[TaoColorist] Sunday Morning Reading (Non-Technical Edition)

Published: Sun, 03/18/12

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The Tao Colorist

Curated links of news, reviews, thoughts, career advice, and humor 
for professional Video / Film Colorists & Finishers. Delivered Sunday.
Issue LXXXIV                                                           Brought to you by: Tao of Color.com
 
Editor's Note: No Newsletter next week due to a weekend color grading session next week. 

Editor's Note II: If you're at NAB next month and looking to meet other Tao Colorists and Newsletter readers - we'll be getting together at the Media Motion Ball on April 16. We'll need a sign to find each other... Maybe we should all wear cheap Fedora's? Keep on the lookout for details on a Thursday night meet-up as well.


The Craft

  • The Secret World of Color Correction: Part 1 - A great post on the fundamentals of color correction. Includes some interesting thoughts on how to approach the initial balance of your images by thinking across two color axis. Good stuff. (TheFilmBakery.com)
  • [Video] DaVinci Resolve: Color Grading Sessions - The final in a series of DaVinci Resolve videos where two colorists swap real-world projects and re-grade them. Really nicely done. Kudos to Carey Dissmore and Steve Oakley. (CareyDissmore.com)
  • [Video(s)] VFX Breakdown - Okay. So this isn't exactly about the craft of color grading. But it is about the amazing work being done at the Australian Film TV and Radio School to teach the craft of filmmaking. Pretty good stuff. (MikeJones.tv)

The Tools

  • [Review & Tutorial] Cinegrain: A 'Plug-In' In Your Pocket - This is a long video review I did of the excellent CineGrain HD & 2K film scans. I went a bit nuts on this review, integrating several tutorials on using this footage in FCPx (including comparing it to a built-in 8mm effect) and two ways of using it in Resolve. But I love the concepts of footage like this and wanted to share several ideas. At the end I share my thoughts on pricing and licensing. (TaoOfColor.com) 
  • BaseLight for Final Cut Pro - It's finally released. It supports the Avid Artist Color & Artist Transport control surfaces. Given that FCP Legacy is dead I'd almost pass over this plug-in. But it allows an entire Baselight grade to be imported and rendered in FCP via the plug-in - even controls that can't be accessed within the plug-in. THAT is VERY nifty... (FilmLight.ltd.uk via @metcalf_nick)
  • ScopeBox 3: The Tour - Good friend of the Tao, Divergent Media, has released ScopeBox 3 - a software suite of video analysis tools that includes a variety of options for Scopes, Monitoring and Recording. Watch the intro video to see its feature set. And download the Free Trial. (DivergentMedia.com)
  • Video Space Calculator 1.0.1 - Now includes h.264 at multiple bit rates and various Phantom high-speed cameras. You can also work in reverse and enter in your total hard drive space and figure out how many minutes you can store. (DigitalRebellion.com)
  • Clip Exporter for FCPx - Who knew it was so hard to export clips from FCPx? If you or a client needs this - it looks pretty good. Creates reference movies for Nuke, SynthEyes and adds handles. (fcp.co via David Bell)
  • How Mocha Thinks - If the tracker, stabilizer, rotoscoping and object insert / object removal tool has you confused, this post will help you understand how Mocha thinks so you have more success using it. (blog.ImagineerSystems.com)
  • [Video] Magic Bullet DeNoiser II: Demo - Short video. Looks like they kept the same basic controls (which I always liked) while rebuilding the noise reduction engine. (vimeo.com)
  • Resolution: Screen Size vs Viewing Distance - Illustration showing distances at which you can see the difference is resolutions from SD to 4K. Example: At 4K with a 60" screen you'll start seeing the benefit of it sitting 4 feet away... or closer. (CarltonBale.com via @wingrove)
  • The Non-Technical Guide to Sony OLED Monitors - Good article. But with 3 paragraphs devoted to polarizing filters, it's at least a 'Slightly Technical Guide'. (ProVideoCoalition.com)
  • Autodesk Smoke: Under the Hood - Understanding what background processes Smoke is using via the Smoke Service Monitor Utility. (ProVideoCoalition.com)
  • It's Not a Mac, Part 2 - After FCPx, Biscardi Creative isn't crossing their fingers or trusting Apple to ship a new MacPro that's meets their needs. Here's their latest blog entry about the first PC in this previously Mac-only shop.
  • RED Releases New Firmware, Color Science - Also released is a new Final Cut 3 installer for RED. And from what I can tell, so far the only grading app using the new color science is Scratch. (NoFilmSchool.com)
  • End Of Life: GridIron Flow - After changing their name to FileTrek, the peeps at GridIron announced they've stopped selling GridIron Flow and will shut down the website on March 21. Customer Support ends on December 1. Current Flow 2.0 users will have a default account on FileTrek - which seems to be a remote internet-based version of Flow. I missed this announcement in February. And there's no mention of this on the GridIron website. At least they sent an email to their database. The link is to their Press Release about the new company. (FileTrek.com)

 

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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The LM-2461W is an affordable 24" color critical reference monitor featuring 10bit color depth, 3G/HD/SD-SDI Inputs, 12 onboard scopes, and DCI P3 support. All standard and all for just $4,995. 
 
