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Picture your favorite movie scene and identify its unique qualities. Chances are that the standout feature involves the coloring in the scene. Filmmakers and photographers employ different techniques to create the perfect combination of color, music, and dialogue. The result is iconic movie moments that transcend generations.
You can also achieve similar effects with your videos, with a little help from video editing software and clever customizations. Below is all you need to start your journey to become one of the video industry greats. You will discover all about cinematic LUTs, their effects in your videos, and where to get the best cinematic LUTS for your next project.
In this article
The role LUTs play in a movie
Look Up Tables or LUTs are preset color grading files you use in post-production. You can apply them for any type of footage from equipment such as smartphones and professional cameras. Additionally, they are compatible across different video editing software including Adobe Creative Suite, DaVinci Resolve, and Filmora (more about this later).
Furthermore, LUTs fall under two broad categories that signify their function. They are as below:
1. Conversion LUTs
You use these for the technical aspects of video editing. For example, you can apply them to your iPhone footage to make it compatible with TV displays. Conversion LUTs mainly address issues such as:
- Video resolution
- Video calibration
- Red eyes
- White Balance
- Color formats
As such, you will only use conversion LUTs at the initial stage of post-production to ensure your video is compatible with the intended display device.
2. Creative LUTs
Creative LUTs allow you more creative freedom with your footage since they focus on the artistry aspect. Depending on the setting, you will also hear them referred to as film or cinematic LUTs. Additionally, creative LUTs allow you to further customize your videos to achieve various objectives as you shall see below.
Filmmakers use the best cinema luts to fulfill the following roles:
• To complete film projects with a tight deadline
Sometimes the studio may require the film before the agreed timeline. As such, you do not have enough time to complete the finer details of color correction and color grading. Cinematic color LUTs allow you to apply preset finishes to achieve the desired outcome quickly. For example, you can use FIlmora’s Game of Thrones LUT to quickly apply a cool effect to your video.
• It provides a foundation to develop your unique creative style
You can use LUTs to establish the base of your video editing style. For example, you can apply cinematic color LUTs from Ridley Scott movies and refine them to formulate your creative identity. As such, your work becomes instantly recognizable, and your reputation grows.
• They are crucial to maintaining the studio’s high production value.
Every production house strives to maintain a certain level of production value. As such, they grow an audience, ensuring that their films always generate income upon release. Using a shared library of cinematic luts, the studio maintains consistent video production quality.
• To inspire a specific feeling and theme.
Did you know you can distinguish film genres by their color grading techniques? For example, warm color grading is synonymous with romantic comedies, and deep blue color schemes are for sci-fi movies.
• To translate a set of colors to another video editing software.
Most films undergo editing across different software to ensure a perfect finish. However, you may encounter a situation where some hues are incompatible across their software. Studios use cinematic luts to overcome this challenge resulting in continuity in the post-production process.
• Conversion of Log footage.
Conversion cinematic luts help film editors convert log footage to the simpler Rec709 format. Log footage offers you a higher color dynamic range to work with but is very difficult to color grade. As such, video editors apply cinematic color conversion luts to maintain these attributes while working in an easier format.
Empower your videos with a new mood using different LUTs.
Top 10 Cinematic LUTs for video editing.
Having seen the importance of LUTs in video editing, you must be wondering where you can get some? Well, there are plenty of free and paid cinematic LUT resources you can check online. Here is a compilation of the best cinema luts you can get for video editing.
1. Movie LUTs
Movie LUTs is a paid online resource, where you can purchase cinematic luts in bundles. They promise that your video will look like a Hollywood film once you apply their LUTs. You can check out their LUT bundles here.
2. Bounce Color
Bounce Color is a UK-based company focusing on the development and selling of filmmaking resources. Additionally, the team also provides video advertisement services to both individual and corporate clients.
You can purchase their cinematic lut pack or sample their free LUT packs. However, you will need to subscribe to their newsletter before getting the freebie.
3. Filtergrade
Filtergrade is an online marketplace that features all the resources you need for your video editing. You can also find informative guides in text and video format to help you improve your post-production skills.
You can start with their free cinematic LUT pack or check out their range of video editing products.
4. Push Focus
Push Focus is a US-based creative agency that provides video production services for individual and corporate clients. The blog section is rich with tutorials and informative pieces about the video editing world. As a token of their appreciation, they offer occasional freebies such as the 10 Free Cinematic LUTs for you to sample.
5. Rocket Stock
You can also get free cinema LUTs from Rocket Stock. The site is an online marketplace for photo and video editing assets. You will also find informative tutorials on using their products on different programs like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects.
6. Frank Glencairn
Frank is an award-winning videographer who shares his knowledge with other filmmakers on his blog. He specializes in color grading techniques that achieve a vintage finish similar to the Kodachrome film. Additionally, he offers free cinematic luts you can sample in your projects.
7. Lutify.me
You can download free luts from lutify.me, an online marketplace for everything post-production. Alternatively, you can subscribe to their different LUT packages and enjoy regular additions to your LUT library. However, you will need to activate the 14-day trial to get the free cinematic color grading LUTs.
8. Small HD
Small HD sells a variety of LUTs you can use for photo and video editing. Additionally, it offers a blog section full of guides, tutorials, and hacks to perfect your video editing. You can browse through the marketplace or sample their products by using this Movie LUTs pack
9. Iwitbap.com
Iwitbap.com is a specialist online marketplace that offers a variety of cinema luts you can use across different video editing software. It also has a sample tool on the LUT pack description, where you can preview the result.
You can start with this cinematic LUT Color Grading Pack and transform your videos into A-class material.
10. GroundControl
GroundControl is an online film training school that teaches video editing techniques for different mediums. For example, you can polish your YouTube video editing by taking this course. Additionally, they offer the occasional freebies like this Free Canon Cinestyle to Rec.709 LUT.
How To Use Luts in Filmora
Filmora is a video editing software ideal for beginners and professional filmmakers. You have access to an interactive interface that simplifies your video editing process. Here is how you can use LUTs in Filmora.
- Download Filmora to your device and complete the installation process.
- Load the video to your workspace and click on it in the timeline. Ensure the clip is active so that your color LUT application is successful.
- Open the Color Correction tool to access your LUT library. You will find this option from the Tools dropdown menu.
- Click on the 3D Lut option and select the LUT you want to use. You can also use custom LUTs with Filmora by choosing the Load New LUT option to open your device’s Internal Storage. Then, navigate to your cinema lut directory to identify your desired LUT.
- Finalize the process by clicking OK on the browser window. You can apply different LUTs to your video by repeating the process.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.14 or later
Conclusion:
● The information above is enough justification for the importance of cinema LUTs in video editing. Additionally, you have links to helpful LUT resources to start your journey to video editing supremacy. You can try them out using Filmora to achieve Hollywood film finishes.