Michael Gracey mixes it up for Apple

In collaboration with TBWA\Media Arts Lab, tech giant Apple has launched this spectacular new Shot on iPhone campaign, a moving musical extravaganza directed by Partizan Studio's Michael Gracey. 

Titled I Made a Mixtape for You, the 12-minute short film dives into the world of modern dating from the perspective of a young Chinese man, capturing the difficulties of traditional expectations and the pressure he feels to settle down from older generations.  

Set against the backdrop of China in the 90s and driven by iconic Mando-pop hits, it reminds us that, no matter how the world changes, love remains a timeless force worth believing in. 

The film showcases the advanced camera capabilities of iPhone 16 Pro in unprecedented ways. "Musical storytelling encompasses so many facets of music, picture, and sound design," explains Gracey. "The incredible thing about iPhone 16 Pro is that you have access to all those things in one device."  

The film's breathtaking dance sequences, particularly during Wei's solo performances, were captured in stunning detail in 4K 120 fps for a stunning cinematic Slo-mo effect. "When he's doing these big, beautiful leaps that are incredibly balletic, to capture them at 120 frames in 4K resolution is just beautiful," Gracey notes. 

Accompanying the film is a behind-the-scenes video that showcases how the production team utilised the iPhone 16 Pro's features to bring the film to life.