Visit FSI at NAB booth SL13707.

Learn More About the LM-2461W

 

The Business

  • Determining Rates for Your Services - A good general overview of the components businesses need to consider when setting your rates. Maybe also a good video to send to potential clients to when they can't figure out why you charge so much when the software is so cheap. (Lynda.com)
  • This American Life Retracts Episode Critical of Apple's Chinese Factory Workers - Apparently they're not sure how much of the report is true and how much was fabricated for entertainment value by the 'reporter' who built a one-man show around his Shenzhen visit. As others have noted on Twitter: It's now definitely confirmed those workers got exploited for one man's personal gain... only it wasn't Steve Jobs. (ArsTechnica.com)
  • Photoshop: Full Video Production Is In It's Future - The Adobe Photoshop team has uploaded a clip produced entirely inside... Photoshop. Does this mean they don't like Premiere? (YouTube.com)
  • Recent Regulatory Filings From Broadcast Vendors - Fundamental stock analysts are well schooled in knowing that 10-K Filings from publicly traded companies provide valuable insights into how senior management thinks about its future and risks. Here's a list of recent 10-K filings that includes Avid and Real D. (Devoncroft.com)

NAB 2012

  • What's Happening At NAB - During the evenings. A list of various meet-ups and parties. (ProVideoCoalition.com)
  • Full Day Color Grading Training: 29 Days Until Show Time - On Monday April 16 join Tao Newsletter editor (and colorist) Patrick Inhofer, colorist Robbie Carman and colorist Alexis Van Hurkman as they host a full-day of training on color grading as part of NAB's Post | Production World training series. You can buy a One Day Pass - which will give you access to all the classes available that day. If you buy before NAB begins it'll save you $100. Pricing details are here. Registration is here. The program outlining our color grading training is here.
  • Important Show Transportation Tip - On getting a pass for the monorail and why you should buy it before you get to Las Vegas. (UberMediaHD.com via @donaldberube)
  • Media Motion Ball - This is probably one of the longest-running events at NAB. I'm also now declaring it an Official Tao Of Color Meet-up! It features a sit down dinner, door prizes, etc. I'll be there and I'd love to meet you! I'll be the guy wearing the limited edition 'Tao of Color Grading' embroidered shirt. Monday, April 16 - 7pm - 9:30pm. (MediaMotionBall2012.EventBrite.com)
  • Las Vegas SuperMeet - Tickets are now on sale. The last few years they completely sold out. If you want to go, sign up now. I'll be there as well - my first Las Vegas Supermeet. (Supermeet.com)

Edumacate Yer'self

  • Understanding LOG - Two classes on S-Log, Log C and Canon Log from Abel Cine. One in New York, one in LA. April 4 & 5. Looks interesting. (Training.AbelCine.com via @AndyShipsides)
  • The Smiley Book of Colors - Color Theory meets Optimism meets Popular Culture meets Charity. Very cool. (BrainPickings.com)
  • On Ripple's DaVinci Resolve Training - Colorist Alexis Van Hurkman's comments on his new DaVinci Resolve training package for Ripple Training. (VanHurkman.com)
  • Color Grading Central: Launches Color Grading Membership Site - For DaVinci Resolve. They deliver two videos a month with instant access to a back catalog of 40 videos. It's good to see another color grading-centric site out there on the inter-tubes. The Tao of Color sends a virtual fist pump out to Denver Riddle and Color Grading Central! (ColorGradingCentral.com)

     

Current Colorist Control Surface Drivers
 JL Cooper Eclipse Avid Artist Color Tangent

Software: v2.6b4

 Mac: v2.6.2

Software: v3.8

HUB v1.0

Color Plug-in: v 1.0.5
 PC: v2.6.2
Firmware: v1.9

Updated:
Nov 21

 Updated: October 20 Updated: Feb. 7(ish)
 
 

Sunday Morning Fun(nies)

