How to get the "Film look" as a beginner

Summary

The speaker playfully dissects the modern obsession with the “film look” — soft highlights, warm grain, halation and an irresistible nostalgic spice — while admitting most childhood movies were digital. They explain that shooting real 35mm gives authenticity but is costly and cumbersome (film and development expenses). As a practical alternative, they introduce film emulation, spotlighting Dehancer for its extensive film stocks, compression, halation, gate weave and border overlays (available as plugins for video and photo). Crucially, they warn Dehancer isn’t a magic button: do your own tweaks or apply LUTs first, then use Dehancer to get the convincing film aesthetic.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'film look' is a highly desirable aesthetic despite being based on old technology.
• 😀 Film offers unique qualities like softness, highlights, warmth, grain, and nostalgic colors.
• 😀 The film look evokes a sense of nostalgia, even for those who were born after the peak of film use.
• 😀 Achieving the film look can be expensive, especially with 35mm film costing $800 for just 11 minutes of footage.
• 😀 Developing the film is an additional cost, and many filmmakers don't have the expertise to process film themselves.
• 😀 The more budget-friendly option to achieve the film look is through digital film emulation.
• 😀 A popular tool for film emulation is Dehancer, which provides realistic film stock simulations and emulation effects.
• 😀 While Dehancer's $400 price tag may not be cheap, it's far less expensive than shooting on actual film.
• 😀 Dehancer offers a range of film stocks, halation effects, gate weave, and even film border overlays to enhance the look.
• 😀 While Dehancer is user-friendly, it is essential to make adjustments before using it to get the best results, including integrating your own Luts or adjustments.

Q & A

Why does the speaker care about the 'film look' despite being born in 2003?

The speaker is fascinated by the 'film look' because of its nostalgic qualities and unique aesthetic features like soft highlights, warmth, grain, and the colors it produces. Even though they weren't born in the era of classic film photography, these elements resonate with them on an emotional level.

What is the cost of shooting with actual 35mm film, and why is it expensive?

Shooting with 35mm film is expensive, with just 11 minutes of film costing around $800. This price is high because of the cost of the film itself, and additional expenses like film development, which requires professional handling, adding further costs to the process.

What is 'film emulation' and why is it considered an alternative?

Film emulation is the process of digitally replicating the aesthetic of film using software. It is considered an alternative to shooting on actual film because it offers a similar look at a fraction of the cost, especially when compared to the high prices of buying and developing real film.

What software does the speaker recommend for film emulation?

The speaker recommends Dehancer, a plugin that emulates the look of film. It offers a wide variety of film stocks, compression effects, halation, gate weave, and even film border overlays, making it a comprehensive tool for achieving a film-like look in post-production.

How much does Dehancer cost, and is it affordable?

Dehancer is priced at $400 for video and $199 for photos. While not cheap, it is significantly more affordable compared to the cost of shooting and developing real film, which could cost hundreds for just a few minutes of footage.

Can Dehancer be used for photos, and how does it compare to other plugins?

Yes, Dehancer can be used for photos as well. The speaker mentions that Dehancer is particularly impressive in its ability to replicate film effects for both video and photos, with a variety of settings and adjustments available. It's highly regarded for being user-friendly, even for amateurs.

What key advice does the speaker give when using Dehancer?

The speaker advises users to make their own adjustments before applying Dehancer. While Dehancer can simulate a film look effectively, it is not a 'one-size-fits-all' solution, and personalized adjustments are necessary to get the best results.

Is Dehancer easy to use for beginners, and why?

Yes, Dehancer is accessible for beginners. The speaker, who is not a professional colorist, was able to use it successfully to achieve a convincing film look. The plugin's intuitive interface and wide range of presets make it easy for non-professionals to create high-quality results.

What additional features does Dehancer offer aside from emulating film stocks?

Dehancer offers additional features like film compression, halation, gate weave, and film border overlays. These effects help add more authenticity and realism to the film emulation process, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

What is the main takeaway from the speaker’s perspective on the 'film look'?

The main takeaway is that while achieving a 'film look' with actual film can be expensive and impractical, film emulation tools like Dehancer provide a much more affordable and accessible way to replicate the aesthetic of film, making it a viable option for both photographers and videographers.