That annual gathering in the desert that in many way acts a launching point not just for new products but industry trends and standards.

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we're discussing NAB 2026, what we hope to see, but also what we're a little worried about (AI Slop). Specific topics we'll explore in this show include:

• The proliferation of IP video & significantly faster networking
• Storage: innovations or vaporware due to memory shortages
• The continued move to QD OLED and network features for monitors
• Software: bug and workflow improvements maybe more important then shiny features
• Plugins and the end of the film emulation craze
• AI everywhere

If you're attending NAB - be sure to bring comfortable shoes, drink plenty of water, and take care of your voice in the loud convention halls and parties!  Also there's still time to get tickets for the Colorist Mixer - check out www.coloristmixer.com for more info.  As mentioned in the episode, Joey will be attending the show, if you see him please be sure to say hi

Check out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.  

Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

See you in about two weeks for a new episode.

Conforming is one of those processes in modern postproduction and finishing that can be technically challenging and a huge time suck. Different NLEs and color/finishing tools all think slightly differently. For example; positioning or a speed change in Premiere Pro might not show up correctly when conformed into DaVinci Resolve.  

Over the years editors, colorists, and conform artists have built hacks and built up institutional knowledge of workflows for moving projects from one system to another but even at their best, the methods can be tedious and are seldom set it and forget it.  

Conform.Tools is a suite of tools that is poised to really change how conforms are done making them efficient, fast and dare we say fun!  We were super excited to sit down with the guys and talk about the challenges of conforming and how conform.tools can help on your text project. 

Some of the specifics we discuss in this episode include:

• What makes conforming so challenging
• The problem of different math and algorithms between different applications
• Dealing with common conform problems like in/out point slippage, reel names, and other timecode issues
• Working with sizing and speed differences including speed ramps, interpreted clips, and speed interpolation
• Goals of conform.tools and looking at the workflow
• Conform.Tools module: Timeline Exchange
• Conform.Tools module: i20
• Conform.Tools module Conform Connect including the forthcoming desktop app
• The team at NAB & The NAB 2026 Colorist Mixer
• And more!

Check out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.  

Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

See you in about two weeks for a new episode.

You've likely heard this term before, but if not, vibe coding refers to the concept of using natural language via an LLM to program tools like websites, apps, plugins etc. The promise of vibe coding is that anyone - given good enough instructions - can program or code complex tools without specialized knowledge.  However, as you'll hear the promise and reality aren't always aligned.  

Some of the specifics we'll explore in this episode include:

• Understanding APIs, SDKs and other high-level background information on programing
• 'Analog' vs 'vibe' coding
• The intersection of traditional programing and vibe coding
• Vibe coding success is based on quality input and quality testing
• A few vibe coding examples
• The role of vibe coding platforms
• And more

Check out www.offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.  

Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

See you in about two weeks for a new episode.

When we started this project a few years ago, it was mostly out of a desire to ‘make something’. We never thought we’d build up a library with hours of audio and video content. A huge thanks to all our listeners and viewers, we couldn’t have got here without you!  

We’re also extremely grateful to our amazing sponsors including Flanders Scientific who have been with us since day one and our newest sponsor Conform.Tools.  These are both amazing companies, with fantastic people and outstanding products - please consider them the next time you need a color critical monitor or workflow tools for your next big project.  

We’re excited for the next 50 episodes, but can always use your help - please like and subscribe were ever you find the show, tell your friends and colleagues and if you have an idea for a new episode please consider using our submission form at offsetpodcast.com

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In this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re taking a look at an often debated topic:  Using multiple monitors or a single monitor in a color suite.

It used to be in color suites around the world a single top tier CRT monitor was the only one in the room.  But as time went on and CRTs were phased out, a new paradigm emerged - the operators reference monitor and a larger client monitor.  This kind of setup has persisted in color suites for over two decades.

While the reference/client monitor setup is ubiquitous, it’s not without issues.  Room setup/positioning becomes vital, managing metamerism issues when using two different display technologies are used can be a battle and perceptual matching between monitors can be challenging.  

But what if you could eliminate multi-display issues and depend on a single large reference monitor - well thats not without its own issues!

In this episode we’ll explore this topic including covering some specifics including:

• Recap on traditional color room monitoring setups
• Grading theaters - a model for a single display room
• Mimicking the living room and challenges that presents 
• What’s metamerism and why its such an important topic in multi-display setups
• Issues mixing display technologies
• The importance of room layouts
• Perceptual matching - what is it and does it work?
• The downsides of perceptual matching
• And more!  

Check out www.offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes

Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

See you in about two weeks for a new episode.

Conform Tools allows you to convert timelines between Premiere, Resolve, and other NLEs while automatically solving all those tedious issues that can add significant time to your workflow. With a growing toolbox of features, you can avoid time consuming trim and transfer issues, and securely send large media files to collaborators at a fraction of the size, in minutes instead of hours.

Built by post professionals, Conform Tools helps editors, colorists, and conform artists move faster and finish stronger.

Check out https://conform.tools for more info. 

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In this episode, we're continuing our discussions on dealing with archival and stock sources.  In part 1 we explored issues with film sources.  In this episode we're exploring issues with video originated sources. Its always a bit shocking some of the issues that even big productions just accept as 'inherent to source'. While that might sometimes be true, there are lots of ways to fix common issues if you know what to look for.   

