Michael Solomon
Well-known member
Hey guys,
So I guess first and foremost I'm a freelance DP. That's how I first got interested in color grading. I end up grading for most of the projects that I've been brought on for. Though, I mostly use Magic Bullet Colorista II and Looks. Hopefully will be using DaVinci Resole Lite when it comes out soon. I'm rather un-knowledgeable about anything beyond these programs.
Regardless, coloring is something that I find very cathartic to do. I genuinely enjoy it. I'm at a crossroads where I need to figure out if freelance DP work is something I want to do as a full-time career or if I want to do something else in the mean time and maybe still explore it on weekends etc. I'm not making enough as a DP right now to sustain my currently lifestyle (I don't want to live at home anymore ><). I figure if I need to get a "real job" I would love to do grading as a career. I just have a couple questions
1) How/where does one get training to excel beyond what I can teach myself from home
1a.) What programs should I be familiarizing myself with beyond magic bullet looks/colorista II
1b.) Are there any good resources I should check out for color grading? Forums/websites/tutorials/books/etc.
2) Is there a specific skill level requirement that coloring facilities look for in applicants? Or are they provided training on the job?
3) What are some of the shops I should be looking at in LA?
4) What is the application process like to join one of these shops?
5) Is coloring a specialty? Or are you expected to know other things as well like VFX etc.
I would love to talk to someone/anyone who works at a post-house at the moment. I come from a finance background (did investment banking right out of college before I realized I hated my life and fell back onto what I actually enjoyed doing in college). So the whole workflow/application process of hollywood is a little foreign to met. I would love some advice on how to get my career going!
So I guess first and foremost I'm a freelance DP. That's how I first got interested in color grading. I end up grading for most of the projects that I've been brought on for. Though, I mostly use Magic Bullet Colorista II and Looks. Hopefully will be using DaVinci Resole Lite when it comes out soon. I'm rather un-knowledgeable about anything beyond these programs.
Regardless, coloring is something that I find very cathartic to do. I genuinely enjoy it. I'm at a crossroads where I need to figure out if freelance DP work is something I want to do as a full-time career or if I want to do something else in the mean time and maybe still explore it on weekends etc. I'm not making enough as a DP right now to sustain my currently lifestyle (I don't want to live at home anymore ><). I figure if I need to get a "real job" I would love to do grading as a career. I just have a couple questions
1) How/where does one get training to excel beyond what I can teach myself from home
1a.) What programs should I be familiarizing myself with beyond magic bullet looks/colorista II
1b.) Are there any good resources I should check out for color grading? Forums/websites/tutorials/books/etc.
2) Is there a specific skill level requirement that coloring facilities look for in applicants? Or are they provided training on the job?
3) What are some of the shops I should be looking at in LA?
4) What is the application process like to join one of these shops?
5) Is coloring a specialty? Or are you expected to know other things as well like VFX etc.
I would love to talk to someone/anyone who works at a post-house at the moment. I come from a finance background (did investment banking right out of college before I realized I hated my life and fell back onto what I actually enjoyed doing in college). So the whole workflow/application process of hollywood is a little foreign to met. I would love some advice on how to get my career going!