This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this special episode of the Colorist Podcast, we discuss the details of NAB 2018 from a colorist’s perspective. Joining me is my long time friend and Coloristos podcast partner, Jason Myres. Back in 2012, Jason and co-hosted a podcast called “The Coloristos” with our friend Juan Salvo. Every year, we were excited about the announcements that came with every NAB. This one proved to be just as interesting and surprising as years past. Jason is also known for creating one of the best places for colorists to interact on the internet, liftgammagain.com. It’s the hub for colorists around the world to discuss software, hardware, inspiration, and techniques for colorists. Jason’s experience spans a wide variety of software and hardware platforms, which gives him a broad experience to draw on. In this podcast, we talk about: Blackmagic Design’s NAB announcements and how they effect colorists The addition of Fusion to DaVinci Resolve The IMF export spec and how it’s been adopted in different software Improvements in Flame and Lustre 2019 BLG grades inside of Flame Filmlight Baselight version 5 release across their entire platform The state of color managed workflows and ACES New grading monitors for NAB Coloring in HDR and VR Jason Myres Homepage Coloristos Podcast   This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, https://coloristsociety.com/Join-the-Colorist-Society.   Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.

Colorist Podcast

Episode 23: NAB 2018

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this episode of the colorist podcast, I talk with Color Scientist and Trainer, Dado Valentic. Recently, Dado’s presentation about Artificial Intelligence and Color Grading has been making it’s way through the internet. In this YouTube video, he poses a question: Can we make the colorist’s job easier by using machine learning to match shots? This is the basis for a new plug-in he is developing for DaVinci Resolve called, “Joi” Originally from Yugoslavia, Dado’s career has spanned from working at corporations like Apple and Sony, to running his own post production facility, “MyTherapy.” There he worked on a massive amount of projects in TV, film and commercials. In addition, he is a  trainer for the International Colori st Academy and Colour.Training. Currently, he’s decided to put his full focus on developing new software with his latest company “Colourlab” In this podcast, we talk about: Starting at Apple and how he first became exposed to color grading Machine learning and how it relates to color grading Working with HDR in a color managed workflow Being involved early in the filmmaking process How teaching has increased his skills as a colorist The tools that haven’t been created yet for the colorist Creating the “look” before the balance grade Running a facility versus being a colorist Why the CSI is an important group for colorists   AI & Machine Learning to Colour Grading http://www.dadovalentic.com https://www.colour.training http://www.mytherapy.tv http://colourlab.co   This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, https://coloristsociety.com/Join-the-Colorist-Society. Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.

Episode 22: Dado Valentic

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. Senior Production Engineer and Colorist at Dolby, Shane Mario Ruggieri, CSI, joins me on this episode of the colorist podcast. In San Francisco during the 2000’s, Shane came up through the ranks, working in all aspects of production and post production. From the beginning of Final Cut Pro, and later Apple Color, he cut his teeth on the early stages of color grading on the Mac. He’s colored for features, commercial, corporate, and entertainment industries. His clients have included Apple, Sony, Netflix, Green Day, Carrie Underwood, and Universal Studios.  Now working at Dolby, Shane has specialized and is one of a handful of colorists that has been working with Dolby Vision HDR since 2010. He co-authored “A Perceptual EOTF for Extended Dynamic Range Imager” and authored “Breaking Out of the 100-nit Box: A Colorist’s View of Grading HDR”, which were presented at SMPTE. In this podcast, we talk about: How starting with SDR prepared him for working with HDR Working with Dolby Vision in Resolve Comparing HDR10 and Dolby Vision Grading tools in HDR and how they will change in the future Advantages of working with HDR as a starting point Workflow considerations for working with HDR versus SDR Using ACES and color management with HDR How HDR will change art direction, makeup, and lighting on the production side Using HDR subtlety and keeping your work invisible Why images over 1000 nits are more compelling and powerful   Shane Mario Ruggieri, Homepage Email IMDB Language of HDR   This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, https://coloristsociety.com/Join-the-Colorist-Society   Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.

Episode 21: Shane Mario Ruggieri, CSI

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this episode of the colorist podcast, I talk with Ian Vertovec, Co-Founder, and Senior Colorist at Light Iron.  Ian has colored major films “The Social Network,” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” and “Ender’s Game.” And more recently, he has colored the TV shows “Baskets” for FX and “Glow” on Netflix.  Originally from Chicago, Ian focused on photography, then moved on to digital compositing. He later co-founded two post facilities in Los Angeles: Plaster City, then Light Iron. Out of necessity, he moved on to color at his company. He found his combination of photography and compositing matched perfectly for a career as a colorist. In this podcast, we talk about: Coloring David Fincher films and working with extremely dark images The challenges of working on VFX heavy projects Making HDR look both cinematic and realistic Advantages of working with high-end systems like Quantel Pablo The difference between working on TV and films How experience with compositing served him as a colorist Bringing life to images using texture Using film emulation LUTs in his workflow Comparing different cameras as a colorist Using ACES in a color managed workflow Keeping grades simple, clean, and efficient Ian Vertovec - IMDb Light Iron   This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit www.coloristsociety.com. Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.  

