"Film-like" Look in Final Cut Express? at DVinfo.net

Stefan Immler · May 6th, 2008, 09:55 AM

Hi all --

My apologize if that question has been asked many times before ...

How can I get a "film-like" look of my footage (shot in 24p) using Final Cut Express? What settings for color balance, hue, contrast, etc, work best to get that film-esque look & feel? Are there any plugins for FCE that can be used (that don't cost and arm and a leg)?

Thanks for your help!

Robert Lane · May 6th, 2008, 11:52 AM

Achieving the "film-look" is a combination of camera settings, lighting, and composition during production. That's not something you can do in post, most people trying to do the "look" in post are thinking that adding noise/grain or changing around color settings will do it, but that's more for creating an additional effect or "feeling" to the footage.

If you've already shot your footage then the best thing to do is use the available filters in FCE and experiment with combinations that achieve the look you prefer.

Keep in mind that the film "look" is completely subjective so what you like to see may not match what others are using - there is no single, perfect "look", it's up to your own creative input to decide that.

Stefan Immler · May 6th, 2008, 11:57 AM

Understood, Robert! Thanks for your reply and help.

Simon Jones · May 7th, 2008, 09:20 PM

Haha, I was litteraly going to ask the same question.

I understand about using contrast, hue...etc, but I personnaly don't quite know how to match some of the color presets that are offered for premiere and AFX. Does anyone know of a decent standalone program for color correcting/presets that wont break the bank? (IE: synthetic aperature, and any information about that plus information about other programs would be really appreciated.)

Simon

Liam Hall · May 8th, 2008, 04:24 AM

Call me Mr Grumpy, but isn't there a whole forum on here dedicated to discussing film look, methods and technique? Now what do they call it? Ah yes, Film Look Methods And Techniques.

Enjoy;

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=34

Chris Sweet · May 10th, 2008, 05:46 PM

fce doesnt support 24p

Steve Lewis · May 23rd, 2008, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Sweet

fce doesnt support 24p

That's what I thought! Do you know if Final Cut Pro supports 24f from the canon cameras? (I know it will do 24p)

Robert Lane · May 24th, 2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Lewis

That's what I thought! Do you know if Final Cut Pro supports 24f from the canon cameras? (I know it will do 24p)

Only FCP6 and forward has native 24f support for the Canons and CineFrame support for the Sonys. Read the HDV white-papers on the Apple site for full compatibility details.

May 6th, 2008, 09:55 AM	#1
Stefan Immler Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington DC Posts: 162	"Film-like" Look in Final Cut Express? Hi all -- My apologize if that question has been asked many times before ... How can I get a "film-like" look of my footage (shot in 24p) using Final Cut Express? What settings for color balance, hue, contrast, etc, work best to get that film-esque look & feel? Are there any plugins for FCE that can be used (that don't cost and arm and a leg)? Thanks for your help!

May 8th, 2008, 04:24 AM	#5
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	Call me Mr Grumpy, but isn't there a whole forum on here dedicated to discussing film look, methods and technique? Now what do they call it? Ah yes, Film Look Methods And Techniques. Enjoy; http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=34 __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

May 6th, 2008, 11:52 AM	#2
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,819 Images: 15	Achieving the "film-look" is a combination of camera settings, lighting, and composition during production. That's not something you can do in post, most people trying to do the "look" in post are thinking that adding noise/grain or changing around color settings will do it, but that's more for creating an additional effect or "feeling" to the footage. If you've already shot your footage then the best thing to do is use the available filters in FCE and experiment with combinations that achieve the look you prefer. Keep in mind that the film "look" is completely subjective so what you like to see may not match what others are using - there is no single, perfect "look", it's up to your own creative input to decide that.

May 6th, 2008, 11:57 AM	#3
Stefan Immler Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington DC Posts: 162	Understood, Robert! Thanks for your reply and help.

May 7th, 2008, 09:20 PM	#4
Simon Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 66	Haha, I was litteraly going to ask the same question. I understand about using contrast, hue...etc, but I personnaly don't quite know how to match some of the color presets that are offered for premiere and AFX. Does anyone know of a decent standalone program for color correcting/presets that wont break the bank? (IE: synthetic aperature, and any information about that plus information about other programs would be really appreciated.) Simon

May 10th, 2008, 05:46 PM	#6
Chris Sweet Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 89	fce doesnt support 24p