Post-Production

There is no rule on color grading. By definition it's personal preference, usually of the director, or possibly the other creative team involved. Why would there be?

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg Thanks. I often hear the rule of thumb in film: there are no rules, only basic principles.

But quite a few criticasters gave some feedback to one of my shorts (with a variety of color settings) and they thought that it should be more 'an unity'. That's why I was wondering.

Hey Frank Van Der Meijden - I personally haven't seen John Wick (I know, I know) BUT you did spark my interest to check it out to catch the color grading differences. I would say there's no written or unwritten rule that the style has to be the same the entire film. I'm sure it makes it easier but I think if down correctly, it can enhance the overall storytelling and mood.

The only rule is: be deliberate. Color is one of your tools to tell your story, and should serve your story. Even John Wick has consistency, and the colors are not chosen randomly. Also, follow the rules of physics. If you choose to make a film in technicolor, then each shot should give the illusion of being developed using that chemical process. Unless you deliberately choose not to.

Frank Van Der Meijden Well there are mistakes to be made... like not correctly for light temperature so that skin tones are true. Or not getting a base consistency from scene to scene, as a starting point, so that you can then use a color treatment you like. But creative choices are creative choices and what you think looks good is your opinion.

I think all non-artistic work will be replaced in the future and that post-production will be just as development mostly about original ideas directly from the main creator(s). Many 'artists' will lose their jobs, but come into a position in which they can start their own projects, like you are doing. There will be less money going around, but far more niche markets will be served. Some of those works will be actually very good and make it into the cinemas. I am expecting big changes, the question is how fast will they be implemented.

Unfortunately and fortunately I think you're spot on Willem, and like you said, it's a question of when what innovation will replace what arduous repetitive non-artistic task and what side of fortune it falls on, but that's not just about the future, that's been happening for decades as post-production and the filmmaking process in general has evolved. I do agree there will be less money going around which I find largely tied to the saturation of content, which started well before this next round will kick it to a level we haven't seen before.

But on the bright side, I'm expecting many brilliant new and old creators and dreamers like Walder to be finally enabled to break past some of the traditional barriers to entry in this crazy town, namely the need for a significant amount of $$.

All that said, I don't see this creator role (whether generalized or as specific as Walder described) going away anytime soon.

Thanks for sharing this post Walder Martinez —it was really insightful. I've started using AI mainly for repetitive tasks, and it’s already made a big difference in my workflow. I don’t believe AI will replace creativity, but I do think it will 1) speed up the work process and 2) make things more cost-efficient, especially for smaller studios and teams. It's exciting to see how the tools are evolving and how we can use them to support, not replace, the creative process.

This is exciting Walder Martinez because we can now create our own films thanks to Veo 3 Google, Invideo.ai and other platforms to promote and or put our films in front of ready waiting audiences. Best of luck!

I think your short film will be exactly as good as your hand crafted story, plus your handcrafted music. As anyone could generate more or less identical A.I. visuals, these will by definition add no value, and those who go the extra step to make hand crafted visuals will already have the upper hand.

Thank you for sharing Florin Şumălan. What really stood out to me was Jon’s take on compositing supervisors as "Master Sergeants"—they might not be the ones creating shots, but they keep everything running smoothly. That leadership and problem-solving vibe really hits home for me as I work on my own projects. I’ve also been using AI mainly for repetitive tasks to speed things up without losing the creative touch. I don’t think AI will replace us, but it definitely helps get work done faster and can save costs, especially for smaller studios.

I've noticed how different a movie feels when watching it in theaters and watching it on TV or a phone, Cyrus Sales. There's nothing like watching a movie on a theater screen in my opinion. The aspect ratios when watching a movie on TV make a difference too.

I've personally never given it much attention however I'll be paying more attention and seeing if I can spot the difference.

I watched Sinners the weekend, Cyrus Sales. 10/10.

Hey Sayantan Adhikary, thanks for sharing this post. I personally never got the swing of colors however I'm getting back into film and would like to get better at it. Any suggestions on where to start for someone who is fairly new?

Cyrus Sales, Thanks so much for sharing this! Sound design really is one of those invisible arts that can completely change how a scene feels without the audience even realizing why. One “cheat code” I love is using very subtle, low-frequency rumbles under tense scenes, even when there’s no obvious reason for it, just to build subconscious unease. It’s amazing how much emotional weight you can add with just a few well-placed sounds. Definitely going to check out the video you shared!

Ashley Renee Smith Totally agree! That low-end rumble trick is gold—it messes with your emotions in the best way without the audience even realizing it. It’s crazy how just a few subtle sounds can completely shift the mood of a scene. I think we often times forget how crucial audio is especially with it being at the end of the process. I like to joke and ask people how often do they watch silent movies lol leaves them puzzle but gets the point across of how important audio is.

Hey Ashley Renee Smith , I find Ai tools to be helpful in Post Production especially. DaVinci Fusion's Magic Mask tool can save a lot of time with rotoscoping, and the Vocal Isolation feature can help get rid of a lot of background noise in your dialogue tracks. I think Ai has a place in reducing tedious tasks that no one enjoys doing. I don't see it replacing creativity.

I agree with William Joseph Hill. I personally allow AI to handle the daunting task no one wants to touch or that's overall time consuming. I just had a call with a potential client who is switching studios because the content they are receiving feels too AI so I would say AI isn't replacing the creative touch humans add.

AI can't replace the creative human touch... yet.

Undeniably, we are experiencing the most momentous change in history, because it's no longer a change in the industry's rules but a complete transformation in how things are done.

At the rate technology is advancing, probably by the end of this year, I, who have never had any experience in filmmaking, will be able to make the films I dreamed of as a kid just by telling an AI the idea and how I want the characters and scenes to look.

And unfortunately, it's out of the question whether we like this "advance" or not. It's here. And it's time to adapt and improve (once again) to avoid being left out in the cold as long as possible.

You're right, Walder Martinez, the pace of change is staggering and the creative industries are being reshaped in real time. While I still believe that authentic human storytelling, emotion, and nuance can’t be truly replicated, I agree that adaptation is key. Tools like AI are just that, tools, and those who learn how to integrate them thoughtfully may find new ways to amplify their voice, not replace it. It’s a strange, exciting, and sometimes daunting time to be a creative… but also full of opportunity for those willing to evolve. How are you approaching the integration of AI into your creative process?

That was fun to watch, Ashley Renee Smith. I like seeing practical and CGI in movies and shows, but I prefer practical. It's not just the look of practical. It's knowing that people put in the work to make something physical.

Hands down practical effects. My personal opinion is that many franchises were ruined when CG became popular in the 90's. Though, as a creator, I enjoy CG.

I totally get that, Patrik Gyltefors! There’s something about practical effects that feels so much more tangible and grounded, even if it’s a fantastical world. I think when CG is used to enhance practical work instead of replacing it, that’s when the magic really happens. It’s such a powerful tool when it’s serving the story rather than trying to be the story.