The Unsung Hero of Action Filmmaking: Colour Grading

Welcome to another ISA feature article. Today, we're diving deep into a topic that often takes a backseat in the adrenaline-filled realm of action and stunt filmmaking ... colour grading. If you wonder, "Why focus on that when there are high-octane explosions and heart-stopping stunts to choreograph?" The answer is simple: colour grading is an unsung hero of Film that amplifies the visual impact and sensory experience of those very elements, giving your audience an unforgettable cinematic experience instead of bland / realistic colour and tone.

When executed correctly, color grading can heighten the tension in a chase sequence, add depth to a dramatic standoff, or even enhance the raw energy of a fight scene. Just like a well-timed stunt or a meticulously choreographed action sequence, colours on screen play a crucial role in storytelling. Whether you're a filmmaker, editor, or anyone involved in the creative process, understanding the nuances of color grading is indispensable.
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In this comprehensive article, we'll demystify the art and science of colour grading. You'll learn about its significance and some iconic uses in film, and even get hands-on advice to start grading your own sequences. Step into the edit suite and let's begin...

Introduction:
In the fast-paced world of film and action sequences, the devil is often in the details. One of the "devils" that has the most impact but is also ignored the most is colour. When we speak about colour here we're also talking about tone, contrast and all the things that influence how we perceive colour.  

Often we focused on things like good lenses, great capture, performing the perfect the stunt or capturing the ideal angle ... and then waste the opportunity for a perfect finish. Your colour palette silently works its magic to create a captivating visual experience, or it doesn't. In this article, we're exploring what colour grading is, why it's done, some iconic instances where it's made a massive impact, and how you can do it yourself using Adobe Premiere Pro as the demo software.

What Is Colour Grading?
Colour grading is the process of altering and enhancing the color of a film, video, or still image either electronically, photo-chemically, or digitally. The goal is to create a visual tone that complements the story or thematic elements of the film. Unlike colour correction, which aims to make the colours as accurate as possible, colour grading is an artistic endeavor.

Why Is It Done? 

1. Emotional Resonance!
   Colours elicit emotional responses. A desaturated look can evoke a sense of nostalgia or melancholy, while a warm hue might produce a feeling of comfort or romance.
2. Continuity
   Multiple shots and scenes often need to be unified with a consistent look to maintain visual coherence throughout a film.
3. Artistic Vision
   Directors and cinematographers use color grading to infuse a unique aesthetic style into the movie, helping it stand out.
4. Story Enhancement
   Strategically grading colors can guide the audience’s attention to specific parts of the frame, subtly revealing elements of the story.

Iconic Uses of Colour Grading
"The Matrix" (1999)
The film used a green tint to distinguish the Matrix from the real world. This not only created a visual cue for viewers but also added to the film's surreal, unsettling atmosphere.

"Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015)
​The film famously used a unique color grading scheme that featured desaturated backgrounds but vibrant skin tones, providing an intense visual contrast that matched the film’s raw energy.

"Parasite" (2019)
This Oscar-winning film used color grading effectively to signify class divisions, with the rich family's home appearing in vibrant, golden hues, and the poor family's environment in dull, bluish tones.

"Amélie" (2001)
A warm, golden palette brought to life the whimsical world of Amélie, creating an almost dream-like reality.

Wes Andersen
Beyond using a film as the final example, let's talk about a Director and their whole style. Wes Anderson's distinct filmmaking style is deeply intertwined with colour grading, among other visual techniques. Anderson is known for his meticulously crafted worlds, each filled with a particular colour palette that is essential to the narrative and emotional undertones of his films.

How Wes Anderson Uses Color Grading:

1. Enhanced Storytelling: In movies like "The Grand Budapest Hotel," different time periods are indicated by different colour palettes. This helps the audience understand temporal shifts without any explicit mention.
2. Character Development: The colours used in a frame often match the persona or the emotional state of the characters involved, providing an extra layer of storytelling.
3. Visual Cohesion: Anderson’s films are celebrated for their visual consistency, and the colour grading is essential to maintain this uniform look and feel throughout the film.
4. Emotional Resonance: Whether it's the sepia tones in "Moonrise Kingdom" that evoke a sense of nostalgia or the vibrant colors in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" that bring out the quirkiness and complexity of the characters, the grading contributes to the emotional landscape of the film.
5. Signature Style: Anderson's color grading choices, along with his framing, composition, and other visual elements, have contributed to a signature style that is immediately recognizable. This not only makes his films unique but also sets a standard in the use of color in storytelling.

