Making a homevideo more like a theater movie

[qazwsx16]

I noticed all movies shown in theaters have a certain glow, where as homevideos are very crisp. Is there a way to make a homevideo like a theater film through means of software? or how else do they do it?

[kevo777]

Movie film and home video are two completely different animals. You have different frame rates, different color spaces, and different means of exhibition.

There are ways to achieve a "film-look" with video-source material. The cheapest way is with AviSynth. Search the doom9 forums and you're sure to find something. Another way, although I've never used it, is probably Adobe After Effects, not free. Others with knowledge of it will have to reply.

My advise is to take the time to learn about AviSynth. It has a steep learning curve but the rewards are endless.

[vhelp]

Evening guys.

One of these days, I'm gonna get a good story/plot for my next home-movie,
and, "stand back Lucas" Naa. Just kidding :P

Well, lets see. Here's some things that I've been compiling for the last couple
of years now..

Film/Theartrical presentation, etc.--
** Excellent Pro Equipment
** movies are 24 frames per sec, full frame; (not field, less you count telecine to 29.970 fps)
** lighting; sets the otmasphere or mood, etc.
** shudder speed: _?_
** tripod; tripod; tripod; (and of course, smooth motion during panning)
** trained videographer; someone who shoots the video
** good actors/actress;
** staging and scenary; (a good time-line/story board)
** A good story or plot
** and much more..

Home Videos--
** Amature low-budget Equipment
** video are 29.970 frames per second, where every frame consists of fields interlaced
** poor lighting; doesn't know how to set the scenes "otmasphere or mood", etc.
** shudder speed: _?_ -- varies, but is usually set improperly pending scene, etc.
** tripod; tripod; tripod; (refuses to use tripod for pro look, counting on cams steadyshot)
** un-trained videographier; someone who shoots video w/ shaky hands refuses a tripod
** poor actors/actress; family/friends do not want to take orders/certain look, etc.
** unplanned staging and scenary; (a good time-line/story board)
** No story, No plot, etc.
** and much more..

-vhelp 4292

[qazwsx16]

ok, well I'm not going to kid, but my video is really good(I know I sound very conceited, but its the truth). The only thing that its lacking is the glow the theater movies have(the way the everything isnt so crisp),(also lighting for mood)(I don't understand the 24 frame vs. 29.970, but these i dont really care about). Is there a program where you load your video and it outputs it in that form? Does Avisynth do that?

[redwudz]

And you don't want to leave out all the weeks or months post processing of the movie to fine tune that 'look'. That may be where a lot of the 'glow' comes from.

That said, just using a tripod, carefully planning the shots and having excellent lighting will make a world of difference.

[qazwsx16]

So for the post processing, do they go frame by frame? or more like one camera shot to the next?

[vhelp]

qazwskx16,

It might help if you post an A/B set of images describing what you are asking
and trying to accomplish. Otherwise, we are going to be guessing as to what
you are asking about And yes, AVIsynth or VirtualDub might* be able to
do what you are looking for. But do be a little more descriptive in your request

* EDIT: what I mean is, it all depends on the what it is you want to do, and then,
if it is at all possible to do in either of these editing software.

-vhelp 4293

[Nitemare]

I'm guessing that the "glow" you're looking for is actually 'color correction', which is probably done on a shot by shot basis but may be frame by frame.

In films, professionals make sure that the lighting is consistent, camera exposure is correct ... all that jazz. If they vary AT ALL, color correction can fix this in post production.

I'm sure that good packages exist that can handle this but I don't know what they are. You would also want to change the color space of your video (which is a form of color correction) so that black=black (instead of dark gray as it ALWAYS is in video) and that white=white. Many cameras allow you to set the white point ... learn how and get good at it ... (I'm still learning how and I stink at it) Film creates a better contrast than video also. All video looks flat compared to film.

Then there's that pesky 'depth of field' thing to contend with. If you don't have multiple lenses for your camera then you'll have to fake this in post.

[BJ_M]

http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/magbulsuit.html

Overview

Includes 18 After Effects plug-ins that deliver a complete production pipeline for processing digital video footage for output to DVD, TV, or film. Magic Bullet was developed at The Orphanage, by former Industrial Light & Magic visual effects artist Stu Maschwitz, to provide digital video professionals the tools to transform the harsh look of video to the softer, more organic look of film.

* Video to video workflow Add film-like 24p motion effects, with true 24p conversion tools, to 60i or 50i (interlaced) video [Read Creative Cow article]
* Video to film workflow True high quality 24p conversion, deinterlacing and frame rate converting 60i or 50i material, for film transfer
* DV compression correction Remove DV compression artifacts for cleaner and smoother results
* Library of 65 film treatments including looks inspired by The Matrix, Traffic, Three Kings, Amelie, and Saving Private Ryan
* Customize and save your own unique Looks
* Film damage effects - 13 filters to accurately mimic film grain, splotches, scratches, and projection artifacts
* Create film-like dissolves, fades to black or burns to white
* Letterboxer - crop footage to any standard format, from TV safe to Ben Hur wide
* Test and fix your video colors to ensure they meet the broadcast specification parameters

[Soopafresh]

The long depth of field in video footage always gives it away. There are several camera attachments which can create the illusion of shallow DOF, such as the Brevis 35.





Link to the video (download the WMV one) http://www.cinevate.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=559


Another really good example of the Brevis (the first clip shows the effect nicely)

http://www.embstudios.com/Paul-Circulation-reel.html (h264 quicktimes)

[lordsmurf]

Pros don't use tripods, they have those mounted things, and the term escapes me at the moment.

I don't know that I agree on "good" actors and actresses in pro movies.

You're also forgetting about the support staff. Even something like CLERKS and BLAIR WITCH costs $25,000+ and those are pretty low-end in terms of "pro" quality.

My favorite amateur projects include some fan films (more like fan film trailers, only 5-10 minutes), but those costs $5,000-$10,000 most times too.

I also liked the girl who won the VH film content in 2005, no idea what that cost her. That was more knowledge and experience than funding, however, if I remember correctly. Maybe go check out that forum.

[MrSpeed]

I think one of the big differences between home videos and movies is that home videos have much more color saturation. Back in the day filmmakers would actually run the film through some kind of an acid wash to tone down the colors.

Check out "Pirates Of The Caribbean", "Lord Of The Rings", "War Of The Worlds" etc..most of these films have muted colors. I think the 24P also lends to the film affect. For example the Cooking Channel's Everyday Italian with Giada De Laurentiis is filmed in 24P. The show has a film quality look to it compared to other cooking shows.

[BJ_M]

Everyday Italian is shot with a Panasonic AJ-HDC27 Varicam , a native 720p camcorder (45grand plus glass)