Recently, Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” project and popular Vietnamese rapper MCK officially released a trailer for their new album “HVL” today. This is not only MCK’s strong return after two years of silence, but also an experiment in the highly integrated integration of technology and art. It is also the first album trailer in Vietnam to be shot entirely using iPhone 17 Pro and presented in a 360° panoramic immersive narrative format. This project is directed by Phương Vũ, founder of Antiantiart, Vietnam’s iconic creative team. On the technical level, through multi-camera synchronization technology and professional post-production workflow, the powerful performance of iPhone 17 Pro under extreme creative needs is demonstrated.
iPhone 17 Pro eight-machine synchronization and commercial application of Genlock technology
In traditional 360° panoramic video production, synchronizing each frame of multiple lenses is the key to ensuring seamless stitching. In the production process of this “HVL” trailer, the creative team used a shooting array composed of eight iPhone 17 Pros.
In order to ensure that the dynamic images captured by the eight lenses were perfectly aligned, the production team enabled Genlock technology. This technology can accurately control the shutter and recording timing of all devices, solving the common problem of small offsets when shooting with multiple cameras. With Genlock, the production team was able to accurately superimpose three “parallel time and spaces” representing different emotional themes in post-production, creating an immersive image world that allows the audience to still experience coherent image quality without any sense of tearing when rotating the viewing angle.
In addition, the entire video uses ProRes RAW and Apple Log 2 format for recording. The combination of these two formats provides great space for post-production color correction and dynamic range processing:
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ProRes RAW: Retains the original data of the photosensitive element to ensure that image details and noise control reach professional broadcast-level standards.
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Apple Log 2: Provides a wider dynamic range and shadow details, allowing the deep and varied visual layers in the “HVL” film to be faithfully restored on various display terminals.
Narrative Structure: A Three-Act Drama of Pain, Chaos and Freedom
“HVL” is not only a technical display, but also a projection of MCK’s personal journey. The film divides the content into three core chapters: “Pain”, “Chaos” and “Freedom”.
Different from the linear editing of traditional MVs, the 360° panoramic form gives the possibility of narrative spatialization. The audience no longer passively receives a single picture given by the director, but can find hidden “Easter eggs” in the same scene by sliding the screen or turning the mobile device. This interactive narrative invites viewers to actively participate in decoding and exploration, thereby unlocking exclusive content details.
Singer MCK said: “Art should never be limited to a single frame or way of viewing. Everyone has their own way of feeling, their own standards, and their own state of experience. Therefore, I hope that the audience can freely explore and experience this work in their own way.”
Creative driving force: Phương Vũ and the digital transformation of modern Vietnamese aesthetics
Phương Vũ, who directed this work, is a representative figure of contemporary video creation in Vietnam. As a self-taught and intuitive director, Phương Vũ specializes in combining hip-hop and street culture with modern Vietnamese aesthetics. The Antiantiart platform he founded has become an important link between photography, fashion and digital culture in Vietnam.
Regarding this cooperation with Apple, Phương Vũ pointed out that the technological advancement of iPhone 17 Pro is the basis for realizing such “ambitious ideas”. He particularly emphasized that in addition to the professionalism brought by Genlock and ProRes RAW, what makes him most proud is the growth of the team and the output of local culture. Phương Vũ has previously accumulated rich experience in international cooperation, including directing VVUP’s “Super Model” and BLACKPINK member Jisoo’s personal project “Your Love”. This “HVL” further proves that Vietnam’s local creative team can use cutting-edge mobile technology to achieve a production level that is in line with the world.
As the third runner-up of the first “RAP VIỆT”, MCK is famous for his changeable flow and melodic rap. On the digital platform, MCK has demonstrated strong market dominance, with the singles “Chìm Sâu” and “Tại Vì Sao” both becoming hits. His previous work “2323” even ranked 18th on YouTube’s global rankings. The release of the “HVL” album marks a comprehensive upgrade in his music and image performance. Through the Shot on iPhone project, MCK transforms hip-hop music from a simple listening experience into a highly interactive digital art performance.
Movie viewing suggestions
For the best immersive viewing experience, the production team recommends viewers use YouTube App on iPhone, iPad or Mac Watch. By dragging the handheld device’s gyroscope or mouse, viewers can freely switch perspectives and explore every spatial detail carefully arranged in the film.
Source: KOCPC Chinese