Blackmagic Design has released a free app that adds digital film features and controls to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones enabling them to be used for TV and film production.
The new Blackmagic Camera for Android app provides Android content creators with the same tools used in Blackmagic Design’s award winning digital film cameras. (Source: Blackmagic Design.)
Available now from Google Play, free of charge, Blackmagic Camera for Android adds camera controls and operating systems that enable users to create the same cinematic ‘look’ as they see in Hollywood feature films. Users get access to the standard Blackmagic user friendly interface and are able to adjust settings such as frame rate, shutter angle, white balance and ISO with just a single tap. Everything is interactive, in heads up display (HUD), which shows status and recording parameters, such as lens selection, frame rate, shutter angle, timecode, ISO, white balance, tint, histogram and audio levels as well as a histogram, focus peaking and frame guides. Swiping up or down will show or hide the HUD, while a simple tap on the screen selects the area for autofocusing. Users can shoot in 16:9 or vertical aspect ratios, with a simple switch to 16:9 available by holding the phone vertically. The record tab allows control over video resolution and recording format including space efficient H.264 and H.265. Professional monitoring tools includes zebra settings for checking exposure, focus assist and frame guides, plus audio options controls with VU or PPM audio meters.
There are also tabs for media management including uploading to Blackmagic Cloud, chat and access to advanced menus. Users can also record directly to Blackmagic Cloud in industry standard files up to 8K, which allows them to collaborate on DaVinci Resolve projects with editors anywhere in the world. The built in chat workspace allows Blackmagic Cloud project members to talk about shots and quickly share creative ideas, all without leaving the app. Users can quickly message editors, assistants, colourists or VFX artists to talk about shot selection or to receive an update on the project. Everyone on that project can see their message and reply instantly, thereby keeping in touch with other project members without leaving the app and missing a critical shot.
Users can also record to their phone and transfer clips to a computer in order to free up valuable storage space on their phone and then share their files later to other users globally. If they log into Blackmagic Cloud and select a DaVinci Resolve project before recording, each recording will automatically upload and sync to all members of that project. Blackmagic Camera for Android is available now as a free download from Google Play. For more information, go to www.blackmagicdesign.com/au.
