Need Guidance on Dolby Vision to DCI-P3 and IMAX Workflow

[Soumitra Sarkar]

Hi everyone,

 

I’m a Baselight colorist working on an upcoming feature film where the primary output is for theatrical release (DCI-P3), but the DoP insists on grading in Dolby Vision HDR first. I initially suggested grading in P3 first since the target audience is theatre-goers, but he’s fixed on starting with Dolby Vision.

I’m also aware that Dolby Vision SDR trims do not translate well to cinema P3 DCP

 

Now, there’s an additional request to deliver a version optimized for IMAX — and here’s where I need some guidance.

 

I’ve never delivered for IMAX before, and I want to ensure:

 

1. The DCI-P3 theatrical output is not compromised, since it’s the main release.
2. I produce a proper IMAX version without just handing over the standard P3 DCP.

 

 

 

My Setup:

• Sony BVM-X300 for Dolby Vision HDR grading.
• Barco DCI-P3 projector for theatrical grading.

please suggest popular workflow & guide

 

[Andreas Brückl]

Probably already solved, but here is the solution:

You can grade in HDR-no need to make a DV pass, yet.

Take the timeline once done and as you are grading in a scene referred environment it should just convert to P3 easily.

Then you do a little offset. India projectors are 12ftl that’s why your offset needs a bit more power.

 

For IMAX you can give them the normal P3 DCP render. They will do the rest.

All IMAX are done at PrimeFocus in Mumbai. You can also ask them if you have any doubts.

Additional info: Imax has to accept the film first as it works on a revenue share basis. If they say yes, then it will go to the IMAX cinema.

 

good luck

 

[Soumitra Sarkar]

Thank you sir for your valuable feedback. As per your suggestions, at first I finished my HDR grade then I just change my viewing colourspace to nomal DCI P3 & offset. Now I have to face with some problem. I notice that After convert the colour space to P3 & offset , the pick highlight of a shot have no details, to get back the details in highlight I need to regrade the shot in the first layer where I do the Base grade. On the other hand when I do the DV pass it’s getting back the pick highlight but looks muddy to see in P3 projector. 
need your suggestions once again. Waiting for feedback 

 

***one more things, if I increase the saturation & brightness of a shot in first layer too much , then I insert a layer and reduce the pick highlight with BaseGrade tool & reduce the saturation with hue shift tool , is that right procedure ? 
Recent a DoP force me to follow this procedure but I said it’s wrong procedure to grade. Am I right or wrong ?

[Andreas Brückl]

It all depends on the footage.

If you have harsh highlights or a very high key image” then your HDR pass needs a lot of adjustment. In this case you do your first pass in HDR without! adjusting your top highlights too much or you have to stretch them again in P3. So you have to find a middle ground. And of course-you might have less details in P3. …less dynamic range.

The DV pass is for SDR REC709, not for P3.

 

Generally: make less contrast for the HDR pass.

punch the highlights up for the SDR pass.

There is no “one fits all” rule.