The Colorist Mixer returned to NAB on April 14, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of more than 250 colorists, colleagues and friends. Carlos ‘n Charlie’s at the Flamingo, our fantastic new venue, was the site of a memorable evening of great conversation, food and cocktails.

The evening kicked off with the always entertaining Medialight Color Quiz. Big screen displays throughout the space played showreels from CSI sponsors and shots of wonderful raffle prizes. Each sponsor had an individual drawing box with guests submitting their tickets for the prizes of their choice. In true Las Vegas fashion, you had to gamble to win.

A big thank you to our cohost, iColorist, our sponsors and our guests for their support.

Prize Winners:

• Jenn Lee, Banana Post: Adobe Creative Cloud
• Michael Tosti, idc-la:Blackmagic Design DaVinci Micro Panel
• Tay Christopher, The Media Village: Creative Solutions Small HD 27" OLED
• Gilberto Balderas, Cadis AI: DELL KM900 Premier keyboard
• Jason Lyons, 67post: Dolby Vision Training/Certification 
• Jamie Coats, Dovecoats Ltd: Kevin Shaw Finalcolor training
• Mikhail Starkov, Institute of Film and Television: FSI XMP310 QD-OLED HDR 31.5” Reference Monitor 
• Catherine Meininger: ASUS Proart PA169CDV monitor
• Roberto Negron, Nitido Post: Louper Pro 1yr plan 
• Gregory White, Pearl Street Post: MASV 10TB Free Transfer Credits
• Eric Cameron, freelance: Medialight Pro2 set
• Francesco D'Ascenzo: BULL SRL: PVA Video Calibration Training/Certification 4-Day Course

See you at the IBC Mixer on Saturday 14th September.

Kevin Shaw, Mikhail Starkov

Walter Volpatto, John Daro, Warren Eagles

Sarah Priestnal, Bob Festa

Jason Bowdach, Robbie Carman, Bram Desmet

Rob and Michelle Lederman

Colorist Society has launched a Discord server available exclusively and at no cost to our members. Colorist Society Discord is a dedicated, ad free and safe space where colorists can connect, share insights, learn from others, organize chapters and events, and broaden their networks.

For those new to Discord, it’s a messaging platform that supports text, voice and video chat on an individual and group basis. Our Discord includes discussion channels on color-related topics including color science, deliverables, tips and tricks, and so on. It also offers private channels for individual Chapters, as well as a job board. But it’s not only about work. Members can also use the service to catch up with old friends, hang out and make new connections.

Colorist Jenn Lee, CSI, who set up the server and will act as moderator, hopes Discord will strengthen the sense of community among colorists. “Colorists often work alone or in smaller markets with little direct contact with their fellow artists,” she says. “Discord is a great way to get to know people you might not otherwise meet.”

Lee, who also participates in a Discord server run by the Visual Effects Society, says that it’s been a great success with hundreds of active members. “Every Friday, there is a group call for people to socialize,” she says. “It’s fun and rewarding.”

Colorist Society members will soon receive an invite link with instructions for joining our Discord. We hope everyone will sign up and become part of the conversation.

Now in its second decade, the Colorist Mixer, sponsored by Colorist Society (CSI) and iColorist, returns to NAB on Sunday, April 14^th, 7 - 11 pm PDT. Bigger and better than ever, this year’s raffle will feature $30,000 in prizes from Colorist Mixer sponsors.

Tickets are available here. But, hurry, as space is limited.

Agenda

8:00 PM - 8:30 PM: The Color Quiz

Quiz teams will be based on wristbands, so it’s a great way to make new friends. This year’s quiz will involve ten multiple choice questions, with a fun color-related tiebreaker.

9:30 PM: The World Famous Mixer Raffle

Everyone arriving at the Mixer will receive a raffle ticket. Be sure to add your details clearly and drop it into the ballot box for the prize that you want to win. You must be present to win.

Prizes!

• OLED 27 Reference Monitor from Creative Solutions Small HD
• XMP310 QD-OLED HDR 31.5” Reference Monitor from Flanders Scientific Inc
• DaVinci Micro Panel from Blackmagic Design
• Dolby Vision Training/Certification from Dolby (two to win!)
• MediaLight Pro2 set with bias light of choice + Ideal-Lume linear profile of choice + merch cap from MediaLight
• 1TB Free Transfer Credits from MASV
• Video Calibration Training/Certification 4-Day Course from PVA
• Louper Pro 1yr plan from Louper (two to win!)
• Academy Goody Bag from ACES

Mixer Sponsors at NAB 2024

MASV at NAB

Discover how MASV, the world's fastest and most secure file transfer service for colorists, is set to transform your project delivery. Upgrade your workflow with MASV Portals, a universal file uploader that can speed up, organize, and automate file collection in every workflow.

