make a realistic vhs / vintage look - after effects vhs tutorial

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When it comes to the VHS / Vintage style I found that a lot of tutorials I've watched seem to mostly be the same steps - colour grade, chromatic aberration, and then some sort of overlay to finish it off. And while that's probably more than enough for most people, I wanted to figure out what it was that made VHS footage look the way it did so that I could recreate the style more authentically.
So after watching some playlists of VHS footage on KZbin and taking notes on what stood out, I read some wiki pages, opened up After Effects and played around until I got a decent looking attempt that I felt held up decently next to real VHS footage.
The 3 main things I noticed and then tried to recreate were:
- A dark edge around many of the higher contrast shapes
- VHS footage that's been imperfectly deinterlaced that gives it a ghosting
- Chromatic aberration mostly on the edges of higher contrast shapes
The dark edge around many of the higher contrast shapes was something that I tried to recreate many ways but in the end it was really as simple as a cranked up blur and a cranked up sharpen. My guess is it's just a product of VHS footage not being particularly clear and either in-camera itself or in post production, the footage is sharpened to bring back more clarity. Specifically, the fast box blur and the Unsharp Mask together gave me the best results.
The imperfectly deinterlaced ghosting/aliasing was something I wasn't super clear on so I had to read some wiki pages on interlacing and ended up learning a lot about it (although I'm still clearly no expert) I read enough to feel somewhat confident in faking some interlacing in After Effects. All you really have to do is apply Venetian Blinds to a duplicated version of your footage at 50% transition completion and then offset your footage one frame to the left in the timeline. That doesn't sound too complicated but this only really gives you a somewhat authentic look if you shot at 60fps (technically 50). If your footage was 30fps like mine, you'll have to use some cheeky frame blending to fudge 60fps so that your interlacing doesn't create huge obvious ghosting.
Lastly was the Chromatic Aberration. I feel that most times I see tutorials people apply this a liiittle too much and after noticing it only appearing on higher contrast edges in a few videos in a row I got to work trying to figure out how to make that happen. My solution might not be the best (due to the limited properties that the Find Edges effect exposes to you) so if you know of better way to create Edge Mattes please let me know! Ultimately it's just a duplicated version of your footage with the Find Edges Effect applied being used as a Luma Matte for the Chromatic Aberration to only be shown on the edges it picks up! Much more subtle and much closer to real footage in my opinion!
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timestamps
0:00 - intro
0:59 - blur & sharpen
2:14 - chromatic aberration
4:02 - fake interlacing
6:18 - chromatic interlacing
7:09 - colour grading
9:20 - final touches
tags
after effects vhs, after effects, vhs, after effects vhs tutorial, after effects vintage, vintage, after effects vintage look, after effects vintage film look, ae,vhs after effects, retro after effects, after effects tutorial, adobe after effects, after effects retro tutorial, after effects retro, after effects retro style, after effects old look, vhs effect, no overlay, vhs overlay, no plugins, advanced vhs, old vhs video

[@AcademyOfEdits]

hey everyone! if you liked the video i'd appreciate it if you checked out my channel and if you find another video of mine that you like, consider subscribing! :) I post less frequently than most but I hold my videos to a higher quality standards, unfortunately the youtube algorithm doesn't care unless you're PUMPING out videos haha

[@Ric3yBoi100]

Thank you for showing us how to interlace!! this was an AMAZING tutorial

[@ssscout]

this is incredibly in depth holy shit

[@Lagomorpha]

Hope to see some vintage effects in your next edit >:)))

[@bonbon8541]

sc6ut? didnt expect to see you here

[@user-qv8to4pm9b]

hey scout

[@stoowie4856]

you need it shitter + ratio

[@joegunner4768]

Instablaster...

[@lacku2677]

One of the best and most realistic VHS look tutorial. None of that overplayed and harsh vhs presets.

[@user-mq6fu6ou4f]

100%

[@Podel]

Best tutorial I have come across, thank you

[@althafa8371]

wow podel

[@diyshow888]

Honestly ,this is the most realistic vhs effect tutorial , this video deserves 29,060,000 views

[@angelafabulous]

As someone who grew up in the 1980s constantly dodging parents and their camcorder, I absolutely love this! It looks so much more authentic than any plug-in or overlay. I've already tried it out on a video of my nephews and it looks so cool! Thank you! (For the record, my nephews are now the ones constantly dodging me with my iPhone).

[@AcademyOfEdits]

That's awesome Angela, thanks for sharing! I'm glad you've given it a go and are happy with it :)

[@fredolandaveri2193]

I love how you mix practical tips with theory on your tutorials, they are the highest quality, you’re the best

[@currenluna]

This is one of the most well-articulated tutorials I've come across for After Effects. There are one or two times where a layer was hidden without mentioning it, but I was still able to follow along. Thanks for making this!

