How do you budget your time for digital color correction? This deck accompanies Patrick Inhofer's (TaoOfColor.com) presentation on time management.

1. Grade Management
How Do You Grade 700 Shots In One Day?
.com
Presented by: Patrick Inhofer

2. Grade Management = Time Management

3. Grade Management = Time Management

4. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan

5. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan

6. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session
‣ How much time do you
have for the entire job?
1
Manage
Time
2

7. Anatomy of a Grading Session
Allocating your time across an entire project

8. Anatomy of a Grading Session
Allocating your time across an entire project
Find Problems
• Check codec, frame rates, frame size
• Define your deliverables
• Test renders (if necessary)
• Try the round-trip or import and
slice
Grade Prep

9. Anatomy of a Grading Session
Allocating your time across an entire project
‘Getting To Know You’
• Work with the client
• Understand their eye
• Select a few shots to establish a goal
for the final look
• How do they want the shadows?
• How about highlights?
• Crush or blow out details?
Find Problems
• Check codec, frame rates, frame size
• Define your deliverables
• Test renders (if necessary)
• Try the round-trip or import and
slice
Grade Prep Hero Shots

10. Anatomy of a Grading Session
Allocating your time across an entire project
The Initial Grade
• Solve big problems, fast
• Add tons of value, quickly
• Figure out a basic node structure, then stick to it
• Save off grades, keep them organized
• Don’t get bogged down
‘Getting To Know You’ • Work in ‘passes’ to help manage your time
• Work with the client • Pre-build common operations... and append
• Understand their eye
• Select a few shots to establish a goal
for the final look
• How do they want the shadows?
• How about highlights?
• Crush or blow out details?
Find Problems
• Check codec, frame rates, frame size
• Define your deliverables
• Test renders (if necessary)
• Try the round-trip or import and
slice
Grade Prep Hero Shots Initial Grade

11. Anatomy of a Grading Session
Allocating your time across an entire project
The Initial Grade
• Solve big problems, fast Fix & Refine
• Add tons of value, quickly • Go back to problem areas and refine
• Figure out a basic node structure, then stick to it • Double- Triple- time... in reverse
• Save off grades, keep them organized • Found a better solution? Re-apply it.
• Don’t get bogged down • Keep your grades organized
‘Getting To Know You’ • Work in ‘passes’ to help manage your time
• Work with the client • Pre-build common operations... and append
• Understand their eye
• Select a few shots to establish a goal
for the final look
• How do they want the shadows?
• How about highlights?
• Crush or blow out details?
Find Problems
• Check codec, frame rates, frame size
• Define your deliverables
• Test renders (if necessary)
• Try the round-trip or import and
slice
Grade Prep Hero Shots Initial Grade Refining Grades

12. Anatomy of a Grading Session
Allocating your time across an entire project
The Initial Grade
• Solve big problems, fast Fix & Refine
• Add tons of value, quickly • Go back to problem areas and refine
• Figure out a basic node structure, then stick to it • Double- Triple- time... in reverse
• Save off grades, keep them organized • Found a better solution? Re-apply it.
• Don’t get bogged down • Keep your grades organized
‘Getting To Know You’ • Work in ‘passes’ to help manage your time
• Work with the client • Pre-build common operations... and append
• Understand their eye
• Select a few shots to establish a goal
for the final look
• How do they want the shadows?
• How about highlights?
• Crush or blow out details? Client Revisions
• Watch down without sound
• Take notes or fix right there?
• Resist the urge to say ‘no’
Find Problems - Clients can have good ideas too
• Check codec, frame rates, frame size - People see differently
• Define your deliverables
• Test renders (if necessary)
• Try the round-trip or import and
slice
Grade Prep Hero Shots Initial Grade Refining Grades Revisions Delivery

