Color Correct beofre magic bullet? at DVinfo.net

Ben Gurvich · July 13th, 2004, 05:48 AM

Do i need to Color Correct before using magic bullet. If i do this wont it just work against what im trying to do in magic bullet?

My guess is only color correct for extreme shots, eg a Sunset, and then leave the rest up to MB?

Does this make sense

Ryan Graham · July 15th, 2004, 01:32 PM

Hi Ben,

I would definitely recommend color correcting before Magic Bullet. The reason for this is that your primary purpose in color correcting is to match the color cast of all shots in a scene. Once you do that, you can just slap a Magic Bullet look over the whole scene to give it a unified look.

Also, I've found that the Looks don't do too well on non-color corrected footage. They really seem to accentuate anything that is bad or off about any given shot. For example, if your highlights are blown out, it'll blow them out even more. If your blacks are crushed, it'll crush them even worse. Better to start off with the best looking footage.

I'd suggest you do a test yourself in After Effects. Color correct a shot, then add a Look from Magic Bullet, and then turn off the color correction. You'll probably find you immediately turn the color correction back on!

Good luck,
Ryan

Ben Gurvich · July 15th, 2004, 07:03 PM

Should I color correct for a film gamma, or video gamma?

From the tutorials i've used in the past, the color correcting is to give a slightly more filmic look. ie increasing the gamma,curves etc.

Or should I just color correct for scene continuity then use Bullet to do film gamma stuff?

Cheers,
Ben Gurvich

July 13th, 2004, 05:48 AM	#1
Ben Gurvich Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 329	Color Correct beofre magic bullet? Do i need to Color Correct before using magic bullet. If i do this wont it just work against what im trying to do in magic bullet? My guess is only color correct for extreme shots, eg a Sunset, and then leave the rest up to MB? Does this make sense

July 15th, 2004, 01:32 PM	#2
Ryan Graham Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 81	Hi Ben, I would definitely recommend color correcting before Magic Bullet. The reason for this is that your primary purpose in color correcting is to match the color cast of all shots in a scene. Once you do that, you can just slap a Magic Bullet look over the whole scene to give it a unified look. Also, I've found that the Looks don't do too well on non-color corrected footage. They really seem to accentuate anything that is bad or off about any given shot. For example, if your highlights are blown out, it'll blow them out even more. If your blacks are crushed, it'll crush them even worse. Better to start off with the best looking footage. I'd suggest you do a test yourself in After Effects. Color correct a shot, then add a Look from Magic Bullet, and then turn off the color correction. You'll probably find you immediately turn the color correction back on! Good luck, Ryan

July 15th, 2004, 07:03 PM	#3
Ben Gurvich Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 329	Should I color correct for a film gamma, or video gamma? From the tutorials i've used in the past, the color correcting is to give a slightly more filmic look. ie increasing the gamma,curves etc. Or should I just color correct for scene continuity then use Bullet to do film gamma stuff? Cheers, Ben Gurvich