Getting 1960s Home Movie Look at DVinfo.net

Keaton Clark · May 29th, 2008, 07:56 AM

Hello Everyone,
I'm working on a short film using my XL2 and for one sequence, I'd like to get a dreamy, 1960s home movie look. Any tips/techniques for doing this in camera? I'm a Mac user, so I input my custom presets manually.

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

And thanks for an amazing forum! I'm learning so much!

Keaton

Keaton Clark · May 29th, 2008, 08:50 AM

More detail on the scenes: One is indoors, family scene, large room with lots of natural early afternoon sunlight.

Another scene is outdoors, family BBQ, 4-5pm summer sun.

Third scene, indoor, evening scene, low-light large family dinner.

Keaton

Richard Alvarez · May 29th, 2008, 09:12 AM

Not clear what the context of the imaging is here. Are these scenes supposed to represent actual '8mm' images? As if they were shot on 8mm or Super8 film? IF so, then make sure the images are 1:33, and you could add any of the 'film effects' that come with various NLE's. Don't go overboard on the 'dust and scratches' - too much is too much. You can add 'grain' in post, or if you have an early model XL2, there is actually a 'grain' button on the body. (I think it looks like crap, but it might be what you are looking for)

Also note that early sixties 8mm cameras typically shot at 18fps. When telecined, this often presented the slightly 'fast' look that most people 'remember' about home movies - although in reality they weren't projected at that speed.

Additonally, you can shoot at 24fps, and set your presets closer to what would be a 'reversal stock'. Higher contrast, deeper hues.

Do a search for presets that mimic Kodachrome or Ektachrome.

Marco Leavitt · May 29th, 2008, 10:03 AM

Hey, why not just shoot in super 8? You can get the cameras for nickels these days. Film's cheap too. You could even just project it on a wall and video tape that so you don't have to pay for telecine.

Keaton Clark · May 30th, 2008, 06:22 AM

Richard and Marco,
Yeah, it's that Super8 Kodachrome look I'm going for. I'll tweak the presets, shoot at 1:33 and 24fps and see what I can do in post. But really, it hadn't occurred to me to just get a Super8 camera and shoot from the screen. When we get some room in the budget, I think we might just do that.

Great ideas, thanks!

Keaton

May 29th, 2008, 07:56 AM	#1
Keaton Clark Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 29	Getting 1960s Home Movie Look Hello Everyone, I'm working on a short film using my XL2 and for one sequence, I'd like to get a dreamy, 1960s home movie look. Any tips/techniques for doing this in camera? I'm a Mac user, so I input my custom presets manually. Any ideas greatly appreciated. And thanks for an amazing forum! I'm learning so much! Keaton

May 30th, 2008, 06:22 AM	#5
Keaton Clark Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 29	Thanks! Richard and Marco, Yeah, it's that Super8 Kodachrome look I'm going for. I'll tweak the presets, shoot at 1:33 and 24fps and see what I can do in post. But really, it hadn't occurred to me to just get a Super8 camera and shoot from the screen. When we get some room in the budget, I think we might just do that. Great ideas, thanks! Keaton

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May 29th, 2008, 08:50 AM	#2
Keaton Clark Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 29	More detail on the scenes: One is indoors, family scene, large room with lots of natural early afternoon sunlight. Another scene is outdoors, family BBQ, 4-5pm summer sun. Third scene, indoor, evening scene, low-light large family dinner. Keaton

May 29th, 2008, 09:12 AM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Not clear what the context of the imaging is here. Are these scenes supposed to represent actual '8mm' images? As if they were shot on 8mm or Super8 film? IF so, then make sure the images are 1:33, and you could add any of the 'film effects' that come with various NLE's. Don't go overboard on the 'dust and scratches' - too much is too much. You can add 'grain' in post, or if you have an early model XL2, there is actually a 'grain' button on the body. (I think it looks like crap, but it might be what you are looking for) Also note that early sixties 8mm cameras typically shot at 18fps. When telecined, this often presented the slightly 'fast' look that most people 'remember' about home movies - although in reality they weren't projected at that speed. Additonally, you can shoot at 24fps, and set your presets closer to what would be a 'reversal stock'. Higher contrast, deeper hues. Do a search for presets that mimic Kodachrome or Ektachrome.

May 29th, 2008, 10:03 AM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Hey, why not just shoot in super 8? You can get the cameras for nickels these days. Film's cheap too. You could even just project it on a wall and video tape that so you don't have to pay for telecine.