For a 1-on-1 consultation to address any topics covered in the class or to help with one of your projects, email mrim86@gmail.com with the subect line "Course Consultation". My rates are $40 for 30 minutes or $60 for 1 hour, payable through Venmo or Paypal.

If you're interested in my color grading LUT pack, use the code "ClassDiscount" to receive 60% off all downloads.

Having a Color Correction Card on set can really expedite the post production process.

Video production is a very collaborative process. Save some money by using Fiverr to work with musicians, photoshop artists, voice over talent, and other creatives for only $5 per gig.

Luma Levels

Before you Begin...
Welcome to my class! I hope you will learn many film tips that will stick with you throughout your filmmaking career, whether you are an aspiring professional or active hobbyist.

If you're part of Skillshare's Membership program, you can sign up for my other classes completely free of charge! I recommend going ahead and doing that now, even if you're not planning on immediately jumping into the other courses. That way, if you ever have questions about other topics, you will be able to access these classes more quickly.

To be honest, this really helps support me as a teacher and allows me to keep creating awesome classes for you guys!
Once you've signed up for the other courses go ahead and continue your work on this unit.
Collect Footage
Either shoot or download some test footage to do your work on.

Feel free to use still photos if that is easier for you.
Download Software
There are a wide variety of color correction softwares out there. Download the one you are most comfortable with.

Davinci Resolve Lite (FREE)

-even though this is a free software, Resolve is the professionals' software of choice, but has a very steep learning curve and difficult user interface.

Adobe Premiere ($240/yr.)

-this is the software that I will be using throughout the class. If you are at all familiar with Photoshop, this software will seem very similar, as it is the video counterpart.

Avid Media Composer ($45/mo.)

Final Cut ($300)

If you don't feel like spending money on a video editing software quite yet, you can implement the same concept of color correcting & grading with still photos.

GIMP (FREE)

Photoshop ($10/mo)
Adjust Luma Levels
Adjust the luma levels of your test footage as instructed in the video lesson.

S-Curve

S-Curve
Tweak the S-Curve of your sample footage.

Color Balance

Color Balance
Balance the color of your test footage.

Saturation

Saturation
Adjust the saturation on your test footage.

Grading

Research the Genre
Watch films that are similar in tone to your project. Pay close attention to the contrast, saturation, and general color of the film.

War film grading example

Hollywood blockbuster grading example

Western grading example

Horror grading example
Adjust the Colors
Stylize your image!

In the video lesson, I use RGB Curves, but another good effect for this is Color Balance.

Secondary

Secondary Adjustments
Make secondary adjustments to your test footage.

Vignette

Add a Vignette
Add a vignette to your test footage.
CONGRATS!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Thanks again for taking my class. I hope you found it helpful and are excited about implementing what you've learned.

If you haven't signed up for any of my other courses, please take a moment to find one or two that's right for you!

Studio Lighting on a Shoestring Budget

How Do You Camera? Video Camera Basics

How to Win the Internet: Writing for Sketch Comedy

Filming Outdoors and Making It Beautiful

Additional Resources

Sample Footage
Additional Notes

When adjusting Luma levels, you are often operating in the 0-255 range. If, right out of the camera, your blacks are too black or your whites are too white, try placing your output luma levels in the 16-235 range. Though most computer displays operate at 0-255, TVs typically operates at 16-235. Camera manufacturers take this into consideration when creating new cameras, and you are occasionally able to find more details in the shadows and highlights by adjusting the output to 16-235.
Additional Notes

Dependig on the style of image you are hoping to attain, the S-Curve will be more or less pronounced. If you are going for a sports or war ("high impact") look, you might want to make the S-Curve very pronounced, making the image more "crunchy" and gritty.

Matt Ng

Spoken words through the visual medium

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