Some of the specifics we discuss include:

• Dealing with interlacing
• Blanking & edges
• Pixel Aspect Ratio (P.A.R) issues
• Resolution

Check out www.offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes + some of the additional assets mentioned in this episode that are available for download.  

Be sure to like it and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

See you in about two weeks for a new episode.

In this episode we're starting a two part series on dealing with archival sources and how to get them looking their best.  We'll start out in this show exploring general issues with archival and stock and then explore film originated archival issues - issues you'll often encounter and ways to address them.  In part 2, we'll focus on video orginated specific challenges. 

In this episode some of the specifics we'll discuss include:

• Big picture issues with archival - aspects ratios, resolution, and codecs/containers
• Managing texture and grain with film orginated archival 
• Film restoration toolsets
• Pulldown cadence issues and repeated frames
• Additional problems with film orginated archival sources - gate weave, color layer separation etc

Be sure to like it and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

See you in about two weeks for a new episode.

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we're doing that cliché, but useful exercise of exploring our business, technical, and creative goals for 2026. Some of the specifics we'll discuss in this episode include:

• How everyone can get better - but doing it is different than just talking about it
• Evaluating weak spots
• Improved planning - pivots, side hustles and weathering industry ups/downs
• Being more methodical about sales and marketing
• Better client outreach
• More efficient project organization
• Being more open to new tools and techniques
• Learning more from other colorists
• Defeating procrastination 
• Working smarter, not harder

Be sure to like it and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

See you in about two weeks for a new episode. 

It’s our last episode of Season 2 and for the year!  We’ll return in mid-January 2026  for Season 3 with some great new topics, new types of content and much more.

If you’ve enjoyed The Offset Podcast help us improve it.  If you have 5-10 minutes we’d love it if you could take our audience survey by visiting this link: https://wkf.ms/4acQMvb

Thank you to our amazing audience we couldn’t do the show without your support.  Wishing you and yours a great holiday season!

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Continuing our recent efforts to address some viewer/listener submitted topics, in this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re exploring a question we got from audience member Jared about how to integrate greenscreen work into a color/finishing pipeline.

It’s a great topic, and one as you’ll see and hear Joey gets particularly amped up about!

Since we’re a podcast and not a tutorial channel, this episode is more about big picture strategies and techniques then the nitty gritty of particular sliders and knobs, but we still cover a ton. Some of the specific topics we explore include:

• Success in greenscreen work starts on set
• Keying on the Resolve Color page vs Fusion page
• Fusion’s Delta Keyer
• Getting more comfortable with mattes and transparency
• Edge refinement, matte finessing and the difference between the two
• Combining keys and using garbage mattes
• Controlling spill with spill suppression
• Light wrap, shadow creation and getting better composites
• Handing off to a VFX professional

If you like The Offset Podcast, we’d love it if you could do us a big favor. It’d help a lot if you could like and rate the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen/watch the show. Also if you liked this show consider support the podcast by 'buying us a cup of coffee' - https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

Camilo asks about the balance as a colorist of being a technician vs an artist.  Thanks Camilo for the topic - it’s a deep one!

Specifics topics we explore in this episode include:

• Color grading IS technical, but its ALSO very creative.  Most colorists aren't exclusively one or the other
• How you got into post/color plays a large role in how you see yourself and others seen you
• How you can fill your technical/creative gaps with conceptual thinking
• The colorist as a fulcrum in a creative/technical seesaw
• How the pressures of having to 'invent images' vs respecting photography brings technician vs artistry to the forefront
• How video/film projects have less diversity of approach than other artistic mediums
• The power of experimental projects
• Learning to understand your own personal strengths

If you liked this episode, please subscribe, like and rate it wherever you found the show. 

We'd also love it if you'd consider supporting the show by 'buying us a cup of virtual coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast 

Today we’re exploring a question we got from one of our viewers/listeners Jon who writes asking about trends in color grading.  Thanks for the question Jon it’s a good one!  

Some of the specifics we discuss in this show include:

• The challenge of pinpointing trends
• Hommage vs. copy cat
• What’s popular now?
• Have we become scared of contrast?
• The magic of ‘90s and early 2000’s looks
• Thinking about future trends by using past looks as a library

If you liked this episode be sure to check out our growing library of episodes and like and subscribe to the podcast where ever you find it.  

Also, we'd love it if you consider buying us a cup of virtual coffee to help support the show - it means a lot to us.  https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast 

It's these topics and more we're discussing on this installment of The Offset Podcast

Specifics discussed int his episode include:

• What is a reference and what is it good for?
• References aren’t just good for color - good for all aspects of finishing
• References as a communication tool
• Interrogating the client about provided references
• Inspirational references vs. practical references
• Reference evaluation  - color, contrast, texture, mood and focus
• Working with references in your color grading app
• Thinking volumetrically with references

If you liked this episode, please subscribe, like and rate it wherever you found the show. 

We'd also love it if you'd consider supporting the show by 'buying us a cup of virtual coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast 

Technology lust is real, and in this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re discussing managing it. 

Specific topics for this episode include:

• Staying at or near the technological curve
• Measuring desire vs real impact of new gear and software
• The benefits of being slightly behind the bleeding edge - improvement without breaking the bank
• How small improvements can scratch that upgrade itch 
• Monitor upgrades
• The underrated value of storage upgrades
• The danger of ‘build it, and they will come
• The financial part of upgrades - purchasing, finance, leasing

 If you liked this episode check out our growing library of other episodes, and we'd love it you could take a moment to like/subscribe where ever you find the show. 

