— Color Pipeline Mentor Program —

A complete grading curriculum from on set production to post-production in 3 series

FAST: 3 hr classes x 18 weeks

INTERACTIVE: Live online learning with Q&A

FLEXIBLE: Take individual classes, full modules, or full program

Join at any time:

Your instructor, Kevin Shaw, CSI is a legend in the realm of color grading. His unique experience as a colorist, a consultant on DaVinci and Nucoda products, a professional calibrator, workflow specialist and his recent years at Mission working with DITs and Labs has made him the go-to maestro for all things color-related in the world of Color Science and Imaging. Not everyone can teach, but Kevin has taught thousands of individuals in private classes, at film schools and major companies including Amazon, Netflix, Sky, BBC, CBS, Kodak and Dolby.

The Color Pipeline Mentor Program allows participants to learn wider disciplines and is structured to help with ongoing projects during the course. Kevin has an excellent track record of identifying trends that define the future, and has been an early adopter of pipeline color management, ACES and HDR. He brings the benefits of these technologies to every project - and that is the basis of this new program. Working better costs nothing and improves everything.

Series 1: Setting the Look in Production

Video from the live sessions are now available

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

Content: Module One starts 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.

Schedule:

  • Class 1: The Magic of Color
    An introduction to the program. Learn how our eyes are tricked, and how color influences our mood and emotions

  • 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?

Book any full series, get 50% off private consultations >

Series 2: Color Management & 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.

Schedule:

  • 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?

Series 3: 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.

Schedule:

  • Class 13: Look Management May 4, 2024

    Get your check list for matching and then developing Looks

  • Class 14: The Varnish May 11, 2024

    Learn tools about that are selective and put them to good use

  • Class 15: Skin and Sky. May 18, 2024

    Refining skin, sky and other techniques that are frequently requested

  • Class 16: Film Print Emulation (FPE) May 25, 2024

    The Look of film is still a major influence. See how digital processing can be more like film than film

  • Class 17: HDR Grading June 1, 2024

    Boldly explore the new frontiers

  • Class 18: Dolby Vision June8, 2024

    Learn the wonders of Dolby Vision

Book any full series, get 50% off private consultations >

FXPHD on-Demand Courses:

Consultations and Private Classes:

Have a technical problem you need solved? Want to hone a niche technical skill? Need guidance with your latest project? Borrow my 30+ years of grading expertise to help get the job done.

Book private online classes or consulting sessions by the hour via Zoom or similar. Sessions are one-on-one only and can be used for training, advice, or help with grades. We can share desktops and exchange setups to explore new techniques or trouble shoot your current workflow:

Hear what past students say about Kevin’s classes: who would benefit from attending, why they opted for Kevin, and what they gained from the experience