That’s why, in 2024, Kevin Shaw is doing things a bit differently. To make it easier than ever for people to get to grips with color, he’s running a full colour curriculum from start to finish. Broken into three modules, these classes will cover everything so you can go from colour novice to colour confidence.

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COLOR PIPELINE MENTOR PROGRAM

Over 50 hours of classes

6 months access allowance to recordings

50% discount on 1-on-1 consultations

Exercises to try between classes

Further reading suggestions

Module One: Setting The Look In Production

For: Directors, Cinematographers, DITs, Post Supervisors, VFX, Conform Artists, Assistant Colorists, Colorists and Editors

Content: Module Onestarts with the general principles of color science without getting too technical or theoretical. Kevin effortlessly collaborates with cinematographers and directors to ensure optimal capture of the intended visual mood. He serves as the bridge between the creative team and the technical crew. We discuss the psychology of seeing and the language of color. Production is the main focus of the later classes and we cover how camera settings affect the image. Then we explore how colorists and cinematographers tackle Look Management with color science, LUTs and CDLs and the importance of consistency. By the end of the module, participants should understand the factors that need to be agreed and documented in workflow documents so that the Director’s vision is achieved, editors and VFX can monitor images consistent with the intended Look,  and the delivery requirements are met.

• Class 1: The Magic of Color
• Class 2: The Defining Color Exploring color from both technical and artistic points of view
• Class 3: Managing Color Understand the differences between the appliance of science and the art of the craft
• Class 4: Setting the Look in Production Learn how cinematographers and colorists implement looks. The more you look the more you see
• Class 5: Workflow Documents How to mastermind the masterplan
• Class 6: Meeting Standards Is there anything standard about standards?

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Module Two: Color Management And Color Grading

For: Cinematographers, DITs, Post Supervisors, VFX, Conform Artists, Assistant Colorists, Colorists and Editors

Content: Module Two is more practical and begins with setting up color grading projects ready for finishing. davinci resolve is freely available and used as the example throughout the program, but the principles apply equally to other grading software. We follow the interaction between editing, vfx and final color. We also dig deeper into the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), other color management solutions and the fundamentals of color grading. By the end of Module Two participants have a thorough grasp of technical grading and matching and take away Kevin’s unique approach to optimising and tweaking images while remaining consistent to the vision captured in Production. The last two classes in the module cover Look Development using both inspiration and perspiration. Contrary to popular belief their is a huge difference between matching the Look of another film and developing that Look into something new that enhances your project. Kevin is unwavering in his commitment to perfection. He approaches each project with an insatiable hunger to understand the vision and painstakingly translates it into a meaningful reality.

• Class 7: Project Management Good housekeeping in the color suite, using davinci resolve as an example
• Class 8: Preparing to Finish How the plan finally comes together!
• Class 9: ACES and other Color Management Systems Flying with the ACES. Simplify the technical and focus on the creative
• Class 10: Technical Grading Primary steps to reveal the masterpiece within
• Class 11: What Makes Pictures Better? How to improve inspiration with perspiration
• Class 12: HDR and SDR The future is looking brighter but is that all there is to it?

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Module Three: Look Development & Grading

For: Cinematographers, DITs, Assistant Colorists, Colorists and Editors wishing to further their color grading

Content: Module Three builds on the color knowledge of Module One and the fundamentals of Module Two to unleash the final color skills needed to elevate the visual impact of the footage. We subtly manipulate colors, contrast, and saturation to breathe life into the imagery, immersing the audience in captivating visual narratives. The module begins by explaining the allure of the film look and the elements that contribute to it. We continue by exploring tools that isolate and spatial tools that go beyond the realm of LUTs. The focus is always on practical applications. Kevin stays at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies and industry trends, continuously refining his craft, so the program could not end without applying the knowledge and techniques gained to the broader canvas of HDR, including the latest developments from Dolby.

• Class 13: Look Management Get your check list for matching and then developing Looks
• Class 14: The Varnish Learn tools about that are selective and put them to good use
• Class 15: Skin and Sky Refining skin, sky and other techniques that are frequently requested
• Class 16: Film Print Emulation (FPE) The Look of film is still a major influence. See how digital processing can be more like film than film
• Class 17: HDR Grading Boldly explore the new frontiers
• Class 18: Dolby Vision Learn the wonders of Dolby Vision

Pricing

• SINGLE £360
• ALL MODULES £900

For more info, see finalcolor.com or the iColorist class calendar >

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On July 20, Blackmagic Design and IntekTV hosted South America’s first ever Colorist Mixer at Country Club Lima in Peru. Held in conjunction with Blackmagic Week, the event drew an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 60 people from across Latin American, including more than 20 colorists. It was also streamed with the help of the Davinci Resolve Latino community.

Diego Yhama, CSI, founder of Estudio Roco, Bogota, and creator of the podcast Coloristas Hispanos, acted as host and gave an informative talk on AI-assisted color grading. He was then joined by Peruvian colorist Miguel Mendez, CSI, Chilean colorist Wawin Arriagada, and Argentinian colorist Cecilia Belliz, CSI for a discussion about opportunities in Peru’s growing post-production community. That was followed by networking and socializing.

“We began with a short talk about AI tools available in DaVinci Resolve, how AI can help colorists, and whether AI is a threat to jobs,” says Yhama. “Our panel discussion focused on the role of the colorist, the state of color grading in Peru, how to create looks and how to work with clients. It ended with a beautiful exercise with panelists and attendees discussing the creation of node structures and important considerations in doing so. That was my favorite part.”

Yhama added that the event underscored the desire for connection among post production professionals in Latin America and the advantages of membership in Colorist Society. “There’s never been a Colorist Mixer in Peru,” he notes. “I expect several of the colorists in attendance to join CSI. “It was a great opportunity to begin building a professional community. We look forward to more events like this. It was wonderful to see such a large group of colorists talking about their work and sharing ideas on how to improve our craft.”

Yhama is currently leading an effort to raise the profile of colorists in South America through membership in CSI. “There are colorists in countries across South America, but they are hard for producers to find,” he explains. “Membership in CSI will give them greater visibility and better access to good projects. We’re stronger together.” He is currently working with the officers of CSI Argentina to create a chapter open to Spanish-speaking colorists throughout the region. “We’re from different countries, but we have the same goals. We are stronger together.”

Although local film and television production is growing, South American countries continue to get much of their content from the United States and other foreign suppliers. The development of a community of colorists and other professionals may help tip the balance in the other direction. “Colorists here and not only highly skilled, they also bring cultural experience and understanding,” Yhama observes. “Events like Blackmagic Week and the Colorist Mixer are important because they provide training and information in our language. The amount of television and film production in Spanish will continue to grow and we want to be ready for it.”

For the Resolve 18 release we headed to Pluggas studio on the Sunshine Coast. I wanted a bigger feel for the shoot so we moved away from my home base and shifted all my kit onto the set. This included my LG 950E Grading monitor and Resolve Advanced panels. The crew filmed for a week, not easy talking to yourself for 5 days straight:) We produced 3 brand new classes that are designed to dovetail together. Fundamentals for complete beginners. Advanced if you are a current Resolve user. Warren’s Look Techniques  if you want to add some cool looks and workflows to you grading arsenal. See the description movies below or go to FXPHD for more details

Sky replacement.

This episode is sponsored by MASV. Colorists know that sending and receiving massive video files can cause massive headaches. That’s why you need MASV. MASV is the fastest way for colorists to send massive video files on deadline. It’s fast, it’s simple and it’s completely pay-as-you-go, so you only pay for MASV when you have files to transfer. Sign up and get 150 gigabytes for free.

Free monthly livestream: Color Space Cadets

iColorist is committed to continuing to pass on and grow industry knowledge. That’s why we are starting a new free live sessions on film, color, grading and post-production. Join us live here on YouTube every month to hear from experts on various topics. Bring along your thoughts and questions. Upcoming topics will include

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR MORE FREE CONTENT AND LIVE EVENTS >

All of this advice is what I wish I was told before I got into film school! Love hearing about everyone’s humble beginnings. – Marlene

In this episode Michael McHugh, from Met Film school, Toby Tomkins from Cheat, Thomas Urbye from The Look, and iColorist founders Warren Eagles and Kevin Shaw will answer any questions you have getting a start and getting into the industry, including on:

• What they look for when hiring interns, staff, freelancers and others
• Whether online qualifications make a difference
• Whether professionals still need a reel
• If film school qualifications are a big advantage
• Whether colorists need to be finishers in 2022

PLUS we invite you to join a free webinar in September on ‘How To Set Up Your Grading Suite’ where you can WIN! 40″ LG MONITOR

Sponsored by LG UltraFine OLED Pro, join Kevin & Warren on Sept 22nd to learn all about setting up your own suite, and get the chance to win your own reference monitor. Register now – places are limited: https://geni.us/OLEDProWebinar

Michael McHugh is an editor and colorist, lead virtual production trainer, Avid-certified instructor in media composer, DaVinci Resolve certified trainer, and a senior post-production tutor for MA and BA short courses at MetFilm School. Every year, Michael sees students graduate & enter the industry.

Toby Tomkins is CHEAT’s founder and a senior colourist. Over a decade of experience has earned him high-profile commercial clients; from BMW and Land Rover to Lloyds and Amstel, as well as a significant role in award-winning TV shows like ‘The End of the F***ing World’, ‘We Are Lady Parts’, and ‘This Is Going To Hurt’.

Thomas Urbye founded The Look in 2007, after leaving MPC where he was a colourist for four years. He is the company’s Senior Colourist and CEO. Thomas is recognised as one of the world’s leading colourists, with twenty years experience, his work includes recent productions ‘Landscapers’ (Sky/HBO), ‘Fleabag’ (BBC/Amazon), ‘Sex Education’ (Netflix), ‘Top Boy’ (Netflix) & ‘Gangs of London’ (Sky/AMC).

Kevin Shaw, CSI is co-founder of Colorist Society International – the first organization to represent professional colorists – and the ICA (iColorist). Kevin has been color grading for 30 years, working all over the world as a colorist, restoration specialist, technologist, consultant and instructor.

Warren Eagles, CSI has an extensive 25 year experience in all forms of color correction. Warren co-founded the ICA (iColorist) and runs his own shop grading and running training classes. His credits include commercials; mainstream UK and Australian dramas and documentaries including “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”.

See more about iColorist’s founders & instructors >

Free monthly livestream: Color Space Cadets

We know money is tight right now for many and you may have to put off upskilling though classes for a while longer. But we are committed to continuing to pass on and grow industry knowledge. That’s why we are starting a new free live sessions on film, color, grading and post-production. Join us live here on YouTube every month to hear from experts on various topics. Bring along your thoughts and questions. Upcoming topics will include

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR MORE FREE CONTENT AND LIVE EVENTS >

Free monthly livestream: Color Space Cadets

We know money is tight right now for many and you may have to put off upskilling though classes for a while longer. But we are committed to continuing to pass on and grow industry knowledge. That’s why we are starting a new free live sessions on film, color, grading and post-production. Join us live here on YouTube every month to hear from experts on various topics. Bring along your thoughts and questions. Upcoming topics will include

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR MORE FREE CONTENT AND LIVE EVENTS >

In this episode we cover updates from Dolby Vision with:

Aby Carman is Worldwide Tech Lead, Head of Training & Certification at Dolby Vision. Aby Mathew is a Senior Staff Content Engineer with Dolby Laboratories and is based in Burbank, California. He joined Dolby in Singapore a little over ten years ago, and moved to Los Angeles in 2015 to spearhead the training and support effort for Dolby Vision in its very early days. Prior to Dolby, Aby worked with Autodesk for over ten years as a visual effects, color and finishing specialist supporting Flame and Lustre customers across the Asia Pacific region. He continues to work with artists, colorists, post production facilities and studios around the world as they create compelling Dolby Vision HDR content.

Diego Yhama is a colorist, iColorist instructor, and university professor based in Colombia. In 2015 he started Estudio Roco, a color boutique house and switched from Lustre to DaVinci Resolve. In 2017 he worked as a demo artist for BlackmagicDesign at NAB in Las Vegas. The same year he became DaVinci Resolve Master Trainer for South America. He has taught color in nine countries, several universities, and postproduction companies, and he continues to work a demo artist at NAB. EstudioRoco.com

Robbie Carman is a colorist and instructor with 18 years experience including hundreds of programs for broadcast outlets like Discovery Networks, National Geographic, PBS, MSNBC, Smithsonian Channel and many others. He was co-founder & managing partner of Mixing Light for nearly a decade and is now lead colorist and owner/partner of postproduction boutique DC Color. dccolor.com

Jeff Greenberg is an iColorist instructor with over two decades of experience as a Post-Production consultant and Master Instructor for Adobe, Apple, Avid and BlackMagic Designs, and specializes in editorial, workflow, compositing, sound, color grading, and compression. Jeff is consistently voted as one of the top seminar speakers/ interviewers in the industry. jgreenbergconsulting.com

Free monthly livestream: Color Space Cadets

We know money is tight right now for many and you may have to put off upskilling though classes for a while longer. But we are committed to continuing to pass on and grow industry knowledge. That’s why we are starting a new free live sessions on film, color, grading and post-production. Join us live here on YouTube every month to hear from experts on various topics. Bring along your thoughts and questions. Upcoming topics will include

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR MORE FREE CONTENT AND LIVE EVENTS >