How I Grade this Ad - MASTERCLASS (UK Broadcast PRO Colorist)

I’m a UK based broadcast colorist for nearly 20 years - I've graded for BBC, Amazon, ITV, C4 amongst many. In this episode I'm going to show you how I graded this Christmas Commercial - every single step, all my secrets and nodes revealed. I am a Professional Broadcast Colourist with 13 years on DaVinci Resolve and 28 years in post production. Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season!
Thanks to my amazing client on this one, Proud Robinson Ltd - always great to work with.

JAN 2025 UPDATE - *Note that Dehancer works well in DaVinvci Wide Gamut/Intermediate Colour space since episode video was made. However halation and bloom do work VERY well in REC 709 too.

✅Watch my Resolve Vs Dehancer Episode

✅Watch my When to use Parallels Episode

✅Watch my CST Anxiety Episode

00:00 INTRO
00:39 Setting up Color Management in Resolve
04:10 How to color grade in DaVinci Resolve
10:05 Using curves in DaVinci Resolve
12:20 Using Dehancer with Resolve

** DOWNLOAD THE NODE TREE IN THIS EPISODE HERE FOR FREE - If you have already subscribed you should have received an email link already.
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** If you want to say "thank you" then you can 'buy me a coffee' if you like.
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Music - Artlist
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Artgrid
Artlist
Motion Array

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Footage Courtesy Proud Robinson Ltd.

#christmas #looks #colourgrading

[CaseyFaris]

Ahh great video! So cool to see a breakdown like this. Thanks Darren!

[samgraef]

People (like myself) spend thousands to go to film school, and don’t get half as much information and skill as you are giving out for free. Thank you so much!

[BrandonHartOfficial]

Love the confidence here. "The invoice is paid and I've been hired since". Love that. Comes across confident without the cockiness.

Killer video.

[RockyColaFizz]

This is absolutely amazing. The practical real world aspect of this is so helpful. This is incredibly useful for learning the how's and why's. You sir are a master.

[vinovinkkeli]

Superb Darren! I would definitely watch more of these brakedown grades with different type of images and scenarios.

[brandonklemets]

Im getting ready my first real short film for submission. This video taught me more in 10 minutes than I have watching HOURS of another big youtube colorist.
You have concise explanations and are a great teacher.
I've been using Photoshop for about 15 years and I know 100 different photographers can use the EXACT same tools, layers, blend modes, and get 100 different results. Same thing with colorists and your workflow. Thanks for sharing!

[mkchoppa]

colour grading is more difficult than I thought. My level of respect for colourist has sky rocketed after watching your video. very professional work you do!

[vasiovasio]

Excellent and detailed overview! The most critical thing is that it is a Real Job, something you get paid for - this is the actual value! Thank you, Darren, and keep going with these behind the scene videos of Real projects!

[brainwasher]

Watching this as an audio mix engineer, and there are so many similarities.. Super interesting

[heymiranda]

I have learned so much and gotten jobs from techniques you've taught. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[gangs]

You are a hero for our Community. Thank you

[ChadtheFilipino]

This was an incredibly insightful video! You and Cullen are my dudes for education! And it's always good to hear from the pros that just because you have a lot of nodes, doesn't mean you HAVE to use them. Even the subtle tricks with the 3D qualifier and the Sat vs Lum for the scarf were subtle but make all the difference.

[hotzenmonster]

"I've invoiced, they paid": the moment I realized I've found my color guru. I'm 55 and started on 3/4" AB roll in the late 80's. Not to be presumptuos but I feel we're likely pretty close in age, likely the reason I find all your videos more engaging and informative than most others. So then, smashing job and many thanks for all you have shared with the World here!!

[Yevgen_Splash]

Thank you, Darren, cool lesson!!!
I like that after your lessons there are no questions left...!

[ericdenis]

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge! Sometimes we feel alone in the dark so it’s always appreciated to see and feel others share their work. Sometimes, even if Ii dont learn anything in particular, it reassures me to see people using the same approach.👏

[peterlyonsphoto]

Drinking from a fire hose here. So grateful for your generosity of knowledge, Darren!

[michaelkablitzeditor]

So helpful to see a full breakdown like this. Please keep em coming 🔥

[topicruben]

Darren, that was great as always! Thank you so much and season greetings!

[dreamofwaking]

At the beginning of the video: There's no way this madman is going to explain all this in 13 minutes.

At the end of the video: subscribed to madman.

Great stuff!!

[chrisbogart]

What I like most is the simplicity and logic in the structure of your node trees. It makes perfect sense and logic. A good recipe for anyone to follow.