Did you know you can submit questions or show ideas for the podcast? If you head over to offsetpodcast.com at the top of the page there is a button to submit an idea for a future episode. You can also use this button to provide feedback about the podcast. We’d love to hear from you. Today we’re exploring a question we got from one of our viewers/listeners Jon who writes asking about trends in color grading. Thanks for the question Jon it’s a good one! Some of the specifics we discuss in this show include:The challenge of pinpointing trendsHommage vs. copy catWhat’s popular now?Have we become scared of contrast?The magic of ‘90s and early 2000’s looksThinking about future trends by using past looks as a libraryIf you liked this episode be sure to check out our growing library of episodes and like and subscribe to the podcast where ever you find it. Also, we'd love it if you consider buying us a cup of virtual coffee to help support the show - it means a lot to us. https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast
You hear a lot of talk about references when it comes to color grading - but what are references? How do you interpret them to get great results? And, how can references play a role in client communication?It's these topics and more we're discussing on this installment of The Offset PodcastSpecifics discussed int his episode include:What is a reference and what is it good for?References aren’t just good for color - good for all aspects of finishingReferences as a communication toolInterrogating the client about provided referencesInspirational references vs. practical referencesReference evaluation - color, contrast, texture, mood and focusWorking with references in your color grading appThinking volumetrically with referencesIf you liked this episode, please subscribe, like and rate it wherever you found the show. We'd also love it if you'd consider supporting the show by 'buying us a cup of virtual coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast
If you have a craving for the latest, fastest and most powerful hardware and software out there - you’re not alone! Technology lust is real, and in this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re discussing managing it. Specific topics for this episode include:Staying at or near the technological curveMeasuring desire vs real impact of new gear and softwareThe benefits of being slightly behind the bleeding edge - improvement without breaking the bankHow small improvements can scratch that upgrade itch Monitor upgradesThe underrated value of storage upgradesThe danger of ‘build it, and they will comeThe financial part of upgrades - purchasing, finance, leasing If you liked this episode check out our growing library of other episodes, and we'd love it you could take a moment to like/subscribe where ever you find the show. Also, we'd be grateful if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us 'a cup of coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast
In this episode of The Offset Podcast, we’re talking about relationships and their importance in the post production industry (or any industry really). You’ve likely heard the phrase ‘it’s a relationship business’. What that means and how do you go about working on your relationships is what we’re exploring in this show. Specifics we discuss include:What do we mean by post is a ‘relationship business’?No one is perfect, but trying to always improve relationships should be the goalUsing the concept of the ‘golden rule’ and giving people the benefit of the doubtStages of relationshipsManaging client relationships and the importance of being ‘invested’ in their successThe importance of clear expectations with clientsStewardship and ‘checking in’ with clients between projectsHow project debriefs can be a valuable tool for client relationship growthWorking with other vendors and the delicate dance with client involvementDirect replies vs reply all when it comes to working with other vendors Using relationships with other vendors as a sales and workflow assetsThe challenges of relationships with co workers & colleaguesPutting the project first with all colleagues - even ones you don’t get along withThe importance of modesty and a positive attitude with co-workersOwning your faults/mistakes and working to rectify themHow you talk about others dramatically impacts your relationships If you like this episode please like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you find it. Also we'd be grateful if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastWe'll be back in another two weeks!
In this episode, we’re discussing something we do pretty regularly - look setting with a client. If you’re not familiar with look setting, it can be a vital part of the grading process. It helps ensure that you and the client are on the same page with the creative choices and the look of a project PRIOR to grading the entire project and potentially going down the wrong path. Look setting can be an integral part of preproduction - building monitoring LUTs or in camera look files. Or it can happen after production has wrapped but prior to the main grade starting or combination of those approaches In this episode it’s that second scenario that we’re going to be discussing. We’ll cover developing looks for production in a future episode. Specific topics discussed in this show include:What is look setting and while is a vital part of the finishing process?How look setting is the first part of building client confidence and important to the communication process When does looking setting happen? Making the goals of a looking setting session clear to everyone involvedStrategies to avoid going too deep in the grade while also showing off capabilities & possibilities The importance of reviewing & discussing referencesHow to pick shots and scenes to work on Building 3 to 4 looks to share with the clientLeveraging comparative toolsPresenting shot challenges without offending clients In person, asynchronous and remote streaming look sessionsMoving from a look setting session into the main gradeIf you like this episode please consider supporting the podcast by buying us 'a cup of coffee': https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastBig thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific for helping make these shows possible. See you in about two weeks!