[@coquinbuddha]

This is such a fantastic tutorial, man. Amazing attention to detail and very clearly explained. I particularly loved the edge-dependent chromatic aberration. I grew up in the era of VHS and this looks perfect to my eye. Thank you for this.

[@erdbeersalat2780]

I love how you make everything really understandable without giving an overwhelming amount of infos. AHHH THANK YOUUU!

[@neuroprodukt]

the most comprehensive yet accessible tutorial out there. thank you!

[@lisapierzyna2073]

This must’ve been the best tutorial I have seen so far. Straight to the point and you left no questions open. Such a value packed video 🙌🏼

[@xenatanious8726]

The fact that you analyzed vhs footage so well to replicate it this accurately :0 you are wicked talented :0

[@butlerbex]

This is absolutely on of the best tutorial videos I have ever seen for After Effects... a lot of videos easily get overwhelming for me to try and process, but I really appreciate how quickly and yet effectively you explained all of the adjustments and settings you applied. The way I learn and comprehend is through visual comparisons and simplified descriptions... which you accomplished so easily that I was intrigued and excited to learn throughout this entire video. Looking forward to seeing your other tutorials!! Thank you so much!!

[@oldpromisejones]

probably one of the best tutorials ive ever watched. keep it up man.

[@gaymegayng3792]

this is probably the most detailed and comprehensive tutorial on VCR effects that i could manage to find. You give the parts that youre going to be using and what each part does before adding it on, with a focus on how you can check to make sure those changes are occuring the way you want them to. Not every tutorialist gets into that nitty gritty stuff.

[@thursdaymuse1108]

Seriously though, amazing tutorial. You can tell you put serious effort into researching it and not just plugging an overlay. Keep it up!

[@rammuertoanimations4664]

I love how you explained all that in detail in just 11 minutes, other channels wouldve taken 30 - 45 for complex stuff. I learned a lot, now time for a found footage horror video! Thank you!

[@bbkintanar]

Well articulated and straight to the point with quick, detailed explanations. One of the best tutorials! Thank you for sharing your knowledge in such an efficient manner!

[@konverzny]

Great quality, straight to the point. It baffles my mind you don't have more subscribers. I hope I will see more from you because everything I've seen so far has been very high quality content.

[@reinaldtan2361]

this is the kind of quality i LOVE. cant remember where i found this channel but probably reddit. keep it up!!!!!

[@Gangsterbriz]

First time seeing a video of yours. 3 minutes in and i already subscribed. So much detail and thorough explanation of the effects used, i've been using after effects for about 4 months now and i use some effects but i don't fully understand how they actually work. Thank you for the tutorial and i'm sure your channel will grow overtime! cheers

[@moonrxck7679]

I've been trying to figure out how to do this for ages now! This tutorial was perfect, thank you!

[@im_Dafox]

By far, and I mean it, by FAR the best vhs tutorial I've seen so far. I'm more of a DaVinci user myself, but this was very informative and really realistic. This deserves way more views. Keep it up man. Bell's activated.

[@iamcolinclark]

this is super in depth man I love it - I wish there was a quick and dirty workaround for client work on a production schedule cuz this is defs the most spot on ae hack for vhs emulation

[@HenryGWalker]

Im really surprised this doesn't have thousands of views, dude. Amazing tutorial. I'm having problems being a beginner with this software but you really make everything easier, thank you for your work.

[@k.skraatch]

This is the most respectable video tutorial I've ever seen. No obnoxious intro, no senseless facecam, just straight to the point. And you acknowledge other tutorials as well. I will definitely check out more of your tutorials.

[@Marlon_Renzo]

thank you for also showing how to add the interlaced look, in the thousands of VHS look tutorials I've watched, not one has EVER mentioned how to get that look

[@joaorzc]

Man, just keep making your videos. Top stuff, as always. Congrats! ❤

[@5k33k]

Absolutely incredible! How are you not like the biggest AE channel on KZbin, this is some high quality shit!

[@eloygarcia268]

I am very grateful for your existence, I have really been studying the vhs effect but I cannot find anyone to help me and unfortunately I am Spanish, it is more complicated but your tutorial has helped me a lot, thank you very much continue like this :)

[@ajcF1]

The amount of time I have spent trying to find a way to fake interlacing... Thank you!

[@Thipe]

Finally a legit turtorial about this look, I've been looking for a tutorial for a realistic vhs look for a while.

[@MetroPolo1]

The effects is just what I was looking for. You are absolutely right about those unrealistic VHS effects. They don't look like the real thing at all. You got a new suscriber.

