“elena”

A Fresh Take on Cinematic Film Emulation

ELENA is a sophisticated PowerGrade that reimagines 16mm and 35mm film, designed to deliver the nostalgia of cinematic classics while preserving the dynamic range and clarity your modern camera deserves.

Unlike the typical "film emulation" grades found in Instagram ads, which often result in harsh contrasts, oversaturated colors, and ruined skin tones, this PowerGrade strikes the perfect balance. Inspired Fuji and Vision3 film stock, it celebrates soft grain, vivid blues, greens, and reds that pop—creating a palette that feels both cinematic and authentic.

Key Features:

  • Flawless Skin Tones: Maintain natural, pleasing skin tones without compromise.

  • Preserved Dynamic Range: Protect the full potential of your camera’s sensor, ensuring highlights and shadows remain intact.

  • Rich Film-Like Texture: Soft, subtle grain and color depth evoke the texture of true celluloid.

  • Modern Meets Classic: Achieve the nostalgic beauty of film with the sharpness and detail of contemporary video.

Includes

PowerGrade File (.drx): The fully customizable grade for use in DaVinci Resolve.

FREE access to upcoming PowerGrade “IDA” ($30 savings)

Sony (SLOG3), FUJI (FLOG2), BLACK MAGIC 4k/6k/6kpro (GEN 5)

Same day support for any questions

Only available for Davinci Resolve (19 or higher)

$30

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film emulation theory

I’m inspired by the beauty of Kodak 5248 and Vision3 film stocks, two iconic emulsions that embody the nuanced balance between naturalism and vibrancy. While my powergrades are not meant to replicate these film stocks, my goal was to create a look that respects the foundational qualities and pay homage to these film stocks while using modern techniques to add a more punchy look. I want to leverage the precision and dynamic range of modern digital cameras.

Key Inspirations

  • Greens and Blues with Depth and Texture: Film captures greens and blues with a richness and subtlety that digital often struggles to replicate. Inspired by Kodak's naturalistic rendering, this PowerGrade highlights these hues with a soft and distinct separation, creating vibrant landscapes and skies that never feel oversaturated or artificial.

  • My powergrades do NOT replicate these film stocks. They only take inspiration. I prefer a more punchy and contrasted image with modern coloring techniques like bleach bypass. The goal is to make these film stocks more applicable to the current age.

  • High Dynamic Range: Unlike many "film emulation" looks that crush shadows and clip highlights, this PowerGrade is designed to preserve the wide dynamic range of your footage. It balances tonal depth across the spectrum, allowing you to maintain the integrity of highlights, midtones, and shadows.

  • A Modern Take on Film Aesthetics: This is not an attempt to blindly replicate a "retro" 16mm or over-the-top 35mm aesthetic. Instead, it’s a contemporary interpretation of film’s most beloved qualities—fine grain, gentle color shifts, and smooth tonal transitions—all while respecting the sharpness and clarity of modern cameras.

How It’s Different

This PowerGrade stands apart from the typical film emulations you see in Instagram ads, which often promise "cinematic 16mm" but deliver:

  • Extreme Contrast: Vibrant and lush contrast and saturation is great….Crushed blacks and blown-out highlights that ruin the dynamic range of expensive modern cameras. Not so great.

  • Harsh Skin Tones: Unflattering, plasticky looks that strip the humanity from your footage. (Film is supposed to be organic. Don’t make your digital camera look more digital!)

Instead, this PowerGrade balances:

  • Color Texture: Subtle grain, vibrant hues, and color separation inspired by film.

  • True-to-Life Skin Tones: A focus on warm, flattering, and consistent skin tones across lighting conditions.

  • Refined Contrast: A punchy and contrasted image, respects detail in both shadows and highlights and does not compromise the dynamic range.