In this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re talking about something that’s been on our mind for while - virtualization. Specifically how virtualization can help facilitate and color and postproduction workflow.If you’re new to the subject than this episode is a good primer on the essential components of virtualization, for those of you more experienced with virtualization, we believe strongly that virtualization will continue to play a large role in our industry and over the next few years become mainstream in many post and finishing workflows.Specific topics discussed include:What is virtualization and why is it important?Local hardware mentality vs virtualizationLocal hypervisors and VMsVirtualization servers (DIY local and or Cloud Based)Key vocabulary - bare metal, pass through etcThe role of Remote Desktop/streaming and local clients in a virtualized setupWhy and how we’re experimenting with fully virtualized workflowsThe trickle down effect of virtualization is gaining steamIf you like The Offset Podcast, we’d love it if you could do us a big favor. It’d help a lot if you could like and rate the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen/watch the show.Also if you liked this show consider support the podcast by buying us a cup of coffee. - https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast
In this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re continuing our conversation with Cullen Kelly on color eduction. If you missed part 1, be sure to go back to and check it out. In this episode some of the topics we explore include:Finding the right instruction and right instructor for how you learnThe role of 'robustness’ in color educationWhy concepts trump recipes Why some practitioners aren’t great teachers and some teachers aren’t great practitionersHow to get people to ‘launch’ post instruction From tutorials on YouTube to a building a brandThe Pros/Cons of different instruction types - in person, asynchronous, audio only etcThe responsibility of a student and how to good student The challenges of teaching the ‘soft’ side of color - room & client management What constitutes success as an educator?Dealing with trolls and criticism as an educatorA huge thanks to Cullen for joining us these past two episodes. You can learn more about Cullen’s courses, tools and community by visiting his YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/cullenkellyIf you liked this episode consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastThanks as always to our amazing sponsor Flanders Scientific and our editor Stella!
In this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re talking about a subject that’s near and dear to us - color education. Over the past 25 years both Joey and Robbie have written books on postproduction, authored hundreds of hours of tutorial content and spoken on color and postproduction at conferences and events all around the world. For this episode we thought it’d be fun to have one of our favorite color educators join the show as a special guest. Who’s that special guest? None other than the incomparable Cullen Kelly. As a colorist Cullen’s eye is sought after by some of the biggest brands and best film makers in the world, as an educator his knowledge and easy going manner have earned him the respect of thousands around the world and even gave brith to a thriving community he manages. As a developer - first with DCTL and now OFX, Cullen is combining his love of color science and workflow all to help colorists create compelling images. Specific topics we cover in this episode include:Cullen’s background and how his journey began with a desire to know more about colorHow being a staff colorist drastically impacted his skills and learning the craft of color gradingHow the facility experience also drove his desire to learn more about what was happening behind the scenes with image creationRewarding the passion of others by sharing knowledge and building a communityColor and post have lots of ‘lanes’ of knowledge, no one ever regrets knowledge gainedHow knowledge is tiered - you can’t learn everything all at once. The challenges of calibrating education to your audienceThe role of principles and how they outweigh any specific toolThe challenge of teaching when the quality of footage, projects, and skillsets varyIf you liked this show consider support the podcast by buying us a cup of coffee. - https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastAlso be sure to like and subscribe to the show where ever you find it!
Routers, switches, IPs, MAC addresses - if those and dozens of other IT terms sound like different language to you, you're not alone!In this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re discussing essential IT vocab, devices and workflows. Of course, in a single episode there is a ton that we can’t cover, but if as a creative, IT stuff is confusing to you, than this overview will certainly help. Being conversant with IT terms is a must in modern post production. Some of the specific topics we explore in this show include:Why IT knowledge is essential on lots of levels including communicating with other people in the industryUnderstanding the role of a router and WAN vs LAN connectionsThe role of a switchIP essentials - public IP vs internal IPDHCP vs Static/Fixed IPsVLANS and their role in more complicated network structuresThe value of an IT ecosystem/product integration and a ‘single pane of glass’ approachFirewalls and their importance in VLAN setups & incoming/outgoing connectionsExploring network speed and performance options - 1GbE, 10GbE etcUnderstanding jumbo frames/MTU sizeThe role of WIFI in the professional environment Remember, if you like this episode please do us a favor and like and subscribe where ever you find it!