Also, we'd be grateful if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us 'a cup of coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

You’ve likely heard the phrase ‘it’s a relationship business’. What that means and how do you go about working on your relationships is what we’re exploring in this show.  

Specifics we discuss include:

• What do we mean by post is a ‘relationship business’?
• No one is perfect, but trying to always improve relationships should be the goal
• Using the concept of the ‘golden rule’ and giving people the benefit of the doubt
• Stages of relationships
• Managing client relationships and the importance of being ‘invested’ in their success
• The importance of clear expectations with clients
• Stewardship and ‘checking in’ with clients between projects
• How project debriefs can be a valuable tool for client relationship growth
• Working with other vendors and the delicate dance with client involvement
• Direct replies vs reply all when it comes to working with other vendors  
• Using relationships with other vendors as a sales and workflow assets
• The challenges of relationships with co workers & colleagues
• Putting the project first with all colleagues - even ones you don’t get along with
• The importance of modesty and a positive attitude with co-workers
• Owning your faults/mistakes and working to rectify them
• How you talk about others dramatically impacts your relationships 

If you like this episode please like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you find it.  Also we'd be grateful if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

We'll be back in another two weeks!

If you’re not familiar with look setting, it can be a vital part of the grading process.  It helps ensure that you and the client are on the same page with the creative choices and the look of a project PRIOR to grading the entire project and potentially going down the wrong path.  

Look setting can be an integral part of preproduction - building monitoring LUTs or in camera look files. Or it can happen after production has wrapped but prior to the main grade starting or combination of those approaches 

In this episode it’s that second scenario that we’re going to be discussing.  We’ll cover developing looks for production in a future episode.  

Specific topics discussed in this show include:

• What is look setting and while is a vital part of the finishing process?
• How look setting is the first part of building client confidence and important to the communication process 
• When does looking setting happen? 
• Making the goals of a looking setting session clear to everyone involved
• Strategies to avoid going too deep in the grade while also showing off capabilities & possibilities 
• The importance of reviewing & discussing references
• How to pick shots and scenes to work on 
• Building 3 to 4 looks to share with the client
• Leveraging comparative tools
• Presenting shot challenges without offending clients 
• In person, asynchronous and remote streaming look sessions
• Moving from a look setting session into the main grade

If you like this episode please consider supporting the podcast by buying us 'a cup of coffee': https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

Big thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific for helping make these shows possible.  

See you in about two weeks!

If you’re new to the subject than this episode is a good primer on the essential components of virtualization, for those of you more experienced with virtualization, we believe strongly that virtualization will continue to play a large role in our industry and over the next few years become mainstream in many post and finishing workflows.

Specific topics discussed include:

• What is virtualization and why is it important?
• Local hardware mentality vs virtualization
• Local hypervisors and VMs
• Virtualization servers (DIY local and or Cloud Based)
• Key vocabulary - bare metal, pass through etc
• The role of Remote Desktop/streaming and local clients in a virtualized setup
• Why and how we’re experimenting with fully virtualized workflows
• The trickle down effect of virtualization is gaining steam

If you like The Offset Podcast, we’d love it if you could do us a big favor. It’d help a lot if you could like and rate the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen/watch the show.

Also if you liked this show consider support the podcast by buying us a cup of coffee. - https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

If you missed part 1, be sure to go back to and check it out.  

In this episode some of the topics we explore include:

• Finding the right instruction and right instructor for how you learn
• The role of 'robustness’ in color education
• Why concepts trump recipes 
• Why some practitioners aren’t great teachers and some teachers aren’t great practitioners
• How to get people to ‘launch’ post instruction 
• From  tutorials on YouTube to a building a brand
• The Pros/Cons of different instruction types - in person, asynchronous, audio only etc
• The responsibility of a student and how to good student 
• The challenges of teaching the ‘soft’ side of color  - room & client management 
• What constitutes success as an educator?
• Dealing with trolls and criticism as an educator

A huge thanks to Cullen for joining us these past two episodes.  You can learn more about Cullen’s courses, tools and community by visiting his YouTube channel  - www.youtube.com/cullenkelly

If you liked this episode consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

Thanks as always to our amazing sponsor Flanders Scientific and our editor Stella!

Over the past 25 years both Joey and Robbie have written books on postproduction, authored hundreds of hours of tutorial content and spoken on color and postproduction at conferences and events all around the world.  

For this episode we thought it’d be fun to have one of our favorite color educators join the show as a special guest.  Who’s that special guest? None other than the incomparable Cullen Kelly.  

As a colorist Cullen’s eye is sought after by some of the biggest brands and best film makers in the world, as an educator his knowledge and easy going manner have earned him the respect of thousands around the world and even gave brith to a thriving community he manages. As a developer - first with DCTL and now OFX, Cullen is combining his love of color science and workflow all to help colorists create compelling images.   

Specific topics we cover in this episode include:

• Cullen’s background and how his journey began with a desire to know more about color
• How being a staff colorist drastically impacted his skills and learning the craft of color grading
• How the facility experience also drove his desire to learn more about what was happening behind the scenes with image creation
• Rewarding the passion of others by sharing knowledge and building a community
• Color and post have lots of ‘lanes’ of knowledge, no one ever regrets knowledge gained
• How knowledge is tiered - you can’t learn everything all at once.  
• The challenges of calibrating education to your audience
• The role of principles and how they outweigh any specific tool
• The challenge of teaching when the quality of footage, projects, and skillsets vary

If you liked this show consider support the podcast by buying us a cup of coffee. - https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

Also be sure to like and subscribe to the show where ever you find it!

