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This course is designed for industry professionals, assistant colorists, and newer colorists, but it is open to DITs, cinematographers, directors, editors, VFX and anyone who has an interest in color grading and post-production finishing. It covers colorist theory, workflows including color management and scene referred DI and takes a detailed look at color tools. It suggests grading strategies and session management techniques. The course content is not system specific and is useful for using and comparing all grading systems. Laptop systems are welcome in the class. Participants are encouraged to bring frames or clips to work with and discuss during the class. Additional media can be provided.

The first day covers colorist theories and explains the physical, psychological and cultural aspects of seeing. This leads to an understanding of how influential visual clues are in audience reaction and emotion. It continues with workflows, color managed pipelines and scene referred grading versus output referred approaches. The course then examines the film, video, graphics and camera color tools that are available and how, when and why they might be used. We also cover best practices for colorist workflows and session management.

In 2018 the syllabus has been updated to include ACES and HDR basics.

Students who take this class are ready to advance to the CT201: Advanced Looks and Matching class.

You Will Learn

• How we perceive and react to color

• The truth about resolution, bit depth and dynamic range

• Ways to work with raw, log and linear grades

• How colorists make an image look great

• Why primary tools are actually different on every system

• Which techniques are most effective for secondary grading

• What you can do to protect image quality

• How to work faster

• Ways to use DI workflows

• How to work with clients

Certificates

All students on this course receive an ICA Certificate.

NOTE: This class is recognized by the Motion Picture Editors Guild and their members are eligible to get two thirds of cost of the class reimbursed through Contract Services. More information at www.csatf.org. You must apply to them and be pre-approved in order to qualify for reimbursement.