Is it possible to replicate this film emulation grade using free Resolve features
The first image is a screenshot from a color grading video by Illkoncept you Youtube
And second one (graded by me) is a film emulation I have added to an SOOC video (op12) (my grade is over saturated I know.)
Though Illkoncept he is marketing a powergrade, it's really interesting for beginners and lots to learn from. This is my ideal color grade I want to achieve someday.
I have been dabbling in Film emulation since 2-3 years.
Below are my workflows A) first one is
Pre clip level - CST
Clip level
- Balance node - HDR exposure and other adjustments looking at waveform
- HSV and HSL for Saturation (not sure if both are needed)
- contrast (I set to 0.336 then adjust the contrast and also play with the Lift gamme gain wheels, mid levels adjustment for skin tones)
- Color - for any Hue changes as well as reducing increasing any particular hue using hue vs hue, hue vs Sat and gain for any particular overall hue bias
- edge detect blur
- power windows if any
- Vignette (power window)
- glow
Time line level
CST
ACEs
blur (gaussian if needed)
dust (only dust and vertical scratches)
breath
Lut
2 csts,
Halation (serr method) using 2 csts and 2 layer mixer nodes - one node blur increase red and curve.
Grain I add as an over lay
B) Second one is -
Using CST sandwich, all the above nodes (Except Aces) and cineon film cst. Grain is still overlay.
Q:
Are these enough to achieve the above film emulation?
Should I use above image as reference and try or it's not possible with free version?
I was also thinking of taking screengrabs of my favourite movie grades and then try and replicate those. Is this a good way to learn?
Lot of videos talk about DCTL, Plugins, etc.
I don't mind buying but something tells me it would be so nice to learn in free version and see how each node affects the footage and then in future explore studio version, DCTLs etc.
Cullen Kellys videos have been amazing no doubt
Edit: I have shortened the question by a lot after getting feedback in the comments