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📱 iPHONE FILMING GUIDE

Master your iPhone for stop-motion filmmaking

📋 QUICK NAVIGATION

📲 BEST STOP-MOTION APPS

These apps work great on your iPhone 15 Plus:

⭐ Stop Motion Studio (FREE)

Perfect for beginners!

✅ PROS:
  • Totally free
  • Onion skin feature
  • Grid overlay
  • Sound effects included
  • Easy to learn
⚠️ CONS:
  • Watermark on exports
  • Limited FPS options
iMotion (FREE + Pro $10)

Great features, some paid

✅ PROS:
  • Free version is solid
  • Multiple FPS options
  • Time-lapse mode
  • Remote control feature
⚠️ CONS:
  • Best features are paid
  • Ads in free version
Life Lapse (FREE + Pro $5)

Simple and clean interface

✅ PROS:
  • Very simple to use
  • No watermark
  • Good for quick projects
⚠️ CONS:
  • Fewer features
  • No onion skin in free version
💡 RECOMMENDATION:

Start with Stop Motion Studio (free). If you love it and want more features, ask Mom about upgrading to the Pro version ($5) or trying iMotion Pro ($10).

📁 ORGANIZING YOUR PHOTOS

Keep your projects organized so you can find them later!

  1. 1
    Use Folders in Photos App

    Photos → Albums → "+" → New Album
    Name it by scene: "D-Day Beach", "Umbara Mission", etc.

  2. 2
    Use the File Naming Tool

    Use the File Naming Tool to create consistent names:
    2025-12-25_DDay_Scene01_Frame001.jpg

  3. 3
    Keep Projects Separate

    Don't mix different scenes in one folder. One scene = one album!

⚠️ DON'T DELETE FRAMES!

Even "bad" frames can be useful. Save everything until your film is done and edited!

💾 SAVING YOUR WORK

THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT! Don't lose your hard work!

In Your Stop-Motion App:

  1. 1
    Save Frequently

    Save every 50-100 frames. Apps can crash!

  2. 2
    Export Your Video

    When done: Export → Save to Photos
    Choose highest quality (1080p or 4K)

  3. 3
    Keep the Project File

    Don't delete the app project! You might want to edit it later.

Saving to Files App:

  1. 1
    Open Files App

    The blue folder icon on your iPhone

  2. 2
    Create a Folder

    Files → On My iPhone → New Folder → "LEGO Films"

  3. 3
    Save Videos There

    From Photos: Share → Save to Files → LEGO Films folder

📤 SHARING YOUR FILMS

Show off your work!

Share with Family:

  1. 1
    AirDrop (Easiest)

    Photos → Select video → Share → AirDrop → Choose person
    Works with Mom's phone, Dad's phone, iPad, Mac

  2. 2
    Messages

    Photos → Share → Messages → Type name → Send
    Note: Videos get compressed (lower quality)

  3. 3
    Shared Album (Best for Family)

    Photos → Albums → "+" → Shared Album → Name it "Renny's LEGO Films"
    Add family members → They can see all your films!

⚠️ BEFORE POSTING ONLINE:

ALWAYS ask Mom first! Never post to YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc. without permission. The internet is forever, and we want to keep you safe!

If Mom Says Yes to YouTube:

  1. 1
    Use Mom's Account

    Don't make your own account - use a parent's account

  2. 2
    Set to "Unlisted"

    Not Public! Unlisted = only people with link can see

  3. 3
    Never Show Your Face or Real Name

    Use a channel name like "Commander Renny Films" - not your real name

☁️ BACKING UP YOUR PROJECTS

Protect your hard work from being lost!

iCloud Backup (Automatic):

Your iPhone automatically backs up to iCloud every night when:
✅ Plugged into power
✅ Connected to WiFi
✅ Screen is locked

This backs up your Photos and apps!

Extra Backup Options:

  1. 1
    AirDrop to Mac

    AirDrop your finished films to Mom's Mac for safekeeping

  2. 2
    Google Photos (Free)

    Ask Mom to set up Google Photos - unlimited storage for photos/videos!

  3. 3
    External Hard Drive

    For really important projects, ask Mom to save them to an external drive

⚡ QUICK TIPS & TRICKS

📸 Taking Better Photos:
  • Clean your camera lens before EVERY filming session
  • Use the volume button to take photos - steadier than tapping screen
  • Enable grid lines: Settings → Camera → Grid
  • Lock focus/exposure: Tap and hold on subject until "AE/AF LOCK" appears
🔋 Battery Life:
  • Plug in your iPhone during long filming sessions
  • Turn on Low Power Mode: Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode
  • Close other apps while filming
  • Turn off WiFi/Bluetooth if you don't need them
📱 Phone Setup Tips:
  • Turn on Do Not Disturb while filming - no interruptions!
  • Use Airplane Mode to prevent calls/texts during filming
  • Increase screen brightness so you can see details
  • Use a stand or prop - don't hold the phone by hand
💾 Storage Management:
  • Check storage: Settings → General → iPhone Storage
  • Delete old apps you don't use
  • Offload unused apps: Settings → App Store → Offload Unused Apps
  • Ask Mom if storage is getting full (under 10GB left)

📚 LEARN MORE

Want to become an expert? Check these out:

🎥 YouTube Channels to Watch:
  • ForrestFire101 - Amazing LEGO stop-motion
  • BrotherhoodWorkshop - LEGO Star Wars experts
  • Paweł Łaskawski - Beautiful LEGO animation
  • Official LEGO YouTube - Behind the scenes of official LEGO videos

(Always ask Mom before watching YouTube!)

📖 Skills to Learn:
  • Basic editing - iMovie (free on iPhone) or CapCut
  • Sound effects - Add realistic battle sounds
  • Music - Find royalty-free music for your films
  • Storyboarding - Plan your shots before filming