13. Anatomy of a Grading Session
Allocating your time across an entire project
The Initial Grade
• Solve big problems, fast Fix & Refine
• Add tons of value, quickly • Go back to problem areas and refine
• Figure out a basic node structure, then stick to it • Double- Triple- time... in reverse
• Save off grades, keep them organized • Found a better solution? Re-apply it.
• Don’t get bogged down • Keep your grades organized
‘Getting To Know You’ • Work in ‘passes’ to help manage your time
• Work with the client • Pre-build common operations... and append
• Understand their eye
• Select a few shots to establish a goal
for the final look
• How do they want the shadows?
• How about highlights?
• Crush or blow out details? Client Revisions
• Watch down without sound
• Take notes or fix right there?
• Resist the urge to say ‘no’
Find Problems - Clients can have good ideas too
• Check codec, frame rates, frame size - People see differently
• Define your deliverables
• Test renders (if necessary)
• Try the round-trip or import and
slice
Grade Prep Hero Shots Initial Grade Refining Grades Revisions Delivery

14. Anatomy of a Grading Session
Allocating your time across an entire project
The Initial Grade
• Solve big problems, fast Fix & Refine
• Add tons of value, quickly • Go back to problem areas and refine
• Figure out a basic node structure, then stick to it • Double- Triple- time... in reverse
• Save off grades, keep them organized • Found a better solution? Re-apply it.
• Don’t get bogged down • Keep your grades organized
‘Getting To Know You’ • Work in ‘passes’ to help manage your time
• Work with the client • Pre-build common operations... and append
• Understand their eye
• Select a few shots to establish a goal
for the final look
• How do they want the shadows?
• How about highlights?
• Crush or blow out details? Client Revisions
• Watch down without sound
• Take notes or fix right there?
• Resist the urge to say ‘no’
Find Problems - Clients can have good ideas too
• Check codec, frame rates, frame size - People see differently
• Define your deliverables
• Test renders (if necessary)
• Try the round-trip or import and
slice
Grade Prep Hero Shots Initial Grade Refining Grades Revisions Delivery

15. Anatomy of a Grading Session
Allocating your time across an entire project
The Initial Grade
• Solve big problems, fast Fix & Refine
• Add tons of value, quickly • Go back to problem areas and refine
• Figure out a basic node structure, then stick to it • Double- Triple- time... in reverse
• Save off grades, keep them organized • Found a better solution? Re-apply it.
• Don’t get bogged down • Keep your grades organized
‘Getting To Know You’ • Work in ‘passes’ to help manage your time
• Work with the client • Pre-build common operations... and append
• Understand their eye
• Select a few shots to establish a goal
for the final look
• How do they want the shadows?
• How about highlights?
• Crush or blow out details? Client Revisions
• Watch down without sound
• Take notes or fix right there?
• Resist the urge to say ‘no’
Find Problems - Clients can have good ideas too
• Check codec, frame rates, frame size - People see differently
• Define your deliverables
• Test renders (if necessary)
• Try the round-trip or import and
slice
Grade Prep Hero Shots Initial Grade Refining Grades Revisions Delivery

16. “Do the initial grade in 50%
of the allotted time. Use the
rest for polish, troubled
areas, significant areas.”
‘The Art & Technique of Digital Color Correction’
Steve Hullfish

17. Example: 5 Day Grading Session
Hypothetical 110 Minute Feature Film, 1100 shots
.5 Days 2 Days 2 Days .5 Days
500 shots per day 100 Shots Left Over
Grade Prep Hero Shots Initial Grade Refining Grades Revisions Delivery

18. Example: 5 Day Grading Session
Hypothetical 110 Minute Feature Film, 1100 shots
.5 Days 3 Days 1 Day .5 Days
375 shots per day
Grade Prep Hero Shots Initial Grade Refining Grades Revisions Delivery

19. Example: 5 Day Grading Session
Not-So-Hypothetical 110 Minute Music Documentary, 1600 shots
.5 Days 3 Days 1 Day .5 Days
100 Shots
500 shots per day
Left Over
Grade Prep Hero Shots Initial Grade Refining Revisions Delivery

20. How many minutes per-shot?
The math almost makes it look impossible

21. How many minutes per-shot?
The math almost makes it look impossible
1100 shots, 4 Days
9 hour day

22. How many minutes per-shot?
The math almost makes it look impossible
1100 shots, 4 Days
9 hour day
36 Hours ÷ 1100 Shots

23. How many minutes per-shot?
The math almost makes it look impossible
1100 shots, 4 Days
9 hour day
36 Hours ÷ 1100 Shots
30 shots per hour
2 minutes per shot

24. How many minutes per-shot?
The math almost makes it look impossible
1100 shots, 4 Days 1600 shots, 4 Days
9 hour day 9 hour day
36 Hours ÷ 1100 Shots
30 shots per hour
2 minutes per shot

