2020-06-18, 09:32 AM
Was asked to introduce myself as well...
I am not a fan-restoration guy per se. I do different things. I do not try to restore something how it might have looked once or emulate a Laserdisc look, but instead I go for "upgrading" lackluster releases to something appropiate for modern viewing habits without going too far away from the actual theatrical presentation and its intention as I understand and remember it. This mostly comes down to color grading and some "digital enhancements". Usually some friends point me to a release that could use some help. I take a look at reference material for inspiration, but do my own interpretation, just like you would do in a craft editing seat. What I create has a certain look for sure. Sometimes it's good, sometimes I screw up and went down the wrong path. An sometimes there are limits what can be done with a given source. I think more or less like a DoP, which I wanted to become as a child, but well it never happened. I always think my work is subpar becaue I know what I could do if had some archival master with uncompressed chroma. Curse of knowing what could be possible with proper source material. But it is what it is...
Usually people point me at something that needs help and I see what I can do as far as my time allows, given I am interested in the material to begin with. And usually it is to their "wishes".The better the user who requested something is in commenting on the shortcomings, the better work I can do. Just like the producer is sitting next to an colorist in a studio working out the basic look or going over some scenes that need help. I think more or less like a DoP does. But yeah, I create as much crap as the next guy. And sometimes there are limits to what I can do. You know, the famous last 10% take way longer than the first 90%. So it is always a compromise. And sometimes results or good, something not up to my own standards.
Beside regrading I did a few fan-cuts. I never extend movies but instead un-extend movies to their initial theatrical presentation, or a mezzazine if requested. Often it is very hard to find reference material for the exact cuts and some projects end up in limbo because I cannot find a 35mm scan (quality does not matter) or some laser disc rip. Still looking for some.
Professionally I work, well how should I put it, in the industry. I once started as an editor in boradcasting but now do other things in regards to cloud services, VFX-IT and streaming services or just as a project manager in related matters. And yes, I have a IMDB page like many of you probably here do. Who knows, we might have worked on a project in the past together or through another company in between.
I would love to work as a colorist as well in my spare time. Not because I love that job so much, it's paid like shit, but because there are so many screw ups. I hate when a good movie is just ruined on e.g. an UHD BD release because they put some intern on it. It's for the love of the movies. And I think with over 40 years of watching and understanding movies and working in the industry I have a good eye for it. But yeah, I can be as wrong as the next guy. But well, in my line of work I have no direct connections to producders/directors or contacts at boutique lables. So it will probably never happen. It is what it is. But it is a shame how especially some UHD BDs as an enthusiast medium turned out. I have a long list of early UHD release that I need to regrade. I stopped working on BDs, only have a few more in the pipeline. But need a decent HDR reference monitor first as I have my ownj production standards.
I have strong opinion about many things in the industry and the fan scene and not afraid to speak up, which my day job also requires. I might come across harsh sometimes but just saying how I see things. Don't take it personally.
My setup at home. Well, how should I put it without too much flexing. It's like a craft editing seat. A lot of stuff I bought used, but I have a decent setup. Some people might find it jaw dropping others just see a somewhat outdated craft editing and coloring grading seat. Setup mostly consisting of BlackMagic products I bought over the years as well as a used and a slighty defect HD reference display (display is fine, just some of the more advanced stuff broken I don't need anyway).
For color and editing work I only use Resolve these days. I think with the recent releases it's the best software package available, and if it is good enough for some superhero tentpole it's good enough for me. I hate Adobe Premiere with a passion because it is such a horrible piece of garbage for editing and color grading. Baselight? I am not willing to work with that UI, end of story - though it has some great features Resolve is lacking. Great piece of software but not for me with that user interface.
Beside that I am producting my own live action shorts, costs lot of cash that comes out of my pocket. Not many, and no, no awards. It's more special interst and usually only shown at smaller short film festivals and never again. I do not put stuff up on youtube as what I create is intended to be watched on the silverscreen or at least properly at home and not a friggin' cell phone. Fuck exposure, I have standards.
Dunno what else to tell you guys... Well, if you have any questions feel free to AMA. I might not take much part in forum life here, more of a lurker 'cause time constraints.
Oh yes, and if you are working for some boutique label, or even doing an indie project or a blockbuster, hit me up. I color shit for you, even for free, just for the love of the movies and to proof a point. I hate when good movies get crappy releases. I just hurts me that color grading is often so abmyssal...
