The color grading techniques we’re going to discuss in this article will broaden your options for creativity.
1. Re-Effect Filters
Before we get into the tutorial, you’re going to need the Video Star app.
Download: Video Star for iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add coloring, or if you’re a beginner editor, the Re-Effect filters are a great option. Some of them are free, and some will prompt you to purchase a specific pack before you can apply them. The Pro Subscription gives you access to all of them.
From the main playback window, tap New and select Re-Effect. Hit the plus (+) icon at the bottom right and ensure that you have the paintbrush icon selected at the bottom. Now, you can scroll through all the filters. Each one will have an intensity slider right below the clip.
The Magic filters are some of our favorites since they offer a wide variety of alterations.
When you’re done picking a filter, tap the downward arrow to go back to the Re-Effects window. View the results across the whole clip by dragging the playback slider at the bottom, and then hit the red Re-Effect box.
2. Blending With Monochrome
This technique is simple and produces stunning results. Before continuing, you’re going to need to purchase the Multi-Layer pack or a Pro Subscription, which you can purchase from the home screen by tapping the thunderbolt icon.
Open your clip in Re-Effect and search for the Tron effect via the magnifying glass. Apply it to your clip. It might look a little ridiculous at first but bear with us.
Then, you’re going to open the clip you just created in Re-Effect again. Now, search for Monochrome. Select a color by dragging the slider and apply it to the clip.
This next step is optional and requires you to purchase the Cinema Pro Pack, but it does make the end result look better. Open the clip you just created in Re-Effect once more, search for Pro Blur, turn the intensity down a little, and apply it.
Now, we’re going to use the end result as a filter by blending it with the original clip. From the main window, tap New, then select Multi-Layer. Tap the first box on the left labeled one and select the original clip. Now, tap on two and select the last clip you created.
Ensure that you have the second layer selected (box two), tap Color at the bottom, and search for Blend BG. The upward arrow to the left gives you several blending options. We find that the first one to the left works best.
If the color is too intense, you can turn down its opacity. Tap on box two and select Edit Keyframes. It might look like nothing is there but that’s just because blended clips are hard to see on their own. To view what it would look like blended over the first clip, tap Options at the top right, select Show Other Layers, and pick the first layer (one).
Now, turn down the Opacity at the bottom left and hit Back when you’re satisfied with the result. Ensure that the playback cursor is dragged all the way to the left, otherwise, the Opacity is going to create an additional keyframe and change as it plays.
Play your clip in the main Multi-Layer window and hit Create at the top right. The end result should look something like the image above.
3. Using Masks
This method is a little more complex but completely worth trying since it allows for so many unique outcomes. You’re going to need to purchase the Multi-Layer pack or get the Pro Subscription to use this feature.
Tap on New, then Multi-Layer, and select your unedited clip for layer one. You can add a filter if you wish—we chose Vibrance and turned it down.
On layer two, you’re going to select Color, and pick a color from the color wheel. You can add as many colored layers as you want. We recommend picking two or three that match your theme.
Tap on the numbered block of your first color and select Add Mask. Ensure that you’ve got Shape selected at the top, tap the three-stripes icon to the top right, and pick a mask with blurred edges—the star is always a good option.
First, tap the three stripes icon at the top left, select Show Other Layers, and select layer one. This will give you a better perspective of where to place the mask. Now, using two fingers, zoom in on the star mask to expand it and move it to one area of the frame. Hit Done when you’re satisfied with the placement.
Repeat this step with all of the other colored layers. And remember to show the other layers when adding a new mask. This way, you have a clear view to avoid overlapping the masks too much.
Now, from the main Multi-Layer window, add Blend BG via the Color icon to each masked layer and select the type of blend. You can also edit its opacity in the keyframe editor.
Hit Create at the top right when you’re happy with the results. The final product should look similar to the image above.
Get Creative With Your Coloring on Video Star
The coloring process can become quite dull when all you’re doing is using the standard lighting and hues tools in the Custom Coloring window. The methods discussed in this article will expand your coloring options, and they are entirely customizable to suit the mood of your edit.