  • [Video] Paintbox V Sizzle Reel - Walk down memory lane to see the product that put Quantel on the map. (YouTube.com via pepijn klijs)
  • [Video] The Power of Lighting - Stick with this music video to see how the lighting dramatically changes the space in which it was shot. Feel free to turn down the volume. (YouTube.com via Chris Rodgers) 
  • [Video] Intersections In The Age of Driverless Cars - When computers do all the driving for us, what might an intersection look like? This is a neat visualization. (Kottke.org)
  • [Video] 9-Year-Old Gets Courage To Go Down Ski Ramp - A charming video of a little girl talking herself into doing the scariest thing she's ever done. (Kottke.org)
  • Four Goofy Flowcharts - To guide you through the Filmmaking process. (NoFilmSchool.com)
  • AT&T Renames Its 3G Network, 4G - With the latest 5.1 iPhone update. I was surprised to see this myself - especially since nothing changed other than software. Okay - this isn't very funny at all. George Orwell, where are you? (ex-genius.tumblr.com)
  • Victorian Star Trek - Your favorite Star Trek characters Photoshopped into Victorian photographs. (Retronaut.co via Kottke.org)

Weekend Warriors

  • Why the iPad 'Retina Display' Is Irrelevant to HDTVs - And why so many news reports comparing the New iPad to HDTVs are comparing Apples to Oranges. (reviews.cnet.com)
  • This Sunday, Fix Up Your Privacy - You might want to take an hour or two today to tweak your various social media, smart phone, smart tablet, and web browser privacy settings. If so, here's your checklist. (LifeHacker.com)
  • When Should I NOT Use WD-40? Oh my. I though it could be used on anything. (LifeHacker.com)

Gear Heads

  • 2012 iPad vs iPad 2 - Also includes benchmarks for iPad 1 and iPhone 4s. (BareFeats.com)
  • 5 Reasons to Buy the iPad 3 - In case you need help rationalizing this to your significant other. (BareFeats.com)
 
Not Just Training. Mentoring.                  Early Bird Special Ends Soon

Color Grading MasterClass: DaVinci Resolve

Workflow + Technique + Interface Training

DaVinci Resolve, DaVinci Resolve Lite : Mac & Windows!
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Your Career

  • Space Invaders: Never Ever Use Two Spaces After a Period - Why this is a hold-over from the era of mono-spaced typewriters. And why you need to stop typing this way. (Slate.com via @fcapria)
  • Bring Back the 40-Hour Work Week - The toll of working more than 40 hours per week. There's nearly 150 years of research backing up that number. It does have a strong pro-Union undertone. (Salon.com via @filmgeek)
  • GMail: Label Your Sent Emails - A new Gmail feature to help you follow up on your follow-ups. (LifeHacker.com)
  • How To Order Wine At A Restaurant Without Looking Clueless - (LifeHacker.com)
  • Five Leadership Lessons From James T. Kirk - (Forbes.com)
  • Five Leadership Lessons From Jean Luc Picard - Notice how there's no Leadership Lessons from Captain Janeway? I guess lesson #1 for her would be: Have a map. (Forbes.com)
  • One Page Career Cheat Sheet - Think you have a sucky job? This cheat sheet will help you figure out if that's true... or not. (ItStartsWith.com)

A Sign of the Times

  • Encyclopedia Britannica To Stop Printing Books - They're going all digital. Of course, I thought they had stopped printing many years ago. (money.cnn.com via @StevenBrunton)

The Next Step Is A Doozy

  • We Stopped Dreaming (Episode 1) - Some people have found this video inspiring. I find it sad. What will it take to rejuvenate the American space program? When the country is again scared out of its wits. I'd like to think we'd do it sooner. And for better reasons. (YouTube.com)

A Step Too Far

  • NASA: New York City Roofs Go Cool - Cool down urban summers by replacing black tar roofs with reflective material. Cool idea, right? Except someone might want to ask high-rise residents living next to highly reflective buildings what they think of this plan? From past experience I can tell you: I now know how all those ants felt when I was burning them with my magnifying glass in Elementary School. That energy goes somewhere. In this case, into the homes of neighbors above you. NASA really needs a mission. (Nasa.gov)

Does This Mean I'm Cynical?

  • 500 New Fairy Tales Found In Germany - Mentor to the Grimm brothers, a German historian has found 500 new stories gathered in the 1850s by Fable collector Franz Xaver von Schonwerth. My initial thought: Who's going to be the first to claim copyright? (WritersWrite.com)
 

Th- Th- That's ALL Folks! See you in two weeks. Happy Grading!
  
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Curated + Edited by: Patrick Inhofer, photon-wrangler & founder, TaoOfColor.com
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