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Enhance your Video Editing Projects with Light Leaks and Film Grain

Clay Asbury
Published: Last Updated:

Take your project to the next level by adding punch with film grain and light leaks.  These 5 sites offer 1080 to 4K footage that will work in your video editing app of choice.

Media creators of all budgets (indie, corporate, commercial) are always looking to add pop and production value to their projects.  One increasingly popular way to do this is to use video clips of film grain and light leaks/flares.

You can buy video editing plugins that perform a similar function, but what I like about using actual footage is that it works in any video editing, compositing or color correction app (FCP7/X, Premiere Pro, Media Composer, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve).

The best way to integrate light leak and film grain clips into your projects is to add them to your timeline using blend and composite modes (screen, soft light).  Once a blending mode is chosen, lay the film grain or light leaks on the top layer of your video editing timeline.  If this seems confusing check out  a video tutorial here that will quickly get you up to speed using these elements.

Some of the light leaks and film grain clips listed below are available in 4K, with the ability to resize and rotate them for flexibility with your HD & 2K projects.  For those looking for free light leaks and film grains, I have a list of those here.

Rampant Design Tools

Rampant Film Effects

Film FX  $100, Film FX 2 $150 – Rampant Design Tools offers a range of useful products including glitches, dust and film grain.  Their newest product Film FX 2 features 100 4K (4096×2304) elements including flashes, light leaks, scratches and  film grain. For video editors wanting to experiment with this type of footage, they offer a $.99 sample pack so you can check out their products for almost free. They have a training page with tutorials on using their products.

Edit with Light

Edit With Light Film Grain

Grain $9.99, 4K Leaks $39.99 – Edit with Light is an online marketplace of video editing light leaks, grain, flares, and sparks that range from 1080P to 4K resolution.  Their elements have been used in everything from wedding videos to a Bud Light Commercial. They have a blog featuring case studies of their products in use.

Cinegrain

Cinegrain

Indie Filmmaker Collection 125 clips hard drive $499 – Cinegrain is unique in that they offer their flash frames, grain, and light leaks on a portable hard drive. They are aimed at freelancers that want the ability to carry that their elements with them. They offer a range of packages and their Indie Filmmaker Collection is 125 clips at 4K/2K/1080 resolution. Tao of Color has a tutorial/review on working with Cinegrain in Da Vinci Resolve & FCPX. Lights Film School has a nice read on using Cinegrain in an indie film.

CrumplePop

Crumplepop Film Effects

Cinegrain $199 – CrumplePop offers Grain35 and it works both as an effect inside of FCP X and as footage for other apps. They offer 16mm & 35mm film grain in 3 flavors (underexposed, normal and overexposed). Their blog offers interviews with filmmakers and filmmaking tips.

Gorilla Grain

Gorilla Grain

Grain Super Pack $99, Luster Film Burns $99 – Gorilla Grain offers 35 & 16mm film grain and light leaks/burns in 1080. For video editors on a restrictive budget, they also offer a free film grain and burn that you can download.

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