Color grading
Practical checklist for prepping footage and deliverables before the final color grading export pass.
This evergreen guide delivers a practical, step by step checklist for filmmakers, colorists, and post teams to prepare footage, organize assets, and align deliverables before the decisive color grading export pass, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and reliable results across projects.
July 16, 2025 - 3 min Read
In any color workflow, preparation is half the battle. Begin by gathering all source files in a centralized drive, clearly labeled and time-stamped. Create a master manifest that lists footage, audio tracks, auxiliary elements, and version histories. Verify that each clip has accurate metadata: camera, lens, exposure index, frame rate, and resolution. Establish consistent naming conventions for files and sequences to reduce confusion downstream. Prepare proxies for offline work and ensure that the highest quality masters are accessible for the color session. Document any known issues such as corrupted frames, missing reels, or inconsistent color science across cameras. A clear baseline saves time during grading.
Before grading, inspect footage with a meticulous eye for continuity and integrity. Check exposure consistency across scenes, ensuring no unexpected shifts that could complicate the grade. Confirm that white balance remains stable unless artistic intent dictates otherwise. Review audio alignment and silence tracks to prevent drift during export. Gather all LUTs, looks, or node graphs that informed the shoot and any sidecar notes from the DP or colorist. Prepare a list of preferred working color space and gamma curves, along with any required notes about color science differences between camera systems. Ensure that any camera-specific quirks are documented so the colorist can anticipate them.
A robust systematized pipeline reduces error and accelerates delivery.
The organizational backbone of the project hinges on a robust asset management system. Create a single source of truth where every asset is discoverable, with clear paths for media, probes, and reference materials. Maintain a version-controlled environment for deliverables, so every export reflects the exact combination of looks, corrections, and refinements chosen at review. Keep backups at multiple geographic locations and verify that they can be restored quickly. Implement a verification pass where each asset is checked against the master manifest for completeness, including every audio track, slug, subtitle file, and visual effect. This discipline prevents last-minute surprises during delivery.
Establish a clear color pipeline map that outlines the steps from ingest to final grade. Mark who is responsible for each stage, including transcoding, conforming, color science notes, and export quality control. Define the primary and secondary color spaces used for the project, and specify delivery formats, bitrates, and resolutions for master and deliverables. Prepare a test export that tests critical pipes: file integrity, color space conversions, and codec compatibility. Document any deviations from standard profiles and the rationale behind them, so future projects can reuse or improve the approach. A well-annotated pipeline reduces miscommunication and streamlines re-edits.
Preflight checks and a precise brief keep projects on track and aligned.
Final checks should cover every media type that contributes to the project. Review the video clips for codec compatibility and ensure there are no hidden assets embedded in the files that could interrupt conform workflows. Confirm audio tracks have correct channel layouts, sample rates, and loudness targets, and that dialogue is clearly aligned with the picture. Inspect subtitle tracks for timing accuracy and correct language codes. Gather any graphics, title sequences, or overlays used during the shoot, ensuring their alpha channels and export formats are compatible with the final deliverables. A comprehensive preflight checklist protects against omissions that derail the grading session.
Prepare a deliverables brief that communicates exact outputs required for the final export pass. Include master references, required deliverable formats, color space parameters, and any brand-specific constraints. Clarify delivery deadlines, revision cycles, and client approval milestones to avoid scope creep. Attach any review notes from the colorist, director, or supervisor and indicate which assets are locked versus still mutable. Define the expected file naming schema for all exports and the preferred storage locations for final renders. A precise brief aligns teams and speeds up the final pass without sacrificing quality.
Structural reviews plus precise revisions ensure a dependable final pass.
A practical export plan begins with accurate rendering settings. Determine the target delivery format and verify that the bit depth, color space, and chroma subsampling meet the project's requirements. For HDR projects, document peak brightness goals, EOTF, and tone-mapping decisions to ensure consistency across devices. For SDR work, specify gamma and gamut choices that preserve skin tones and contrast relationships. Establish a validation routine that compares a reference frame from the master with the exported result. Include checks for encoder stability, audio-video synchronization, and subtitle fidelity. The export plan should leave little room for ambiguity in the final pass.
Incremental reviews are a powerful tool for catching issues early. Schedule a sequence of color reviews with clear objectives and time-boxed sessions. Ask stakeholders to assess critical frames that define mood, contrast, and skin tone so that adjustments stay targeted. Record feedback in a centralized notes system and translate it into concrete changes for the next iteration. Ensure version control so earlier assets remain untouched while new grades reflect the latest consensus. Balance speed with thoroughness; fast turnarounds are valuable, but only when they preserve fidelity and creative intent. A well-structured review cycle pays dividends at export time.
Thorough notes and provenance create reliable, repeatable results.
It is essential to manage your color grading workspace efficiently. Create an optimized palette of reference looks and keep a clean node graph that is easy to navigate. Use descriptive node labels and organized groups to reduce cognitive load during complex grades. Save workspaces that mirror the project’s editorial structure, so your navigation remains intuitive under pressure. Back up every major node tree and color preset after significant adjustments. Document any experimental nodes or new tools you tried and their outcomes. A tidy, reproducible environment minimizes the risk of accidental changes that could ripple through the final export.
Documentation behind the scenes is often overlooked but critically valuable. Compile a colorist’s notebook that records decisions about contrast, saturation, and skin tones, tied to specific scenes or references. Include rationale for creative choices, any cooling or warming applied, and how lighting conditions influenced the grade. Collect asset provenance notes—from camera profiles to post pipelines—that explain why certain look decisions work for the story. This repository becomes a training resource for future projects and a safeguard against inconsistent grading across teams or shoots. Thorough documentation elevates the reliability of the final deliverables.
When preparing final deliverables, ensure that all rights and licenses are in order for the assets used in the grade. Verify licensing on stock footage, third-party textures, and any overlays, confirming that usage terms permit distribution in the intended market. Prepare a release package that includes a project summary, color science notes, and export logs for audit purposes. Include a signed off sheet from the colorist, editor, and producer to confirm agreement on look and timing. If there are client-specific restrictions or branding guidelines, attach them with direct references. This legal and creative alignment protects the project well into post-release phases.
Finally, perform a calm, structured export pass with a final integrity check. Run a frame-accurate conform between edited timeline and final grade, ensuring no gaps or mis-timings. Validate color consistency across devices by reviewing a spectrum of reference displays and ensuring the grade reads as intended in both bright and dim environments. Confirm that all ancillary files—captions, metadata, and deliverables metadata—are correctly embedded or attached. Document any last-minute notes and prepare a concise delivery memo for the client. A disciplined, repeatable endgame ensures the project lands ready for distribution with confidence.