Episode 20: Ian Vertovec

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this episode of the Colorist Podcast, we take a look back at 2017. So much has happened this past year in the world of the colorist. Blackmagic unveiled two new affordable panels, as well as releasing Resolve 14. Filmlight continues to innovate, and shipped version 5 of Baselight. UHD and HDR are gaining wide adoption, with new content being available every day. I recently had the opportunity to go back and review every podcast from this past year. I couldn’t believe all the talented people that made time to sit and talk with me. Colorists that worked on films from Lord of the Rings to Saving Private Ryan, TV shows NCIS Los Angeles and Planet Earth II, and commercials for Coca-Cola and Levi’s. We delved into many different topics, like collaborating with DP’s, working in foreign countries, and emerging technologies like HDR. In this podcast, I’ve included some of my favorite insights from 2017: Peter Doyle: Working on films that vary visually and conceptually Dave Abrams: HDR and it’s effect on calibration Warren Eagles: Film stocks and how they relate to digital cameras today Bob Festa: Working with clients and getting them to come back for more Alexis Van Hurkman: Techniques for working with HDR Dale Grahn: Developing looks for The Ring and Saving Private Ryan Juan Cabrera: Collaborating with Directors and DP’s in the suite Adam Inglis: Working with nature footage in Planet Earth II Patrick Woodard: Being flexible and working efficiently in television Vanessa Taylor: Working in a foreign country and overcoming language barriers   This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com.   Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.  

Episode 19: 2017 Year in Review

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this episode of the Colorist Podcast, I talk with Patrick Woodard, Lead Colorist at Digital Film Tree. Patrick is best known for his color work on episodic TV shows like NCIS: Los Angeles, UNreal, Weeds, and Everybody Hates Chris. He’s worked on programs that air on the major networks, like CBS, NBC, and FOX, as well as the pay networks HBO and Showtime. In addition to working in TV, he’s also completed spots for Oakley, DC Shoes, and Fox Racing.   Patrick built his foundation in photography, studying at the Brooks Institute of Photography. Combining this background with an internship at Digital Film Tree, set him in the direction of becoming a colorist. Moving up within the company gave him the opportunity to holistically understand the file-based workflow and the ways that it could be fast and flexible.    In this podcast, we talk about: How his background in photography served him as a colorist Challenges of working on a big budget TV shows The effect of streaming networks like Netflix and Hulu on television colorists Coloring for short form versus long form Collaborating with DPs and showrunners via remote sessions New technologies like 4K and HDR in television color ACES and other color-managed workflows Coloring for different TV networks   PatWoodard.com Digital Film Tree Twitter Instagram IMDB   This episode is sponsored by:   Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com.   Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.

Episode 18: Patrick Woodard

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com.   Senior Colorist Bob Festa joins me on this episode of the Colorist Podcast. Bob Festa has colored some of the most iconic music videos and national commercials. Companies like Coca-Cola, Levi’s, American Express, McDonalds, and IBM come back to his suite again and again. In a career that spans over 30 years, he has completed over 20,000 spots. He continues to color today, working on the shows “The Runaways” and “The Last Ship.” He is the recipient of daVinci’s “Master Colorist Award” and “Commercial Colorist of the Year.”  Bob has held positions as a Senior Colorist at Company 3, R!OT Santa Monica, Hollywood Digital, and Encore.  And he also ran his own facility, New Hat. He’s worked with daVinci systems since it’s start, and even helped drive some of the features we use today.  Bob continues to be a mentor to aspiring colorists. He shares his skills, experience, and knowledge to the next generation of artists.   In this podcast, we talk about: How to avoid burnout and have a long career as a colorist Comparing long and short form grading The inspiration of film and why some colorists still use printer points The most abused technique in color grading The Festa “Grade once - show many” concept New technologies like HDR and how colorists adapt to them Coming up with a lot of ideas in a high-pressure environment Colorist’s role in new business development How the declining price of color systems affect colorists today Collaborating with Directors and DPs   Vimeo IMDB Instagram Twitter   This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com.   Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.

