Feature Film on Shot on the Canon 7D

Hello,

I color graded both trailer and the feature film "The Return" ("El Regreso") written and directed by Costa Rican director Hernan Jimenez & shot on the Canon 7D by DP Nicolas Wong. The trailer was used as part of a Kickstarter campaign which help raised $58,000 against a goal of $40,000 for post production costs.

The Return (El Regreso) Trailer on Vimeo

I used Apple Color for color grading and made extensive use of Neat Video for noise reduction. There are plans to create 35mm prints and I will keep everyone posted on that process if you're interested.

Thanks for watching!

Gerry

Gerry Curtis
digitalkilnstudios.com
San Francisco/Los Angeles
savasanafilm.com

[Ted Ramasola]

Hi Gerry,

I also posted at vimeo, nice trailer!

would you happen to know if the DP used the superflat picture style on this project?

It seems to have used that picture style judging from the skintones.

Again, nice work!

[Gerry Curtis]

Hi Ted,

Thanks for the nice compliment!

My educated guess is that he used the superflat setting, but I should also add that I changed most of the skin tones from what was shot. You can see a few of the comparisons of the original footage to the color graded footage here on my color reel for a better idea:

Gerry Curtis Colorist Showreel 2011 on Vimeo

Thanks!!

Gerry

savasanafilm.com
digitalkilnstudios.com
Gerry Curtis's videos on Vimeo

[Martin Campbell]

Gerry, really nice work mate, fantastic colour grading.

[Pedro I. Vazquez]

X2 i have to agree, very well done gerry

[Gerry Curtis]

Thanks, guys, I really appreciate it!

Cheers,

Gerry

[David Lavender]

Man, I'm blown away by your color grading –*fantastic! I know you can't give away all your tricks of the trade, but you do keep up a blog or produce tutorials? I'd love to learn more about grading footage, particularly footage from 7Ds.

[Gerry Curtis]

Hey David,

Thanks for your nice comment, I've been meaning to put up some tutorials using the footage from this film, I'm just trying to find the time. I'm planning on doing one about relighting using secondaries and then another on noise reduction and sharpening.

What kinds of things are you interested in learning about?

Cheers,

Gerry

[David Lavender]

Gerry,

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm not sure there's anything you'd teach that wouldn't help me in some way. Everything you just mentioned would be helpful. I'm still learning how to use curves rather than just choosing a preset look (like MB Looks). That may not be helpful, but there are a lot of folks out there like me –*we're blank canvases!

[Bob Hart]

As I viewed the vimeo trailer, I was not prompted to think about how it was done, techniques, Canon DSLR cameras etc.. Instead, I was engaged totally by the story and characters.

This I think speaks very highly for what you have achieved here. I hope your project prospers and we see the complete work one day not too far away.

[Gerry Curtis]

David-
I think using curves would make a great lesson, thanks for the idea. I use the RGB curves quite a bit, and not necessarily for adding contrast, but to balance the shots rather than using the wheels.

Bob-I'm glad you felt a connection to the story, that makes me happy, it's a very funny and touching film and my fingers are crossed for the director, cast and crew. You reminded me of one particular scene where Hernan, the director, and lead actor,told me that the scene looked beautiful, but didn't covey the right feeling, and we made the scene less pretty and it worked much better. He was great to work with.

Cheers,

Gerry

[Gerry Curtis]

World Premiere announced on indieWIRE: US & International Premieres Set for NY International Latino Film Festival - indieWIRE

Since Apple discontinued Color I've decided to postpone any Color tutorials (I think Color/FCP 7 are still great tools that I'll use for 2-3 more years) and am starting to learn DaVinci Resolve. Avid Media Composer next....

Thanks!!

Gerry

www.savasanafilm.com

[Gerry Curtis]

El Regreso just won Best International Feature FIlm at the 2011 New York International Film Festival presented by HBO. Congrats to Hernan, who was also nominated for Best Director!

[Roger Rosales]

Tu trabajo es simplemente increible, Curtis! Me gustaria mirar esta pelicula en un teatro. Los colores le da mucho sentimiento y caracter y los actores tienen mucho talento.

[Gerry Curtis]

Muchas Gracias, pero yo inentiendo una poquita de espanol!

I'll post updates on screenings, it will be playing in Costa Rica in September (that will be projected on 35mm film, which I haven't had a chance to see yet.

Cheers,

Gerry