[@ihateunicorns867]

Interesting creation of the interlacing. However, this effect only exists on VHS footage that's been digitized and not de-interlaced properly. If you're looking to create a VHS effect that looks like an actual VHS tape playback, skip this step. Instead shoot your footage at 50 or 60fps and export the video at that frame rate. There were two interlaced fields per frame, but they didn't play at the same time (as shown here on alternate scan lines). They appeared consecutively, giving the appearance of twice the frame rate.

[@KrankJoran]

Amazing tutorial! So much information and great explanation with reference footage and animations. Especially for the interlacing!

[@brendanspasovski]

Working on a project at the moment and this saved me! Thank you so much, really appreciate the video

[@siire]

The attention to detail here is amazing, thank you for this!

[@JbirdHomeVideo]

I really do appreciate the work you’ve put into this video and the rest of your rad content! You actually broke down the structure of how vhs and classic vintage film used to look in a technical aspect, which many people now days just completely skip because they are lazy and just use those fake overlays and simply call it good. I understand it may be a daunting or tedious process, even considering some of the projects I’ve done literally involve passing a video through a real VHS/VCR then copying it back or digitizing it. But in the end I’d say this method and a few others are totally worth it in the long run, I at the very least, feel satisfied! ♡ Thank you :D

[@LEONLIII]

wooow, that was really good. This was my first after effects tutorial, and I'm feeling now like anything can be achieved :) Thanks!

[@cowmilkbiz]

This was such an amazing tutorial, and 2 years later! Instantly subscribed and will be watching more!

[@hedvig6746]

Wow, that was masterful and turned out so cool! Beyond grateful for the time and effort you're putting into creating your videos and sharing them here, I enjoy them immensely!

[@AcademyOfEdits]

Thank you Hedvig!

[@icyjaam]

This was incredible, tried it, this works very well, thanks for the tutorial. Continue making such amazing tutorials.

[@spacialawareness]

instant sub my dude, this tutorial is magnificent please continue making content!

[@marvin.marciano]

please don't stop, you're amazing

[@ZeranZeran]

This looks so much better than the crappy VHS filters and apps. Thank you! Awesome work

[@jaakkopuska1817]

this is what I've been looking for my whole life THANK YOU

[@aloven1]

This channel is something different. Love it

[@lucasBarjas]

this is officially the best video on the topic, comming from someone who tries to emulate this look since my old cod edits from 2014

[@jordanm.6744]

bro how does your content not have more attention your videos are amazing! i've been looking for something like this for years, you did such a great job. thanks for making this! don't stop making these, for real, these are great.

[@AcademyOfEdits]

Thanks a lot Jordan! I’ll keep making them if you keep watching them!

[@SunLevi]

One of the best retro look tutorials for sure! Thank you!

[@katerinabacova5578]

I am amazed by the amount of your knowledge and skills, great tutorial, thanks a lot!

[@Fatih120]

Holy moly, I didn't realize until now that I was looking at a small-time channel - you actually give proper and accurate explanations and details on how to achieve VHS effects unlike other vids I've seen. Props for keeping it real, you've earned a sub

[@AcademyOfEdits]

Haha glad you liked the video! And thanks for the sub!

[@brendibean]

this is SUCH an underrated channel wtf

[@mysticalmane]

This is the best tutorial for this, most "90s" tutorials are just cheesy aesthetic-BS and don't go into detail whatsoever, so thank you for this.

[@seanseanseanh]

Everyone else is saying it, but I love the subtle nuances you throw in to this particular tutorial. This particular look on videos is one of my favorites and I think you explain beautifully what felt off with the other ways that this is done.

[@AcademyOfEdits]

Thank you Sean! :)

[@2DVincent]

finally someone does it right! there are far too many retro/vintage/vhs effects that looks soooooo cheap and digital but this is great

[@HotTubJim]

outstanding video man, i can't tell you how helpful this has been!

[@agarciamoran072]

Super really good content my man, keep it up!!!

[@Savestate]

best tutorial hands down, especially with no external plugins needed

[@TheNoor3325]

Love the tutorials man, keep it up!

[@tatachichi7884]

Excellent tutorial! It was so clear and easy to follow, thanks a million!

[@gwakanaka]

I didnt even have to look for another video, I subscribed right away because your videos hold that quality very high up

[@AcademyOfEdits]

Thanks a lot Gaurav!

[@Julian.V99]

this was the only useful tutorial istg, keep it up man!!

[@northwestimage]

Such a good tutorial, way better than an overlay my guy, nicely done!

[@_phildog]

Tutorials like these are rare. Good job man. Subscribed, liked, and commented for algorithm.

[@AcademyOfEdits]

I appreciate it Philip! :)

[@javierquiles1974]

I'm a little late but this tutorials are sick! Big fan from now on.

