Filter to make video look like film?

[LGO]

Hi,

Using VS 8 but upgrading to 9 soon.

I ran across a plug-in that supposedly makes video look like it was shot on film. See Cinelook2 at http://www.digieffects.com/

That kind of thing has got some appeal for me, but at $700+ USD there's no way I'd buy that. (700 balloons? Who do they think they're kidding?).

Has anyone run across some filter that performs a similar, but less complicated, process . . . at a much less expensive price?

Yea, yea, less price = less features. That's fine. I'm not a pro, only a hobbyist. I just want a simple plug-in/filter that will make a decent effort at making video look like film.

Anyone know of any? Anyone know of a combination of steps with current filters that can achieve the same/similar effect?

Many thanks for a reply,

LGO

[Ken Veal]

Hi
Try recording your project again at a lower frame rate per second,
start with 5 frames per second less and see if that gets the effect u r looking for.
regards Ken

[duffgnr]

now then!

filters that make video look like film are not as good as they claim to be, even on higher end software.

the best way is to make sure your photography and composition is good (rule of thirds, depth of field etc)

also, digital video is very colour intensive, try adjusting the colour of your clips, desaturate the colour a bit. this will help to remove the 'home video' look of your films.

duffgnr

[sjj1805]

See if Stefan Burgers FREE FXBench does what your looking for

http://www.burgers-transition-site.de/n ... 12006.html

Steve J

[rwernyei]

LGO,
Cinelook and Red Giant's Magic Bullet are used in the industry all the time for this process. And I disagree with what the other poster said about them not being good. Many SD entries for "indies" are post-processed with the above-mentioned software before being converted to film. Magic Bullet effectively de-interlaces 50i and 60i material to 24fps. Also adds filters to remove common video look by adding its own cine-gamma curve. Many cams have this option and the result is about the same as applying filters within a non-devoted program possibly achieving somewhat convincing to horrible results. For Mini-DV cams the Panasonic AG-DVX100A does this the best and shoots in true-progressive 24fps. Film is progressive and 23.976fps. Also it contains its own color exposure and gamma settings. So the de-saturate statement is incorrect as well. Now, depth of field and limited DV color space, I can agree with.

[vslb]

Hi,
The new collection.xml ("right click" & "save as" to download) file for "Stephan Burger FX Bench" software contains 3 filmlook effects but they don't work
Can anybody help (Stefan maybe)? Screenshots below :

Effects list



Script errors

[Black Lab]

Emmanuel, why don't you try contacting Stefan here.

[vslb]

Good idea Jeff. It's done now

[LGO]

Emmanuel,

Please post whatever you hear from Stefan, svp. I'd be interested to know as I still have not found a good solution to how to do this in VS.

Regards,

LGO

[Stefan_Burger]

Sorry for the confusion.

The code of the filmlook filters is simply to large for the FXbench version that is currently available for download.

I have an updated version 1.46 of FXbench that is not yet released but necessary for proper use of those particular filters.

Besides of that, the filmlook filters might need some refinement in terms of finalization of the parameters.

Basically they do the following:
- increase of contrast in very dark and very light areas
- slight blur (as video is somehow to sharp compared to film)
- slight random grain (to simulate the grain of film material)
- slight darken of edges by applying a circular vignette mask

Finalizing the parameters in this context means, how much of everything will make a good effect.

Only Filmlook 1 and Filmlook 2 are intented for proper use. 'Filmlook compare 2' was just for testing. it splits the screen and shows Filmlook 2 at the one side and the unmodified material at the other side.

I didn't released Version 1.46 of FXbench so far, because it only contains the fix for huge filter code and no other enhencements.

Regards, Stefan

[vslb]

Thanks a lot for explanation Stefan.

So, I'm very impatient for this future release. You have made a very good work.
May the force be with you for the development

Regards.

[LGO]

Any further progress on this filter, Stefan?

Your other filters and transitions are so good, I'm very interested in you completing this filter.

Many thanks for all you've done for the VS forum users! <applause>