ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL COLORIST TRAINING

COLOR MANAGED WORKFLOWS
May 23rd 2022

About this course

This is a SMPTE Certification course.

High impact techniques, taught in this course, have the potential to elevate image quality, accelerate post-production and enable productions to deliver simultaneously to SDR and HDR display devices. Participants will learn how to get the most out of modern digital cameras and be able to take full control over the image. Learn how to deploy various color management techniques to a whole spectrum of productions, from live transmissions to high-end feature film shows. As a bonus module, we focus on cinematographers and how they can best manage color-managed workflow and set the right level of expectation from their DITs, Dailies Colorist, Supervising Colorist, and Color Scientist. 

What you will learn

At the end of this 5-week training program, participants will have full knowledge and gain practical experience of controlling and creating their looks using the latest tools and techniques available today.

  • How color management works in practice
  • How to link camera exposure to bit code values of captured files
  • How to control and measure captured signal values
  • How to calibrate camera using standard color checker card
  • How to create standard display transforms
  • How to add a creative look to display transform
  • How to use primary color correction and CDL
  • What is a 3D LUT and how to use it correctly
  • Step by step process of color management from set to final grade
  • Theory and practice of advanced color management
  • The functionality of the Input and Output Device transforms
  • How to work in SDR and HDR simultaneously
  • How to emulate film stock looks
  • A Step by step process of advanced color management from set to final grade
  • What is ACES, and how it works
  • What variants of ACES we have and when to use them
  • What are the main elements of ACES color management
  • How to use ACES on-set
  • How to use ACES for final grading
  • How to use ACES for VFX
  • How to archive with ACES
  • What are LMTs and how to create them
  • What are common issues and how to avoid them

For whom is this course recommended to

We recommend it to Cinematographers wanting to explore the possibilities that digital cinematography opens and that go far beyond traditional techniques thought at film schools. DITs wanting to advance their careers beyond data management tasks. Filmmakers who want to learn all about color and the possibilities they have. Colorists wanting to advance their knowledge and learn how to expand their role beyond final color correction and get involved in the process of look creation early.

Modules

Digital Cinematography Fundamentals

Get a thorough understanding of the digital image processing path from the film set to final delivery.

Color Managed Workflow

Get to know the process of Color Management that automates digital image post-processing.

Advanced Color Managed Workflow

Gain theoretical and practical knowledge of advanced color management in film and tv productions.

ACES Color Managed Workflow

Learn how to use industry-standard color management pipeline based on multi-format, SDR/HDR, delivery requirements

Course Schedule

Five Week Schedule. A mix of live classes and pre-recorded tutorials

Week One

Digital Cinematography Fundamentals

In this module, we will learn the fundamentals of digital image processing used by modern digital cameras. We will cover the essential processing of RAW sensor data and the main elements of color processing, such as gamma and gamut. Further, we will see which parts of image processing significantly affect image quality and learn the fundamental concept of scene and display referred encoding. We will complete this module with an introduction to HDR standards.

Week Two

Color Managed Workflow

In this module, we will learn how color management works and how to deploy standard color management workflow from camera to final grade. Participants will start by analyzing test camera footage and establishing a reference between light meter value and bit code value of captured material. Further, participants will get familiar with the process of camera calibration using standard color checker cards. Once we have referenced the camera, we will build a standard display transform and further expand that process by creating a creative look transform. Participants will learn how to use CDL and LUT to manage the creative look creation process and manage those further down the post-production chain. We will learn how we deploy color management on set, during the dailies creation process, in editorial, and how to pass all metadata to the final grading process.

Week Three

Advanced Color Managed Workflow

In this module, we will take our knowledge of color management to the next level by learning advanced color management methods that are particularly important for productions that use various camera types and formats and other sources of images like archive footage or computer-generated images. We will also expand our knowledge of creative look creation by learning how to emulate film stocks. Participants will learn how to deploy this type of color management from set to final grade and how to deliver simultaneously to SDR and HDR devices.

Week Four

ACES Color Managed Workflow

In this Module, we are going to learn how to color manage using Academy Color Encoding System. ACES is an industry-standard, free, and open-sourced color management system that is device-independent. ACES addresses and solves several significant production, post-production, delivery, and archiving problems. We are going to learn how ACES works and what are the main components. We will see how ACES can be implemented on-set for final grading, how it assists visual effects workflows, and how it can be used for archiving. Further, we will learn about Look Modification Transforms and the most common issues, limitations, and workarounds.

Week Five

Remote Workflows

Bonus module – Collaborate remotely while preserving image consistency and creative intent.

Final Exam

Assignments Review and FinalCertification Exam

 

COURSE CONTENT

Digital Cinematography Fundamentals
  • Digital camera sensors
  • RAW processing pipeline
  • Color spaces
  • What is gamma, linear, log, PQ, EOTF
  • The truth about resolution, bit depth, and compression
  • How to get the most out of your digital camera
  • Scene Referred vs. Display Referred workflow
  • HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision
Color Managed Workflow
  • Color Managed Workflow overview
  • Color Measurement
  • How to read Waveforms, Vectorscopes, and Histograms
  • Camera Tests
  • Calibrate Camera Using Color Checker Chart
  • What is Look, and how to create it?
  • Primary Color Correction and CDLs
  • 3D LUT and Image DNA
  • CMW Step 1: Color Management On-set
  • CMW Step 2: Datalab, Dailies, and Transcoding
  • CMW Step 3: Editorial, Avid, Premiere, FCP, and VFX
  • CMW Step 4: Final Grade in Davinci Resolve and Baselight
Advanced Color Managed Workflow
  • Advanced Color Managed Workflow overview
  • Input Transforms
  • Output Transforms
  • SDR/HDR workflow
  • Film Stock Emulation
  • CMW Step 1: Color Management On-set
  • CMW Step 2: Datalab, Dailies, and Transcoding
  • CMW Step 3: Editorial, Avid, Premiere, FCP, and VFX
  • CMW Step 3: Final Grade in Davinci Resolve and Baselight
ACES Color Managed Workflow
  • Academy Color Encoding System Overview
  • What is IDT, ODT, LMT, RRT
  • Using ACES on-set
  • Using ACES for Color Grading in Davinci Resolve
  • Using ACES for Visual Effects
  • Using ACES for Archiving
  • Creating LMTs
  • Common issues: Out of Gamut Errors

