ForCut Studio

DaVinci Resolve color grading: film guide

Table of Contents

Express Checklist Before Starting

Timeline Preparation

Conformation Verification

Before any creative work, import an 'Offline Reference Clip' (edit export) and overlay it on your timeline. Check frame by frame that everything matches (cuts, crops, retimings).

Track Cleanup

Simplify your timeline. Bring everything down to track V1 as much as possible. Isolate titles, subtitles, and graphic effects on upper tracks (V2, V3) so as not to grade them accidentally.

Color Management

The choice of Color Management determines how Resolve interprets and displays your colors. It is the foundation of your project.

Choosing Your Approach

For beginners or quick projects, 'DaVinci YRGB Color Managed' automates many tasks. For total control (pro workflow), prefer 'DaVinci YRGB' with CST (Color Space Transform) nodes.

Recommended Settings (SDR)

Timeline Color Space: DaVinci WG/Intermediate. Output Color Space: Rec.709 Gamma 2.4 (current broadcast and web standard).

Common Errors

Never change Color Management mid-project; it will destroy all your work.

Work Structure and Organization

Recommended Node Structure

Adopt a fixed structure for each shot. Example: Node 1 (Denoise) > Node 2 (Balance/Expo) > Node 3 (Contrast) > Node 4 (Saturation) > Node 5 (Creative Look) > Node 6 (Final Adjustments).

Groups and Versions

Use 'Groups' (Pre-Clip / Post-Clip) to apply corrections to an entire scene (e.g., 'Kitchen Day' scene). Use 'Versions' (Command+Y) to propose multiple look options to the director.

Frequent Grading Errors

Clipping

Symptoms:

Burnt whites without detail or crushed blacks.

Cause :

Gain too high or Lift too low without monitoring scopes.

Fix:

Always use Waveform and Parade. Keep signal between 0 and 1023 (10-bit).

Poor Matching

Symptoms:

A character's skin changes color between shot and reverse shot.

Cause :

Grading shot by shot without a global view.

Fix:

Use the 'Gallery' and 'Wipe' to constantly compare shots against each other.

Trusting the GUI

Symptoms:

Exported image looks different from what you see in Resolve.

Cause :

Computer screens are unreliable (OS color management).

Fix:

Only an external monitor connected via a Blackmagic card (DeckLink/UltraStudio) is reliable.

Overusing LUTs

Symptoms:

Degraded image, artifacts, 'canned' look.

Cause :

Applying a creative LUT too early or unsuitable for the camera log.

Fix:

A LUT is not magic. Correct the image first (Balance/Expo) before applying a LUT at the end of the chain.

Unnecessary Complexity

Symptoms:

Unreadable node tree, performance loss.

Cause :

Adding nodes without method.

Fix:

Keep it simple. If you don't know what a node does, delete it.

Exports and Delivery

Recommended Formats

Master: ProRes 422 HQ or 4444 (Mac) / DNxHR HQX (PC). For web: H.264, high bitrate (20-30 Mbps).

Advanced Settings

In Deliver > Advanced Settings tab: Check 'Data Levels' (often 'Auto' or 'Video' for Rec.709). Check 'Force sizing to highest quality' and 'Force debayer to highest quality'.

Grading Best Practices

1.Take regular breaks to rest your eyes (every hour).
2.Work in a controlled lighting environment (ideally neutral gray, dim light).
3.Name your tracks and nodes to stay organized.
4.Save reference 'Stills' for each scene.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Need a pro grading room?

ForCut Studio provides rooms equipped with Workstation Mac Studio, M2 Ultra (192 GB RAM, 76-core GPU), calibrated OLED screens, and DaVinci control surfaces. Accessible 24/7 in Paris.

Related guides

Post-producing in Paris?

At Studio Bastille (Paris 12), the editing suite starts at €80 and the grading suite at €110 per half-day (incl. VAT), with 24/7 self access and Mac Studio M2 Ultra machines. Studio République (Paris 10) offers five rooms on an Avid Nexis SAN, including 5.1 sound and a screening room, on quote. ForCut is eligible for the TRIP tax rebate.

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