LShaped210
Member
I was wondering if anyone has any proven methods for achieving the film type look in Final Cut Express. Or do I need to upgrade to Final Cut Pro?
Film look in FCE
- Thread starter LShaped210
- Start date
kenackr
Well-known member
First things first, are you using a DVX? Did you shoot in 24p or pa? Did you use the appropriate scene files while shooting?.
If yes to all of the above, then you'll obtain the best chance at film look by using Magic Bullet. FCE by itself has some nifty filters but to my knowledge it does not contain specific filters to make something look like film.
Ken
If yes to all of the above, then you'll obtain the best chance at film look by using Magic Bullet. FCE by itself has some nifty filters but to my knowledge it does not contain specific filters to make something look like film.
Ken
AwakenedFilms
Veteran
LShaped,
I don't think you will find what you are looking for in FCE or FCP. Magic Bullet and Nattress make decent filters that adjust the gamma curve and frame rate. Even so, video only begins to emulate film-like by following a few key rules:
Shoot 24 progressive frames per second with a shutter speed around 1/48 of a second.
Light the scene in a dramatic or cinematic way (not just ambient light).
Use well thought out cinematic static, dolly, crane and/or steadicam shots (avoid zooms).
Use shallow depth of field and deep depth of field to help tell the story.
High Definition helps also.
Jason
I don't think you will find what you are looking for in FCE or FCP. Magic Bullet and Nattress make decent filters that adjust the gamma curve and frame rate. Even so, video only begins to emulate film-like by following a few key rules:
Shoot 24 progressive frames per second with a shutter speed around 1/48 of a second.
Light the scene in a dramatic or cinematic way (not just ambient light).
Use well thought out cinematic static, dolly, crane and/or steadicam shots (avoid zooms).
Use shallow depth of field and deep depth of field to help tell the story.
High Definition helps also.
Jason
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
So, yeah, after hearing all this 'I want the film look cries', and whining about needing a shallow DoF... I'm looking at several of Orson Wells films, "Citzen Kane"(1941), "Touch of Evil"(1958), and perhaps less so, in "The Trial"(1962)... all of them have 'deep focus', and in the case of Kane, I recall there was a special split focus lens used to get even 'deeper' than small F-stop depth of focus... the problem with small F-stops on small CCD video cameras is that one starts to get degraded sharpness due to diffraction effects.
LShaped210
Member
I am using a DVX, and I'm awaiting the arrival of my Magic Bullet via Panasonic rebate, although I've read that magic bullet does not work with FCE. Is Magic Bullet stand alone software or a plug in?
Should I shoot in 24p or 24pa for more of a film look? Everything will remain on video. Is FCE compatible with 24p or 24pa?
Should I shoot in 24p or 24pa for more of a film look? Everything will remain on video. Is FCE compatible with 24p or 24pa?
kenackr
Well-known member
Yes, you should shoot in 24p or 24pa that's what film is shot at. You should also shoot with the scene file at one of the cine settings.
You really should get Barry Green's " The DVX Book" to find out how to make all the right adjustments. FCE is not compatible with 24P frame rate.
You could also log on to Apples discussion forum for FCE and search the forum for this question that's been asked thousands of times.
You really should get Barry Green's " The DVX Book" to find out how to make all the right adjustments. FCE is not compatible with 24P frame rate.
You could also log on to Apples discussion forum for FCE and search the forum for this question that's been asked thousands of times.