DaVinci Resolve Full Color Grading Workflow with Dehancer Film Emulation Plugin: An Honest Review and Tutorial
Summary:
This video provides a comprehensive color grading workflow in DaVinci Resolve using the Dehancer film emulation plugin, followed by an honest review.
- Initial Setup: The workflow begins by converting flat S-Log 3 footage into Rec. 709 using a two-node Color Space Transform method in DaVinci Wide Gamut to retain maximum color information.
- Color Correction: Before applying Dehancer, the footage is color-corrected for white balance and exposure to achieve a neutral base.
- Dehancer Plugin Application: The Dehancer plugin is then applied, starting by disabling default settings. Key adjustments include selecting film profiles (e.g., Kodak Vision 3), print profiles (e.g., Kodak 2383), adjusting film developer saturation and film compression, and adding color density.
- Film Effects: Subtle film grain, halation, and bloom are introduced to enhance the cinematic look. A radial blur effect is also added to draw focus to the subject and create a vintage feel.
- Advanced Features: The video demonstrates Dehancer's film gates/overscan feature, showcasing how to apply a Super 8 gate with film damage, breath, and gate weave for a nostalgic aesthetic.
- Honest Review: The presenter praises Dehancer's 60+ film profiles, mask modes, and extensive film gate customization options for workflow efficiency, despite DaVinci Resolve having some similar built-in tools.
- Price Analysis: The plugin's cost ($449 for a lifetime license, $199 for a light version) is deemed expensive for individual creators or hobbyists, noting it exceeds the price of DaVinci Resolve Studio. The presenter recommends it primarily for professionals.
DaVinci Resolve interface showing node tree and color grading controls [ 00:00:50 ]
Introduction to Dehancer and Color Grading Workflow [0:00]
The video introduces the speaker's color grading workflow using the Dehancer film emulation plugin in DaVinci Resolve. Dehancer is a film emulation software designed to give video footage a film-like appearance. The speaker emphasizes that while he's not a professional colorist, the techniques shown are what he achieved after learning the plugin.
Grading Workflow: Clip 1 [0:45]
The first clip, shot in S-Log 3 on a Sony FX3, demonstrates the core color grading process.
- Project Settings Setup [1:07]
- Timeline Color Space is set to DaVinci Wide Gamut.
- Output Color Space is set to Rec.709a (for Mac users).
- This setup helps retain maximum color information during editing.
- S-Log to Rec.709 Conversion [1:30]
- Two Color Space Transform (CST) nodes are used.
- First CST Node:
- Input Color Space: Sony S-Gamut3.Cine
- Input Gamma: Sony S-Log3
- Output Color Space: DaVinci Wide Gamut
- Output Gamma: DaVinci Intermediate
- Second CST Node:
- Input Color Space: DaVinci Wide Gamut
- Input Gamma: DaVinci Intermediate
- Output Color Space: Rec.709
- Output Gamma: Rec.709a
- This two-node approach ensures maximum data retention for subsequent adjustments.
- Initial Color Correction [2:46]
- Two additional nodes are added: one for White Balance and one for Exposure.
- The image is corrected from being warm and underexposed to a balanced state using temperature/tint adjustments and gain/lift/gamma controls.
- Applying Dehancer Plugin [3:42]
- A new node is created for the Dehancer plugin.
- All default Dehancer settings are initially disabled.
- Source Conversion (Optional): While Dehancer allows direct S-Log to Rec.709 conversion, the speaker prefers his two-CST node method for better control.
- Film Profile Selection: Kodak Vision 3 is chosen as the film profile. [4:51]
- Print Profile Selection: Kodak 2383 is selected, which significantly changes the image.
- Film Developer: Saturation is boosted, and Film Compression is enabled to compress highlights, enhancing the film look.
- Print Settings: Color Density is increased to make colors pop.
- Film Grain: A subtle 65mm ISO 50 film grain is added.
- Halation: Subtle red outlines around highlights are added, using a 35mm "no remjet" profile. Mask mode is used to visualize the affected areas.
- Bloom: A gentle glow is applied, using a 65mm profile at around 50 intensity. Mask mode is again useful for checking the effect.
- Film Damage/Breath/Gate Weave: These effects are generally not used for a clean film look.
