
The 7P model includes this module and adds an extension rod and side control wheel for zoom, focus, and light adjustment.
Both support one-step folding, fit phones 6.9–10mm thick and 67–84mm wide, and accommodate weights between 170–300g. Powered by a 3350mAh battery, they offer up to 10 hours of use, charging via USB-C in 2.5 hours.
With the fill light or tracking enabled, runtime drops to 4–5 hours. The gimbals are compatible with the DJI Mimo app and Apple Watch for remote control.
Wireless Microphone
Wireless mics for smartphone filmmaking used to be pricey, but that’s changed. A great option now is the RØDE Wireless ME—a compact, affordable system with a 100m range.
It features mics in both the transmitter and receiver, ideal for interviews or voiceovers. Intelligent GainAssist keeps audio clear and distortion-free, even with sudden volume changes. The tiny design allows direct attachment or use with a lavalier, and it offers up to 7 hours of battery life or continuous power via USB-C.
Video Editing App
No matter how great your video footage is, editing is necessary to bring all the elements together and create your final movie. The iPhone comes with a great free video editor called iMovie, which you can use to polish your masterpiece.
If you want something a bit more professional, you could consider other apps like CapCut or LumaFusion. Both apps are fully featured and have all the tools you need to edit your movie.
Alternatively, if you want more editing power, you could try free desktop editing apps like Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve, which is packed with pro features for cutting your film.
Final Thoughts
With the right apps and affordable gear, you can confidently create your own post-apocalyptic horror film using just your iPhone. From professional camera controls and stabilising rigs to lighting, sound, and editing tools, there’s everything you need to bring your vision to life—no Hollywood budget required.
So grab your iPhone, gear up, and start filming your own thrilling story today!
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