Smartphone Filmmaking Masterclass:
Learn Cinematic Techniques
Welcome to an adventure in filmmaking like no other!
you’ve just snapped a few photos on the go or dreamed of capturing breathtaking moments like a pro, you’re about to unlock the potential of your smartphone in ways you never thought possible.
Watch official trailer
In the "80 Days Around the World" trailer, Milan Bihlmann and Muammer Yilmaz, the Optimistic Travelers, embark on a daring journey to circle the globe without spending any money. Relying on the kindness of strangers, they explore diverse cultures and stunning landscapes, proving that human connection can overcome material limits.
Your new teachers, Milan & Muammer The optimistic Traveler
Join Muammer Yilmaz and Milan Bihlmann, the Optimistic Travelers, as they welcome you into their world of filmmaking. With their passion for visual storytelling and years of experience capturing breathtaking moments around the globe, they’ll guide you step by step to create cinematic images using just your smartphone.
Part 1 - Theory
Unlock the essentials of filmmaking in bite-sized lessons designed to ignite your creativity—even with just a smartphone. Discover how to find compelling ideas, craft stories together, and harness the emotional power of music and sound. Each lesson is quick, approachable, and packed with pro tips to help you see the world with a filmmaker’s eye.
In this class, you'll learn not only how to take stunning images but how to think like a filmmaker. It’s about bringing ideas to life, finding the story in every frame, and discovering that creativity doesn’t come from expensive equipment—it comes from the way you see the world.
Part 2 Practical lessons
Take theory into action with Muammer and Milan as they navigate the vibrant streets of Marrakech, demonstrating smartphone filmmaking in real-world settings. You'll learn how to capture movement and emotion in dynamic scenes, frame and shoot with ideal lighting, and make everyday shots look cinematic. Filmed entirely on location, this chapter invites you to follow along and apply these techniques in your own surroundings. Each lesson is practical, hands-on, and designed to boost your confidence in capturing stunning visuals.
Morocco, Medina of Marrakesh
This Masterclass is filmed in the vibrant heart of Marrakech, where the colorful medina, bustling sounds, and rich culture create the perfect backdrop for learning run-and-gun filmmaking. From the lively streets to the call to prayer echoing through the city, you’ll be inspired to capture stunning visuals in this dynamic setting. A truly unforgettable place to hone your storytelling skills!
Entirly made with a smarphone
In 2020, we shot our third cinema movie entirely on an iPhone 11 Pro—proof that a powerful story doesn’t need a big-budget camera! We took it to film festivals, where it lit up massive screens and showed audiences what’s possible with just a smartphone in hand.
Class
Join Muammer Yilmaz and Milan Bihlmann, the Optimistic Travelers, as they introduce you to their world of filmmaking. With a passion for visual storytelling and years of capturing stunning moments across the globe, they’re here to guide you step by step on how to create breathtaking images with nothing but your smartphone. Welcome to Your Smartphone Filmmaking Journey.
Transform everyday moments into cinematic masterpieces, all with the camera in your pocket!
Whether you’ve only snapped casual photos or are eager to capture professional-quality images, you’re about to discover how powerful your smartphone truly is.
Meet Your Instructors: Muammer & Milan
Chapter 1: Introduction to Muammer & Milan
Get ready to be inspired by Muammer Yilmaz and Milan Bihlmann, known as the Optimistic Travelers. These seasoned filmmakers have traveled the world, capturing breathtaking stories with minimalist tools—and often, just their phones. In this chapter, you'll learn about their journey, their passion for cinema, and how they’ve embraced storytelling with the tools anyone can use.
"We believe that creativity doesn’t come from expensive gear. It comes from how you see the world." – Muammer & Milan
Learn the Fundamentals: Theory Lessons
Chapter 2: Filmmaking Theory
In this section, we’ll dive deep into the essential concepts every filmmaker needs to know, even with a smartphone. Learn how to think like a pro, with insights on:
Idea– How to find a good idea?
Story – Writting together
Music – Understand the importance of music and sounds
Each lesson is designed to be short, easy to understand, and packed with tips to help you see the world through the lens of a filmmaker.
"The magic of filmmaking isn’t in the technology, it’s in the vision behind the lens." – Muammer & Milan
Hands-On Learning: Practical Lessons in Marrakech
Chapter 3: Practical Lessons – Filming in Marrakech
Now it’s time to bring theory into action. Join Muammer and Milan in the bustling streets of Marrakech, where they’ll demonstrate smartphone filmmaking techniques in real-world settings. You’ll learn:
How to capture movement and emotion in dynamic environments.
The best ways to frame and shoot with the perfect light.
Techniques to make your shots look cinematic, even in everyday settings.
This chapter is filmed entirely on location, letting you follow along and try the same techniques in your own surroundings. Each lesson is practical, hands-on, and designed to make you feel confident capturing your own stunning visuals.
"The beauty of filmmaking isn’t just in the destination, but in every frame along the way." – Muammer & Milan
Ready to Get Started?
So, grab your smartphone, clean off that lens, and get ready for an exciting adventure in visual storytelling—right here in Marrakech, Morocco.l storytelling and years of capturing stunning moments across the globe, they’re here to guide you step by step on how to create breathtaking images with nothing but your smartphone.
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Introduction Optimistic Traveler
Get to know your instructors, Muammer and Milan. Learn about their filmmaking journey, their passion for cinema, and how they’ve used the most minimalist tools—often just a phone—to bring their creative visions to life. This chapter will inspire you to see that anyone, anywhere, can create stunning images.
Get to know your instructors, Muammer and Milan. Learn about their filmmaking journey, their passion for cinema, and how they’ve used the most minimalist tools—often just a phone—to bring their creative visions to life. This chapter will inspire you to see that anyone, anywhere, can create stunning images.
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Theory
In this chapter, you’ll dive into the essential theory behind filmmaking. Learn about composition, lighting, framing, and the storytelling techniques that professional filmmakers use. These bite-sized lessons will help you see the world through the eyes of a filmmaker and give you the tools to start thinking creatively with your smartphone.
In this chapter, you’ll dive into the essential theory behind filmmaking. Learn about composition, lighting, framing, and the storytelling techniques that professional filmmakers use. These bite-sized lessons will help you see the world through the eyes of a filmmaker and give you the tools to start thinking creatively with your smartphone.
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Chapter 3 Practical lessons
Now it's time to put theory into action. Join Muammer and Milan on location in the bustling streets of Marrakech as they demonstrate practical shooting techniques. From capturing movement to framing shots and finding the perfect lighting, you'll get hands-on guidance to start making your own cinematic masterpieces.
Now it's time to put theory into action. Join Muammer and Milan on location in the bustling streets of Marrakech as they demonstrate practical shooting techniques. From capturing movement to framing shots and finding the perfect lighting, you'll get hands-on guidance to start making your own cinematic masterpieces.
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Smartphone Masterlass
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Smartphone Masterlass ⋆
We are together!
We’re excited to have you with us!
If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help. Here’s to an amazing learning journey together!
Muammer & Milan , Optimistic Traveler