In this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re discussing essential IT vocab, devices and workflows. Of course, in a single episode there is a ton that we can’t cover, but if as a creative, IT stuff is confusing to you, than this overview will certainly help. Being conversant with IT terms is a must in modern post production. 

Some of the specific topics we explore in this show include:

• Why IT knowledge is essential on lots of levels including communicating with other people in the industry
• Understanding the role of a router and WAN vs LAN connections
• The role of a switch
• IP essentials - public IP vs internal IP
• DHCP vs Static/Fixed IPs
• VLANS and their role in more complicated network structures
• The value of an IT ecosystem/product integration and a ‘single pane of glass’ approach
• Firewalls and their importance in VLAN setups & incoming/outgoing connections
• Exploring network speed and performance options - 1GbE, 10GbE etc
• Understanding jumbo frames/MTU size
• The role of WIFI in the professional environment 

Remember, if you like this episode please do us a favor and like and subscribe where ever you find it!

In this episode we take a list of 50+ feature requests and cull that down to 10 (ish), touching on things like groups, potential interface improvements, and what AI could (should) be doing in Resolve.  

Of course, anytime a list of 50+ things is paired down considerably there are good feature requests that get left behind so we might have to do a part 2 on this later in the year. 

In this episode some of the feature requests/improvements we take a look at include:

• Complete revision of groups in Resolve
• More AI driven utility tools - auto conform, dead pixel analysis, auto grouping etc
• UI improvements - UI to dock/save presets, settings, DCTLS, favorite effects, momentary full screen panels
• Tracking & Stabilization workflow improvements including axis weighting, predictive tracking, depth based tracking
• Gestural support for pen and trackpad users
• Color management for saved/exported stills + contact sheet/webpage export
• Closed caption, & Dolby Vision/Atmos support for DCPs. DCP validation
• Info pallet improvements - shot stats, corrections list, more items available for smart filtering
• How to make good feature requests and bug reports

Be sure to checkout offsetpodcast.com to check out our growing library of shows as well as to submit an idea for a future episode.  

If you liked this or other episodes please consider buying us a cup of coffee to support the show: coff.ee/theoffsetpodcast

Thanks as always to our amazing sponsor @flandersscientific for the support!

At first blush, the answer is yes, but the really, the answer is decidedly more nuanced.  

Specifics discussed in this episode include:

• HDR seems to be everywhere - streaming platforms, consumer electronics, professional gear with billions made in investment
• While wildly available, access to HDR content is still often based on  ‘level’ of plan. 
• Disconnect for consumers between HDR capable hardware and plans
• The role the iPhone has played in helping spread HDR
• Although available & accessible, HDR is still widely weighted to the ‘higher end’.  Mid and entry level productions aren’t utilizing HDR. Why? And how can that change?
• The language of HDR has become conservative and very similar to SDR versions making differentiation harder
• A safe approach to HDR may be tied to derived downstream HDR and SDR performance.   
• Investment in expensive gear (reference monitoring) for what many see as niche is also a contributing factor
• How to sell and consistency in selling HDR content is important
• Many feel that HDR is something that is being dictated to them…but for technical not creative reasons
• Important to remember HDR technology and workflows are still relatively new
• Stunning HDR content does exist and shows what can be done (Ian Vertovec examples)
• Given artists space and time to work on HDR can produce amazing results

If you like the show be sure to like and subscribe where ever you find The Offset Podcast

In this episode, we’ll explore these issues and more.  While we don’t have the fixes for the macro issues at play in our industry, we discus many ways to battle the current downturn in post including:

• The current challenges in post production are multi-faceted and no single way to solve them
• Post production requires a massive amount of effort other industries can be more appealing (and more lucrative)
• Jobs at post facilities are few and far between but its hard to recommend to young folks starting out to just start their own business or go freelance - there are significant challenges in doing so
• Medium and small size post production companies can be doing a better job with training, mentorship and recruitment.
• Better understanding were postproduction work has gone - social content, corporate communications etc
• Developing adjacent stills are absolute necessity for the modern post worker - programing, AI , IT workflows
• Understanding not all work is art, but all work is commerce
• The product of ‘production companies’ has changed drastically and leverages more than just traditional post skills
• Content creation really only works with a purpose and a goal
• Moving from an operator role to other roles in the industry - even ones you might think of like software creation/management
• Skills learned in post are highly desirable and portable in a wide swath of industries

If you liked this show, checkout our library of past episodes and please like and subscribe to the show where ever you find it!

Specific topics discussed in this episode include:

• Color is very subjective thing - how to balance your ‘done’ vs a client’s done
• The importance of pre-grade goals
• How initial project evaluation is a vital part of the grading process
• Getting to know a client’s preferences, aesthetic, and things they focus on
• The immense value of working in passes
• Focusing first on ‘tone’, white/black point, and overall shot to shot contrast
• Moving to large feature matching
• Detailed work  - beauty, clothing, small features shot to shot
• Showing the client for the first time - balancing confidence and accepting constructive criticism  
• Putting the project back in front of client again after addressing notes and gauging success
• Evaluating ‘translatability’ on consumer devices
• Preparing for big changes, disasters etc with project backups, duplicated timelines, and versions
• Balancing perfectionism with staying on schedule and delivering
• The long term value of being committed to your work

If you liked this episode be sure to check out our growing library of shows. Also be sure to like and subscribe to The Offset Podcast where ever you find it!

Some of the specific topics we cover in this episode include:

• How are panels actually made? And why does it cost billions?
• The role of material science in panel manufacturing 
• Understanding the split between panel manufacturers and consumer brands of the same name
• The importance of viewing environment in regards to display performance
• Understanding preference vs accuracy
• The shift to consumer-sized panels as reference monitors and the ongoing challenges of using multiple monitors
• Building meter matrices with the four color method, and are there better approaches, like the Bodner method or the volumetric approaches used by some calibration software
• Revisiting using consumer displays in a professional setting & why consumer TV companies have little incentive to integrate reference capabilities
• Continuing challenges of Rec.2020
• Calibrating computer monitors, iPads, and mobile devices

If you like this episode, please be sure to subscribe to the podcast give the show a like wherever you're watching/listening! 

In Part 1 of a two-part series, we're joined by Flander Scientific CEO Bram Desmet, Nate McFarlin from Dolby, and David Abrams from Portrait Displays/Avical.

We'll discuss their areas of expertise with each of them a little bit - monitor manufacturing, display testing and validation, and calibration.  

Specific topics explored in this episode include:

• Staying on top of monitoring technologies
• Choosing display technologies for a monitor product line
• Determining what features make it into monitor software
• Addressing different needs of different users e.g. DITs vs Colorists
• How staying at the forefront of color science helps deliver the most accurate monitors possible
• The role that an R&D company like Dolby plays in the monitor ecosystem
• How monitor usability is just as important as performance
• The complexity of monitor display technologies and how they can complicate monitor evaluation
• Sometimes monitor evaluation brings with it things manufacturers don’t want to hear
• Consumer monitors can be considerably harder to evaluate than professional monitors
• What does Dolby Certification really mean for consumer TVs
• When will we hit a point where HDR is standard & SDR is looked at in a similar way to HD or 4:3 
• Professional vs Consumer displays when it comes to calibration accuracy out of the box
• Calibration is not a replacement for understanding & proper setup/use of a monitor
• Exploring how calibration has become both easier and harder
• How accurate is accurate enough and is the cost of reference calibration gear worth it
• Noticeable differences & degrees of accuracy with calibration
• Drift and the frequency of recalibration 

In part 2 we explore some monitoring topics provided by our listeners and ones that Joey and Robbie have been eager to discuss.

In this show, some of the specifics discussed include:

• How ARM will factor into our next workstation purchases
• Do we think Apple will deliver on a ‘beast mode’ Mac Pro
• Will Apple Silicon ever support discreet GPUs
• How ARM Linux systems are very appealing from a hardware point of view but have software challenges
• Is widespread adoption of ARM an inflection point for cloud-based workstations for the masses
• A side effect of cloud-based workstations might be faster feature/bug fix deployment
• Why the future of workstations is really exciting

Be sure to check out our library of episodes, and if you liked the show, be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you find it.

In Part 1 of a two-part series on ARM in postproduction, we explore some of the essentials of ARM systems, including:

• Basics of ARM vs x86/x64 processors
• RISK vs Non-RISK CPUs
• The flexibility & scalability of ARM
• The goal of a uniform product architecture and its advantage for a company like Apple
• GPU design/performance - the surprise of Apple’s ARM implementation
• The appeal and benefits of efficiency and low power consumption
• The benefits of unified memory
• Package scalability - faster/more cores, multiple SoCs
• Does clock speed matter with ARM SOCs?
• Additional benefits - onboard encode/decode abilities
• Are SoC GPUs ever going to be on par with discrete GPUs? Will discrete GPUs ever come to Apple ARM systems?

In part two, we’ll dive a bit deeper, exploring additional topics, including how cloud-based ARM computing could be a game changer for cost-effective, decentralized post workflows, what the future may hold for workstations from Apple and others, and much more. 

In this installment of The OffSet Podcast, we're exploring how power grades, DCTLs, and OFX fit into a grading workflow.

Specific topics we discuss in this episode include:

• Defining Powergrades, DCTL & OFX
• The benefits of extending the toolset without cluttering the user interface
• Integrating DCTLS and OFX into fix node tree structures
• The DCTL ecosystem as R&D for Blackmagic Design
• Keeping DCTLs & OFX in sync, up to date, and on multiple systems and locations
• Exploring how to NOT paint yourself into a corner with DCTLs & OFX
• How DCTLS and OFX require a lot of steps and clicks for use
• There could be better interface & panel integration
• Some of our favorite DCTLs and OFX

Be sure to check out our library of episodes, and if you liked the show, be sure to like and subscribe to the show wherever you find it.