Episode 17: Bob Festa

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this episode of the Colorist Podcast, I continue the conversation with Director, Writer, and Colorist, Alexis Van Hurkman. In the last episode, I talked with Alexis about how he got his start in post, his experience at Apple, and starting his own boutique grading facility. There was so much great conversation in the podcast that I needed to break it into two separate shows. In this episode, we dive deeper into the tech side of grading. In the last five years, there’s been dramatic changes in color technology. High Dynamic Range (HDR) is making it’s way into the mainstream, and color managed workflows are improving with each day. And with that “bigger box of crayons,” we have more options when creating looks. The creative and the technical elements in grading are closely linked. In part two, we discuss: The “Color Correction Look Book” and how to create subtle grades When to push a look further then your comfort level Grading HDR and the “hierarchy of highlights” Will HDR change the way that colorists grade Using ACES, Resolve Color Management, Truelight and other color management workflows The Colorist Society and how it will benefit the community in the future   HDR, Resolve, and Creative Grading by Alexis Alexis Van Hurkman Blog Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Ripple Training Amazon: Titles by Alexis Van Hurkman   This episode is sponsored by:   Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com.   Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.

Episode 016: Alexis Van Hurkman, Part 2

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. Director, writer, and colorist, Alexis Van Hurkman joins me on this episode of the Colorist Podcast.  There’s been many twists and turns in the career of Alexis Van Hurkman. He bounced around from audio, editorial, graphics, and visual effects. Ultimately, each of those steps in his journey contributed to his skills as a colorist. Along with grading his own projects, he’s finished programs for The History Channel, The Learning Channel, BBC Four, and WNET. Many listeners will recognize Alexis’s book titles, “The Color Correction Handbook” and “The Color Correction Look Book,” as well as the manuals for Apple Color, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. He’s also created several training titles with Ripple Training, featuring the newest features in Resolve. This epic podcast was one of the longest I’ve recorded yet. So long, in fact, that I’ve decided to split it up into two separate episodes. There’s a ton of great info and I didn’t want to lose any of it. In the first part, we talk about: The complicated path in becoming a colorist How writing increased his color knowledge and skills How he ended up working at Apple Working with and without a color control panel How the Fairlight page effects colorists Parallels between audio and color Learning to work in a client driven environment Visual Effects and how it contributes to a colorist’s skills Starting his own one man boutique grading facility   Alexis Van Hurkman Blog   Twitter   Facebook   LinkedIn   Ripple Training   Amazon: Titles by Alexis Van Hurkman   This episode is sponsored by:   Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com.   Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.

Episode 015: Alexis Van Hurkman

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this episode of the Colorist Podcast, I talk with Juan Ignacio Cabrera, CSI. Juan has worked on the films Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Trek: Into Darkness, and Transformers: Age of Extinction. He’s been credited as a stereographer, colorist, compositor, and visual effects supervisor.  Juan got his start in the visual effects industry in Spain, starting his own business at 17 years old. He later moved to the US and was hired at Bad Robot and Paramount Pictures. Currently, he runs his own boutique facility, Lightbender Post, as Founder and Senior Colorist. His projects span everything from features, television, streaming, and video games. On this podcast, we talk about: Translating the skills of visual effects to color grading Completing or enhancing vfx in a color application Working with SGO Mistika as his color tool of choice Improvements to color grading applications Color managed workflows with ACES HDR and when it will gain wide acceptance Working in a big facility compared to running your own shop Low budget versus high budget projects Working with directors and DP’s Essential business skills colorists should have Why he joined the Colorist Society International Advice for up and coming colorists Lightbender Post IMDB   This episode is sponsored by:   Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com.   Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.

Episode 014: Juan Ignacio Cabrera, CSI

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. Vanessa Taylor, freelance colorist for the films The Great Gatsby and Lady Macbeth, joins me on this episode of the Colorist Podcast.  Vanesa has over 20 years experience in the industry. She got her start working at Animal Logic, working on the Quantel Henry as an Online Editor. After that, she moved on to the DI department at Park Road Post.  She’s worked on projects from Joss Whedon, Baz Luhrmann and Peter Jackson. She’s based out of the UK, but travels worldwide to work on a variety of different independent films.  On this podcast, we talk about: Her experience with Quantel Henry, Pablo, eQ and iQ served as a basis for her career How she moved on to Park Road Post Knowing when to do a visual effects shot in a color grading application Working on a big budget feature film and where your contribution can fit it Learning several color systems Balancing the tech and art of color grading HDR and what it means creativity for colorists Working in other countries and their perceptions of color Running a session and how to keep it flowing The lowering cost of color grading systems and what it means for working colorists today The formation of the colorist society and how we benefit from joining together   Vanessa Taylor - Website LinkedIn Twitter   This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com. and by:  Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.  

