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Free Film Burns

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Brent Pierce
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With the never-ending quest for HD video to have the look and feel of film, users have gone to great lengths to make viewers feel as if they are experiencing scenes from a Buster Keaton film. One fairly common technique is the addition of “film burns” over footage. The film burn, or film flash, look typically comes from the misfeed of film through the camera gate behind the lens of a film camera, creating an accidental stylization look of red and yellowish hues on the negative and the print.
Digital video clips of film burns can be purchased from artbeats.com for a small fortune, or if you do enough digging, you can find a few good/free clips scattered throughout the world wide web. Various blogs, forums, videos, Google searches, and a little creativity have lead me to a few.

You can download the filmburns by following me on Twitter, via the link below. If you don’t have Twitter, fear not, you can sign up for the Cineblur mailing list to receive the film burns.

H.264 (19MB) Use this for most applications.


Tweet&getit is powered by Viuu

ProRes (108MB) Use this for Final Cut Pro.


Tweet&getit is powered by Viuu

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To use the film burns:

Place the film burn clip on a layer above the edited footage.
Change the transfer mode of the film burn, (screen, add, hard light, overlay, etc.)
Then adjust opacity of the film burn layer accordingly or leave it at 100%.
If your transfer mode does not key out the black, (hard light, darken, multiply) use a color key filter, and select black, and adjust the tolerance until you get what you want.
I personally favor the “add” transfer mode the most.

If the pixelation becomes an issue, mostly on the SD clips, use a blur to soften the edges until you do not see the large, digital “squares.”

You can also do some pretty creative things, like speeding up or slowing down the underlying clip to create a more believable effect. Also, try adding a “film flash” transition under the burn clip, to give a sweet effect. The “Too Much Too Soon” effects package is great, and contains an awesome film flash transition. And it’s free! I highly suggest any FCP editor to download it.

That’s it, the download is free. Enjoy faking that forever coveted film look. HUGE credit goes to Denver Riddle over at Digital Cinema Foundry. He created the 4 HD clips. Give him some love by buying his premium film burns pack. Click here to view more details. Also, check out my free Magic Bullet Looks presets, “Awesome Looks.”

This entry was posted in Blog, Featured, Free Stuff and tagged Film Burns, Free. Bookmark the permalink
  • Brian

    Excellent stuff, thanks for posting this.

  • http://theworkthework.com shane

    THANK YOU!!

  • Melissa

    Awesome!!! Thank you so much!!

  • Anonymous

    thanks for the great clips! They are VERY nice!

  • Anonymous

    thanks for the great clips! They are VERY nice!

  • chrisnsuelewis

    thanks for the great clips! They are VERY nice!

  • andy

    THANK YOU SO MUCH! I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW BIG A BLESSING THESE ARE! YOUR MY HERO!!!!!

    • http://www.pierceproductions.org/blog Brent Pierce

      I’m your hero? No, you’re my hero!

  • andy

    THANK YOU SO MUCH! I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW BIG A BLESSING THESE ARE! YOUR MY HERO!!!!!

  • http://www.pzmedia.hu zoloboy

    Saved my ass with this pack, so I dont have to create my own filmburns out of solids in AE. Thanks a lot!

  • http://www.pzmedia.hu zoloboy

    Saved my ass with this pack, so I dont have to create my own filmburns out of solids in AE. Thanks a lot!

  • Jack C.

    Once again Brent, you saved my ass.
    These are looking sweet in my skate vid.

    cheers

  • Jack C.

    Once again Brent, you saved my ass.
    These are looking sweet in my skate vid.

    cheers

  • Toby A

    Thank you so much, absolutely perfect.
    these are currently adding a nice kick to my DP showreel!

    • http://www.pierceproductions.org/blog Brent Pierce

      Thanks man! Throw me a link whenever you get it together. I’d love to see it.

  • Toby A

    Thank you so much, absolutely perfect.
    these are currently adding a nice kick to my DP showreel!

  • http://www.pierceproductions.org/blog Brent Pierce

    Thanks man! Throw me a link whenever you get it together. I'd love to see it.

  • http://www.pierceproductions.org/blog Brent Pierce

    I'm your hero? No, you're my hero!

  • Kyle

    You are the man i have been trying to figure this out for a year!!! Thank you!!!!

  • Kyle

    You are the man i have been trying to figure this out for a year!!! Thank you!!!!

  • tom

    YOU SIR, ARE AWESOME :)

  • tom

    YOU SIR, ARE AWESOME :)

  • Tiago Cardoso

    Thanks from BRAZIL!

    • http://www.pierceproductions.org/blog Brent Pierce

      You’re welcome from AMERICA!

  • Tiago Cardoso

    Thanks from BRAZIL!

  • matt

    i love you for this!!!!!!!

  • matt

    i love you for this!!!!!!!

  • http://twitter.com/diskokaine diskokaine

    you = saint

  • http://twitter.com/diskokaine diskokaine

    you = saint

  • http://www.facebook.com/simon.jacques Simon Jacques

    Thanks from QUÉBEC !

  • http://www.facebook.com/simon.jacques Simon Jacques

    Thanks from QUÉBEC !

  • http://twitter.com/eosindie EOS Indie

    Thanks a lot! I posted an article about it here: http://www.eosindie.com/2010/08/film-add-film-burn-footage/ .

