How to Fake the Super 16 Film Look

Let’s try a cinematic 16mm film look with a digital camera.

Producer - Alexa Rodrigues
Camera Assistant - Natalie Kerr
BTS Filming - Anastasia Pyrovolaki
Creator & Host - Simon Cade

(I earn a commission from purchases ^^)

[boromir]

Wait about 30 years on, and you will watch tutorials a la "How to fake DSLR look":...."close down 3d holographic mode, turn on 2 dimensional image filter, sharpen the image, downsize image to ridiculously small 4K, add some of that good old stylish digital noise in shadows, ..."

[BramNaus]

I loved the perspective to mimic not only the technical details but also the perks of working with film, like waiting to watch the footage, not being able to preview footage, etc. really interesting way of approaching digital film!!

[DmitriFilms]

One final detail you could also throw in, just to get it to that extra level. 16mm has a slight wobble/shake when it is playing due to the actual film running by. Adding a very small digital camera shake into your footage on the Y-axis can introduce that rolling film effect.

[allirogorilla]

I find it amazing that back in the days before digital, filmmakers wished there was a away to see the footage immediately - wished they could make as many takes as they wanted without wasting film - and now that we have (that) through the digital medium, we've become spoiled. - most of us want to return to the "good ole' days" and yes, I agree there was something "magical" about it that has now dissipated. It somehow reflects so, in many modern films shot digitally. as silly as it sounds, that "magic" is strangely gone, even when simulated. I like digital because of it's convenience - it does look good now - it's been perfected alright - but yet, oddly, it lacks soul. Sounds dumb, but those of us who love film . . . really love film, and wish we could afford it - 'know" it's magic and miss it on that screen. Maybe because deep down we know that analogue medium can be used forever - we really don' t need electricity for it, or special programs or additional electronics - just light and shadow and chemicals to react to it, and a mechanical machine that takes it all in.

[jeremydulac]

That flicker takes everything to the next level! Many thanks for this!

[ZTalks]

You are a genius. Its only because of you, I am not upgrading my canon T3i :)

[PlayerFiveVids]

Film tends to be tuned cooler and more magenta, because older projector bulbs have a yellow tint. That's why color correction on film restorations is usually done based on a projected print.

[isaaccarlton]

I just watched City Of God for the first time. The cinematography is incredible. I really love the imperfections of Super 16.

[papitasloup]

This is perfect! I hate seeing tutorials that only focus on post production to make dslr look like film when it's really important that you actually mimic it while filming, it's not just a filter

[Jonny]

Simon, I just wanted to say that I appreciate your work. I’ve been crap at getting myself started on YouTube, but you’ve been helping to get me over the hump a bit. I think this is one of my favorite videos of yours, partly because I’m a still film shooter and partly because I enjoy and respect the clear, concise breakdown and the amount of thought that you obviously put into all of this.

[CarsonAllred]

This is the greatest film look video ever made

[MuchSwagFunzies]

I love how you go through the right details thoroughly and then go beyond what's expected. You have such a feel for this media my man.

[mikeinthemiddle]

Love the 16mm cameras! I recommend anyone who's into filmmaking to test out the 16mm - it's definitely not for everyone, but it gives lovely results. Thanks Simon, for yet another great video!

[ColinBloodworth]

Simon, I'm constantly blown away by your productions, man. So, so inspiring. Thank you for continuing to make YT content.

[guyjclark]

I'm very impressed with your analysis of the differences between digital imaging and motion picture film imaging, and then your figuring out how to replicate the film look on DSLR! Bravo and Thank You!!!

[timefilm]

at 2:51 you've made a small error. that's not flickering in the waveform, it's the movement of the film rolling through the gate. It's called film slack. Flicker can definitely add effect though. But it can get annoying when random and not a filmend.

[heystea]

I'm not sure what big revolution will come after we no longer record digitally, but I wonder if in 2050 there will be filmmakers saying, "I've really gotten into recording digitally on to SD cards recently. It really gives my footage a lot of vintage blocky noise and artifacts."

[BassPlayerAvailable]

You really do think outside of the box with your YouTube videos Simon. When everyone else is doing the same old tutorials/reviews your actually creating new content that really make you think. Great stuff.

[KawatraProductions]

You're a Great YouTuber as well as a Film maker!

[tarasshevchenko]

FilmConvert are the best! There are a lot more factors to consider than just adding a plugin, and once it's done correctly, it provides amazing results.