Control Room: Run the Actor's Phone Live From Off Camera

A props master, playback operator or director drives the actor's real phone from a second device during the take: next message, incoming call, notification or scene change on cue.

How it works

The actor holds a real iPhone or Android phone running PhoneGuy. Off camera, the operator opens the control room on another phone, tablet or laptop and triggers what happens next: send the next scripted message, ring an incoming call, show a push notification, like a message, or switch to the next beat. Volume buttons on the actor's phone can also step through beats.

Beats and take reset

A scene is split into beats, which are saved screen states. You can shoot out of order, jump straight to beat 3, and reset to an identical first frame for every take for continuity.

Talkback and multiple phones

Each phone in a project is controlled separately, so a scene with three characters' phones can be run by one operator. Talkback audio lets the operator speak into an incoming call.

When it fits

Use it when the screen has to react during the take: an actor reads a text, then a reply arrives on a line. A single static insert shot does not need it.

More features

Control Room · Clearance-Free Maps for Film & TV · Fake Social Media Apps for Film & TV · Phone Tracking Screens for Film & TV · Fake iPhone and Android Phone Screens for Film & TV