  • http://www.salebestpricecheap.com best price

    this is real

  • Stevenlines

    thank you. its a bit grainy but perfect for the use!!
    you rock

    • http://www.pierceproductions.org/blog Brent Pierce

      Grainy=Film ;)
      And thanks, you rock too.

  • Ratatat

    your the shiznit!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Isak-Sawe/1122685969 Isak Sawe

    THANK YOU!!

  • Nils :D

    THANKS ALOT, FROM ITALY!

  • Heyhey

    You literally just saved my LIFE!!
    Thank you very much

  • Richard

    Awesome. I’ve been looking for this for a while now… Thanks, man!

  • Discosisco101

    Thank you VERY VERY MUCH.

  • Xandinhoskt

    Thanks a lot man for posting film burn it was time that I was wanting Thanks man absrsrrsrsrss

  • Qcshredphil

    You have No idea to what point you’ve helped me, Im a snowboard videographer and I’ve been hunting these effects constantly and trying to reproduce them in after effects witch happens to be a tedious and annoying process, and youve juste made it amazingly easier I thank you so much and I will be donating cash to your awesomness next paycheck! Thanks you so much!

  • Ethan

    film burns are huge in skateboarding work and the second i got that successful download without a disclaimer placed over the footage i was ecstatic! thankyou so much for putting these all up.. ESPECIALLY the HD ones. your efforts will go a far way!

  • Monkeytheone

    I love you

  • Nathanael

    Bloody fantastic. Brent! Such a good help!

    One question – how do I composite these in Sony Vegas? They don’t seem to matte properly on any setting?

  • Justin Shreeve

    Yes! Thank you so much!

  • sillymonkE73

    you’re a lifesaver! much props!

  • Dummusic

    ขอบคุณมากครับ

  • SeasoN

    Sony vegas isn’t opening :/

  • http://www.gagan.pl Patryk

    Many thanks for post this. Great!

  • Jacob_Spera92

    Hey,
    Im using Sony Vegas and its just black. Are these not compatible with Vegas?
    Or am i doing something wrong?
    Thanks!

  • Askateofmind

    you know how much i love you? thanks man.

  • wang man

    You are the man of my dreams. These film burns are perfect

  • Gaorak

    thank 

  • Denver Riddle

    please include original link: http://www.digitalcinemafoundry.com/2010/02/19/free-film-burns-exclusively-here/ where four of the film burns I created were sourced from.  It wouldn’t bother me so much if you:

    a) You had asked for permission to repost 
    b) gave credit 
    c) weren’t asking for PayPal donations, thus adding insult to injury

    All the best,
    Denver Riddle

    • http://www.pierceproductions.org/blog Brent Pierce

      I link to that post in the text file which is included in the .zip file. I will update this post as soon as I get to my computer.
      I completely understand, credit is due to you.

      • Teddyarago

        hahahahaha you are from heaven man! thanks a lot!!!!

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  • Todd

    Awesome, thanks! Is the FCP version compatible with FCPx?

    • http://www.cineblur.com Brent Pierce

      No clue. Both versions should be compatible with FCPX. I’d use the ProRes versions.

  • Mattcruzher

    thanks alot bro. keep it up.

  • Jon wolken

    Hi There.  Any tips on how to get these files to work in Premiere CS4?

    • http://www.cineblur.com Brent Pierce

      They should work fine in PP CS4. If the H.264 files give you trouble, try using the ProRres versions. I emailed you a link to download both.

  • jj jeans

    I saw a funny skit on SNL this weekend called “I can do anything”. your site reminded me of that, especially the header graphic.

  • christian costa

    hi Brent,
    i just join your mail list and wish to get those film burn footage with you….
    nice work on the Awsome Looks….. Keep doing it..

  • christian costa

    hi Brent,
    i just join your mail list and wish to get those film burn footage with you….
    nice work on the Awsome Looks….. Keep doing it..

  • Anonymous

    Tnx man great stuff, for the beginners, check the site I’ve found recently, great step-by-step tutorial on how to add the film burn transition to you projects http://www.dreevoo.com/en/content.php?id=539

  • christian costa

    hi brent… already use the film burn effect…..
    here´s how it looks:
    http://vimeo.com/35748105
    thanks.

  • http://www.facebook.com/esmuziq Deejay Es

    dude those burn films are the real deal

    bless you for that !!! 

  • Paulo

    awesome!

  • Leonarddddo

    Hey buddy, excellent… but the quality of the most clips are 720×480… My clips are 1920×1080, have any problem with this? when i export the project, maybe have someone problem??? thanks for help 

    • http://www.cineblur.com Brent Pierce

      You can find higher quality filmburns here. http://cineblur.com/luster-film-burns

  • ed

    This is amazing.. Thanks!

  • John de Haas

    Dude, their fantastic! I use them in a upcoming video, give you the credits :) I’ll send you the link asap when it airs march 31st

  • http://twitter.com/king_louis93 Louis Watt

    thanks allot man, this is great! ive been looking all over the place for some good film burns

  • http://twitter.com/yuppia78 고양이사료 먹는남자 / 여피

    Thank YOU ^-^/

  • Juned tan

    thx guys!it will add new style to my clips…i’m juned tan from the Woodhouse Videography btw,Greetings!:)

  • Ajophoto

    Just tried to down load this and the folder was empty. 

  • Reel4real

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiwfxYxUN9c

    Heres a link to a free film burn download

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  • Brent Pierce

    Brent Pierce

    My name is Brent Pierce. I am a filmmaker based out of West Texas.

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