25. How many minutes per-shot?
The math almost makes it look impossible
1100 shots, 4 Days 1600 shots, 4 Days
9 hour day 9 hour day
36 Hours ÷ 1100 Shots 36 Hours ÷ 1600 Shots
30 shots per hour
2 minutes per shot

26. How many minutes per-shot?
The math almost makes it look impossible
1100 shots, 4 Days 1600 shots, 4 Days
9 hour day 9 hour day
36 Hours ÷ 1100 Shots 36 Hours ÷ 1600 Shots
30 shots per hour 44 shots per hour
2 minutes per shot 1.3 minutes per shot

27. How many minutes per-shot?
The math almost makes it look impossible
1100 shots, 4 Days 1600 shots, 4 Days
9 hour day 9 hour day
30 shots per hour 44 shots per hour
2 minutes per shot 1.3 minutes per shot

28. Pressed For Time? Here’s the plan:

29. Pressed For Time? Here’s the plan:
be a good magician... don’t reveal all your tricks all at once.

30. Pressed For Time? Here’s the plan:
be a good magician... don’t reveal all your tricks all at once.
‣ Avoid doing anything manually
• Hand-drawn roto-work or extensive keyframing

31. Pressed For Time? Here’s the plan:
be a good magician... don’t reveal all your tricks all at once.
‣ Avoid doing anything manually
• Hand-drawn roto-work or extensive keyframing
‣ Re-use ‘Grade Snippets’

32. Pressed For Time? Here’s the plan:
be a good magician... don’t reveal all your tricks all at once.
‣ Avoid doing anything manually
• Hand-drawn roto-work or extensive keyframing
‣ Re-use ‘Grade Snippets’
‣ Pull broad HSL selections
• Again, avoid detailed work that bogs you down

33. Pressed For Time? Here’s the plan:
be a good magician... don’t reveal all your tricks all at once.
‣ Avoid doing anything manually
• Hand-drawn roto-work or extensive keyframing
‣ Re-use ‘Grade Snippets’
‣ Pull broad HSL selections
• Again, avoid detailed work that bogs you down
‣ Save tracking for later in the session
• Wait until the show is graded, then go back and add spice

34. Pressed For Time? Here’s the plan:
be a good magician... don’t reveal all your tricks all at once.
‣ Avoid doing anything manually
• Hand-drawn roto-work or extensive keyframing
‣ Re-use ‘Grade Snippets’
‣ Pull broad HSL selections
• Again, avoid detailed work that bogs you down
‣ Save tracking for later in the session
• Wait until the show is graded, then go back and add spice
‣ Experiment but bail quickly
• Move forward, ruthlessly

35. Grade Management IS Time Management

36. Grade Management IS Time Management
Two Rules of Grade Management:

37. Grade Management IS Time Management
Two Rules of Grade Management:
• Have a plan.

38. Grade Management IS Time Management
Two Rules of Grade Management:
• Have a plan.
• Work the plan.

39. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session
‣ How much time do you
have for the entire job?
1
Manage
Time
2

40. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session
‣ How much time do you
have for the entire job?
1
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
Manage
Time
2

41. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session
‣ How much time do you
have for the entire job?
1
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
Time
2

42. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session
‣ How much time do you
have for the entire job?
1
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
2

43. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session
‣ How much time do you
have for the entire job?
1
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

44. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session
‣ How much time do you Macro
have for the entire job?
1
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2 Micro

45. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session
‣ How much time do you
have for the entire job?
1
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

46. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session Shots
‣ How much time do you
have for the entire job?
1
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

47. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session Shots
‣ How much time do you ‣ Got Control Surface?
have for the entire job?
1
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

50. A mouse is too darn slow

51. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session Shots
‣ How much time do you ‣ Got a Control Surface?
have for the entire job?
1
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

52. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session Shots
‣ How much time do you ‣ Got a Control Surface?
have for the entire job?
1 ‣ Attack each shot using a
structured approach
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

53. Apple Color’s Structured Workflow

54. Apple Color’s Structured Workflow

55. Apple Color’s Structured Workflow

56. Enforce Structure
Structure Builds Habits

57. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session Shots
‣ How much time do you ‣ Got a Control Surface?
have for the entire job?
1 ‣ Attack each shot using a
structured approach
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline?
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

58. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session Shots
‣ How much time do you ‣ Got a Control Surface?
have for the entire job?
1 ‣ Attack each shot using a
structured approach
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline? ‣ Pre-build grade ‘snippets’
of frequently used tasks
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

59. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session Shots
‣ How much time do you ‣ Got a Control Surface?
have for the entire job?
1 ‣ Attack each shot using a
structured approach
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline? ‣ Pre-build grade ‘snippets’
of frequently used tasks
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage ‣ Work in passes
‣ Do you have the final Time
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

60. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session Shots
‣ How much time do you ‣ Got a Control Surface?
have for the entire job?
1 ‣ Attack each shot using a
structured approach
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline? ‣ Pre-build grade ‘snippets’
of frequently used tasks
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage ‣ Work in passes
‣ Do you have the final Time ‣ Don’t try to do everything
in one node / filter.
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot
of extra time at the end.
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

61. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session Shots
‣ How much time do you ‣ Got a Control Surface?
have for the entire job?
1 ‣ Attack each shot using a
structured approach
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline? ‣ Pre-build grade ‘snippets’
of frequently used tasks
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage ‣ Work in passes
‣ Do you have the final Time ‣ Don’t try to do everything
in one node / filter.
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot ‣ Work procedurally
of extra time at the end. whenever possible
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

62. Grade Management = Time Management
You can’t manage time if you don’t have a plan
Session Shots
‣ How much time do you ‣ Got a Control Surface?
have for the entire job?
1 ‣ Attack each shot using a
structured approach
‣ How firm (and ambitious)
is the deadline? ‣ Pre-build grade ‘snippets’
of frequently used tasks
‣ Did prep bog you down
(and now you have to
make up the time)?
Manage ‣ Work in passes
‣ Do you have the final Time ‣ Don’t try to do everything
in one node / filter.
decision-maker in the
room? If not, leave a lot ‣ Work procedurally
of extra time at the end. whenever possible
‣ Work the Still Store
‣ Don’t forget about render
times. 2

63. Closing Thoughts
Grade Management: Grading 500 shots in one day

64. Closing Thoughts
Grade Management: Grading 500 shots in one day
‣ Know your daily shot count (budget accordingly)

65. Closing Thoughts
Grade Management: Grading 500 shots in one day
‣ Know your daily shot count (budget accordingly)
- Huge productivity gain moving off the mouse
- Huge productivity gain moving off the NLE

66. Closing Thoughts
Grade Management: Grading 500 shots in one day
‣ Know your daily shot count (budget accordingly)
- Huge productivity gain moving off the mouse
- Huge productivity gain moving off the NLE
‣ Are you doing something over and over again?
- Save it off to reuse on other jobs

67. Closing Thoughts
Grade Management: Grading 500 shots in one day
‣ Know your daily shot count (budget accordingly)
- Huge productivity gain moving off the mouse
- Huge productivity gain moving off the NLE
‣ Are you doing something over and over again?
- Save it off to reuse on other jobs
‣ Discover each jobs ‘grading framework’ early

68. Closing Thoughts
Grade Management: Grading 500 shots in one day
‣ Know your daily shot count (budget accordingly)
- Huge productivity gain moving off the mouse
- Huge productivity gain moving off the NLE
‣ Are you doing something over and over again?
- Save it off to reuse on other jobs
‣ Discover each jobs ‘grading framework’ early
‣ Don’t do a detailed grade on 50% of the job

69. Closing Thoughts
Grade Management: Grading 500 shots in one day
‣ Know your daily shot count (budget accordingly)
- Huge productivity gain moving off the mouse
- Huge productivity gain moving off the NLE
‣ Are you doing something over and over again?
- Save it off to reuse on other jobs
‣ Discover each jobs ‘grading framework’ early
‣ Don’t do a detailed grade on 50% of the job
‣ Experiment - but manage your time ruthlessly & put a
limit on it

70. Learn more:
Online Training, DaVinci Resolve:
http://Training.TaoOfColor.com
Monthly Membership Site:
www.MixingLight.com
An awesome (mostly) weekly color grading newsletter:
TaoOfColor.com/newsletter