Halo has added senior colourist Duncan Russell and DI specialist Karl Barnes-Dallas to its grading team.

The company is also redesigning its grading suites and has added two new Baselight grading systems as the first stage of a “major enhancement” of their DI picture services.

Russell, who was previously at Prime Focus, Glassworks, Freefolk and MPC, will join the existing team and work on Halo’s scripted and non-scripted output.

Russell said “I have been hankering after long-form work for the best part of a decade now, so when the offer came in from Halo I was thrilled. Having started my career in the long-form arena, and always kept a toe in those waters, it feels like a homecoming of sorts. I love grading, I love the opportunity to harness the vision of the on-set filmmakers and complete the process. It’s like being a midwife, being present and influential at that moment when a film is finally ‘born’ is an honour and it never gets old. When Halo told me their plans for new tech and new suites, I was sold.”

Also joining as Head of DI Picture Operations is Karl Barnes-Dallas, previously of Molinare. “Having built up extensive DI expertise over my career and worked closely with world-class colourists, I’m incredibly excited to be moving on and joining the team at Halo.” Karl will work alongside the existing Halo team to build a solid, streamlined DI/Colour department. “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience across features, documentaries and high-end TV drama to Halo’s talented picture team, enabling filmmakers to focus with confidence on what’s important… their creative storytelling.”

“Having Duncan and Karl come on board is the start of an exciting period for us,” comments David Turner, halo’s Head of Film & Drama. “We have been grading films, feature docs and dramas for the years, but now we are looking to build on these successes and create a truly first-rate grading department with state-of-the-art facilities, complementing our already established sound offering in high-end television and features. Along with our existing colourists, Katherine and Paul, we now have an exceptionally talented grading team.”