I found the information below on: http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/918311, when someone had posted on this forum "Can anyone suggest the best way to emulate a super 8 or an aged film look in final cut pro?":
- There are many plug-ins (Nattress is one) that simulate the effect. But if you want something cheap and free. Export the clip out of FCP using "Quicktime Conversion" Then, under Option-Filter-Special Effects, you can add some a film hair/dirt effect that's not too bad. Combine that with color correction in FCP and possibly some speed adjustment (Old 8mm always seems sped-up a bit) it might just work for free. Ernie Santella Santella Film/Video Productions http://www.santellaproductions.com/.
I also found the following useful information on this website: http://www.nattress.com/Solutions/solutions.htm#6:
- I want to make my video look like film: The Film Effects package was designed for you! Whether you are using PAL, NTSC, or HDV (or HD or SD) Film Effects has settings which will make your video look much more filmic. Film Effects does 25p conversion for PAL frame rates and 24p conversion (with 3:2 pulldown added) for NTSC frame rates. It has over 20 presets and you can make your own. There are over 27 plugins, all designed for different aspects of making your video look filmic and can be used in combinations or separately. Film Effects also gives you immense control over the gamma and tone of your image, so it can be a great tool even when you're not trying to make your video look like film.
- I want to make my video look like old Super-8 film: Film Effects has a preset called "Old Projector". This might be exactly what you're looking for, or you can use it as a starting point.
I found the following useful advice on: http://library.creativecow.net/articles/smith_stephen/film_look.php (ALL CREDIT TO THIS WEBSITE AND THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!! WE WILL CONSIDER THESE IDEAS AND HOPEFULLY THE RESULT WILL BE AS PLANNED!!)
| 1. Black & White or Sepia |
Black & White
- Select the desired clip in the time line.
- Choose Effects > Video Filters > Color Correction > Color Corrector 3-Way.
- Double click on your clip and then select the Color Corrector 3-way tab in the viewer. Drag the Sat (Saturation) slider tab to the far left.
- Drag the Whites slider to the right and the Blacks slider to the left slightly, this will add more contrast to your clip and make it feel more dimensional.
Sepia
- Select the desired clip in the time line.
- Choose Effects > Video Filters > Image Control > Sepia.
- Double click on your clip and then select the Filters tab in the viewer.
- Change the highlight amount to give the clip a more realistic sepia color. I find 33 works well for a lot of clips but it does vary.
- Click on the triangle in the Tint Color box and then adjust the S slider to give your clip a more faded look. I find 58 works well in a lot of situations.
2. Export Clip
This is where you get to add all of the visual effects that are associated with old or damaged film.
- Mark in and out points on the timeline of the clip or clips you wish to give that old film look to.
- Choose File > Export > Using Quick Time Conversion.
- Give the clip a name, locate where you would like to place it and select what format would work best.
- Click the Options button. In the video settings section select the Filter button.
- Click on the triangle next to the text Special Effects. Then select Film Noise.
- Click on the Hairs button and change it to Scratches. Set Scratch Density to 0.
- Adjust the Dust and Film Fading > Film Fading setting to None.
- Change the Hairs settings and the Dust and Film Fading settings to your liking. I adjusted the Hairs > Hair Density to 48, while I bumped the Hair > Hair Length to 47.
- Click Ok and then click Ok again in the Movie Settings box. Then click on the Save button.
- When the clip is done exporting your in and out points remain on the timeline. Repeat steps A through D and then change the Scratches > Scratch Density from zero to around 6. Don’t worry about the scratches looking fake, that will be remedied in the next section.
- Click Ok and then click Ok again in the Movie Settings box. Then click on the Save button.
3. Double Clips up
This section will take the edge off of the fake looking scratches.
- Import the two clips and drag them into the timeline.
- Place the clip with the scratches on top of the clip with out.
- Drop the opacity of the top clip to about 30 percent.
4. Ad Flicker
This step adds that extra touch of believability to that old film look.
- In the Viewer click on the A in the film strip.
- In the drop down menu drag the mouse to the word Matte. Then click on the word Color from the menu that pops out of the side.
- In the Viewer select the Controls tab and then click on the gray box.
- Change the color to black and hit OK.
- Select the Video tab and then drag the matte to the track above your two clips in the Timeline.
- Click on the Clip Overlays button on the Timeline and lower the clips’ opacity to 17.
- Select the pen tool from the Tool Pallet.
- Add a keyframe to every four frames of the matte. Then drag every other keyframe to zero opacity.
