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Apple’s new campaign celebrates smartphone cinema

The Stunt Double by Damien Chazelle for Apple, global

Global – For Apple’s Shot on iPhone campaign, Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle has created a short film shot entirely on an iPhone 11 Pro.

The Stunt Double is a nine-minute vertical short film that reframes cinema for the smartphone age, while using iPhone 11 Pro’s upgraded video functions such as 4K, video stabilisation, the extended dynamic range tool and the ultra-wide lens mode. The campaign was conceived by TBWA\Media Arts Lab.

With the aim of inspiring iPhone users to create their own short films, the genre-spanning blockbuster takes the spectator on a nostalgic journey through cinema history. In a making-of film, Chazelle says that he hopes the short film 'throws out a few ideas that people can play with literally on their own, at home or in their backyards’.

Traditional cinema is slowly adapting to the social media-inspired way of storytelling. In our interview with youth film-making collective Pickpocket, explore the importance of crafting stories in a way that relates to the digital generation.

A cooking kit that re-imagines self-sufficient dining

Portable Cooking Kit by Jisun Kim, Seoul

Seoul – Designer Jisun Kim re-imagines portable dining with a conceptual kit for self-sufficient, on-the-go cooking.

The kit features powdered supplements, dehydrated vegetables and compact equipment to enable people to visit remote destinations without the need to access traditional cooking tools and ingredients. Ensuring personalisation, each package is tailored to the user’s individual health needs. A supporting app also helps travellers source seasonal ingredients from local areas to be combined with elements already included in the kit.

It also features a portable solar panel to power the set’s small induction hob, allowing users to cook without external energy sources. ‘I foresee that the consumption of synthetic foods will grow in the future, and I believe customised supplements will improve personalised diets,’ explains Jisun Kim, designer of the portable cooking kit.

As outdoor experiences become more popular, the trend for the Elevated Outdoors is evolving, with consumers looking to brands to allow them to be self-sufficient.

Google’s people cards empower entrepreneurs

India – Google has launched a new search feature in India to make it easier to find information about everyday people.

Google’s new people cards aim to empower ‘the millions of influencers, entrepreneurs, prospective employees, self-employed individuals, freelancers, or anyone else out there who wants to be discovered’. By adding their personal data, a description and their websites to their people cards, individuals gain agency over the information that appears when people search for their name online.

Through this feature Google enables people to build their online presence without the need of an additional external website. ‘Our goal with Search is to always make sure people can find helpful and reliable information, so we have a variety of protections and controls in place to maintain the quality of information on people cards,’ explains Google.

The launch shows the increasing need for new tools and services that reflect the evolving workforce. In our dedicated Workplace series, we track ideas and innovations that will shape the future of work.

People cards by Google, India

Stat: Travellers are more confident about booking trips away

Amangiri, US

Data from Airbnb indicates that people are feeling more confident about booking both local and international stays.

On 8 July, guests booked more than 1m nights’ worth of future stays at Airbnb listings around the world – the most since before lockdown. Guests booked stays in destinations in over 175 countries and regions, including Togo, Angola, Bahrain, Svalbard and Kyrgyzstan.

But while booking rates have gone up, most guests are planning local trips, with about half of reservations made for destinations within 300 miles. And many of these trips are to rural areas, allowing urbanites to reconnect with nature.

We initially identified the trend for Staycations as a result of carbon emissions, but increased emphasis on hygiene is now a key driver for local trips.