color correction estimate

[David Dominguez]

hello everyone,

I have a question that maybe some of you guys could help shine some light on. I recently finished shooting a short film that runs about 14 minutes on my schools scarlet and epic. While the editor and director are putting on the finishes touches i figured i would try to get an idea color correction would cost. We arent looking for anything fancy as far as the our final look, we want it to look as natural as possible.

Anyone have a rough estimate what a 14 minute project shot on RED would cost to get proffesionally color corected?

thanks in advance!

 

[jake blackstone]

If all you're looking is something basic, try posting on Craigslist or Mandy and ask for an estimate and work samples. You'd be surprised how many responses you'll get. Take it from there...

 

[David Dominguez]

thanks Jake. I see you colored the swamp people ad. I remember watching that for the first time and thinking how crazy sharp it was. What camera was it shot on if you dont mind me asking? great work!

 

[jake blackstone]

Thanks. I really can't tell, because the material was delivered to me as a Linear Prores 444, but from the look of it, I think it was Red. All the slo-mo stuff was done with a whole bunch of Canon cameras strung together. Again, it was delivered to me as a Prores.

 

[Will Keir]

You could try Mandy but you are likely to waste your time. If you want to search for a gem in the rough, it's a good place to do it.

Jake, why don't you just kick him a ballpark number and a few contacts if the job is too low paying for you? At least give him an idea, certainly you could lead him down a better path.

$500-$2000?

If all you're looking is something basic, try posting on Craigslist or Mandy and ask for an estimate and work samples. You'd be surprised how many responses you'll get. Take it from there...

 

[jake blackstone]

You could try Mandy but you are likely to waste your time. If you want to search for a gem in the rough, it's a good place to do it.

Jake, why don't you just kick him a ballpark number and a few contacts if the job is too low paying for you? At least give him an idea, certainly you could lead him down a better path.

$500-$2000?

Thanks Will for putting me on the spot.
The problem is then I would need to take a look at the film, brake it down and then come up with the number, that probably will not fly Trust me, I'm speaking from the experience. I have done tons of shorts for UCLA and USC students. I just can't allocate the time needed to go through all of the trials and tribulations, when I know, that my price most certainly will be rejected. Frankly, student directors and DPs really need a collaboration with an eager new colorist, who is willing to invest time and energy, do a good job and in process not to brake the student's bank.
I hope this doesn't come across, like I'm too good to work on a student films. It's just the lack of free time, that's all...
And I obviously don't mean, that this in any way applies to David.

 

[Mike Halper]

David, I just sent you a PM with my reel and contact info. Feel free to get in to touch with me and we'll talk about it.

 

[Marc Wielage]

14 minutes to me is just under to what a normal feature film reel would run, and my usual estimate for time would be an hour for prep & conform, four hours for initial color correction, and another 2-3 hours for a trim pass, and an hour for rendering. One reel per day is a reasonable amount of time for a feature in my world.

If the 14-minute short is very complicated and has an unusually high number of shots, or has severe photographic challenges to overcome (non-matching cameras, blown-out or underexposed images, complex blow-ups/repos, etc.), then the number of hours could easily go up 25% to 50%.

If the director supervises, then I'd add another 20% for time. If the DP joins him, I'd add yet another 20% for time.

Assume 8-10 hours as a minimum. Rates go all over the map these days, from a student trying to color-correct within FCP for $10 an hour, to a major A-list colorist at an LA or NY post house at $600-$700 per facility hour (and as much as $1200/hour for a couple of the Santa Monica colorists). I think $100/hour is not unreasonable as a very low, rock-bottom price for a no-budget indie. Maybe a grand out the door, but again, that's lower than what I'd consider the normal rate for commercials or broadcast/cable shows.