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[WeirdSpecter]

Looking for video distortion references

[Cougar Draven]

There was a series of tutorials put out by a talented person about four years ago or so, but I think they were taken down.

I would argue pretty heavily that techniques are something that shouldn't be shared. It's almost like asking an illusionist how they did that awesome thing they did; it's not proprietary (unless money is involved), but if you know how to make a video the way someone else does, it's no longer privileged information.

[WeirdSpecter]

I really don't mean to ask how certain effects are done, but rather would like to look at how real cameras break or have errors in their recordings.

[Cougar Draven]

Well, that's the thing, isn't it? Usually they don't. The only way to know how a camera is going to break is, well, to break it, and I don't recommend that. It's not good for your bottom line.

You might have better luck looking into interrupted digital signals, like errors in satellite television.

[WeirdSpecter]

OK. Thanks.

[zbeeblebrox]

It was user Akoolstick who created a couple tutorials a few years ago to make some basic hi8-style distortions.

Also, Red Giant has a tutorial for simulating modern digital distortion, which also gives a bit of a primer on how to really get some neat effects working in AE, in case you aren't very familiar with it. That channel is pretty good for AE tutorials in general.

To reproduce MH's classic frame tearing is additionally very simple. Just layer the footage over itself in your editor, then lift up the top layer or mask the top layer's bottom third to expose a portion of the duplicated layer. Voila: entry-level frame tearing.

IRL, broken video cameras usually produce footage that looks like this, which is nowhere near as interesting, and not especially useful for creepy horror stuff. Personally, VHS distortion is where you get the best creepy effects, but it's also the toughest to get right because of the analogue nature of the footage. Actually transferring your footage to VHS and running a magnet over it might be easier than simulating it. But either way, the end result would probably be worth it.

The simplest solution, imo, is to just shoot in low light or poorly lit conditions and let the natural noise do the work for you.

[AdvantageFire]

the broken camera clip could be emulated by using colour noise and mosaic with boosted contrast in premiere/after effects.

corrupted/tampered videos are different and it takes alot to emulate them however.

[zbeeblebrox]

[WeirdSpecter]

Thanks, Zbeeblebrox and Merchant
I was already aware of Akoolstick's videos but sadly lack the software to recreate it.

Regardless, you've both been amazingly helpful and I thank you for the broken camera footage. [/quote]