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Film grain overlays are a great way to give digital footage a vintage look. We’re giving away 5 film grains for free, and we’ll show you how to use them in Premiere, After Effects, and Final Cut.
Free things are always great. And we like giving away free things. What we love especially is giving away free things that are actually useful. We listened to you, our wonderful readers, about what you really wanted. So, we curated 5 free amazing film grain overlays for you.
The Super 8 Film Grain Overlays Collection from Film Looks will surely be the best way for you to make your video look like it was shot on film. We all love Super 8mm Film Grain Super 8 Film Grain is a unique texture that can upgrade the production value of your work by giving it a nostalgic charm.
We captured these film grain overlays organically using real film stock and film cameras, and they’re available in 5 different types:
- 8mm Coarse Grain
- 16mm Coarse Grain
- 35mm Coarse Grain
- 35mm Fine Grain
- Distortion Scratches
To create a typical film grain effect for your images, set the Amount in the 30s. Bring the Size down to around 28 and take the Roughness down to about 40-50. These settings will give us a nice subtle film grain look that we get when shooting with film. Below are the settings we used to create a typical film grain effect. 1080p Film Grain Pack. Worth value $50. $24.90 – Download Now! Digital & Real Film Scans. 1080p / 23.976 fps / ProRes 422. Direct Download. Fast Render Time. The overlays contain all the classic elements of old film: the moving strips on the side, the dust and grain of age, and the jumpy style. With these overlays, you can easily create the appearance of old film over your existing videos. These old film overlays capture multiple eras from the beginning of film through to the grindhouse film style.
(These assets are free to use in any personal or commercial projects. By downloading, you agree not to sell or redistribute these assets.)
So, Why Use Film Grains?
If you’ve never used film grain overlays before, you may be wondering, “Why would I purposely dirty up an image with grain when I worked so hard to get an image without noise?” Well, think of film grain like the static on a vinyl record player — many people prefer to listen to music on vinyl because of the comforting hisses and pops that accompany the sound. It fills in the gaps, and it creates a “warm” tone. It’s also one of those creature comfort things — we were shooting on film for so long before digital, it’s almost alarming to see a completely clear image. Adding noise to the frame gives it personality and grit.
How to Use These Film Grains
Adobe Premiere
First, import your footage into Premiere — along with the film grains you downloaded. Position your clip into the timeline, and place the film grain on top of your footage in the “v2” slot. From here, select the film grain clip in the timeline and go to the “Effect Controls” tab. There will be a dropdown menu under the “Opacity” toggle called “Blend Modes.” Select “Overlay,” and your film grain will now become transparent on top of your clip in the timeline. To extend the clip of the film grain, simply copy and paste it along your timeline.
If the grain seems too intense to you, you can always turn down the opacity of the overlay to smooth it out a bit.
Final Cut Pro X
Using these film grains in Final Cut Pro X is almost exactly the same as using them in Premiere. Import your clips, and layer them in your timeline. Final Cut has the same blend mode dropdown menu on the top right when you select a clip. Select “Overlay,” and adjust the opacity as needed.
Adobe After Effects
Using film grain on motion graphics is a great way to turn a simple motion graphic that may seem a little too “bright” and un-cinematic. Just like static in a record, the film grain will fill in the gaps of the motion graphic and make it cohesive.
Film Grain Overlay Video
Simply import your film grain, and drag it over your motion graphic. On the right side of your clip, inside the timeline, you’ll see a dropdown menu that starts with “Normal.” Click that menu, and select “Overlay” — just like in Premiere and Final Cut. I’d recommend using a fine film grain for these because you don’t want the grain to be too apparent.
Film Grain Overlay Photoshop
Want More Film Grain Overlays?
Film Grain Overlay Free
If you want a wider selection of film grains, and at a higher quality, check out the Emulsion Pack. It is chock-full of high-def film grains that you can use in any type of project.
Interested in the tracks we used to make this video?
- “Mhaler Symphony 4th Movement” by Wilford Symphony Orchestra
- “Sun Shine” by Cymatix
- “What I Can Feel” by Aulx Studio
- “Warm Groove Muted Trumpet” by Studio Le Bus
- “Justified” by Lafayette
- “Poolside” by Aulx Studio
Looking for more filmmaking resources? Check these out.