I am not a fan-restoration guy per se. I do different things. I do not try to restore something how it might have looked once or emulate a Laserdisc look, but instead I go for "upgrading" lackluster releases to something appropiate for modern viewing habits without going too far away from the actual theatrical presentation and its intention as I understand and remember it. This mostly comes down to color grading and some "digital enhancements". Usually some friends point me to a release that could use some help. I take a look at reference material for inspiration, but do my own interpretation, just like you would do in a craft editing seat. What I create has a certain look for sure. Sometimes it's good, sometimes I screw up and went down the wrong path. An sometimes there are limits what can be done with a given source. I think more or less like a DoP, which I wanted to become as a child, but well it never happened. I always think my work is subpar becaue I know what I could do if had some archival master with uncompressed chroma. Curse of knowing what could be possible with proper source material. But it is what it is...
Usually people point me at something that needs help and I see what I can do as far as my time allows, given I am interested in the material to begin with. And usually it is to their "wishes".The better the user who requested something is in commenting on the shortcomings, the better work I can do. Just like the producer is sitting next to an colorist in a studio working out the basic look or going over some scenes that need help. I think more or less like a DoP does. But yeah, I create as much crap as the next guy. And sometimes there are limits to what I can do. You know, the famous last 10% take way longer than the first 90%. So it is always a compromise. And sometimes results or good, something not up to my own standards.
Beside regrading I did a few fan-cuts. I never extend movies but instead un-extend movies to their initial theatrical presentation, or a mezzazine if requested. Often it is very hard to find reference material for the exact cuts and some projects end up in limbo because I cannot find a 35mm scan (quality does not matter) or some laser disc rip. Still looking for some.
Professionally I work, well how should I put it, in the industry. I once started as an editor in boradcasting but now do other things in regards to cloud services, VFX-IT and streaming services or just as a project manager in related matters. And yes, I have a IMDB page like many of you probably here do. Who knows, we might have worked on a project in the past together or through another company in between.
I would love to work as a colorist as well in my spare time. Not because I love that job so much, it's paid like shit, but because there are so many screw ups. I hate when a good movie is just ruined on e.g. an UHD BD release because they put some intern on it. It's for the love of the movies. And I think with over 40 years of watching and understanding movies and working in the industry I have a good eye for it. But yeah, I can be as wrong as the next guy. But well, in my line of work I have no direct connections to producders/directors or contacts at boutique lables. So it will probably never happen. It is what it is. But it is a shame how especially some UHD BDs as an enthusiast medium turned out. I have a long list of early UHD release that I need to regrade. I stopped working on BDs, only have a few more in the pipeline. But need a decent HDR reference monitor first as I have my ownj production standards.
I have strong opinion about many things in the industry and the fan scene and not afraid to speak up, which my day job also requires. I might come across harsh sometimes but just saying how I see things. Don't take it personally.
My setup at home. Well, how should I put it without too much flexing. It's like a craft editing seat. A lot of stuff I bought used, but I have a decent setup. Some people might find it jaw dropping others just see a somewhat outdated craft editing and coloring grading seat. Setup mostly consisting of BlackMagic products I bought over the years as well as a used and a slighty defect HD reference display (display is fine, just some of the more advanced stuff broken I don't need anyway).
For color and editing work I only use Resolve these days. I think with the recent releases it's the best software package available, and if it is good enough for some superhero tentpole it's good enough for me. I hate Adobe Premiere with a passion because it is such a horrible piece of garbage for editing and color grading. Baselight? I am not willing to work with that UI, end of story - though it has some great features Resolve is lacking. Great piece of software but not for me with that user interface.
Beside that I am producting my own live action shorts, costs lot of cash that comes out of my pocket. Not many, and no, no awards. It's more special interst and usually only shown at smaller short film festivals and never again. I do not put stuff up on youtube as what I create is intended to be watched on the silverscreen or at least properly at home and not a friggin' cell phone. Fuck exposure, I have standards.
Dunno what else to tell you guys... Well, if you have any questions feel free to AMA. I might not take much part in forum life here, more of a lurker 'cause time constraints.
Oh yes, and if you are working for some boutique label, or even doing an indie project or a blockbuster, hit me up. I color shit for you, even for free, just for the love of the movies and to proof a point. I hate when good movies get crappy releases. I just hurts me that color grading is often so abmyssal...
