Texas-based Prakash Gandhi Natarajan recently won the People’s Choice Award in MobileMovieMaking Magazine’s first Instagram contest. The challenge was to shoot footage out various windows. On holiday in New York City, Prakash took the assignment to a higher level by including a clip taken from a helicopter. His high-flying selfie demonstrated the impact of including the filmmaker in the shot. It also attracted more than 2,500 views.

You’ll find a behind-the-scenes interview with Prakash below.

Interview with Prakash Gandhi Natarajan

MMM: What’s your background as a filmmaker?

Prakash: I’m an iPhone filmmaker. In my work I incorporate a little bit of DJI Spark drone footage here and there. My passion is acting, modeling, dancing and film making. I shoot weddings, private events, short films, documentaries, travel films, promos, and small business videos using my phone and other accessories such as Videomic Pro and Moment lenses. Several of my iphone films have appeared in film festivals.

MMM: What device did you shoot on?

Prakash: iPhone XS Max.

MMM: What editing software did you use?

Prakash:  Luma Fusion for the editing and the final touches in Final Cut Pro X.

MMM: Besides capturing the intensity of New York City, did you have a specific goal in mind?

Prakash: While you see out your windows every day, whether you notice things or ignore them depends on the state of the mind you are in.

MMM: Did you do anything to change or augment the colors?

Prakash: I did small color grading in Luma Fusion. But the lights in New York were more than enough to bring life to the video.

MMM: Could you tell us anything about shooting from a helicopter?

Prakash: When I was shooting for the “Out Our Windows” competition, I started with footage taken in a  pedicab. But I wanted to go bigger. So I contacted FlyNYON  a company that will take you in a chopper over thttp://FlyNYONhe City. The highlight is its open door option.  You can literally have your hands and legs dangling outside the chopper. Best way to see any city.

MMM: Anything else you’d like to add?

Prakash: I would love if you guys have contests frequently and inspire others to get into smartphone film making.

MMM: We intend to do so. Our current Instagram contest focuses on close-ups. You can read the details on our Instagram page.

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Earlier this year MobileMovieMaking featured Prakash’s “Life in a Tiny Town,” a very  different kind of travelogue. You can see it here.

His “Out Our Windows” video was chosen as a Mobile Movie of the Week by the editors of MobileMovieMaking.com.