The Offset Podcast EP014: A Discussion With Dolby's Nate McFarlin Pt. 1

No, we're not returning to the days of 1", U-Matic, or even D1 & Digibeta (although those were pretty awesome days!). 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 ratesDrop vs non-drop timecodeUnderstanding interlacing Interlacing to progressive, progressive to interlacedTransparency & alpha channelsComposite modes and transparency in color-managed pipelinesRecap on 3 and 4-point editing Inclusive & exclusive playheadsBeing obsessive about file namesUsing Leader in file outputs - slates, bars/tone etcIf 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

It's hard to believe but this is our 20th episode! We sincerely thank all our listeners and viewers for checking out the show. We're super excited for the next 20+ shows!--------------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 needsWhat kind of things can you print for postproduction?Understanding the basics of additive and subtractive manufacturingThe 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 measurements3D printing communitiesFarming out fabrication to a vendorIn 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.

Color management pipelines play an integral part in modern postproduction, but these pipelines still cause a lot of confusion for many people. 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 transformsYou can also find this episode on all major podcast platforms. Big thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, and our editor Stella!

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we discuss those horrible feelings of being way overworked and becoming burned out. The truth is - video and film postproduction can take a toll on your physical & mental health and leave you feeling unmotivated, tired, and even potentially thinking about quitting the industry.  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 postproductionHard work vs true burnoutThe frequent disconnect between managers & operatorsA plethora of time management strategies including day optimization, focus techniques, and creating approachable blocks of timeAvoiding the procrastination snowball & multi-taskingLearning the concept of 'that's a tomorrow problem'Managing notifications and the stress caused by themExpanding your horizons by working in new genres and/or using new toolsFinding a side hustle and new creative interestsLearning 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!

We get asked for advice by new colorists and those looking to do more color (editors,DPs, etc) all the time.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 gradesLearning how to respect the photography of a project and not reinvent itWork in passes, focusing on big moves first and working to not get caught up in tiny details right awayWhen it comes time to massaging details learning how to focus on the ones that really matterUnderstanding and learning how to fight visual adaptationA good-looking scope doesn’t always equal a great-looking shotLearning to understand visual intent and why neutral is not always the goalWhy 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 pipelinesThe importance of allowing time for experimenting & learning not to feel pressured to use new tools just because they’re thereShaping 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 @joshpetokThanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific for the support and to our editor Stella.

If you're like most people in postproduction (and many other industries), you've probably felt at one point or another that budgets are getting smaller, clients are more demanding & expecting more for the same price, and it's often a battle to get the rates you deserve. 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 jobThanks for checking out the show. If you like The Offset Podcast please like and subscribe wherever you find it.

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Nate McFarlin - Senior Content Engineer at Dolby.  If you missed part 1 of this conversation, be sure to check out Episode 14 to learn more about Nate's background and how he arrived at Dolby.  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!

We've been Dolby Vision evangelists -speaking, presenting, and developing training on it almost since the very start including a 10-part series for the Dolby Institute a few years ago.  So every time an opportunity presents itself to chat with our friends at Dolby we jump at the chance.  Recently we caught up with Nate McFarlin who is a Senior Content Engineer at Dolby for an engaging two-part conversation.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. 

Trade shows have always played a big role in the production and postproduction industries.  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 othersIn 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 regularlyRubbing elbows with industry heroesLeveraging educational sub-conferences and presentationsSurvival tips & techniquesBuilding a contact database and following up post-trade showCost saving tipsEnjoy the episode!

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we're diving into some common color grading myths that we've heard over the years. This is by no means a comprehensive collection of myths, but rather a few select ones that we hear often.  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!