Recreating Vintage Technicolor Look?

[FalTorPan]

I've been trying to figure out how to give a vintage Technicolor look, with its super-bright, super-saturated colors, to digital video. I know that colors can be adjusted or graded in postproduction, using software like After Effects, but I've not seen any tips or hints about exactly how to get that look.

Obviously lighting is a factor. I expect that my next production will use mostly available light, which might make getting a vintage Technicolor look next to impossible. I have not yet purchased a new camera -- likely a Canon EOS 60D -- so I've not had any opportunity to experiment with this.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[Maurice]

There are a number of plugins for various software packages that attempt to simulate different Technicolor looks with variable results. For instance, I have filters that attempt to do a two-strip and a three-strip Technicolor process. Have a look here (link) for a discussion about After Effects solutions.

I'd suggest you look at some Technicolor films and see what it is you like about they particular look. What colors are boldest in it, etc., and that might help you in photography and post. Even minus a plugin or filter, you might be able to custom dial color correction settings to get the look you want.

If you're shooting in available light at least consider getting some large white or gray cards to bounce additional light into your shots. I recently made use of those "project boards" kids use for science fairs, because they're on fairly rigid cardboard, fold up, and can usually be had with a white facing surface. I used those successfully on my last music video shoot.

Finally, depending on your camera, make sure you pay attention to what your exposure type is, and that you don't end up getting a color temperature that isn't conducive to the look you're going for. I mistakenly got my camera set to "tungsten" light when I was shooting outdoors and that make everything go blue, and it took a lot of color correction work to pull those shots back so they'd match the other footage.

 

[FalTorPan]

Thanks for the advice, Maurice. I have a lot of learning to do.

 

[DestinyCaptain]

This is a very loosely related question...Maurice can you tell me why the color in The Search For Spock looks better and more rich than the color in almost all of the Trek films past and present. What is it about the stock and techniques that they used in 83' that makes it look so good even today? Granted I am a bit jaded, because I hate the over used washedout look that is common today.

 

[Maurice]

I'd have to do some research into what films stocks they shot on, but part of the look in that film is the use of a lo of tinted color lighting. In that regard it's the closest to TOS in terms of its look.