Make Your Videos Look Like Film Dehancer Pro OFX Tutorial
🎥 Ever wondered why some videos look like films? 🤔
In this video, I delve into Dehancer Pro, a powerful plugin for DaVinci Resolve that replicates the iconic look of traditional celluloid films.
From Kodak to Fujifilm, Dehancer lets you emulate over 60+ film stocks, bringing an authentic cinematic feel to your digital footage.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
Why LUTs alone aren’t enough for true film emulation
A step-by-step guide to using Dehancer Pro in DaVinci Resolve
How to replicate the unique qualities of specific film stocks
Tips for creating organic textures, vibrant colors, and cinematic highlights
Watch the full video
From Rec 709 to Film Colors
When I first dipped my toes into the world of video production, I was captivated by the magic of Hollywood films. The rich colors, the deep shadows, the vibrant highlights—everything about them felt cinematic and alive. I wanted my videos to look like that, too. But back then, I recorded my footage in Rec709, the standard color space for most cameras. Not knowing the power of LOG recording and color grading.
I thought it was choosing the best camera and lens, but it involves converting digitally recorded footage into an analog color space, which provides an organic and cinematic feel. Hollywood films have a distinct visual language, one that’s carefully crafted through color grading and post-production. This realization inspired me to dive deeper into the art of filmmaking, particularly the science and artistry of color grading.
Discovering DaVinci Resolve NLE
2015, I discovered DaVinci Resolve, a powerful software with all the essential tools for professional film production. Its color grading tools hooked me immediately. Resolve allowed me to manipulate colors, adjust contrast, and fine-tune the look of my footage in ways I never thought possible. But as I delved deeper, I realized that color grading wasn’t just about applying presets or slapping on a LUT (Look-Up Table). It was about understanding the relationship between colors, light, and storytelling.
The LUT Trap
Many filmmakers, myself included, have fallen into the LUT trap. We invest in countless LUTs, hoping that one of them will magically transform our footage into a Hollywood masterpiece. But more often than not, the results are disappointing. LUTs are a great starting point but are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each shot is different, and achieving a consistent, cinematic look requires manual adjustments and a keen eye for detail.
Learning from the Pros
Frustrated with my lack of progress, I invested in my education. I took courses from industry leaders who shared their workflows, techniques, and insights into the color grading process. These courses were a game-changer. They taught me how to create specific looks, match shots, and use color to enhance the narrative. More importantly, they helped me understand the "why" behind the "how," which gave me the confidence to experiment and develop my style.
Discovering Dehancer: A Game-Changer for Film Emulation
That’s when I stumbled upon **Dehancer**, a plugin designed specifically for filmmakers who want to replicate the look of traditional celluloid films. Dehancer isn’t just another color grading tool—it’s a meticulously crafted plugin that emulates the unique qualities of over 60+ famous film stocks, including iconic options from Kodak and Fujifilm.
What sets Dehancer apart is its ability to go beyond a generic “film look.” Instead, it allows you to replicate the specific characteristics of individual film stocks, from the vibrant colors of Kodak to Fujifilm. The result? Footage that feels organic, textured, and undeniably cinematic.
Color Grading vs. Film Color: What’s the Difference?
Early on, one of the biggest misconceptions I encountered was the difference between color grading and achieving a true film color. Color grading alters and enhances a video’s color to create a specific mood or style. It’s about balancing shadows, midtones, and highlights and ensuring that the colors complement the story being told.
Film color, on the other hand, is about emulating the unique characteristics of celluloid film. Film stocks have their own color profiles, grain structures, and dynamic ranges, contributing to the cinematic look we associate with movies. Replicating this look digitally requires more than just a LUT; it requires understanding how film reacts to light and color and how to translate that into the digital realm.
Color Response: How film stocks interpret and render colors.
Dynamic Range: The way the film handles highlights and shadows with a smooth roll-off.
Grain Structure: The subtle texture adds depth and character to the image.
