How to Fake the Super 16 Film Look 

here's the flicker overlay file in case you want to use it: www.dropbox.com/s/kbgumcease5wdzu/flicker.mov?dl=0

Wait about 30 years on, and you will watch tutorials a la "How to fake DSLR look":...."close down 3d holographic mode, turn on 2 dimensional image filter, sharpen the image, downsize image to ridiculously small 4K, add some of that good old stylish digital noise in shadows,..."

I loved the perspective to mimic not only the technical details but also the perks of working with film, like waiting to watch the footage, not being able to preview footage, etc. really interesting way of approaching digital film!!

That flicker takes everything to the next level! Many thanks for this!

One final detail you could also throw in, just to get it to that extra level. 16mm has a slight wobble/shake when it is playing due to the actual film running by. Adding a very small digital camera shake into your footage on the Y-axis can introduce that rolling film effect.

I find it amazing that back in the days before digital, filmmakers wished there was a away to see the footage immediately - wished they could make as many takes as they wanted without wasting film - and now that we have (that) through the digital medium, we've become spoiled. - most of us want to return to the "good ole' days" and yes, I agree there was something "magical" about it that has now dissipated. It somehow reflects so, in many modern films shot digitally. as silly as it sounds, that "magic" is strangely gone, even when simulated. I like digital because of it's convenience - it does look good now - it's been perfected alright - but yet, oddly, it lacks soul. Sounds dumb, but those of us who love film . . . really love film, and wish we could afford it - 'know" it's magic and miss it on that screen. Maybe because deep down we know that analogue medium can be used forever - we really don' t need electricity for it, or special programs or additional electronics - just light and shadow and chemicals to react to it, and a mechanical machine that takes it all in.

You are a genius. Its only because of you, I am not upgrading my canon T3i :)

I just watched City Of God for the first time. The cinematography is incredible. I really love the imperfections of Super 16.

Simon, I just wanted to say that I appreciate your work. I’ve been crap at getting myself started on RU-vid, but you’ve been helping to get me over the hump a bit. I think this is one of my favorite videos of yours, partly because I’m a still film shooter and partly because I enjoy and respect the clear, concise breakdown and the amount of thought that you obviously put into all of this.

I love how you go through the right details thoroughly and then go beyond what's expected. You have such a feel for this media my man.

Simon, I'm constantly blown away by your productions, man. So, so inspiring. Thank you for continuing to make YT content.

I'm very impressed with your analysis of the differences between digital imaging and motion picture film imaging, and then your figuring out how to replicate the film look on DSLR! Bravo and Thank You!!!

there's something calming and relieving and nostalgic about super 16. just learned the team but glad I did!

You're a Great RU-vidr as well as a Film maker!

I've been adjusting my film-simulation techniques for years-- this is by far the best tutorial I've ever seen. Concise, specific, and the side by side comparisons are perfect.

I love how calm and informative your videos are.

You really do think outside of the box with your RU-vid videos Simon. When everyone else is doing the same old tutorials/reviews your actually creating new content that really make you think. Great stuff.

I like the end result and I also like your points on being focused when having a shooting on film mentality.

I love 'Just carry on', Simon! Everything you create is so perfect!

I am in love with this video, the background music with your small and rustic voice, combined with something I have a passion for is a guarantueed long time favorite

Whenever I loose focus, I watch your videos, you always have a precious statement. Loved this video too,, can't wait for the super 16 video.

This is the greatest film look video ever made

I love your voice so much it’s so calming

I love that you took this thought experiment past camera settings and to the most absurd extreme (small SD cards, no previews, holding the footage for days). Really interesting to think about the possibilities.

Dude, this video is amazing! The content, the way you are passionate about being authentic to Super 16, this video is a poem. Thank you

I love this. Thanks for putting out, not only a well crafted video, but also one that is clear and to the point. I especially appreciate that you did not bring up 8-bit, 10 bit or raw as far as the DSLR goes. Excuse me while I got test this out with my EOS R.

this is such great artistic advice and i think it applies to other creative areas, such as music production, as well.

Your analysis of detail is far beyond my inexperienced ability. This was extremely enlightening and I thank you very much for doing this.

I just love it. i love everything what you do. Please don't stop.

Watching your videos, listening to your voice, your background music choice. It feels like i'm watching a film. Really intriguing.

Your color-matching skill is impeccable.

Amazing video, im doing colour grading for a film at the moment and ive wanted to give it a subtle film look just to make it look more cinematic and this video has really helped with that!

Man, you are so poetic! Really enjoying watching your videos! And your music is so good for the mood you inspire! Keep up the good work!

Falling in love with the super 16mm look after this video. even though its very soft I like the whole feel of the super 16. Thanks Simon for this good video. keep it coming.

This was a fantastic watch. Extraordinarily relaxing, and engaging throughout. Thank you for creating this

Love the 16mm cameras! I recommend anyone who's into filmmaking to test out the 16mm - it's definitely not for everyone, but it gives lovely results. Thanks Simon, for yet another great video!

