FILMLOOK Inc. is a post-production company based in Burbank, California. Established in 1992, it specializes in a form of image processing used on television programs, commonly known as film look. The company has won an Emmy Award for its technical achievements.
In 1987, company founder Robert Faber began developing the company's process. By 1989, the company was founded and introduced to the industry.
The Filmlook process affects three main features to achieve the appearance of film: motion characteristics, gray scale/contrast, and grain pattern.
Motion characteristics – With some video cameras, you see 60 interlaced pictures per second versus 24 in film. The Filmlook process attempts to replicate the feel of film. Newer digital cameras can shoot at a progressive 24 frames per second.Greyscale/contrast – Filmlook alters the gray scale, color, and contrast to approximate the typical film characteristic – the "film density curve".Simulation of grain pattern – A generated grain pattern that can be varied in intensity and attempts to imitate film grain by remaining static for the duration of each (imaginary) film frame (two or three fields).Invented in 1989, the Filmlook image processing was first used in a test run in a 1991 episode of the ABC sitcom Growing Pains titled "Not With My Carol You Don't". However, the first television series to regularly use Filmlook was Beakman's World, a kid-oriented science series which ran from 1992–1996 on CBS. In 1995, Filmlook was used on the LL Cool J sitcom In the House. However, when the series moved from NBC to UPN in 1996, the series began using unprocessed video.
In recent years, Filmlook has become known for its use on nearly all Disney Channel Original Series made from 2002 to 2008 (except Phil of the Future which was shot on film). That's So Raven, which at one point was the channel's most-watched series, was the first Disney Channel show to use the processing. Since then, four other original series on the channel have had their taped product processed by the company: The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana, That's So Raven spinoff Cory in the House and The Suite Life on Deck. Filmlook processing has also been used on segments within the Nickelodeon series "The Amanda Show" for commercial parodies and the mock teen series "Moody's Point."
American HighAmerican CandidateBeakman's World (one first-season episode did not go through the process)Chasing the SunChicken Soup for the SoulCory in the HouseCosby – Used primarily on the "street" set during the first season.Crossed Over – television specialDrake & Josh – used only in season 1, utilized a 'filmized' appearance afterwardsThe Doodlebops - Used in most season 1, and half of season 2 episodes.Endurance† – used from 2005–2008Founding Brothers – television specialFounding Fathers – television specialThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – used only in 1 episode, "Viva Lost Wages", only during the Las Vegas scenesGrowing Pains† – used only in 1 episode, "Not With My Carol You Don't"Hannah Montana (season 1–3)Haunted Hotels – television specialIn the House – used from 1995–1996It's a MiracleKingdom of DavidLiving DollsMaking the BandMilitary DiariesThe Great War and the Shaping of the 20th CenturyThe PonderosaThe Power of Play – television specialThe Adventures of Jay Jay & Jayime - until "Race To The Power Of Power"Saturday Night LiveSaved by the Bell – used only in TV movie Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian StyleSecret Adventures of Jules VerneSo Little TimeSpecial ForcesSportsCenturyThe Amanda Show – segmentsThe John Larroquette ShowThe Suite Life of Zack & CodyThe Suite Life on DeckTainaThat's So RavenThe Two Hundredth Anniversary Special on West Point – television specialThe CityUnsolved MysteriesUndressedUntold Stories of the Navy Seals – television specialVet School ConfidentialWorld War II: When Lions RoaredWizards of Waverly Place – used only in 3 episodes)†Denotes series that were previously or otherwise broadcast with unprocessed video.