Some of the specifics we discuss in this episode include:

• Managing both in-person and remote review sessions
• The importance of ‘knowing’ the show - content, characters, etc
• Modulating small talk and reading the room
• Leveraging markers & notes for remaining tasks to accomplish & notes to self
• Anticipating problems, tangents, and pushback
• Setup your grading pipeline to make changes and comparisons easy for the client
• The power of making choices and changes visual 
• Documenting and tracking changes for consistency and completion 
• Making sure the technology works - audio, networking, lighting, passwords etc
• Having a backup strategy  - rendering out intermediate masters, duplicate projects/timelines
• Having clearly defined goals for the review session & a post-review plan 

You can submit show ideas and find show notes by visiting www.offsetpodcast.com. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube - just search for The Offset Podcast

While being a professional colorist can be exciting and rewarding, the job also comes with a plethora of challenges and things you might not realize.  Some specifics we discuss in this episode include:

• Is being a colorist everything it’s made out to be?
• How being a colorist can challenge your physical and mental health
• How not every project is share-worthy and it's easy to feel like you're not making art
• Challenges of long hours and being away from family and friends
• Being an independent colorist is hard, but the benefits can be numerous  
• There is more out there to color besides movies, television, and commercials - i.e. the great middle
• How postproduction knowledge as a colorist can be leveraged for lots of other things
• How you have to learn to check your ego at the door
• Long-term success usually means consistency and repeatability vs one awesome grade
• Learning how to be a team player with other parts of the pipeline 
• Putting your knowledge to work through education, speaking, etc can be just as rewarding as grading
• Advancement in postproduction isn’t really connected to titles - - but more so responsibility and overall trust from stakeholders 

Thanks for listening/watching and if you liked this show be sure to check out other episodes and tell your colleagues and friends about the podcast! 

In this episode, we explore a subject that should be important to everyone who cares about image quality and accuracy—calibration. While this episode is not encyclopedic, it should give you a high-level overview of modern calibration.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• The importance of calibration & why calibration = the truth
• Using color bars to set a monitor baseline isn’t calibration 
• How standards guide calibration
• Calibration and monitor perfection is unattainable - the goal is to eliminate visual deviations from reference as much as possible. 
• Understanding the parts of a closed-loop calibration system
• Colorimeters
• Spectroradiometers
• Creating display-specific offset matrices for a colorimeter with a spectroradiometer 
• Pattern generators
• Pattern/Patch size and understanding the basics of loading behavior
• Calibration software 
• Direct device control within calibration software
• Meter placement 
• Challenges of calibrating projectors vs. direct-view monitors
• Understanding what calibration can’t do & recalibration considerations 
• Is auto calibration any good?
• Hiring a professional calibrator 

Thanks for checking out the show!  If you liked this episode please like, subscribe, and share the show with friends and colleagues.

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Continuing with our two-part series on DIY approaches, in this installment of The Offset Podcast we'll discuss using a DIY approach to software. No, we're not talking about making your own turn-key color or editing software (but let us know if you do!), but rather things like scripting, basic coding for tool building, automation, and more.  

Specific topics covered in this episode include:  

• Why DIY software approaches & can you really do these things yourself?
• The importance of always starting with an idea
• Basic scripting to improve workflows
• Integrating scripts through the Resolve API
• Leveraging Resolve developer documentation for help
• Learning by looking at other/open-source scripts
• DCTLs - creating custom color tools for DaVinci Resolve
• How color science and DCTLs relate 
• Using low code/no code workflow automation platforms to connect the dots with different APIs
• Automating while also allowing for human decision-making
• Make your own UI/Interface for custom tools with Budibase 
• Keeping interfaces simple to get more user compliance 
• SaaS (Software As A Service) in the cloud vs local integrations
• The danger of using too many services 
• Using developer marketplaces 

Thanks for checking out the episode.  Please subscribe and like the show anywhere you find it!   

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we explore a plethora of tools & techniques for grade management. While many of these things are Resolve-specific, grade management approaches can apply to your grading tool of choice. 

Highlights include: 

• What does grade management mean?
• The power of fixed node tree (fixed structure)
• The process of building your own fixed tree
• Leveraging Node Stack Layers
• Using compound nodes 
• Using groups, Lightbox & Smart Filters to work faster
• Shared nodes
• Understanding sort modes
• Using multiple playheads 
• Remote and Local grades
• Using Versions
• Split screens for complex comparisons  
• Stills and wipes
• Timeline (Layer) organization and track disabling 
• Burn in options and rendering specific tracks
• Single Clip vs Individual Clip render options

Remember to subscribe and like wherever you find The Offset Podcast. We appreciate you checking out this episode!

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we're revisiting some postproduction knowledge that many of us take for granted but that is surprisingly new or at least unclear to many people. 

In this episode, we'll discuss:

• Preserving institutional knowledge of post - old vocab and techniques are still relevant 
• Understanding fractional frame rates
• Drop vs non-drop timecode
• Understanding interlacing 
• Interlacing to progressive, progressive to interlaced
• Transparency & alpha channels
• Composite modes and transparency in color-managed pipelines
• Recap on 3 and 4-point editing 
• Inclusive & exclusive playheads
• Being obsessive about file names
• Using Leader in file outputs - slates, bars/tone etc

If you like this episode, please subscribe and like the show wherever you find it. Also, thanks to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, and our awesome editor Stella. 

If you have an idea for a new episode please visit offsetpodcast.com and use the submission button to share your thoughts

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We're big fans of customization, including things on our desk and other hardware we need around the facility.  With huge online marketplaces, it's easier than ever to find those oddball parts and items to personalize your setup. But what if you can't find what you're looking for or you've found something that fits your need 80% but not completely?

