SCENE 01 / COLOR GRADING
Color Grading
Creative color grading that transforms your footage into cinematic masterpieces with emotional depth and visual impact.
Color grading is the creative process of manipulating color, contrast, and tonal qualities to establish mood, visual style, and narrative meaning. Working in calibrated grading suites, colorists shape the emotional tone of each scene through deliberate color choices that serve the director's storytelling vision.
We coordinate color grading sessions with experienced colorists in professionally calibrated grading environments. Our team manages media preparation, reference material, and scheduling to ensure your production receives the creative color treatment that brings your director's visual vision to life on screen.
Capabilities
Creative Color Grading Excellence
Our expert colorists combine artistic vision with technical mastery to craft unique visual aesthetics that support your narrative.
01
Creative Vision
Unique looks that enhance storytelling and emotional resonance through masterful color manipulation.
Artistry
02
Cinematic Quality
Film-quality grades for theatrical and streaming release that captivate audiences.
Excellence
03
DaVinci Resolve
Industry-standard grading with advanced node workflows and panel control.
Precision
04
HDR Mastering
High dynamic range grading optimized for modern displays and premium platforms.
Future-Ready
Creative Services
Technical Capabilities
Our Color Grading Process
We follow a collaborative creative process that ensures your vision is realized through exceptional color grading.
Creative Brief
We discuss your vision, review references, and establish the creative direction for your project's look.
Look Development
We develop initial looks on key scenes, refining the aesthetic until it matches your creative intent.
Scene Grading
We apply and refine the established look across all scenes, ensuring consistency and emotional impact.
Final Polish
We finalize grades, create deliverable versions, and prepare masters for all required formats.
Why Us
Why Choose Our Color Grading
01.
Artistic Excellence
Award-winning colorists with creative vision and technical skill.
02.
Premium Tools
DaVinci Resolve Studio and calibrated reference displays.
03.
Collaborative Process
Close partnership with filmmakers to achieve creative goals.
04.
Cinema Quality
Theatrical-grade color grading for all productions.
On Location
Park Road Post creative grading on Baselight and Resolve with Dolby Vision HDR mastering
Here is how this works in practice. We book creative grading at Park Road Post Wellington, the site responsible for finishing the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit, King Kong, Avatar, Mortal Engines, District 9, and The Power of the Dog. Park Road's grading theatres run FilmLight Baselight in the primary suites and DaVinci Resolve Studio in alternate bays, with Sony BVM-HX3110 HDR reference monitors and Christie cinema-grade projectors for theatrical-pass review.
Output spaces include Rec.709 SDR, P3 DCI for cinema, Rec.2020 PQ for HDR10 and Dolby Vision, HLG for broadcast, and ACES throughout the pipeline. Pop Productions, Resolved Pictures, and Top Films cover boutique grading on smaller projects. Black Magic Design's Auckland HQ keeps Resolve panels and software today's ahead of overseas markets. We set up panel pairings — Resolve Advanced Mini, Mini Panel, and Tangent Element T — depending on colorist preference. Sessions support remote attendance via Streambox, Sohonet ClearView, and Frame.io for distributed creative review.
Here is the short of it. Creative grading heritage runs through the Lord of the Rings campaign — finished at Park Road — and through Avatar: The Way of Water (2022, Best VFX Oscar 2023) where HFR 48 fps and stereoscopic 3D color science were pioneered in Wellington partnership with Weta FX. Power of the Dog (2021, Best Director Oscar for Jane Campion) and Whale Rider also passed through The capital grading. Dolby Vision masters target Apple TV+ and Netflix delivery, HDR10+ targets Amazon, and HLG covers TVNZ+ and Three's broadcast paths. NZIFF screenings at The capital's Embassy Theatre (the Lord of the Rings premiere venue) plus Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin venues need P3 DCI cinema masters. Privacy Act 2020 governs talent likeness in graded masters. AWS Auckland Region storage applies. GST 15 percent, NZD invoicing, ACC cover.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What color grading software do you use?
We primarily use DaVinci Resolve Studio for its industry-leading color tools and workflow flexibility. Our colorists are also proficient in Baselight and FilmLight systems. We match tools to project requirements and can work within your existing pipeline if needed.
Can you create specific film looks or period aesthetics?
Absolutely. We specialize in developing custom looks from subtle naturalistic grades to bold stylized treatments. Whether you need a desaturated thriller aesthetic, warm period drama tones, or futuristic sci-fi looks, we create distinctive visuals that serve your story.
How do you handle HDR grading?
We grade in HDR natively using calibrated HDR reference monitors, then create SDR trim passes for standard distribution. Our pipeline supports HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG formats, ensuring your content looks stunning on any display.
Can we participate in remote grading sessions?
Yes, we offer full remote collaboration through calibrated streaming platforms with real-time interaction. You can participate in grading sessions from anywhere, providing feedback as we work through your project together.
Related Services
Productions in New Zealand that need this often pair it with Color Correction Services, Look Development Services, and Online Conform & QC Services for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Title Design & Credits Services and 5.1 Surround Mixing Services.
On Set
Ready for Cinematic Color Grading?
Let's create stunning visual aesthetics that elevate your storytelling.