Thanks for that! I'm glad you re-used that music again, I loved it the first time 😊

Great video! Always have great insights on what I need

These shots are beautiful!

Thoroughly brilliant video, simple but deep ideas! Bravo

Seriously reminded me why I love film so much

Great video nice to see you back sharing you interesting thoughts on filmmaking

your passion for filmmaking is infectious

This is perfect! I hate seeing tutorials that only focus on post production to make dslr look like film when it's really important that you actually mimic it while filming, it's not just a filter

Really great video Simon!

Beautiful video Simon. Thank you 🙏

I grew up using reg and super 8 and am quite thankful for digital. Your videos are great and keep up the tremendous work.

Loved this video Simon.

Nice headspace to be in. I remember the days of waiting and then viewing in the viewing theatre or on the Steinbeck. Sometimes you need to take a breath and think about the creativity instead of having everything instantly and being able to 'perfect' everything. Imperfection and accidents are what makes something individual. Analog and chemicals is a 'live' organic precess and once it's 'born' it lives as an individual! Thnx for all the great vids

Your videos are soo relaxing! Great work! Thank you! :)

Awesome! Just awesome! THX a bunch for this. In a world of gaming and 4k tutorials this was a need breath of new air.

The music is so soothing

u still tha goat Simon. appreciate your work man. -a very long time fan.

Great thoughts, Simon - loved the piece on intentional shooting.

muy bueno, Simoncillo, gracias so much.

Thoroughly enjoyed this!

Great video, I feel inspired to move closer to film now! Very helpful

Your videos are ALWAYS more than a simple tutorial. It's all about how to feel the things as humans. That's what i like you the most.

Well Simon, I was watching this video in a light hearted wide smile. I buy some vintage fast lenses to get cinematic image as close as possible and you are right. We have to get rid some of that digital convenients to be 100% focus on how to frame our story. Thanks for such a sweet video!

Thank you for the overlay and information here...awesome channel!

I was doing similar experiments with my gh1 to mimic the 16mm look, but your results are way better! I'll try the magenta shift thank you so much (and flickering too). The best dslr channel on youtube

FilmConvert are the best! There are a lot more factors to consider than just adding a plugin, and once it's done correctly, it provides amazing results.

Wonderful vid. Thanks, Simon.

This guy still repping that T3i... Gotta love it.

wonderful ! loved this method.

This is a awesome tutorial i have a film coming up and i decided i wanted to create a more 70s or 80s film look and this is gonna help me do it thank you

Man, this is an awesome tutorial! Thank you very much for this, I will definitely try this soon. Love the old film looks :)

The music is so nostalgic... perfectly fits the great video

This was great idea! And thank you for the specifics on how to achieve it - especially pointing out that flicker is also part of the film look...that was a good insight.

I was just about to shoot a short with a super 16 look... it’s like you knew!!!! Thank you so much for this, super helpful video as always

Love the shot at 2:57 . Great work!

Thank you so much for this very helpful, philosophical and entertaining tutorial! When I started out with photography there was no digital, kind of miss that sometimes!:)

Always love your vids.

The grading you did on this was excellent. nice work!

I'm not sure what big revolution will come after we no longer record digitally, but I wonder if in 2050 there will be filmmakers saying, "I've really gotten into recording digitally on to SD cards recently. It really gives my footage a lot of vintage blocky noise and artifacts."

Great video. Lots of information. Keep them coming.

I love the idea of reducing possibilities and coming back to the core of filmmaking. Something that even the greatest in filmmaking have forgotten these days.

love the music

great ideas, love the human thought process that will effect your film making

most dope video ever on film look, especially the post magic. thanks

Very beautiful footage.

I like your idea of taking away options on your dslr. I find the same old school approaches useful in audio as well. Awesome vid as usual, will definitely borrow some of these ideas for the future. Cheers Simon.

I've listened to this background music for months now ever since the fake super 8 video ❤️

incredible tips, very informative, i'm gonna give it a try! thankyou!

I really appreciate you making this.

Your videos are very informative and help me with the way i present my videos.

That was really good Simon.

Stunning bg music!

Yeah, boi. I've been waiting for that kind of tutorial. You're great!

Great video, loved the shot at 2:57, very Wes Anderson-y, it's like the window frame is kinda making a 4:3 crop adding to the whole vintage-grand-budapest-hotel look.

You've grown, great to see you after a long time

at 2:51 you've made a small error. that's not flickering in the waveform, it's the movement of the film rolling through the gate. It's called film slack. Flicker can definitely add effect though. But it can get annoying when random and not a filmend.

I'm not into real film nor video but i watched this to the end :) Very good explanations and side by side comparisons. That's the way YT guides should be made!

Everything you said make sense. Thank God I really don't know how I came to this video, Superb really superb.

That's insane, I was looking for a video just like this a few days ago and boom a perfect video just uploaded

Amazing video man! gonna try this ASAP

You are awesome! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. ❤️

That looks awesome. Good job!

Beautiful!

Really nice to watch! Thank you!