Halation and Bloom: The soft glow around bright highlights is a signature film trait.
What Makes Film Colors So Special?
Film has a unique aesthetic that’s hard to replicate with digital cameras. It’s not just about the colors—it’s about how film captures light, the subtle grain, and the organic imperfections that make it feel alive. Here are a few key characteristics of film colors:
Dynamic Range: Film has a wider dynamic range than most digital cameras, meaning it can capture more detail in shadows and highlights.
This creates a more natural, lifelike image.Color Science: Each film stock has color characteristics. For example, Kodak films are known for their warm, rich tones,
while Fujifilm tends to have cooler and more vibrant colors.Grain Texture: Film grain adds texture and depth to an image, giving it a tactile, organic quality that digital footage often lacks.
Halation and Blooming: Film uniquely handles bright light sources, creating subtle glows or halos around highlights.
This is known as halation and is a hallmark of the film look.
How Can You Achieve the Film Look?
While shooting on actual film is the most authentic way to achieve this look, it’s not always practical or affordable. Thankfully, modern tools and plugins like Dehancer make it possible to emulate the film aesthetic in post-production.
Dehancer is a powerful plugin that transforms digital footage into film-like visuals. It offers a wide range of tools to replicate the characteristics of different film stocks, including:
Film Emulation: Dehancer allows you to choose from various film stocks, each with its unique color profile. Whether you’re going for the warm tones of Kodak or the cool hues of Fujifilm, Dehancer has you covered.
Grain Control: Add realistic film grain to your footage, with options to adjust the size, intensity, and texture.
Halation and Blooming: Recreate the subtle glow and halos that film is known for, adding a touch of nostalgia to your visuals.
Dynamic Range Adjustment: Expand the dynamic range of your footage, bringing back detail in the shadows and highlights.
Why You Should Learn More About Film Color
If you’re passionate about filmmaking, learning about film color is one of the most rewarding investments you can make. Here’s why:
It Elevates Your Storytelling: Color is a powerful storytelling tool. Mastering film color allows you to create visuals that resonate emotionally with your audience.
It Sets You Apart: In a world where everyone has access to high-quality cameras, understanding film color can give your work a unique, professional edge.
It’s Endlessly Creative: Color grading is an art form, and there’s no limit to what you can create. Every project is an opportunity to experiment and grow.
Is Dehancer Pro Worth It?
Absolutely. Dehancer Pro is a game-changer for anyone serious about achieving a cinematic look. It’s not just a plugin—it’s a comprehensive toolset that brings the magic of film to digital footage. That said, there is a learning curve. To get the most out of Dehancer, you’ll need to understand how each tool works and interacts. Dehancer has made it easier than ever to achieve that cinematic look, even on a budget.
📦 Try It Yourself:
Download the fully functional trial version of Dehancer Pro and start experimenting with film emulation today.
Use the code CHWM10 for a 10% discount on your purchase. https://bit.ly/DehancerPro
Final Thoughts
The journey to achieving a film look is both challenging and rewarding. It requires patience, practice, and a willingness to learn. While tools like DaVinci Resolve and plugins like Dehancer can undoubtedly help, the real magic lies in understanding the principles of color grading and how to apply them creatively.
If you’re starting, don’t be discouraged by the steep learning curve. Take the time to learn from the pros, experiment with different techniques, and trust your instincts. With dedication and practice, you’ll be able to create videos that look like film and tell compelling stories that resonate with your audience.
💬 Let’s Chat:
Have you tried film emulation in your projects?
What’s your go-to tool for achieving a cinematic look?
Share your thoughts in the comments below or on the video—I’d love to hear from you!
If you need royalty-free music, check out Audiio Pro. Use the link to save 70% on your first year.
https://ref.audiio.com/5rdb2k5q
Since launching my YouTube channel, Audiio has been my go-to for music, and I couldn't be happier with the exceptional quality it provides.
#filmmaking #contentcreator
