A Civil Color Timing / Transfer thread. - Blu-ray Forum

mdonovan · 03-03-2013, 03:35 PM

I was posting a response in the west world thread and thought my point scoped beyond a single movie.

I would love to hear thoughts from other regarding this issue that crops up on nearly every release.

---- this is my post from the Westworld thread

I saw the theatrical release of this (Westworld) and other titles that have been referenced. Subjective arguments cannot be won. That being said, there were a variety of factors the led to the look of a film in the theatre. Heck even the brand of bulb used in the projector.

To me ... I wish we had the French transfer with the English geometry. There is definitely more detail present in the French transfer than the American version.

I work with a DaVinci colorist ...

and I can tell you that it IS an inexact science/art applying color balance to a film. Having the director present is a huge help, but being true to an original is near impossible unless there is a master grade you are matching.

Choices are made by the colorist, director and sometimes a result of multiple opinions of the client/studio.

I prefer a less heavy handed grade to the one presented by Warner. It does not mean their version is better or worse. As far as the stretching goes ... That is a choice as well, stretch vertically, horizontally or crop. I prefer that the integrity of actors faces remains intact ... Not stretched.

Blowing out whites though ... Is inexcusable. There are tools that flag this during the grading session. The horses and sand in that image are definitely too hot.

Everyone has films that they grew up on and remember ... Someone mentioned Star Wars ... This is a great example ... I remember seeing this in he theatre 15 times as a kid ... It was definitely less saturated and bright than e new release. Does that mean the new release is worse ? I think the original seemed more realistic and lifelike ... adding more gravity and believability to the film ....

It's all subjective ... However brighter and more saturated is not always the best choice IMHO.

03-03-2013, 03:35 PM	#1
mdonovan Special Member Member since:Sep 2009 Blu-ray collection:209 Trading Score:10	A Civil Color Timing / Transfer thread. I was posting a response in the west world thread and thought my point scoped beyond a single movie. I would love to hear thoughts from other regarding this issue that crops up on nearly every release. ---- this is my post from the Westworld thread I saw the theatrical release of this (Westworld) and other titles that have been referenced. Subjective arguments cannot be won. That being said, there were a variety of factors the led to the look of a film in the theatre. Heck even the brand of bulb used in the projector. To me ... I wish we had the French transfer with the English geometry. There is definitely more detail present in the French transfer than the American version. I work with a DaVinci colorist ... and I can tell you that it IS an inexact science/art applying color balance to a film. Having the director present is a huge help, but being true to an original is near impossible unless there is a master grade you are matching. Choices are made by the colorist, director and sometimes a result of multiple opinions of the client/studio. I prefer a less heavy handed grade to the one presented by Warner. It does not mean their version is better or worse. As far as the stretching goes ... That is a choice as well, stretch vertically, horizontally or crop. I prefer that the integrity of actors faces remains intact ... Not stretched. Blowing out whites though ... Is inexcusable. There are tools that flag this during the grading session. The horses and sand in that image are definitely too hot. Everyone has films that they grew up on and remember ... Someone mentioned Star Wars ... This is a great example ... I remember seeing this in he theatre 15 times as a kid ... It was definitely less saturated and bright than e new release. Does that mean the new release is worse ? I think the original seemed more realistic and lifelike ... adding more gravity and believability to the film .... It's all subjective ... However brighter and more saturated is not always the best choice IMHO.

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