Digital Grading???

Ok, now that I've watched LotR Uber Edition a couple times, and finished the special features and all, I've got a question.

What kind of programs are there for Digital grading like the one used in LotR that I could get and would work on a Mac?

Help is greatly appreciated!

 

i think they used bryce...

 

Bryce, I don't think so.

Color grading refers to color correction done on a film so shots match. LOTR used 5D's Colossus but the company announced bankaruptcy not long ago. Colossus was acquired by Colorfront and is quite expensive.

Colossus at 5D
Colossus at Colorfront

Any good compositing package should be able to handle most normal color grading needs, like After Effects, Combustion and Shake.

 

Final Cut Pro has a built in Color Correction feature set.

From what I've heard, it's quite good.

 

yeah yeah yeah, i know that they didnt use bryce. Ofcourse they didnt. But hey, how can i color correct with AE?

 

My fanfilm is being edited and color graded in Avid Xpress DV. The best software for the buck. A student version is $399.

 

The student version of Final Cut Pro 3.0 is only 300 bucks, which, I believe, beats out your "best for the buck" nomination.
However, you must be engaged in secondary eductaion (i.e. college) for it to apply.


;-P

 

As far as I'm aware Pixel uses a PC, so FCP would be pretty useless to him. Either way, it's not what you use, but what you can do with what you use.

 

Well why mention Bryce if you knew it wasn't used, and even if it was, it can't be used for grading. Weird.

Anyway, for grading in AE just use the color correcting tools. They are in the Effects menu grouped mostly in 3 folders.

 

Im pretty sure combustion 2 has color tools, but again very expensive programs

 

Combustion does have colour correction tools, although, in my opinion, there are'nt dis-similar to after effects. There are both very good. You could also try photoshop to correct filmstrips, thus negating the need for extra software (if you already have photoshop)

 

Combustion is quite cheap at the moment. It's $3000 (Aud) until the end of December. I guess this would be about $1600 (USD)

 

"As far as I'm aware Pixel uses a PC, so FCP would be pretty useless to him."

As far as I'm aware, the answers were both addressed to Vengeance, who asked for Mac solutions. I wasn't recommending anything for pixel, nor would I when he already has a program he likes.

 

Came across a pretty good article for color correction. Hope its helpful.
http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/2001/12_dec/features/digitalfilmmakinpt2.htm