LUT

Term from Color Correction industry explained for recruiters

LUT (Look-Up Table) is a tool used in video and photo editing to change how colors look in footage or images. Think of it like an Instagram filter, but for professional video work. When someone mentions LUT in their resume, they're talking about their ability to work with these color adjustment tools that help make videos look consistent and match specific visual styles. It's commonly used in film production, television, and content creation to give footage a particular mood or look, similar to how photo filters work but with much more precision and control.

Examples in Resumes

Created custom LUTs for maintaining brand color consistency across marketing videos

Applied professional LUTs and Look-Up Tables for color grading television commercials

Developed LUT packages for standardizing company video content across multiple platforms

Typical job title: "Colorists"

Also try searching for:

Color Grader Digital Colorist Color Correction Artist Post-Production Specialist Video Editor DI Colorist

Where to Find Colorists

Online Communities

Professional Networks

Learning Resources

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you approach color grading for multi-camera productions?

Expected Answer: Should discuss methods for matching footage from different cameras, creating and managing multiple LUTs, and ensuring consistency across an entire project while maintaining a cohesive look.

Q: How do you handle color pipelines for large-scale productions?

Expected Answer: Should explain process of creating and managing color workflows, working with different color spaces, and maintaining consistency across multiple editors and colorists.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What's your process for creating custom LUTs?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain how they develop color looks, test them across different footage types, and implement them in a production workflow.

Q: How do you ensure color accuracy across different displays?

Expected Answer: Should discuss monitor calibration, working with different color spaces, and maintaining consistency across various viewing environments.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What's the difference between a technical LUT and a creative LUT?

Expected Answer: Should explain that technical LUTs are for converting between color spaces, while creative LUTs are for applying specific looks or styles to footage.

Q: How do you apply LUTs in your preferred editing software?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic knowledge of importing and applying LUTs in common editing software, and understanding of when to use them in the editing process.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic color correction techniques
  • Applying pre-made LUTs
  • Understanding of color theory
  • Familiarity with editing software

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Creating custom LUTs
  • Advanced color matching
  • Working with different color spaces
  • Technical troubleshooting

Senior (5+ years)

  • Complex color grading workflows
  • Color pipeline management
  • Team coordination
  • High-end commercial work

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No understanding of basic color theory
  • Unfamiliarity with industry-standard color grading software
  • Lack of experience with different video formats
  • No knowledge of color management systems