It’s widely known that the Blackmagic Design development team for Resolve is one of the best in the business. - coming up with great new features and squashing bugs quickly. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement!In this episode we take a list of 50+ feature requests and cull that down to 10 (ish), touching on things like groups, potential interface improvements, and what AI could (should) be doing in Resolve. Of course, anytime a list of 50+ things is paired down considerably there are good feature requests that get left behind so we might have to do a part 2 on this later in the year. In this episode some of the feature requests/improvements we take a look at include:Complete revision of groups in ResolveMore AI driven utility tools - auto conform, dead pixel analysis, auto grouping etcUI improvements - UI to dock/save presets, settings, DCTLS, favorite effects, momentary full screen panelsTracking & Stabilization workflow improvements including axis weighting, predictive tracking, depth based trackingGestural support for pen and trackpad usersColor management for saved/exported stills + contact sheet/webpage exportClosed caption, & Dolby Vision/Atmos support for DCPs. DCP validationInfo pallet improvements - shot stats, corrections list, more items available for smart filteringHow to make good feature requests and bug reportsBe sure to checkout offsetpodcast.com to check out our growing library of shows as well as to submit an idea for a future episode. If you liked this or other episodes please consider buying us a cup of coffee to support the show: coff.ee/theoffsetpodcastThanks as always to our amazing sponsor @flandersscientific for the support!
In this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re asking & discussing the question - Is HDR really taking off?At first blush, the answer is yes, but the really, the answer is decidedly more nuanced. Specifics discussed in this episode include:HDR seems to be everywhere - streaming platforms, consumer electronics, professional gear with billions made in investmentWhile wildly available, access to HDR content is still often based on ‘level’ of plan. Disconnect for consumers between HDR capable hardware and plansThe role the iPhone has played in helping spread HDRAlthough available & accessible, HDR is still widely weighted to the ‘higher end’. Mid and entry level productions aren’t utilizing HDR. Why? And how can that change?The language of HDR has become conservative and very similar to SDR versions making differentiation harderA safe approach to HDR may be tied to derived downstream HDR and SDR performance. Investment in expensive gear (reference monitoring) for what many see as niche is also a contributing factorHow to sell and consistency in selling HDR content is importantMany feel that HDR is something that is being dictated to them…but for technical not creative reasonsImportant to remember HDR technology and workflows are still relatively newStunning HDR content does exist and shows what can be done (Ian Vertovec examples)Given artists space and time to work on HDR can produce amazing resultsIf you like the show be sure to like and subscribe where ever you find The Offset Podcast
It’s no secret that the post production (and production) industry is in a bit of tumultuous period resulting in a lot of people wondering if they should stay in the industry and for young people who are drawn to postproduction, if they’re making the right move trying to pursue editing, color, mixing etc.In this episode, we’ll explore these issues and more. While we don’t have the fixes for the macro issues at play in our industry, we discus many ways to battle the current downturn in post including:The current challenges in post production are multi-faceted and no single way to solve themPost production requires a massive amount of effort other industries can be more appealing (and more lucrative)Jobs at post facilities are few and far between but its hard to recommend to young folks starting out to just start their own business or go freelance - there are significant challenges in doing soMedium and small size post production companies can be doing a better job with training, mentorship and recruitment.Better understanding were postproduction work has gone - social content, corporate communications etcDeveloping adjacent stills are absolute necessity for the modern post worker - programing, AI , IT workflowsUnderstanding not all work is art, but all work is commerceThe product of ‘production companies’ has changed drastically and leverages more than just traditional post skillsContent creation really only works with a purpose and a goalMoving from an operator role to other roles in the industry - even ones you might think of like software creation/managementSkills learned in post are highly desirable and portable in a wide swath of industriesIf you liked this show, checkout our library of past episodes and please like and subscribe to the show where ever you find it!
