Color Grading + HD Finishing: Serving Indie, Series & Docs

I’m re-thinking Apple’s Final Cut Pro X.

I will agree that many of my clients don’t know what specific program I use to create their project, nor should they care. They only know that I produce great work, and that their projects look stunning. I have long maintained how I get there doesn’t matter, it’s the final result that counts.

I was asked by a CBS Television affiliate to demo FCP X when it first came out, and while evolutionary it was not something that fit a professional workflow. Many in my business questioned the continued use of the word ‘Pro’ in the name since too many features were missing.

Like many people I passed on the taking the initial plunge, but I never dismissed it outright. Experience has taught me to never take my eyes off Apple. So I watched, and waited.

Apple has now released a free update to FCP X that restores many of those missing features, including:

- Import FCP 7 projects via 7toX
- Media re-linking
- Multicam editing
- Video out via 3rd party video cards
- Support for Thunderbolt devices

Since some of these reinstated features are better than they ever were in FCP 7, it may be time to re-consider the future.

I just returned from 2 days in New York with Warren Eagles, co-founder of the International Colorist Academy.
Warren has been grading for over 20 years, and is now living in Australia.

The New York session was short, but intensive.
I picked up advanced techniques for color grading Epic, ARRI Alexa, 2K, 4K, film scans and much more.

At the end of our session, Warren awarded me my ICA certification.

Click here to see me and Warren in New York.

I’m in New York on business for a few days.
I’ll have more about that soon, so stay tuned for a big announcement.

Jim Wicks Productions is off to a great start this year.
I’ve produced a TV commercial campaign for a new client. They were so thrilled with the final result that they have entered the commercial for a national award.

I’m currently in post-production on very different style of TV commercial for new client.
They were recommended to me, and I must say it has been an absolute joy to produce the commercials for them.

As I say in my mission statement, above:
Make it look great, be nice to work with, stay within budget . . . and deliver on time.

One last thing that you might enjoy.
Jack Tunnicliffe was kind enough to include a news item about me on his re-deisnged website.
Click here, to read about my visit to Java Post Production, the best facility in Western Canada.

Best, Jim

This is our moment!
Another fresh New Year is here.

May this New Year open up for you more opportunities.
May all your dreams turn into reality, and all your efforts into great achievements!

From me to you, Happy New Year!

Peace. Jim

The first half of December has been very busy, which best describes the workload that I have thrown at DaVinci.

I finished color grading 3 projects, one shot on the Red Epic, a second shot on Canon’s 5D Mark II with Cinestyle. Rounding out the top three: a television promo that utilized HD video from a number of different cameras.

I’ll be updating my Color Correction reel after the holidays and have it up early for you in the new year. You’ll be able to see before and after scenes from the projects I just listed plus a lot more.

Stay tuned.

From my family to yours …Season’s Greetings!
I wish you and your business continued success in 2012, and I look forward to having an opportunity to help you achieve your goals.

The new DaVinci Resolve color suite is online.

The control panels were barely out of the box when I had the opportunity to grade and color correct a TV promo that Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman did for the Parables Television Network. Mr. Freeman did the promo in L.A. during a tour for his latest film, “A Dolphin’s Tale.”

The promo was shot on Red, transcoded to ProRes 422 for color grading, and uploaded to ftp for download in West Palm Beach.

Check out the Jim Wicks Production Facebook page.
You will find links to free downloads, plus lots of great information.
If you work in Production or Post, the Jim Wicks Production Facebook page may be a great resource for you.
Click here and become a fan. The best part is, it’s free.

My thanks to Jack Tunnicliffe at Java Post Production for rolling out the great Canadian welcome mat!
I spent 2 intensive days with Jack as he put me through the paces of DaVinci training.
Jack is the colorist for the Canadian television shows, “Insecurity” on CBC-TV, and “Corner Gas” on CTV. He also has a long list of movies and documentaries to his credits.

Click here to see me, Jack and all the gang!

Just wrapped another 6 hour edit session with Producer/Director Tom Huet for Major League Soccer at Stirling Studios in Ft. Lauderdale.

Stirling certainly lives up to its name: editing there is the best! A first-class environment, and a wonderful team to work with.

Working with Tom is a treat because he knows exactly what he wants. Having a vision that works always saves time.
Tom and I put together the bumps, teases, and inserts for the MLS Houston vs Chivas USA game.
Once produced, all the video elements were assembled for live playback via satellite. A very enjoyable time.

My thanks to Anthony, David, Scott, and everyone at Stirling Studios.