Film and TV drama
Colourist (Film and TV drama)
Also known as: Grader, Post digital imaging technician
What does a colourist do?
Colourists contribute to the mood and look of a film by defining its colours. They work with the director and director of photography to decide the palette; whether it’s restrained or hyper-coloured, whether it uses milky colours or primary ones. Colourists are able to contribute to these looks by changing the luminance levels (brightness) and chroma (colour).
Film and TV dramas are usually shot on digital cameras in a raw format, which means the information about the colour is captured in the data but can’t be seen until the colour is applied. If shooting on film, the rushes are taken to the lab where they are processed and then scanned into a digital workflow. It’s the job of the colourist to perfect the way in which the colour is put into the picture. This is known as grading.
When colourists receive the files in the edit, they stylise the colour in line with the vision of the director and director of photography. They match the shots, balancing colour saturation and luminance so no one shot stands out in the sequence. They also offer creative solutions to picture-related problems. They might know what to do with under or over exposed images, or provide day for night corrections, for example.
Colourists are also responsible for ensuring the film complies with the law around luminance levels and chroma.
Read
- Working Lives: Colourist
- An interview with Sonny Sheridan, senior colourist, ENVY
- 7 Women Making Moves in Colour Grading
What’s a colourist good at?
- Understanding colour: know how to use colour to enhance a story, appreciate the psychological effect of colour, have a good eye, know what look fits the style of the drama
- Knowledge of digital and film process: understand how best to get the creative look from the raw camera negative
- Knowledge of film production: be aware of the whole process of making a film or TV drama
- Using software: adept at using colour editing software, such as Baselight or Davinci Studio, keep up-to-date with software developments and know the best tools for the job
- Communication: work well with the director, understand the vision of the director of photography, share the process with the edit assistants and the script supervisor
- Attention to detail: be patient, work with tiny changes in colour and tone, keep attending to detail when under pressure
Who does a colourist work with?
The colourist works closely with the editor, director and director of photography. It’s quite a solitary job as much of the detailed work is done alone.
How do you become a colourist?
Most colourists start out as post-production edit or tech assistants or runners and get to know the post-production process well over several years. Go to our runner job profile for details of how to get in.
At school or college:
If you want to go to university, A-levels or Highers in art and design, photography, graphic design, graphic communication, physics, psychology or computing science are useful. Look Or you might want to take a Level 3 vocational qualification. Look at what your local college offers in those subjects such as:
- UAL Applied General Diploma/Extended Diploma in Art and Design
- OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Art and Design (3D Design)
- OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Art and Design (Graphic Design)
- OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Art and Design (Photography)
- OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production)
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Art and Design
Get an apprenticeship:
Apprenticeships are jobs with training, so they’re a great opportunity to earn while you learn. You might find studios offering the following apprenticeships:
- Post production technical operator (Level 4, England)
- Creative and Digital Media (Level 3, Northern Ireland)
- Creative and Digital Media (Level 3, Wales)
- Creative and Digital Media (SCQF Level 6/7, Scotland)
Before taking any apprenticeship, check what you’ll be learning with your prospective employer and college, so you can be sure it will be giving you the skills you want. Go to Find an apprenticeship to learn how to find apprenticeships in your region or approach companies directly.
Get a degree:
It’s not essential, but have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses in film and TV. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the film and TV industries. Choose one which gives you access to post-production facilities.
Become a trainee:
Apply for ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder scheme as a post-production trainee.
Make films:
Build a portfolio. This is essential for impressing admissions tutors and people in the film industry. Just as important, it’s the best way to learn about editing, seeing what works and what doesn’t.
Look for post-production companies:
Most are in London, but not all. Contact them and ask if you can do work experience. Go to how to approach employers to learn how.
Meet people in the industry:
Go to ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and any local community arts and media organisations and attend their events. Go to how to network well for some tips. 
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there’s a Facebook page or other social media group for people making films or videos in your area. Join it and take part. Create a ScreenSkills profile.
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of free e-learning modules for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The ScreenSkills Passport modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18. For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the Getting into the screen industries  modules are very useful.  
ScreenSkills skills checklists:  
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our skills checklists. 
You might also be interested in…
Being a production designer in film and TV drama.
