29.03.2024

How to Use Film Grains, 5 FREE Film Grain Overlays

Film grain overlays are a great way to give digital footage a vintage look. We’re giving away 5 film grains for free, and we’ll show you how to use them in Premiere, After Effects, and Final Cut.

Free things are always great. And we like giving away free things. What we love especially is giving away free things that are actually useful. We listened to you, our wonderful readers, about what you really wanted.

So, we curated 5 free amazing film grain overlays for you.

We captured these film grain overlays organically using real film stock and film cameras, and they’re available in 5 different types:

  • 8mm Coarse Grain
  • 16mm Coarse Grain
  • 35mm Coarse Grain
  • 35mm Fine Grain
  • Distortion Scratches

(These assets are free to use in any personal or commercial projects. By downloading, you agree not to sell or redistribute these assets.)

So, Why Use Film Grains?

If you’ve never used film grain overlays before, you may be wondering, “Why would I purposely dirty up an image with grain when I worked so hard to get an image without noise?” Well, think of film grain like the static on a vinyl record player – many people prefer to listen to music on vinyl because of the comforting hisses and pops that accompany the sound. It fills in the gaps, and it creates a “warm” tone. It’s also one of those creature comfort things – we were shooting on film for so long before digital, it’s almost alarming to see a completely clear image. Adding noise to the frame gives it personality and grit.


How to Use These Film Grains

Adobe Premiere

How to Use Film Grains + 5 FREE Film Grain Overlays - Adobe Premiere

First, import your footage into Premiere – along with the film grains you downloaded. Position your clip into the timeline, and place the film grain on top of your footage in the “v2” slot. From here, select the film grain clip in the timeline and go to the “Effect Controls” tab. There will be a dropdown menu under the “Opacity” toggle called “Blend Modes.” Select “Overlay,” and your film grain will now become transparent on top of your clip in the timeline. To extend the clip of the film grain, simply copy and paste it along your timeline.

If the grain seems too intense to you, you can always turn down the opacity of the overlay to smooth it out a bit.

Final Cut Pro X

How to Use Film Grains + 5 FREE Film Grain Overlays - Final Cut Pro X

Using these film grains in Final Cut Pro X is almost exactly the same as using them in Premiere. Import your clips, and layer them in your timeline. Final Cut has the same blend mode dropdown menu on the top right when you select a clip. Select “Overlay,” and adjust the opacity as needed.

Adobe After Effects

How to Use Film Grains + 5 FREE Film Grain Overlays - Adobe After Effects

Using film grain on motion graphics is a great way to turn a simple motion graphic that may seem a little too “bright” and un-cinematic. Just like static in a record, the film grain will fill in the gaps of the motion graphic and make it cohesive.

Simply import your film grain, and drag it over your motion graphic. On the right side of your clip, inside the timeline, you’ll see a dropdown menu that starts with “Normal.” Click that menu, and select “Overlay” – just like in Premiere and Final Cut. I’d recommend using a fine film grain for these because you don’t want the grain to be too apparent.


Want More Film Grain Overlays?

How to Use Film Grains + 5 FREE Film Grain Overlays - Emulsion

If you want a wider selection of film grains, and at a higher quality, check out Rocketstock’s Emulsion Pack. It is chock-full of high-def film grains that you can use in any type of project.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *