Demo Reel 1: Introduction to Color Grading

Demo Reel 1:
Introduction to Color Grading

This reel illustrates what is possible when using typical color grading techniques.

• Basic Color Grading
  • primary color corrections
  • changing hues
  • isolated secondary corrections
• Grading in Challenging Light
• Grading Challenging Codecs
• Matching Scenes
• Creating High a Contrast "Cinema" Look

Demo Reel 2: Anatomy of a Grade

Demo Reel 2:
Anatomy of a Grade

This reel demonstrates the steps in a basic color grading assignment. The scene is from footage of a horror film in which the Director wanted to create a warm, soft beauty shot of a young woman enjoying a poignant moment before the inevitable apocalyptic ending.

The grade was created first with primary corrections on the camera raw footage by expanding contrast and balancing color. Then, secondary corrections were added to focus the viewer’s eye on the young woman’s face, and to create the Director’s intended mood/look.

The following six steps were used to transform the camera raw shot to its final color grade:

1. Expand contrast and balance color
2. Increase warmth of skin tones
3. Direct viewer’s eye to subject by adding shadows to the perimeter of the shot
4. Brighten subject’s face in the mirror
5. Increase focus on the mirror and create “dark” mood by adding deeper shadows and blur
6. Direct more focus on her face in the mirror by adding additional shadows to her body