Color Grading and Finishing with DaVinci Resolve 101
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Course Description
In this three-day course, you'll get a thorough overview of the interface, tools, features, and production flow for DaVinci Resolve. The course is an ideal combination of instructor-led demonstration and hands-on practice to introduce you to DaVinci Resolve software, a revolutionary 64-bit Color Correction application. This class will teach students how to view the world of color correction from the perspective of a colorist. Students will learn the foundations of contrast and color balance and quickly begin to explore that many professional features Resolve has to offer in the post production workflow. Students will understand how to balance, create continuity and develop styles and looks which bring mood and tone to moving images and the storyline.
Who Should Attend
Anyone who'd like to become familiar with DaVinci Resolve software and its use in post production.
Prerequisites
Students should have the following prerequisite knowledge prior to attending the course:
- Knowledge of OS X and basic computer navigation
- Basic design/drafting procedures and terminology
What To Expect!
Course Outline
Note: The curricula below comprise activities typically covered in a class at this skill level. The instructor may, at his/her discretion, adjust the lesson plan to meet the needs of the class.
Part 1: Color Correcting a DaVinci Resolve Timeline
Lesson 1: Balancing Footage
- Opening a Resolve Archive
- Setting up Project Backups
- Maximizing the Dynamic Range
- Understanding the Grading Workflow
- Setting Tonal Range and Contrast
- Balancing Colors
- Understanding Log Controls and Primaries Wheels
- Exploring a Color Managed Workflow
Lesson 2: Creating Color Continuity
- Building a shot-matching Strategy
- Organizing Shots Using Flags and Filters
- Applying Shot match
- Matching Shots Using Stills
- Comparing and Matching Shots Manually
Lesson 3: Correcting and Enhancing Isolated Areas
- Controlling the Viewer's Eye
- Sharpening Key Elements
- Tracking Obscured Objects
- Fixing Overcast Skies
- Warping Colors to a Target
- Enhancing Skin Tones with Face Refinement
- Adjusting Skin Tones Manually
Part 2: Managing Nodes and Grades
Lesson 4: Conforming from and XML Timeline
- Importing an XML Timeline
- Synching an offline Reference
- Conforming a Timeline
- Associating HQ Footage with a Timeline for Online Workflows
Lesson 5: Mastering the Node Pipeline
- Understanding Node-based Compositing
- Understanding the Importance of Node Order
- Creating Separate Processing pipelines with a Parallel Mixer Node
- Visualizing Mixer Nodes
- Compositing Effects with the Layer Mixer Node
Lesson 6: Managing Grades Across Clips and Timelines
- Working with Local Versions
- Appending Grades and Nodes
- Using Shared Nodes across Multiple Clips
- Saving Grades for other Projects
- Copying Timeline Grades using ColorTrace
- Copying Grades using the Timelines Album
Part 3: Optimizing the Grading Workflow
Lesson 7: Adjusting Image Properties
- Preparing Media using Scene Cut Detection
- Understanding Timeline Resolution and Sizing Palette Modes
- Using Keyframing
- Applying Noise Reduction
- Optimizing Performance with Render Cache
Lesson 8: Using Groups in the Grading Workflow
- Creating a Group
- Applying Base Grades a Pre-clip Group Level
- Making Cli-specific Adjustments at the Clip Group Level
- Creating a Unifying Look using the Post-Clip Group Level
- Applying Timeline Level Grades
Lesson 9: Setting up RAW Projects
- Adjusting RAW Settings at the Project Level
- Adjusting RAw Settings at the Clip level
- Color Correcting with RAW Through Resolve Color Management
- Setting up a Render Cache for RAW Media Project
Lesson 10: Delivering Projects
- Using Lightbox to Check Timeline Prior to Delivery
- Understanding the Render Workflow and Presets
- Creating Custom Renders and Saving Presets
- Configuring a Timeline for Digitial Cinema
- Rendering a DCP
- Using Commercial Workflow to Export Versions
- Exploring Advanced Render Settings
Follow-On Courses:
Students can further their training and take these follow on courses after completing this class: