Colourist (film and TV)
A colourist is a skilled technician who uses specialised software and hardware to grade and colour-correct footage in film and television production. They work closely with directors and cinematographers to achieve the desired visual aesthetic, ensuring consistency across scenes and enhancing the mood and storytelling of the final product.
Typical Salary
£28,000 – £65,000
per year
Day-to-day tasks
Day-to-day responsibilities involve technical colour work and creative collaboration. A colourist typically:
- Grades and colour-corrects footage to match creative briefs
- Collaborates with directors and cinematographers on visual direction
- Manages colour consistency across scenes and episodes
- Works with various file formats and resolution standards
- Troubleshoots technical issues with footage and equipment
- Delivers final colour masters for broadcast or cinema
- Maintains detailed notes and documentation for revisions
Skills needed
A colourist requires a blend of technical expertise and creative vision. Key skills include:
- Colour grading and correction
- Software proficiency (DaVinci Resolve, Baselight, Adobe Premiere)
- Attention to detail and colour theory
- Communication and collaboration
- Problem-solving under tight deadlines
- Understanding of cinematography and lighting
- Time management across multiple projects
Career progression
Entry-level positions often involve assisting experienced colourists or working in smaller productions. With experience, you can progress to senior colourist roles, supervising colour departments on major productions. Many colourists specialise in specific areas such as documentary, drama, or commercials, or transition into colour supervision or post-production management. Freelancing is common in this field, allowing you to work across multiple productions.