Practical Assignments

  • Create a custom monitoring LUT using a test camera shot to measure and calibrate its output to REC709 values

  • Create a look based on Kodak 5219 Vision 3 and deliver it ready-to-view on SDR and HDR display devices

  • Develop a creative look as ACEScct LMT and VFX display LUT

All live classes will be recorded and can be replayed at your convenience

When and Where

May 23, 2022 – June 26, 2022

Live Classes Mondays

10 am – 12 pm PDT

Color Managed Workflows

MAY 2022
$ 599 members $399
  • Live Instructor led classes
  • Four practical assignments
  • Access to class recording
  • Access to Look Designer
  • Exclusive software discounts

Included is 30 days license for the latest version of Look Designer, a plugin for Davinci Resolve that greatly improves Look Design process. Upon completion of the course, participants can purchase plugin at 50% discount.

Testimonials

This is now my third remote course with Colour Training, and I have to say it keeps getting better, and it's an absolute pleasure. I've learned so much and have become more confident in my process and grades.
Jeremy Castillo
Colorist
I learned so many helpful techniques from this course. The virtual class style was great and Dado really helped us along, making sure he didn't miss anything. He gave plenty of time for questions and made sure we really grasped the content before moving on. Dado was really informative and the course was jam-packed with content. The community was really nice and supportive. There are a lot of trainings and tutorials on YouTube and elsewhere about how to achieve certain looks from blockbuster films, Dado dove deep into what is actually going on "under the hood" on why and how certain techniques work. I feel like I'm so much better equipped than I was before I took the class.
Justin Ihara
Colorist
An interesting format to learn online with insite on how to use the tools built in and professional tips and tricks which can quickly elevate your work. Dado is such a likable teacher and he really guides you through the processes so that you understand every step. As a senior colourist attending the class, it was not just a refresher course, but also gave me motivation to try alternative methods and approaches. #fingerspitzengefühl
Shaz De Jav
Senior Colorist
I really enjoyed the course and Dado's approach to teaching. At some points it went a little fast but being able to re-watch the course was helpful in catching up on what I missed during the live session. I look forward to hopefully taking more classes in the future.
Derrick Woodyard
Colorist
The overall experience was great. The community and collaboration waere too notch.
Manny Aroyo
Senior Colorist
Before I got this course, I've not had any knowledge about Commercial grading. When some clients asked me to grade their videos, i refused, because I was not ready to do the job properly. Now I'm more confident and already use all of the techniques you gave is, and the result is unbelievable!
Nadia Mishina
Colorist
I have tried many online courses, but colour.training is the best. No one teaches at such a professional level. You're great. 🙂
Michal Levicek
Colorist
The course was amazing. The Structure was very well and Dado explained everything really good. I was surprised at how well the questions were inserted into the seminar. Really good Job!
Lars Pölöskey
Colorist
Personally, I had a great time taking this course. It was filled with information that is going to improve my workflow as well as my overall skill using DaVinci.
David Muessig
Colorist
The course surpassed my expectations. I new it would be good but not that good:) I am a cinematographer and due to the filming restrictions put in place in Melbourne, Australia, during the Covid pandemic, I am now setting myself up as a remote colourist. This course has given me the confidence to take on bigger and more demanding projects. I am not an experienced colourist but I found the content very well presented and explained. The course covered so much and was full of tips and techniques relevant to todays commercial workflow. Dado is a fantastic teacher and I really appreciated the "classroom" feel of the remote classroom environment. I am very grateful to have found Dado and the team at Colour Training. I look forward to taking all of the available courses and one day selling myself as a colourist. Thank you!
Richard Oldfield
Cinematographer
Really enjoyed and was very informative. I think it was great for me at my current level and I’m not a colorist
Daniel Farmer
Cinematographer
The course was very well structured and still individual so I got a lot of information about color management for special use cases.
Tim Kersken
Colorist
I learned so much. I felt that my workflow was the main thing getting in the way of my creativity and this helped me understand the things holding me back.
Tyler Desiderio
Freelance Colorist
This course opened my eyes. Love Dado, his openness, expertise, and humor made this course a real pleasure to participate in.
Cyrus David
Colorist
I wanted to take the opportunity to say what a pleasure it was to meet all of you. The course itself was absolutely satisfying but, as Dado predicted, it was an added bonus to spend a couple of days with such a lovely bunch of talented people.
Vincent Taylor
Senior Colorist, NY
Thank you so much for generously passing on all your amazing knowledge and sharing your plugins and LUTs! The class was fantastic and far beyond my expectations! I can’t wait to start putting your methods and tools into use with my clients in San Francisco.
Jamie LeJeune
Colorist, SF
I expected the course to be more of a refresher and, at best hoped that I might pick up a couple of alternative ways of approaching things. Instead, you gave me techniques and principles that have revolutionised my practice, making me faster, moreflexible and ultimately just better.
Alex Parkison
DIT, London
I want to thank you for such an amazing experience, it was very enlightening for me. I am very grateful and hope to come back to studying with you very soon.
Manuela Paredes
Senior Colorist
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