How the Color Grading Process Works?
Before any project begins, please complete the Color Grading Preparation Form. It’s a short Google Form that gathers essential information about your film, creative intent, and technical details. Filling it out ensures we start with clear references and a smooth workflow from day one. Color Grading Preparation Questionnaire
Color grading is more than adjusting brightness and contrast; it’s where a film’s visual identity is defined—mood, tone, and consistency across every shot. Before we begin, it’s crucial that everyone follows the viewing and monitor calibration guidelines outlined in our article “Remote Color Grading and Review: How to Collaborate Online.” A properly calibrated display and a controlled viewing environment are essential for accurate feedback and consistent results.
At Wild Lion Media, we follow a disciplined, broadcast-ready workflow that’s both creative and technically precise.
1) First Meeting or Online Session — Look Development
We begin with a creative session (in person or online) to discuss story, references, and tone. During this look development stage we select several hero shots that represent key lighting and emotional moments (a daylight exterior, a mixed-light interior, a close-up with skin, and a night scene). We build the initial look on these frames, test subtle variations, and save them as hero references. Once the style feels authentic to the story, we lock the direction and proceed to the full-film pass. (We ask for a brief written confirmation that this is the look you want.)
2) Applying the Look Across the Film
With the look approved, we apply it throughout the project. This involves balancing exposure and color, ensuring smooth transitions, and refining details like skin tones and highlight roll-off. For long-form or multi-camera documentaries, this is where the film gains its cohesive shape.
3) Finishing Session — Remote or On-Site
The final creative step is the finishing session. We review the graded film together—either in the studio or remotely via secure streaming—and make last adjustments so every shot supports the story and matches the agreed intent. After approval, we prepare the final masters for broadcast and web, fully spec-compliant.
4) Final QC & Delivery
A dedicated quality-control pass verifies legal levels, color tags, and technical integrity. We confirm that scopes, metadata, and audio all meet delivery specifications before rendering the master files.
Payment Structure
For new clients, a 50% deposit is required to book the project and schedule look development; this deposit is credited toward the total. For short pieces or dailies‑only work, an alternative 50% upfront / 50% on delivery model is available.
Reach out to schedule a test stream or discuss your upcoming project.
