Filmic's DoubleTake app turns iPhone into multi-camera production tool
January 28, 2020

Filmic's DoubleTake app turns iPhone into multi-camera production tool

SEATTLE — Filmic Inc. (www.filmicpro.com) has introduced DoubleTake, a new iOS app that helps turn  Apple’s iPhone 11 into a multicamera production solution. Available immediately — for free — from the Apple App Store, Filmic DoubleTake enables iPhone 11 users to capture video from two cameras, simultaneously from a single device.

The standalone iOS app enables users to leverage the multiple cameras in the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, as well as the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, allowing them to create the effect of using multiple camera angles in a shot, but only using a single device.

Multicam features enable content creators to capture two different focal lengths of the same subject at the same time. DoubleTake uses the Ultra Wide lens (iPhone 11 Pro Max, 11 Pro and 11 only) and the Tele lens to capture both an establishing shot and a punch-in shot on a subject simultaneously. Or use any other combination of front and rear lenses for multi-cam capture.

Similar to a director’s viewfinder, DoubleTake’s camera picker view enables users to visualize all available cameras on the device, helping them to decide how to frame a shot and which cameras to select.



For shot/reverse shot scenes, the camera can be placed in-between two subjects and capture both angles.

The DoubleTake interface allows users to see both cameras of the video capture at the same time through the use of a picture in picture (PiP) window. The PiP window can be moved around the screen, tapped to zoom in, or swiped away if distracting, while the second video continues to record. Camera angles can be recorded as discrete files or as a composite video that includes the PiP window animated as it is seen on-screen.

Doubletake can also use any two cameras to create a 50/50 split-screen effect that is saved as a single video. This is well suited for capturing interviews, or in scenarios where two sides of the story require equal weighting on screen.

Users can set and lock focus and exposure on both cameras during multicam capture. Tapping again allows users to lock or unlock focus and exposure. The app’s camera switcher allows users to easily move between A and B cameras during a recording and to adjust the focus and exposure for each, independently of one another.

Selectable frame rates include 24fps, 25fps, and 30fps. Video is captured in 1080p as h.264 .mov files.

At a recent event in New York City, Filmic teamed up with Apple to show a number of production scenarios that can make use of the app. In one, a performance of the swing/jazz/western band Sweet Megg & The Wayfarers was captured by video producer Cassius Rayner using different iPhone configurations. On a tripod, an iPhone loaded with DoubleTake could shoot the entire band in a wide format while also focusing in on the singer for a second camera angle. In a hand-held scenario, a user could add camera moves to the recording. And in a fixed position on the stage, the camera could capture two different musicians using a front and rear-facing camera.