In this episode we’re exploring a audience member submitted question about how to know when a grade is done and ready to present to a client. It’s a more nuanced and complex question than you’d think! Specific topics discussed in this episode include:Color is very subjective thing - how to balance your ‘done’ vs a client’s doneThe importance of pre-grade goalsHow initial project evaluation is a vital part of the grading processGetting to know a client’s preferences, aesthetic, and things they focus onThe immense value of working in passesFocusing first on ‘tone’, white/black point, and overall shot to shot contrastMoving to large feature matchingDetailed work - beauty, clothing, small features shot to shotShowing the client for the first time - balancing confidence and accepting constructive criticism Putting the project back in front of client again after addressing notes and gauging successEvaluating ‘translatability’ on consumer devicesPreparing for big changes, disasters etc with project backups, duplicated timelines, and versionsBalancing perfectionism with staying on schedule and deliveringThe long term value of being committed to your workIf you liked this episode be sure to check out our growing library of shows. Also be sure to like and subscribe to The Offset Podcast where ever you find it!
In this episode, we’re continuing our discussion with monitoring experts Bram Desmet from Flanders Scientific, Nate McFarlin from Dolby, and David Abrams from Avical/Portrait DisplaysSome of the specific topics we cover in this episode include:How are panels actually made? And why does it cost billions?The role of material science in panel manufacturing Understanding the split between panel manufacturers and consumer brands of the same nameThe importance of viewing environment in regards to display performanceUnderstanding preference vs accuracyThe shift to consumer-sized panels as reference monitors and the ongoing challenges of using multiple monitorsBuilding meter matrices with the four color method, and are there better approaches, like the Bodner method or the volumetric approaches used by some calibration softwareRevisiting using consumer displays in a professional setting & why consumer TV companies have little incentive to integrate reference capabilitiesContinuing challenges of Rec.2020Calibrating computer monitors, iPads, and mobile devicesIf you like this episode, please be sure to subscribe to the podcast give the show a like wherever you're watching/listening!
For our 30th episode we're discussing that topic we always seem to revisit - monitoring! While we have some opinions on the state of reference and consumer monitors in 2025 we thought it'd be fun to celebrate our 30th episode with some good friends who also happen to be experts in their part of the monitoring ecosystem. In Part 1 of a two-part series, we're joined by Flander Scientific CEO Bram Desmet, Nate McFarlin from Dolby, and David Abrams from Portrait Displays/Avical.We'll discuss their areas of expertise with each of them a little bit - monitor manufacturing, display testing and validation, and calibration. Specific topics explored in this episode include:Staying on top of monitoring technologiesChoosing display technologies for a monitor product lineDetermining what features make it into monitor softwareAddressing different needs of different users e.g. DITs vs ColoristsHow staying at the forefront of color science helps deliver the most accurate monitors possibleThe role that an R&D company like Dolby plays in the monitor ecosystemHow monitor usability is just as important as performanceThe complexity of monitor display technologies and how they can complicate monitor evaluationSometimes monitor evaluation brings with it things manufacturers don’t want to hearConsumer monitors can be considerably harder to evaluate than professional monitorsWhat does Dolby Certification really mean for consumer TVsWhen will we hit a point where HDR is standard & SDR is looked at in a similar way to HD or 4:3 Professional vs Consumer displays when it comes to calibration accuracy out of the boxCalibration is not a replacement for understanding & proper setup/use of a monitorExploring how calibration has become both easier and harderHow accurate is accurate enough and is the cost of reference calibration gear worth itNoticeable differences & degrees of accuracy with calibrationDrift and the frequency of recalibration In part 2 we explore some monitoring topics provided by our listeners and ones that Joey and Robbie have been eager to discuss.
In this episode, we continue our discussion about ARM-based computing and its impact on postproduction. If you missed part 1 in this series, be sure to check that out, as we cover a lot of helpful background information. In this show, some of the specifics discussed include:How ARM will factor into our next workstation purchasesDo we think Apple will deliver on a ‘beast mode’ Mac ProWill Apple Silicon ever support discreet GPUsHow ARM Linux systems are very appealing from a hardware point of view but have software challengesIs widespread adoption of ARM an inflection point for cloud-based workstations for the massesA side effect of cloud-based workstations might be faster feature/bug fix deploymentWhy the future of workstations is really excitingBe sure to check out our library of episodes, and if you liked the show, be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you find it.
