Color Correction - First Steps to Always Use for Film Look

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armadillo

Well-known member
Hi, I'm working my way through color correction in FCP.

I know that steps and methods vary for specific shots and specific projects, and also that tastes will vary between individuals.

However, assuming that footage has been imported with "flat, out of the box" color on the XHA1, I was wondering if there are some routine steps that you (the more experienced color correctors) always go through first to get a rough "film look" before going through and fine tuning.

Naturally, I am assuming that the cinematography has been sufficient for good shot composition and depth of field, etc.

Thanks for your time.
 
That's almost like asking- what's the best way to film a scene. Well it's whatever works. Some folks equate crushed blacks and nice hilights with "film look." Others do it with lighting and cinematographer. Post some stills if you'd like some specific suggestions.

Noah
 
to me the way to acheive the film look or rather avoid the video look happens mostly while shooting. lighting is key and avoiding blown or close to blown areas a must. always shoot 24fps, etc.

as far as cc goes, crushing blacks and reducing saturation is a good start. then tint your mids towards either a warm or cold color depending on the feel you want. if your dof is too deep or the lighting is flat, try a subtle vignette.
 
Keep in mind... there's a difference from Color Correction to Color Timing... or Grading... these were done with multiple types of filters... some with as many as 4 3-way filters.

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CaptM
 
armadillo said:
Hi, I'm working my way through color correction in FCP.

I know that steps and methods vary for specific shots and specific projects, and also that tastes will vary between individuals.

However, assuming that footage has been imported with "flat, out of the box" color on the XHA1, I was wondering if there are some routine steps that you (the more experienced color correctors) always go through first to get a rough "film look" before going through and fine tuning.

Naturally, I am assuming that the cinematography has been sufficient for good shot composition and depth of field, etc.

Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...

The primary visual difference between film and video, other than frame rate, is the gamma curve. Video has a straight line like a diagonal, while film has an s-shape, so the blacks and whites steadily roll off at the ends. A free plug in called Stib's Film Curves allows you to adjust the video gamma to a more film like curve. It's now called Colour Engine.

http://fxscript.org/plugins.html

Nattress makes a better gamma adjust plug in, but you have to pay for it.

http://www.nattress.com/Products/filmeffects/filmeffects.htm
 
I think it's a big mistake to think of film look as something you create with a plugin. As mentioned above, lighting, makeup, costume design, composition, etc all contribute to the look. Nothing is harder than taking a flat, boring shot and trying to snaz it up in post. It winds up looking like a bad '80s music video or public access.

Noaoh
 
NoahK said:
I think it's a big mistake to think of film look as something you create with a plugin. As mentioned above, lighting, makeup, costume design, composition, etc all contribute to the look. Nothing is harder than taking a flat, boring shot and trying to snaz it up in post. It winds up looking like a bad '80s music video or public access.

Noaoh
Click to expand...

Well, of course, but you can make well lit video look more like film with a gamma adjust plug in. You'd just be doing in post what the DVX100 does in camera.
 
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