·        Book Your Customized MASV Demo at NAB Show 2024: massive.io/nab-show/

·        NEW: MASV Portal enhancements COMING SOON at NAB.

·        Level up and automate your file upload workflow with advanced tools that boost security, streamline processes, and showcase your brand—all without limitations.

·        Visit Booth W1343M (within the AWS Learning Lounge & Partner Village).

• ·        Meet MASV in person —Secure Your Spot Here!

• ·        Livestream up to 4K edit, vfx, color & sound sessions.

• ·        Upload and watch videos in sync with your team.

• ·        All with built-in video chat for faster, clearer feedback.

Louper at NAB

Louper is a live collaboration platform designed for remote video editing, color grading, and finishing. Stream frame‑accurate, high quality sessions for real‑time collaboration with directors and clients. 

A Special NAB Offer for Colorist Society!

Get 1-month FREE of Louper Pro! A no risk opportunity to try out Louper’s paid option to see if the platform suits you. Sign up for a free account using this special link: https://bit.ly/3Tw0A9v and the Louper team will upgrade you to 1 complimentary month of Louper Pro (valued at $62.50-$99).

Join thousands of pro colorists, finishing artists, and editors! Start streaming at: Louper.io

SmallHD

Learn more about SmallHD’s new Quantum 32 Reference HDR Monitor Here.

CS Hollywood members who weren’t able to make it to NAB (and those who did) are invited to catch up for drinks in LA. Kevin Shaw and Warren Eagles will also be in attendance for the meetup, set for Thursday April 25, 6:30pm to 9pm at the rooftop bar of the Godfrey Hotel in Hollywood. Snacks and appetizers will be provided.  Members may purchase drinks at the bar.  

The Godfrey will project submitted projects on the wall of the courtyard during the meet-up.  CSH is also requesting submissions for its Chapter Showcase featured on the CSI website. Further details coming soon.

Rory Gordon, CSH, will take part in a panel discussion on ACES workflows at NAB Show 2024 in Las Vegas. Titled Mastering Filmmaking with ACES Your Secret Weapon for Color Management, the session will delve into practical tips and real-world examples demonstrating how ACES can streamline production processes and achieve consistent, high-quality results across diverse projects. Other panelists will include Walt Disney Studios Senior Manager of Image and Color Michael Maloney and independent filmmaker and software designer Stu Maschwitz. Journalist Debra Kaufman will moderate. The session is slated for Tuesday, April 16 • 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM PT in the Create Zone Theater SU4087. Passes required.

Rory Gordon, CSH, is a senior colorist, with recent credits Rapsh!t for HBO Max, Unstable for Netflix, and Parish for AMC during nine years at ArsenalFX Color. She recently joined the Keep Me Posted/FotoKem team where she continues serving episodic projects, as well as feature films. She is one of the most experienced HDR colorists working in television and streaming, with experience finishing over 130 episodes in HDR10 and Dolbyvision.

Colorist Society (CSI) announces the launch of a CSI Chapter in Canada. Led by Abe Wynen, CSI, Senior Colorist at Redlab, Toronto, and Eric Whipp, CSI, co-founder and Head of Color at Alter Ego, Toronto, the chapter is open to colorists across Canada working in film, television, advertising and other media. The group plans networking, training and social events, both in-person and virtual, to support the development of a community of colorists in Canada and promote the art and science of color.

Abe Wynen

Eric Whipp

“We want to bring colorists in Canada under one roof and show them how much fun it is when we share ideas and experiences with our colleagues,” says Wynen. “We want to encourage participation from both experienced colorists and those who are new to the profession. It’s about building a better culture and forming friendships.”

Wynen is relatively new to Canada, having relocated to Toronto in 2022 after six years at boutique color and finishing studio Crayon in Melbourne, Australia.  His aim in co-founding CSI’s Canada Chapter derives from his experience as a member of the organization’s Australia/New Zealand Chapter. “The ANZ chapter was well organized and very successful in building a community of colorists from cities across Australia and New Zealand,” he states. “It was a great way to meet and learn from other colorists and to celebrate our craft.”

