Color Grading — Theory and Palette

Learning Objective

Master the art of color grading to create a specific cinematic look.

This Week

Color grading is the creative process of giving a film its visual identity. It is the difference between footage that looks like it was shot and footage that looks like a film. Great color grading is invisible — it serves the story and the emotional tone of the film without drawing attention to itself.

Daily Practice

Study the color palettes of three films you admire. Write notes on how the color serves the story and the emotional tone. (45–60 min)

Weekly Challenge

Study the color palettes of three films you admire. Write notes on how the color serves the story and the emotional tone.