[@wejust5326]

keep doing these bro, i will support you forever

[@death-online]

This is the best effects tutorial I’ve ever scene.

[@xavierdechamps3420]

Wow! This is good AE content. Detailed and informative. Good job!

[@ralfaralf6805]

Thank you so much! This is such a high quality tutorial, incredible!

[@sxenfjrinklhjsob865]

I searched for 2 hours and only found videos that told me to use some line overlay.... You really outdid them all

[@SpaceJumpishere]

Just found this video and loved it! keep going man!

[@okdo5144]

This is real video science compared to most other tutorials, which tell you just to make some color grading and pull the grain up... Take my Sub.

[@ReheatedDonut]

Subbed before you asked. Some high quality tutoring right here. Thank you.

[@andypants95]

Hands down the best VHS effect tutorial! Would be interested to see your take on a 35mm film effect :D

[@jonharkins1719]

first tutorial to actually explain how to fake interlacing. im working in photoshop but the same kind of effect can be used by using the line halftone effect in the filter gallery to make a mask. good work man.

[@evildaughter4]

i knew the other tutorials were missing something i also noticed the interlacing stuff but didnt know it was called that thanks man

[@Phernandonunez]

Thank you!!! I'm from Colombia and this tutorial is the best!

[@robertsweeney2]

Wowww! Reddit brought me here, what an incredible tutorial!

[@jabble_]

"Everything will be done in after effects with no plug ins and nothing to download"---THANK YOU FOR THIS. I love you 3000.

[@massgrave8x]

I've probably watched 20 different VHS effect tutorials before this one, and they were all complete crap. Great job man, this is the real deal.

[@ayeeeck4512]

Looks so good and so organic.

[@TheApzfreak]

Fantastic! I've made some VHS After Effects templates myself. My one suggestion, is to first before anything, split the luma and chroma, and either horizontally blur the chroma by a desired amount, or, as I do, precomp it thinner width-wise with 'Preserve resolution when nested' checked on in it's comp settings, and manually stretch it back out, giving it some slight color fringe left to right. Generally VHS stored the luma and chroma data in different image ratios. I'd also recommend combining the luma and chroma in a lower resolution, either 640x480 or 1280x720 before starting from that in your HD comp. May or maynot be necessary, but I feel it shaves off any detail that wouldn't have been present in a VHS tape.

[@jackmc2852]

bro so underated this is fire

[@toasterjasp2948]

this was amazing, really helped my edit thank u!

[@jeffmcgaming]

I've been looking for something like this for years and I've always been super disappointed with the end result. But this is really really fucking good bro. I subbed

[@janpawe1243]

your videos are literally some dark magic from HP

[@roughedup]

Thanks a lot dude! The fake interlacing trick helped me

[@10q58]

hey man you have a really easy way to explain things, here is my like, comment and suscribed thing tysm

[@PraxisVisuals]

I've always wanted to know how to accomplish interlacing! Thanks for the neat trick!

[@CloudIsla]

yep been looking for a tutorial like this my whole life edit: thanks! subscribed the first time i heard your intro

[@ollie4859]

this is so informative! Just discovered your channel today thank you!

[@henri-julien]

Wow! Honestly the best and most realistic vhs tutorial I've seen so far. Everyone just slaps chromatic aberation and some glitchy overlay and calls it a day. You actually took the care of replicating the some of the core components of the way vhs tape records footage. I recently switched to davinci because of my frustration with adobe, and would love love love if you made davinci resolve tutorials. I know that's a big ask, but I truly think that a lot of people are starting to migrate and there's a huge niche to be filled by tutorials like this catered to davinci resolve users! All the best and keep making amazing content!

[@AcademyOfEdits]

Appreciate the kind words Henri :) I too have switched to davinci in the past out of frustration with adobe (I'm sure we all have or will at some point lol) but in the end I ended up switching back because Dynamic Link between the Adobe Suite among other things were too much to give up. Maybe some day I'll give resolve another go and I'll keep your suggestion in mind!

[@worldofandrew8685]

Thank you for making this. Once i get AE this will definitely be useful

[@voodoo5845]

these are really fucking well done, deserver way more attention this is definitely the best vhs ive seen

[@mysticqro950]

River of the Valey’s video of “How to simulate VHS in after effects” is very realistic as well! If you combine both of their techniques you can get a very realistic outcome.

[@ElChikero]

woooowww !!! the best tutorial in yt mennn!!!!

[@badurguard]

Best vhs tutorial on youtube

[@rayanerawadi7133]

This is such a good tutorial, thank you !

[@Niceguy277]

thank u so much this helps so much trying to make old looking skate videos