🎨 Colorist Newsletter #511

Published: Sun, 03/06/22

Issue DXI: The ACES AMF Edition
The Color Grading Newsletter
News, reviews, thoughts, career advice, and humor for professional Video / Film Colorists & Finishers. Delivered Sundays. Curated by a professional color grader.
The Craft
Featuring the work of creative craftsmen, the theory of color, and industry news. Learn practical workflows, useful theories, and actionable insights from existing (and emerging) leaders and teachers in our industry.
(video) "we look at the implications of Newton’s suggestion that color is just a sensation in the brain.  If color isn’t something physical, like particles or sound waves, then just what is it? And more importantly for us, how do we measure it?"
"To help give that long-ago-shot footage a new life, the filmmakers called on New York City-based colorist Yohance Brown to color the film for Outpost Digital, working with director Questlove to get the right look and feel. We spoke to Brown, who works on all types of projects but specializes in documentaries, about the challenges of working with older footage and the importance of sharing this particular part of history."
I'm a huge fan of The Ankler paid newsletter. It's the Hollywood-insider's newsletter - that's a useful look into The Business, especially if you live two thousand miles away from Hollywood, as I do. In this article, one of their writers breaks down the proposed MGM / Amazon merger, with a history lesson. I do recommend it.
"There were four URSA 12K cameras on the film. Cinematographer John Brawley, ACS discusses cameras, Supreme Prime and Angénieux lenses, lighting, equipment and more."
(podcast) "Eran Dinur is an Emmy award-winning VFX supervisor and ... has written a new book on photorealism for VFX, Visualization and Games. Eran sits down with fxguide’s Mike Seymour to discuss the principles of his new book"
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The Tools
Our craft keeps changing. And growing. Learn about updates to your favorite software. Discover new tools to help you work faster or more creatively. Build your toolchest with new techniques and approaches. 
(video) Colorist Cullen Kelly: "We’ll talk about the best ways to compare tools, what you’re looking for as you compare them, what makes a tool “better” than another, and more."
"In addition to the existing integration with DaVinci Resolve, Colourlab Ai v2.0 features support for both Adobe Premiere and Apple Final Cut Pro. There are also new subscription pricing options, including Colourlab Ai Pro and the more affordable Colourlab Ai Creator."
Good stuff: "... there are not many systems implementing AMF and CLF yet. AMF and CLF is simply not “just another LUT format”. But AMF and CLF have been developed by large working groups with members from studios, productions, vendors, facilities, and users. So there is a general consensus that AMF provides a good solution for a real-world problem."
 
Worth the read.
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Pushing Photons
These stories are from MixingLight.com's membership Library of color grading articles, tutorials, and podcasts (Tao Of Color is co-Owner). Do you want to read a story listed here but not a member? Sign up for a free 7-Day Test Drive.​​​ There's also color correction Practice Projects for purchase. 
(video) "Colorist Patrick Inhofer shares how he modified his approach to Resolve's Color Warper - and now rarely uses 'Hue vs' and 'Sat vs' curves."
(video) "In Part 9, you are ready to start color correcting! Learn how Baselight arranges your corrections using and interacting with layers."
"Colorist Joey D'Anna shares his thoughts on adding the Elgato Stream Deck pedal and Xence Labs Quick Keys to his color grading suite."
 
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Gear Heads
Stay updated on the latest hardware that's shipping - because the craft of color grading isn't just about software. Plus, keep an eye on future equipment trends and hardware odds-and-ends.
I don't generally share rumor but with an impending Apple reveal event, I've been thinking about upgrading the software scopes Mac Mini - so I'll be keeping an eye out for this.
From a friend of the Newsletter, Jeff Greenberg: "Formatting your drive? Which do you pick? HFS? NTFS? Here's how to choose, and why ExFat is not your friend."
"The TS4 is jam-packed with 18 ports in a relatively small form factor. Here’s a look at everything it includes..."
(video) “I love the video from my iPhone, but on my (Windows) computer, it’s super blown out.” Ah! Some HDR footage, I thought. I know how to fix it. And by the time that you watch (or read this), so will you!"
Sunday Fun(nies)
Random thoughts, tidbits, and fun stuff that caught my attention this week. Maybe it's color grading related. Maybe not. Ya got'ta read to the end of the Newsletter to find out.
(video) They had me at 'portable smoke machine'.
Because every professional colorist will one day get pulled into this decision... so you might as well learn how to apply your professional skill to this more tedious (to me) task.
I can't figure out if this is fun, fun(ny), or something else entirely: “Holoride is on a mission to create exciting in-vehicle experiences for passengers to travel the Metaverse, and that starts with putting our technology in the hands – or on the heads – of riders”

"What was the most popular Super Bowl LVI ad?" Links in the article.

 
Th- th- th- that's all folks! I'll see you next Sunday.