Reference Stills
Reference stills are important comparison images that color correction artists use to maintain consistency in film and video projects. Think of them like paint swatches for movies - they're carefully selected frames that show how specific scenes or looks should appear. When working on a movie or TV show, artists refer to these images to make sure colors match across different shots, scenes, or episodes. This helps maintain the same visual style throughout the entire project, similar to how a brand keeps its logo colors consistent across different materials.
Examples in Resumes
Created and managed Reference Stills database for consistent color matching across 12 episodes of a streaming series
Developed color correction workflow using Reference Stills to maintain brand consistency for major advertising campaign
Implemented Reference Still system to match footage from multiple cameras on feature film project
Typical job title: "Color Correction Artists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Color Correction Artists
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you establish a reference still system for a large project with multiple shooting locations?
Expected Answer: A senior colorist should explain their process for organizing and cataloging reference images, maintaining consistency across different lighting conditions, and creating a system that other team members can easily follow.
Q: How do you handle matching footage when reference stills come from different camera sources?
Expected Answer: Should discuss methods for normalizing images from different cameras, understanding color space differences, and maintaining consistency while dealing with varying dynamic ranges and color profiles.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Explain your process for selecting reference stills from raw footage.
Expected Answer: Should describe how they choose representative frames, what qualities they look for in a good reference still, and how they document their choices for team communication.
Q: How do you use reference stills to maintain consistency in a TV series?
Expected Answer: Should explain their system for organizing stills by episode, scene, or location, and how they ensure consistency across multiple episodes while allowing for intentional variations.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What makes a good reference still?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic criteria like proper exposure, neutral lighting, and clear representation of key elements that need matching.
Q: How do you organize reference stills in your projects?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic knowledge of file organization, naming conventions, and simple systems for categorizing reference images.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic color correction techniques
- Understanding of reference still selection
- Simple file organization
- Basic matching skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced color matching techniques
- Project-wide consistency management
- Multiple camera matching
- Efficient reference system creation
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex project management
- Team workflow development
- Advanced matching across various formats
- Color pipeline development
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with professional color correction software
- Lack of understanding about color spaces and color science
- Poor organizational skills
- No experience working with multiple camera formats
Related Terms
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