ARM SoCs (system on a chip) have become a hot topic in the computing world in the past few years. Apple branded ‘Apple Silicon’, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon, Ampere’s Altra, and others have been disruptive in a world once dominated by x86/x64-based systems from Intel & AMD.In Part 1 of a two-part series on ARM in postproduction, we explore some of the essentials of ARM systems, including:Basics of ARM vs x86/x64 processorsRISK vs Non-RISK CPUsThe flexibility & scalability of ARMThe goal of a uniform product architecture and its advantage for a company like AppleGPU design/performance - the surprise of Apple’s ARM implementationThe appeal and benefits of efficiency and low power consumptionThe benefits of unified memoryPackage scalability - faster/more cores, multiple SoCsDoes clock speed matter with ARM SOCs?Additional benefits - onboard encode/decode abilitiesAre SoC GPUs ever going to be on par with discrete GPUs? Will discrete GPUs ever come to Apple ARM systems?In part two, we’ll dive a bit deeper, exploring additional topics, including how cloud-based ARM computing could be a game changer for cost-effective, decentralized post workflows, what the future may hold for workstations from Apple and others, and much more.
The built-in tools in grading applications like DaVinci Resolve are immensely powerful, but sometimes, you need a tool that goes further—or, at the very least, approaches a task in a slightly different way. In this installment of The OffSet Podcast, we're exploring how power grades, DCTLs, and OFX fit into a grading workflow.Specific topics we discuss in this episode include:Defining Powergrades, DCTL & OFXThe benefits of extending the toolset without cluttering the user interfaceIntegrating DCTLS and OFX into fix node tree structuresThe DCTL ecosystem as R&D for Blackmagic DesignKeeping DCTLs & OFX in sync, up to date, and on multiple systems and locationsExploring how to NOT paint yourself into a corner with DCTLs & OFXHow DCTLS and OFX require a lot of steps and clicks for useThere could be better interface & panel integrationSome of our favorite DCTLs and OFXBe sure to check out our library of episodes, and if you liked the show, be sure to like and subscribe to the show wherever you find it.
In this episode of The Offset Podcast, we’re discussing strategies for managing client review sessions - both in person and remote. The review session sounds straightforward on paper, but it can be a complicated balancing act of moving things along, addressing changes, and keeping everyone happy. Some of the specifics we discuss in this episode include:Managing both in-person and remote review sessionsThe importance of ‘knowing’ the show - content, characters, etcModulating small talk and reading the roomLeveraging markers & notes for remaining tasks to accomplish & notes to selfAnticipating problems, tangents, and pushbackSetup your grading pipeline to make changes and comparisons easy for the clientThe power of making choices and changes visual Documenting and tracking changes for consistency and completion Making sure the technology works - audio, networking, lighting, passwords etcHaving a backup strategy - rendering out intermediate masters, duplicate projects/timelinesHaving clearly defined goals for the review session & a post-review plan You can submit show ideas and find show notes by visiting www.offsetpodcast.com. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube - just search for The Offset Podcast
In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we're discussing many of the things no one told us before we decided to become professional colorists. While being a professional colorist can be exciting and rewarding, the job also comes with a plethora of challenges and things you might not realize. Some specifics we discuss in this episode include:Is being a colorist everything it’s made out to be?How being a colorist can challenge your physical and mental healthHow not every project is share-worthy and it's easy to feel like you're not making artChallenges of long hours and being away from family and friendsBeing an independent colorist is hard, but the benefits can be numerous There is more out there to color besides movies, television, and commercials - i.e. the great middleHow postproduction knowledge as a colorist can be leveraged for lots of other thingsHow you have to learn to check your ego at the doorLong-term success usually means consistency and repeatability vs one awesome gradeLearning how to be a team player with other parts of the pipeline Putting your knowledge to work through education, speaking, etc can be just as rewarding as gradingAdvancement in postproduction isn’t really connected to titles - - but more so responsibility and overall trust from stakeholders Thanks for listening/watching and if you liked this show be sure to check out other episodes and tell your colleagues and friends about the podcast!