In short: A colourist sets the colour and brightness of a film or TV drama in the grading stage. They match shots to the look agreed with the director and the director of photography, fix exposure problems and make sure the picture meets the luminance and chroma standards. Most colourists start as post-production assistants and build up over several years.
A colourist shapes the mood and look of a film or TV drama by setting its colours, working in the grading stage after the footage has been shot. Footage is often shot in a flat log or raw format, so much of the colour is set during grading, and the colourist matches every shot to the palette agreed with the director and the director of photography.
What a colourist does on a shoot day
Colourists work after the shoot. Their work starts when the editor has a cut and the footage is ready to grade. They adjust brightness (luminance) and colour intensity (chroma), and they match shots so that a scene reads as one place, even when it was filmed across several days. They also correct problem footage, such as shots with poor exposure.
Much of the grading is detailed work done alone at a screen. The colourist then shares the result with the director and the editor, and adjusts it against their notes.
Who they work with
The colourist works closely with the editor, the director and the director of photography. Edit assistants prepare the material for the grade. ScreenSkills describes the work as quite solitary, since much of the grading is done alone. The profile does not state a formal reporting line.
Kit and skills
ScreenSkills lists these skills:
- An understanding of colour, including how it works in storytelling and its psychological effects.
- Knowledge of the digital and film production process, and awareness of the whole filmmaking process.
- Skill with grading software, usually Baselight or DaVinci Resolve.
- Communication with directors, directors of photography and the edit team.
- Patience and close attention to detail under pressure.
How to become a colourist
Most colourists start in post-production and build up over several years. ScreenSkills describes these routes:
- Post-production work. Start as an edit or tech assistant or a runner. Studios may offer apprenticeships, and ScreenSkills advises checking the training content with the employer and the college first.
- Qualifications. A-levels or Highers in art and design, photography or computing science. Level 3 vocational routes include BTEC National Diplomas and Extended Diplomas in Art and Design or Creative Digital Media Production, and OCR and UAL diplomas.
- Portfolio and experience. Making films is recommended to build a portfolio and learn editing. Work experience with post-production companies, most of them in London, is another route.
- Courses and events. Degrees with the ScreenSkills Select award are recommended, particularly those with post-production facilities. ScreenSkills suggests its events, especially Open Doors, and its immersive film First Day: In post as an introduction.
- Trainee scheme. ScreenSkills' Trainee Finder has a post-production strand.
Bectu, the union for workers in the creative industries, offers career development support to members.
Do you need one on a small shoot?
- A single-camera talking head with a steady look: usually no. Basic correction in the edit is often enough.
- A multi-camera shoot, or footage from different cameras or days: a colour pass is worth paying for, so that the cameras match.
- A brand film or drama built around a set palette: yes. A colourist matches the shots to the agreed look.
Granary does not list a day rate for a colourist. If colour grading is part of a booking, ask for a quote, and tell the team the look the picture needs before the shoot starts.
Related roles
Sources
- ScreenSkills, Colourist (film and TV drama), read 5 November 2026
- Bectu, home page, read 5 November 2026
Related guides
Questions we get asked
What does a colourist do on a film?
A colourist adjusts the brightness and colour of each shot to match the look agreed with the director and the director of photography. They fix exposure problems, match shots within a sequence and check that the picture meets the luminance and chroma standards.
Is a colourist the same as a director of photography?
No. The director of photography shapes the light and the camera on set. The colourist grades the footage after the shoot, often working alone, then reviewing the grade with the director and the director of photography.
How do you become a colourist in the UK?
Most begin as post-production edit or tech assistants or runners and build experience over several years. ScreenSkills recommends making your own films for a portfolio and applying for its Trainee Finder scheme for post-production.
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