Lens Filters

 After having found out which filters were used in The Love Witch, and now knowing the effect that they give, I've decided to do some more research and order lenses of my own to experiment with. Through this process I've found out three things: 

1.  I can't use the JVC camera I've been using if I want to do practical effects like this (unless I use a handheld filter, which don't seem very common for the kinds of lenses I want)

2. Filters are expensive

3. Diffraction lenses are hard to come by. 

I decided to try and find three filter types, one kaleidoscope, one diffusion lens, and one diffraction lens. Since this is just a test run I've decided to opt for the cheaper versions that could come fastest, but also made sure the reviews were high and they would do what I hope they will. Using lenses means I will have to use the C100 and the 77mm lens, as the uni only has 77mm and 67mm lenses available, and I found more filters in 77mm size. 

For the kaleidoscope one I decided to go with this version. From what I've seen online the effect that this lens gives won't be a 4 image one but should be a few more images with a bit more blur. I'm not sure how this will look in the end, but for now I'm planning on using this filter for the more dreamlike scenes and then in scenes where seeing details of a face is more important I will be creating this effect digitally, as I did in my concept video. This will also be interesting to use for shots that are just lights or settings. 

Depending on how experimentation with this filter goes I may consider investing in one that has less facets so that the final shot will have less reflections in it as that is my final goal for most shots that will involve this kind of effect. 

The second lens I got was this diffusion lens, from what I've read it is filters like this that are used to achieve that classic Hollywood glow that is seen in closeups. From what I could find online there are many options for how strong the effect is that this lens gives, while you do lose some focus in them the goal is to make the light as soft as possible, creating a softened effect overall. I found some other lenses that create this effect in a more extreme way, which is what I'm going for, but I thought I'd go for one that isn't so harsh for my first experiments, then once again invest in a stronger one later on depending how this test goes. 

Now onto diffraction filters. As I said they are quite hard to come by. By this I mean there are many options online, but ones with the effect I want either come in much smaller sizes than the lenses I have available, and many of the ones with the size I want do not come close to the desired effect. There are cheap options that have actual rainbow lines on the filter itself, but from what I've seen the effect is very subtle and nowhere near how I want it to look. There is one company, Spekrem Effects, that makes the perfect filter for this, called the Rainbowburst. As you can see on the left, it is the same effect as seen on The Love Witch and 60s psychedelic films, and sold out in the UK. There is stock in the US but shipping from there is just too much. My plan for now is to continue research on similar filters and wait for this one to come back in stock in the UK. I will also be attempting to create this effect digitally as part of this round of tests with the lenses.