Whipp also moved from Australia to Toronto where he co-founded Alter Ego. He became a colorist in the 1990s and collaborated with George Miller on his Oscar-winning film Happy Feet.  He reunited with Miller for the ground-breaking film Mad Max: Fury Road.  Recent credits include The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.

Last fall, Wynen and Whipp hosted a Colourist Catch-Up as a precursor to the formal launch of the Canada Chapter. Held at Danu Social House, it brought together Toronto’s top colorists and other industry professionals for an evening of socializing. “It was so lovely to finally get the colorists in town in one room,” Wynen says. “We are planning more events soon.”

New host Bobola Oniwura, CSI interviews Eric Whipp, CSI about coloring Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

The Colorist Podcast is back, and it has a new host, Bobola Oniwura, CSI. A lead colorist and founder of Ingenuity Pictures, Bobola envisions the podcast as a forum for issues important to colorists and other industry professionals. Guests will include the industry’s top colorists, newcomers to the profession, and other industry thought leaders. In his first episode, Bobola talks with Eric Whipp, CSI, co-founder and director of color at Alter Ego, Toronto. You can listen to it here: https://spoti.fi/3uQ8274

Bobola wants to use the podcast to explore the personal journeys of individual colorists. “Colorists often have unconventional career paths,” he says. “I want to know how they got their start, where they studied, how they learned color science.”

Eric Whipp is an inspired choice for the podcast’s first new episode. Bobola talks with Eric about his past collaborations with Director George Miller on Three Thousand Years of Longing and Mad Max: Fury Road as well as his current work on Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. “Fury Road was a very influential film and has become a massive reference point for color grading,” Bobola says. “In the podcast, Eric shares deep insight into the incredible work they are doing for the new film which will be in theaters in May.”

Calling himself an ‘accidental colorist,’ Bobola has his own fascinating story. After studying Architecture in his native Nigeria, he began a career as a creative director. He became involved in producing social media content but found that no one on his staff knew how to properly grade video, so he taught himself by studying DaVinci tutorials produced by Warren Eagles, CSI. That launched him on a new career that included becoming the first Certified Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Trainer in West Africa. Among his recent projects is the action-comedy A Tribe Called Judah, which recently became the top grossing Nollywood film of all time.

CSI members are eligible for discounted subscriptions to IMDbPro (the code is available in the Members section of this site.) It is an excellent resource for promoting your career, networking and keeping track of important contacts and upcoming projects. Two levels of subscription are available, basic and premium. Both provide access to biographic and credit information, guild affiliations, representation contacts and other data not available on IMDb. Premium subscriptions also include a host of tools for managing your profile, adding images and demo reels, tracking people and projects, and much more.

If you are unsure of which subscription level is right for you, or want to know more about specific features, how to videos are available on the IMDB YouTube channel. Topics include setting your profession, managing personal details, and choosing “known for” credits. The short videos will help you get the most from your subscription.

CSI Fellow Walter Volpatto recently won an HPA Award for his work on the HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. He was honored in the category Outstanding Color Grading in a Live-Action Episode or Non-Theatrical Feature for an episode entitled One Ring Don’t Make a Dynasty. The event was held at the Television Academy in North Hollywood.

Volpatto, who became a CSI Fellow in 2020, was twice previously nominated for HPA Awards. They came for Sweet Tooth (2021) and The Green Mile (2019). His many other credits include Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Dunkirk, Midway, The Woman King and Independence Day: Resurgence, as well as the television series Homecoming and Queen Sugar.

IMDbPro offers many useful features for conducting research and virtual networking. Premium subscriptions, available to CSI members at a discount, provide access to contact information for producers, show runners, cinematographers, post production supervisors and others involved in hiring colorists. The site’s “List” and “Track” features can be used to follow potential employers and upcoming projects.

Subscribers can also customize their page by adding photos, biographies and employment data. They can also upload reels and choose which titles are included in the “Known For” section of the page. It’s even possible to add links to external news and clients.

If you are new to the service or need help in updating your page, a series of How To videos are available via IMDB’s YouTube channel.

If you wish to subscribe to the site, the discount code is available in the Members section of this website.

And don’t forget…

Colorist Society has an ongoing campaign to make “Colorist Department” a separate listing on IMDb. This effort is vital as colorist credits are currently inconsistently listed under editorial, visual effects and other categories. You can sign our petition and add your comments here.