For a feature I like to take broad strokes first. Maybe doing a reel a day (about 20 minutes of footage). Then, in the second week, I finesse it and maybe change the beats of the grade. It usually takes a few passes to get to a result.

I wouldn’t say stories, but budget definitely matters, especially for period drama. A lot of them are shot on location in very old or National Trust buildings that make the DP’s life very challenging as to where they can put lights. The locations are also restricted due to being listed/protected, usually with very expensive interiors. So, you end up using lots of windows and tracking in the grade to maximise the exposure. But if a shot is lit the way the DP intended, it should only really need a gentle adjustment.

What is often not mentioned is actually matching a scene. This can sometimes be all over the place. Different cameras, days or weeks apart in a sequence that may last only a few moments of screen time. That, to me, is often overlooked as a function of a colourist. It should be as invisible as possible. To do this you end up using the full toolset at your disposal. Different skin tones, time of day, colour temperature etc. This often means multiple passes and constant minute adjustment to make it look seamless.

Usually it is towards the end of the edit. You can often get involved with pre-grading for promos, temp versions for screeners and such. This can be useful simply because it breaks the ice with the client so you are ahead when you actually start for real.

You are often interpreting their intent so communication is very important. And sometimes the DOP has limited availability so it’s crucial you can carry on with their work to the end of the grade. You also need to make sure you use the same nomenclature, or at least understand their language.

You subconsciously put your own stamp on things. You could get five of the top colourists in town on the same project and they all would come up with a different result - much like different chefs would have different results for a dish using the same recipe.

Well it is important to stress that you are part of a team. It’s vital that the project is scanned or conformed with the correct colour spaces and such. You often can't be in two places at once so you have to rely on assistants and support staff to deliver the result right up to the screening at the first showing. So much of this can go wrong so you have to rely on your team and trust that they know what they are doing backstage.

It’s a very flexible system. The team behind it really knows colour science.

Cameras, formats and specifications change all the time. The FilmLight crew really are on top of their game when it comes to this area. They don’t copy what other systems do, they are ahead of the curve.

It doesn’t get in the way of the job at hand. The clock is ticking in grading so the technology shouldn’t hinder the creativity, just be as seamless as possible.

HDR is a new area to explore. This provides more opportunity for grading as I have a feeling it will be about toning things down. There is almost too much information!

The colourist sits between what the DP shot and the intent of the editor.

Remember, you are telling a story. Pretty images in isolation don’t do this. The grade is what glues it all together.

Become a good assistant. And try not to copy trends - find your own ‘voice’.

I am grading a six-part comedy/drama called ‘Brief Encounters’ for ITV at the moment. Next will be a feature film version of Stephen Fry’s ‘Hippopotamus’ novel. Both shows are being graded on Baselight.

Often it comes just from experience. A technique can often be used again because a project in the past used it. You should also never stop learning. It’s a constant process.

I like Ralph Fiennes. I was lucky to work with him on ‘Coriolanus’. He is a great person as well as being a very fine actor.

Can’t beat ‘Game of Thrones’ or ‘Breaking Bad’- there are so many great shows and box sets, but not enough time!

Well the last thing I want to do is watch a movie in a dark room! Once the family is sorted out, I like listening to music. In between jobs I might cycle or actually see a film. It’s important to get the work-life balance thing sorted so you can still function as a rounded human being.