By Ross Baker, Head of Grading, Molinare
I started creating ‘anatomies of a grade’ short films because I wanted to share the way in which we, as colourists, approach a scene and the processes and decisions we take in developing the final look. The idea was not just to share the ‘anatomies’ with people already working in the industry, but also for those starting out who might want to understand a little more about what we do.
You can see the short film here – https://vimeo.com/909074528
This scene is from episode one of the new Paramount+ show, Sexy Beast. The director of photography, Birgit (Bebe) Dierken’s creative intent was to draw the audience’s eye to Dee Dee, the female lead and romantic interest, and so convey the emotional connection that the male lead, Gal, experiences when he first sets eyes on her.
In the grade, Bebe told me that she had wanted to light the scene in a way that would envelop Dee Dee within an almost angelic aura, but that this hadn’t been possible on location. Bebe had already crafted the corridor of focus within the shot from which we could work.
With soft layering of defused highlights, directional shaping and an additional compositing layer we crafted the sequence to fulfill Bebe’s original vision and bring it to life.
Sexy Beast Anatomy of a grade: Gal only has eyes for Deedee
Director: Michael Caleo
Director of Photography: Birgit Dierken
Colourist: Ross Baker
Assistant Colourist: Jake Davies
Online Editor: Scott Hinchcliffe
Junior Online Editor: David TippellSound Supervising Editor: Glen Gathard
Re-Recording Mixer: Richard Pryke
SFX: Brad Rees
Dialogue Editor: Noah D.
Foley Artists: Zoe Freed and Rebecca Heathcote
Foley Mixer: Francesca Bourne
Full post production by Molinare.
Pippa Considine
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