- Final Touches: Halation is slightly reduced for a more subtle effect.
Before Dehancer (Rec. 709 corrected) vs. After Dehancer (Kodak Vision 3, Kodak 2383 print, subtle effects) [ 00:05:20 ]
- Adding Radial Blur [8:38]
- A new node is added for a radial blur effect, set to a low intensity (around 0.25).
- This blur creates a focus on the center, giving a vintage lens feel.
Before and After Radial Blur [ 00:09:19 ]
Grading Workflow: Clip 2 [9:55]
The second clip involves a similar workflow, but with exploration of different film profiles.
- Initial Conversion and Correction: The same S-Log 3 to Rec.709 conversion and color correction for white balance and exposure are applied.
- Dehancer Film Profiles: Kodak Portra 400 and Kodak Gold are explored as film profiles with Kodak 2383 print film. Kodak Gold is ultimately chosen for its vintage film look.
- Matching Color Grades: For two clips within the same scene, the color grade from the first clip is copied and pasted to the second. Minor adjustments are made to exposure and saturation to ensure consistency.
Grading Workflow: Clip 3 [17:15]
The third clip re-demonstrates the process, focusing on how color correction can streamline Dehancer application.
- Standard Conversion and Correction: The footage is converted from S-Log to Rec.709 and then color-corrected for white balance and exposure.
- Dehancer Application (Copy/Paste): Once the image is color-corrected, the entire Dehancer node from a previous clip can be copied and pasted, instantly applying the desired film look. This highlights the efficiency of the workflow.
- Exploring Film Profiles: Fujifilm 3513 (bluish look) and Kodak Vision 3 50D are tried.
- Refinement: Saturation from Film Developer is adjusted (reduced from 50 to 35-40) to prevent oversaturated skin tones.
- Radial Blur: The radial blur is applied to focus attention and add a vintage lens feel.
Footage before Dehancer applied, converted to Rec.709 and color corrected [ 00:18:27 ]
Film Gates [22:04]
The video explores Dehancer's "Gates" or "Overscan" feature.
- Super 8 Gate: The Super 8 gate type is applied to an existing clip to create a nostalgic, old-film aesthetic.
- Enhanced Vintage Look:
- Kodak Vision 50D film profile and Kodak 2383 print film are selected.
- Heavy film grain (8mm ISO 250) is added to further sell the old film look.
- Super 8 halation and bloom are applied.
- Film Damage, Film Breath, and Gate Weave effects are enabled to simulate physical film wear and movement, which are usually reserved for this specific nostalgic style.
Super 8 film gate applied to footage, with film damage visible [ 00:22:16 ]
My Thoughts on Dehancer [23:39]
The presenter shares his honest opinion on the Dehancer plugin.
- Pros:
- Well-designed plugin with extensive features.
- Offers 60+ film profiles, which is its main selling point.
- Includes useful mask modes for Halation and Bloom to visualize affected areas (a feature missing in DaVinci's built-in tools).
- Provides more customization options for film gates (types, shapes, defocus, orientation) compared to DaVinci Resolve's native tools.
- Allows for proper clip framing within Dehancer, avoiding switches back to the edit tab.
- Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for beginners due to the vast number of film profiles and detailed settings. The quick guide is 55 pages long.
- Many similar effects (halation, bloom, grain, film gates) can be achieved using DaVinci Resolve's built-in Film Look Creator, albeit with less specific film emulation.
Dehancer features page highlighting film profiles [ 00:24:06 ]
Price - Is it worth it? [25:00]
The presenter discusses the cost of Dehancer and whether it's a worthwhile investment.
- Pricing:
- Lifetime subscription for Dehancer Pro costs $449.
- A "Light" version costs $199 with fewer functions.
- This is significantly more expensive than a DaVinci Resolve Studio license, which costs $295.
DaVinci Resolve Studio pricing compared to Dehancer [ 00:25:06 ] - The presenter believes $449 is too expensive for an individual creator or hobbyist.
- Recommendation:
- He recommends Dehancer primarily for professionals who need to speed up their workflow or desire the specific, extensive film profile library.
- For most users, DaVinci Resolve's native tools are sufficient for achieving similar effects.
- Personal Use: The presenter will continue using Dehancer because he received a full license in exchange for the review, but would not have purchased it with his own money.