Episode 013: Vanessa Taylor

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this episode of the Colorist Podcast, I talk with Adam Inglis, colorist for feature films Sherlock Holmes, Alien Vs Predator, and Mr. Turner.  Adam was one of the first users of Baselight, when it was previously known as “Film Grader.” It was used internally at CFC in London when finishing the claymation feature Chicken Run.  Currently, his work can be seen on the BBC Documentary series Planet Earth II. Shot with several different cameras in only natural light, the show puts the viewer in amazing landscapes with vibrant colored animals.  On this episode, we talk about: His editorial background and getting his start at the Computer Film Company (CFC) Comparing working at a facility, starting your own shop, and working freelance The challenges of working on nature documentaries The advantages of ACES and color managed workflows Comparing grading systems strengths and weaknesses Getting booked as a freelance colorist Grading television versus grading films Avoiding over grading shots Grading without a panel and when it’s best to use one The lowered price of grading systems and its impact on the industry The role of Directors and DP in the grading process   IMDB Filmlight Freelance Register   This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com. and by:  Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.  

Episode 012: Adam Inglis

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this episode of the colorist podcast, we’re trying something a little different. We take a break from talking with a colorist to focus on something quite a bit more technical. Dave Abrams, monitor calibrator and owner of Avical, joins me on this episode. It’s about to get seriously geeky, and in the best possible way :) Dave has been calibrating monitors for over seventeen years. He’s been through the transitions from SD to HD, tape and film to file based, and now 4K and HDR. Post facilities from all over the world rely on his expertise and knowledge of monitors to get the most consistent and accurate monitoring possible. High end home theater owners also use his services to get great looking images at home. And seeing both sides of each situation gives him a great perspective on the industry as a whole.  On this podcast, we talk about: How HDR is changing the approach to calibration The differences between calibrating by the numbers and when to go with your instincts The HP Dreamcolor, Eizo, and other computer monitors for color critical evaluation Room lighting considerations when setting up a grading room Comparing OLED, plasma, LCD monitors Considerations for large size client monitors used in combination with hero monitors Projects that are destined for web distribution and how to monitor for them Where the future is going for monitoring and what they still are lacking   Avical Facebook LinkedIn Twitter   This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com. and by:  Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.

Episode 011: Dave Abrams

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. Veteran colorist and ICA instructor Warren Eagles joins me on this episode of the Colorist Podcast. Warren has been coloring for over 26 years. He’s graded a broad spectrum of projects from commercials, drama, and features. He’s best known for his work on Lock, Stock, and 2 Smoking Barrels, and recently has colored two indie features: Blue World Order and Project Eden: Vol 1. I first came in contact with Warren 10 years ago when he created an FXPHD class for the da Vinci 2K plus. He drew back the curtain to the expensive color grading rooms that were almost impossible to gain access to. Fast forward to today, and Warren is still empowering his students with the knowledge to color through his own endeavor, the International Colorist Academy. Partnering with Kevin Shaw, they created a worldwide training program for colorists, by colorists. On this podcast, we talk about: His start in telecine and how it formed his grading style How daVinci systems have changed over the years Features that are still lacking from color grading systems Doing visual effects work as part of the color grade How color grading panels speed up his work Impressions of the new Blackmagic Mini and Micro Resolve Panels The differences in workflow with commercial, television and feature work Keeping your clients happy and the session flowing Making and keeping solid connections with DPs Why the Colorist Society International is an important part of our community His perspective on the reduced price of grading systems and its effect on the post production industry   Warren Eagles Website Warren Eagles IMDB Twitter  LinkedIn International Colorist Academy   This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com. and by: Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code josh10 for 15% off your first quarterly term or josh40 for 15% your first annual term.

Episode 010: Warren Eagles

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this episode of the Colorist Podcast, I talk with Peter Doyle, Senior Colorist at Technicolor London. Peter has worked on some of the most popular films of all time like the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Harry Potter films, and The Matrix. He has collaborated with major directors, Tim Burton, The Coen Brothers, and The Wachowski Siblings.  Peter helped pioneer the digital intermediate process we use today, working with a groundbreaking software package then known as “Colossus.” This would later evolve into Autodesk Lustre, and is used on many big budget films today. The look of his projects can be vastly different. From the hyper saturated look of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, to the bleak and faded style of Inside Llewyn Davis, Peter is constantly pushing the boundaries of color grading. On the podcast, we talk about: Making the transition from visual effects to color How directors and DPs have shaped the way that he grades Grading a film “wrong” before it can achieve the right look Working on films from completely opposite genres Pushing the creative and technical limits of color Making color work look invisible Different challenges of working in broadcast television Using Baselight for color grading Advantages of knowing the technical background of color science Using a keyboard instead of a grading panel How ACES works in his grading pipeline HDR and how it can be used effectively to enhance the story Download full transcript  Peter Doyle at Technicolor London  Peter Doyle IMDB    This episode is sponsored by: Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com. and by: Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code josh10 for 15% off your first quarterly term or josh40 for 15% your first annual term.  

Episode 009: Peter Doyle

The top colorists in film, television, and music videos are interviewed in this podcast, hosted by Josh Petok.

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Colorist Podcast

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