[Tig] Scopes

[Floor Bos]

Being one of 'those youngsters' I just couldn't resist in replying to this threat. I've been lurking for years on this group but I seldom mangle in the discussions. Mainly because of speculations like these. Sure there are people in the biz that can't tell the difference between proper vs false. What I do sense in the colourist community though is the need to behave elite to separate them selfs from 'the rest'. The rest being everyone else in Post Production.

This also happened in the time desktop compositing became popular. You had inferno/flame operators that where screaming smoke and fire (how appropriate :) because  'all those youngsters' would mess up their craft. It didn't happen, now, did it? All quality productions where still done by the same operators who had proven them selfs worthy of doing so. But of course some of the sitting operators had to make room for new talent.

I do agree tough that there is a lot of 'new talent' walking about, having done some Photoshop or Compositing and told them selfs it was now time to become a colourist. But also reckon that there is a lot of new talent to be acknowledged and that everyone deserves a equal chance and that you don't need to be a tape operator for 10 years to earn some grading assistant credits. 

Personally my background is compositing, I mastered that 'craft' for about 10 years. The last five years I mainly focussed on becoming a great colourist. Being one of the first Baselight operators (yes, pre 1.0) and having a background in compositing gives me other advantages maybe a traditional colourist doesn't feature. (if one would feel the need to generalize)

And yes, I do use my scopes and/or histogram. As a compositor I've already learned the importance of technicality. I don't believe that people who NOT use any form of measuring/proofing are young, or has anything to do with age, then you are just not doing your job right. People who mess up will eventually loose their job/function or worse, their clients. Time will show and tell.

'Senior' colourists need to understand that it is hard for someone not having the 'proper age' to show their expertise in the craft of colouring. It is MUCH easier applying for a 'Senior' function in for example compositing or 3d, because you can just show of your work tell what you did and thats that. In the craft of colouring most is based on your reputation. Spreading rumors about 'youngsters' in general is, in the end, not good for anyone. 

Thanks for listening!

Florentijn Bos
info at bosti.nl
www.bosti.nl