+ 1. What’s your turnaround time on projects?

Commercials/PSAs: 1-2 days
Shorts: 2-4 weeks
Features: 4-8 weeks

+ 2. How many rounds of notes do you offer?

At the beginning of your project we will discuss your desired delivery date. I offer unlimited revisions up to that delivery date.

+ 3. What's the best way to review color if I don't have a calibrated monitor?

The best way to review a project without access to a calibrated monitor is on an iPad or iPhone at 50% brightness, while being sure "auto-brightness" and/or “night mode” is turned off.

These devices have high-end color engineering built into their displays, as well as have been found to be the most consistent across the board out of any other consumer-friendly product people usually have at home.

+ 4. Do you have any resources for getting color/image inspiration?

I love these two sites!
shotdeck.com
coolors.co

+ 5. Should we do the grade before or after VFX are done?

Depends.

More times than not your VFX artist can use a rec709 LUT just to give the image contrast in order to see it more clearly. Then after the effect is complete the VFX artist should remove the rec709 LUT and deliver the raw file (with completed effect) to the colorist to insert into the piece and grade. This way the color can be changed as much as needed without having to go back to the VFX artist.

However, sometimes the color will inform the VFX artist helping them complete the effect. In that case locking the color and then handing off to the VFX artist is just fine. Just be aware that color shouldn’t change after that point or else the VFX artist might have to redo some of their work.

+ 6. I’m shooting a night scene, what should I know going into production?

It's always best to expose brighter and we'll darken in post. Having all the details available from a brighter exposure (then choosing what to darken) makes for a cleaner/higher production-value night look than if you shoot dark. Note, it’s important to have all practicals motivating the light (ex. bedside lamp, moonlight out a window) present while shooting.

+ 7. Do you have a color mentor?

Waqas Qazi (@Qazman)
Dado Valentic (ColourLab)

+ 8. Would you teach a color grading workshop and/or be a guest speaker at my school?

Yes!

I’ve taught color grading workshops or been a guest speaker at NYU, Syracuse University and Purchase College.

I also offer private virtual color lessons for individuals at an hourly rate of $100/hr.

Feel free to reach out with what you’re looking for and we’ll see what we can cook up.

+ 9. Do you use LUTs?

Yes, most of the time. I often use technical LUTs and build from there. Using a technical LUT appropriately is a great way to get started because these LUTs have been engineered to work with that specific camera data and give the best results in terms of contrast, rolloffs, and skin tone.

+ 10. Advice for filmmakers?

Think about your production design and how that will lend itself to the color. The best looking films have a very intentional, well thought out production design (color palette, time period etc.) that sets the tone for the look. From there a colorist can enhance and polish off that look.