Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Parallel Nodes • Contrast • Serial Nodes

Color Grading

Term from Color Correction industry explained for recruiters

Color Grading is the process of adjusting and enhancing the colors in videos, films, or photographs to create a specific mood or look. It's like Instagram filters, but much more professional and precise. This is typically one of the final steps in video production, where specialists use special software to adjust elements like brightness, contrast, and color balance. Some people also call this process "color correction" or "color timing." While color correction usually means fixing basic issues to make footage look natural, color grading goes further by creating a distinctive style or atmosphere that helps tell the story.

Examples in Resumes

Led Color Grading for 20+ commercial projects using DaVinci Resolve

Performed Color Correction and Color Grading for feature-length documentary

Developed custom Color Grade looks for brand consistency across marketing campaigns

Typical job title: "Colorists"

Also try searching for:

Colorist Digital Colorist Color Correction Artist Color Grading Artist Senior Colorist DI Colorist Post-Production Colorist

Where to Find Colorists

Online Communities

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you approach color grading for a multi-camera project where footage comes from different camera types?

Expected Answer: A senior colorist should explain how they match footage from different sources, discuss color space conversion, and mention techniques for achieving consistency across various footage types while maintaining quality.

Q: Can you describe a challenging color grading project and how you solved it?

Expected Answer: They should provide specific examples of complex projects, explain their problem-solving process, and demonstrate knowledge of both technical solutions and client communication.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What's your process for creating and maintaining consistent looks across an entire project?

Expected Answer: Should explain their workflow for developing color presets, managing different scenes while maintaining consistency, and how they document their work for future reference or team collaboration.

Q: How do you handle client feedback and revisions in your color grading process?

Expected Answer: Should discuss their communication approach, revision workflow, and how they manage client expectations while maintaining technical quality.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What's the difference between color correction and color grading?

Expected Answer: Should explain that color correction is about fixing and balancing footage to look natural, while color grading is about creating a specific style or mood for creative purposes.

Q: What basic adjustments do you typically make when starting a color grade?

Expected Answer: Should mention basic corrections like exposure, contrast, and white balance, showing understanding of fundamental color adjustment principles.