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we start a two-part series on DIY (do it yourself) approaches for postproduction. We're starting out by exploring one of our favorite DIY approaches -  the power of 3D printing to make custom items for your suite, facility or anywhere else you might need a customized part. 

Over the past 10 years, 3D printing has morphed from an engineering hobby for the most serious DIYers to something that's approachable for even the most tech-phobic of us.    

In this show, we'll explore the basics of 3D printing to make your own hardware including:

• The power of customization & fulfilling exact needs
• What kind of things can you print for postproduction?
• Understanding the basics of additive and subtractive manufacturing
• The 50,000 ft view of the 3D printing - modeling, slicing, and 'programming'   
• How a good set of calipers can help you design anything with real-world measurements
• 3D printing communities
• Farming out fabrication to a vendor

In a future episode, we'll explore DIY software approaches including custom scripting and workflow-enhancing tools.

Thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific and to our awesome editor Stella - we couldn't do the show without you!

If you liked this episode, check out our other episodes and like and subscribe wherever you find the show.

In this episode of The Offset Podcast, we discuss essential concepts & vocab about color management pipelines to prepare you to dive deeper into these concepts. 

Specific topics discussed include:

- Why understanding color management so important in modern workflows
- Understanding the concepts of scene and display referred 
- How LUTs can be considered part of a managed pipeline - but with some limitations
- The parts of a color-managed pipeline
- Choosing an intermediate/working space
- Project-wide, node-base, and layer-based approaches to color management 
- The power of color space-aware tools
- Printer lights & contrast in a managed pipeline
- Output metadata tagging
- Using OFX and DCTLs in a managed pipeline
- The danger of too much fiddling with transforms

You can also find this episode on all major podcast platforms. 

Big thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, and our editor Stella!

Postproduction (like lots of other industries) can be hard work, full of stress, and long hours - but with a little work, you can battle burnout pretty effectively.  

In this episode, we share our opinions on fighting burnout and cover topics including:

• Why burnout is pervasive in video/film postproduction
• Hard work vs true burnout
• The frequent disconnect between managers & operators
• A plethora of time management strategies including day optimization, focus techniques, and creating approachable blocks of time
• Avoiding the procrastination snowball & multi-tasking
• Learning the concept of 'that's a tomorrow problem'
• Managing notifications and the stress caused by them
• Expanding your horizons by working in new genres and/or using new tools
• Finding a side hustle and new creative interests
• Learning how to build a focus & energy reserve 
• Understanding & managing stressful personalities 

If you enjoyed this episode please be sure to like and subscribe and tell your friends and colleagues to check out the podcast. 

Thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific!

It’s easy to get into the technical weeds very quickly. In our opinion, a super technical deep dive into modern coloring is not the place to start - it can be overwhelming and turn off a lot of people who are looking for a creative outlet. 

So instead of debating the merits of specific workflows and tools, in this episode, we jump into a handful of high-level tips geared to help the new colorist or those working in other disciplines get their feet under them in the world of color. 

Some of the things we’ll explore in this episode include:

• The power of a less is more approach and following your instincts on overdoing grades
• Learning how to respect the photography of a project and not reinvent it
• Work in passes, focusing on big moves first and working to not get caught up in tiny details right away
• When it comes time to massaging details learning how to focus on the ones that really matter
• Understanding and learning how to fight visual adaptation
• A good-looking scope doesn’t always equal a great-looking shot
• Learning to understand visual intent and why neutral is not always the goal
• Why reference monitoring is and always will be important & why calibration/environment is more important than a specific display technology. 
• Not overcomplicating color management & believing everything the internet has to say on color pipelines
• The importance of allowing time for experimenting & learning not to feel pressured to use new tools just because they’re there
• Shaping your best characteristics - confidence & communication 

Thanks for watching/listening! If you liked this episode please be sure to like the show and follow us wherever you found the show. 

Big thanks to our friend and fantastic colorist Josh Petok for the show concept. Follow Josh on Instagram @joshpetok

Thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific for the support and to our editor Stella.

The 'Race To The Bottom' is a real thing and in this episode, we'll explore ways to combat it including:

- Defining the race to the bottom
- Valuing artists, not tools
- Different ways to set rates
- The challenges of starting low/benefits of starting high with pricing
- Diversifying pricing
- The slippery slope of discounting
- Accuracy in bidding
- Understanding not everyone is competition & saying no is sometimes a good thing
- Never working for 'free' & always getting something tangible out of a job

Thanks for checking out the show. If you like The Offset Podcast please like and subscribe wherever you find it.

In Part 2 we cover a lot of ground with Nate including:

- Professional & consumer display considerations for HDR & Dolby Vision
- Clearing up common misconceptions about display certification (i.e. Dolby doesn't certify displays)
- Display performance criteria from Dolby
- The pitfalls of using consumer displays for HDR mastering
- The move to individual Dolby Vision certifications vs facility certifications
- HDR first and SDR to HDR workflows
- The evolution of Dolby Vision analysis
- Dolby Vision education resources & knowledgebase
- And much more!

Big thanks to Nate for joining us for these great conversations!

In this episode, we discuss:

- Joey & Robbie's passion for Dolby Vision
- Nate's engineering background and his time at RIT in the Motion Picture Science program (MPS)
- Some of the origins and spread of HDR and Dolby Vision
- Understanding Dolby Vision as translation technology (tone mapping)
- The explosion of HDR and Dolby Vision content
- And much more!

In part 2, we'll dive into some more of the technical parts of the Dolby Vision ecosystem as we continue our chat with Nate. 

Pre Internet, outside of going to visit a company or reseller directly, a trade show was the only way to get valuable information about products, workflows, and in general, where the industry was headed. In the 1980s through the early 2000s shows like the National Association Of Broadcasters (NAB) or the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) were hosts to hundreds of thousands.  

Equally as important as visiting the show floor were the plethora of networking events, parties, and hangouts - some of which are still whispered about in convention center hallways for how epic they were!

In this episode of The Offset Podcast, we discuss what shows like NAB mean to us as colorists, educators, and technology-driving guys and why even post-pandemic where the crowds and investments from exhibitors are smaller, trade shows still play a vital role - even if that role is just networking and seeing colleagues you only know virtually or see at trade shows!   

While we're a bit heavy on NAB in this episode -  as it's the show we know the best and the one we've gone to the most. The things we discuss in this episode apply to other big trade shows like IBC, BIRTV, Interbee, CabSat, Broadcast India, and others

In this show some of the things we'll discuss including:

Getting time in with software developers of your favorite tools to suggest features, workflows, and bugs.
Face time with peers and colleagues that you might not see or speak to regularly
Rubbing elbows with industry heroes
Leveraging educational sub-conferences and presentations
Survival tips & techniques
Building a contact database and following up post-trade show
Cost saving tips

Enjoy the episode!

We'll start by taking a look at the 'skin tone line' on a vectorscope and why its use is not as cut and dry as you think it might be. We'll then jump into why 'more' grading is usually not the best approach to your grades and the related issue of why teal & orange looks engineered in post can sometimes be a tell to 'over grading'.  We'll explore why lots of LUTs are nothing more than snake oil and why the one-size-fits-all-all LUT doesn't exist. 

We'll also discuss why separate P3 grades for film festivals can be an over complication for most projects, why you don't have to normalize a log image first before keying, and where you place noise reduction depends on the shot & your needs.  

Remember, if you like The Offset Podcast please like and subscribe wherever you watch or listen!

Over the years we've heard hundreds of horrifying stories of data loss and unfortunately, most of them were avoidable. 

In this episode of The Offset Podcast, we dive into backup and archiving strategies. We'll start out exploring the differences between a backup and an archive, why it's important to NEVER work off a client-supplied drive(s), understanding online, nearline, and offline data lifecycle states, redundancy at each state, and understanding the gear needed you'll need. 

We'll also dive into an overview of LTO and why it is the best option for long-term archiving.  We'll discuss LTO generations, connectivity, using LTFS as a file system, tape redundancy, and why a stack of drives is NOT a suitable replacement for LTO.   

Finally, we'll discuss some business/billing implications of archiving. 

If you like the show please give us a like and subscribe to stay up to date on future episodes!

Thanks to everyone who has supported the show especially our sponsor Flanders Scientific!  If you enjoy this show, or any of our episodes, please subscribe and like!

In this installment of The Offset Podcast we're talking about something that's important to all of us - mental health. The pressures, deadlines, and sometimes difficult interpersonal things in post can be crippling - leading to bouts with anxiety, depression and general unhappiness.  

We'll explore why talking about mental health is so important to talk about, battling imposter syndrome and uncomfortable situations, how projects shouldn't equate to self worth, how social media contributes to 'keeping up with the Jones', perfectionism/OCD, managing general business anxiety, the dangers of self medicating to manage anxiety, how bad habits contribute to stress, why exercise is so important, finding health hobbies, and much more.

Having built dozens of suites from scratch over the years, in part one of two episodes on the subject, Robbie & Joey share their lessons learned about room design including executing proper planning,  if you should consider having a machine room, considerations for cable runs & connecting equipment in a suite from a machine room, common room layouts, and lots more.  

In this episode of The Offset Podcast, Robbie & Joey discuss the pros & cons of three different workflows for moving projects to color: conform, bake (also called flat file), or a hybrid of the two. 

No two projects are the same, and learning to figure out the best workflow to move a project from editorial to color is an essential skill to have. 

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, Robbie & Joey sit down with our good friend, display technology guru, and CEO of Flanders Scientific, Bram Desmet to discuss if quantum physics actually has anything to do with this display technology, the massive improvements that QD OLED provides over other display tech and some key features of QD OLED that you'll want to consider before your next reference monitor purchase.

In this episode of The Offset Podcast, Robbie & Joey discuss what film print emulation can mean these days and how there are things to like about pursuing a filmic look, things to avoid, and how different people mean different things when discussing FPE. 

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've likely heard the countless ongoing discussions about 'Artificial intelligence' and machine learning.  In this episode of The Offset Prodcast, Robbie & Joey share their thoughts on how AI/ML is currently affecting the postproduction industry and the possible future of AI/ML in post - both good and bad.

Robbie & Joey are both known for their warm, open, and conversational approach to even the most technical topics. Using their broad experience to inform engaging conversations from online forums, social media platforms, and in-person hangouts with industry friends and peers people have always said ‘You guys should record this and make a podcast!’

So, that’s exactly what we decided to do:  Introducing The Offset Podcast

The Offset Podcast is a semi-monthly (twice a month) podcast available on all major podcast platforms and The Offset Podcast YouTube Channel (video version).

Check out the trailer for the podcast as well as the first two episodes – all available now!