COLOR GRADING
FilmingLife® 102
Create films that feel as good as they look.
Color is more than just a finishing touch—it’s one of the most powerful storytelling tools you have as a filmmaker. In this course, you’ll learn how to unlock the emotional impact of color grading to elevate your films from raw footage to cinematic, story-rich masterpieces.
Whether you're shooting in LOG or straight out of camera, this course will help you understand how to correct, refine, and stylize your footage with intention. From the technical foundations to the creative flourishes, you'll walk away with the skills you need to grade confidently and consistently—every time.
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Bit Rate, Bit Depth & Chroma Subsampling explained simply
How image quality affects your grade
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The difference between Rec709 and LOG (and when to use each)
How to control white balance using Kelvin
Understanding color temperature in natural light
A hands-on light and color exercise to deepen your understanding
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The psychology of color and how to use it in your films
A practical guide to color harmony and theory
Creative ways to bring color into your storytelling
Self-evaluation to see where your films can grow
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How to use Lumetri Scopes in Premiere Pro
What each scope tells you about your footage
How to use this information to improve exposure and color balance
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Converting LOG to Rec709 the right way
Correcting exposure, contrast, and white balance using scopes
Secondary corrections to fine-tune your look
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How to translate Lightroom presets into Lumetri settings
How to use LUTs for fast, consistent color
My favorite LUTs and where to find them
What You’ll Learn:
By the end of this course you’ll be able to:
Understand how your camera sees and stores color
Confidently read and use scopes to guide every adjustment
Fix color and exposure issues with purpose
Match shots and create cohesion throughout your film
Grade LOG footage without fear
Add intentional color that elevates the story
Create your own style—and replicate it consistently
Why this course is different:
This isn’t a dry technical class.
It’s not about chasing trendy looks or copying someone else’s style.
This course is about helping you make color decisions with intention.
It’s about storytelling, feeling, and connection—through color.
You’ll learn how to bring your vision to life, using the tools inside Premiere Pro and the eye you’ve already developed as a photographer.
And you’ll be doing it alongside a supportive, thriving community of filmmakers inside FilmingLife® Academy.
What You Need:
A computer capable of editing video
Adobe Premiere Pro (we teach using this, but the concepts can translate to other software)
Basic understanding of shooting and editing video (complete 101: Foundations of Filmmaking first if you’re brand new)
How to Enroll:
102: Color Grading is only available to members of FilmingLife® Academy.
For $75/month, you get access to this course and:
All other courses in the FilmingLife® library
Monthly workshops
Live group course runs
Behind-the-scenes lessons
1:1 film critiques
A supportive global community of family filmmakers
This course alone would be valued at $1200 USD if sold separately.
Inside the Academy, it’s just part of what you get as a member.