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How to make text look more like a film optical?
I make a lot of movie promos for broadcast, and so I do a lot of keying of text and other graphics over movie footage. Something I’ve never been entirely happy with, though, is the integration of that text and graphics; I want it to feel more organic, more like it’s part of the original film rather than something added on top by me.
Essentially, I want to make my text look more like film opticals. Does anyone have any suggestions for achieving this?
I’ve tried the obvious stuff, like adding a slight blur to soften the hard edges and knocking the opacity back a bit, which helps, but it’s still not quite right – it still looks more like slightly softened, partially-opaque text and graphics rather than something that feels organically part of the film.
I used to work with graphic designers who were able to achieve this, but were always a bit cagey as to how they actually did it. Now I have to do it on my own in Motion, so any help will be gratefully appreciated!
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5 Replies
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That’s why folks get paid the big bucks! But yeah I’d work with a slight blur, turn motion blurring on and work with the opacity a bit.
Noah
My FCP Blog. Unlock the secrets of the DVX100, HVX200 and Apple Color and Win a Free Letus Extreme.
Now featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, DVD Studio Pro and Sound for Film and TV.
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Try adding film grain to the text. That may be one difference between the text and the film below it.
Mike
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I’ve tried film grain. It helps, but it’s still not quite there.
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The only thing I can think of to add to the list is gate weave. You’d need to motion track something in your main comp. It will be a subtle illusion but what about film looks isn’t?
bogiesan
This is my standard sigfile so do not take it personally: “For crying out loud, read the freakin’ manual.”
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Also run it through Magic Bullet- but that’s probably overkill. There’s a difference between something looking subtle and the over the top faux scratchy film look.
Noah
My FCP Blog. Unlock the secrets of the DVX100, HVX200 and Apple Color and Win a Free Letus Extreme.
Now featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, DVD Studio Pro and Sound for Film and TV.
https://www.callboxlive.com
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