Specific Examples:

• "The Royal Tenenbaums" features a muted, autumnal color palette that perfectly complements its melancholic, whimsical tale of a dysfunctional family.
• "The Grand Budapest Hotel" employs a range of palettes—from pastels to more vivid colors—to not just depict different time periods, but also to reflect the changing tones and moods of the film.
  
  

Wes Anderson's approach to color grading is a master class in how this technique can be a form of storytelling in itself. In action and stunt sequences, the emotional impact and narrative importance of color grading can be just as potent. A well-chosen palette can heighten the tension, underscore the stakes, or simply make an action set-piece more visually arresting.

How Can You Do It?
A Brief Guide to Color Grading in Adobe Premiere Pro

1. Open Your Project:
   Import your video clips into a new project in Adobe Premiere Pro.
2. Create a New Adjustment Layer:
   Go to Layer > New > Adjustment Layer. Place this layer above your clip on the timeline.
3. Navigate to Lumetri Color Panel:
   Go to Window > Lumetri Color to open the panel.
4. Basic Correction:
   Under the 'Basic Correction' tab, you can adjust settings like exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows to correct the image first.
5. Creative Tab:
   This is where you can really start grading. Adjust the intensity, saturation, and apply different LUTs (Look-Up Tables) for a desired look.
6. Fine-Tuning:
   Use the 'Curves,' 'Color Wheels,' and 'HSL Secondary' tabs for more detailed adjustments.
7. Export:
   Once you are satisfied with the look, you can export your video by going to File > Export.

Colour grading is an under-appreciated yet incredibly significant aspect of filmmaking. As an action filmmaker or editor, understanding and leveraging this can be the ace up your sleeve and make your work really stand out in a competitive market where everything ultimately looks the same. 

Note: While Adobe Premiere Pro is a robust tool for colour grading, dedicated colour grading programmes such as DaVinci Resolve offers more specialised functionalities for those wanting to dive deeper.



Insights from our ISA Masterclass: ​Tips and Rules for Mastering Colour Grading in Film

Basic Guidelines

Understand Your Story's Tone. 

• Know Your Genre: A horror film will have a different color scheme than a romantic comedy. Develop a Color Scheme Early On
  
• Pre-Visualization: Before you even start shooting, have a rough idea of the colour scheme you want to implement. This makes the grading process easier later on.

Work With High-Quality Footage

• Shoot in Log or Raw: These formats give you more latitude in post-production, allowing for better color manipulation.

Do's and Don'ts
The Do's

Do: Begin with Color Correction

• Start Neutral: Always start with a neutral base by correcting any colour imbalances.

Do: Use Adjustment Layers

• Non-Destructive Editing: Utilize adjustment layers for color grading. This allows you to make changes without affecting the original footage.

Do: Remember that Consistency is Key

• Uniform Look: Ensure that the colour grading is consistent across different scenes for a cohesive visual story.
  
  

Do: Reference Other Works

• Inspiration: Look at films or scenes that have a similar mood or tone for grading ideas.

Do: Test Across Different Screens

• Calibrate: Colors may look different on various screens, always double-check.

Don't: Overdo It

• Subtlety Over Flash: An overly graded film can distract from the story.

Don't: Forget About Skin Tones

• Keep it Natural: Skin tones should usually remain natural unless stylistically intended otherwise.

Don't: Ignore the Histogram

• Check Your Scopes: Always consult the Lumetri Scopes in Premiere Pro to ensure you're not losing detail in your highlights or shadows.

Don't: Skip the Review

• Quality Check: Always review your grade from start to finish to look for inconsistencies.

Advanced Tips
Use Masks and Trackers

• Selective Grading: Use masks to grade different parts of the frame individually.

Use Parallels and Complementaries

• Harmonious Colours: Use the colour wheel to find complementary colours that can make your subject stand out.

Experiment with LUTs

• Look-Up Tables: Utilize LUTs to quickly apply a grade but make sure to customise it further to fit your project.

Mastering the craft of color grading is much like fine-tuning your action choreography or tweaking your script. It needs patience, practice, and above all, a discerning eye for detail. With these tips and rules at your disposal, you're well on your way to creating visually arresting narratives that resonate on both an emotional and aesthetic level.

Further Reading

1. "Color Grading for Filmmakers: The Vision, Art, and Science" by Vanessa Taylor and Denver Riddle
2. "The Filmmaker's Guide to Digital Imaging" by Blain Brown
3. "Color Correction Handbook: Professional Techniques for Video and Cinema" by Alexis Van Hurkman
4. "The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction" by Steve Hullfish