Dylan R. Hopkin

Neat Video is king for NR, but since I´ve begun using Resolve 12.5 Studio, I am using Neat less, since Resolve has a improved NR. The built-in NR is real time in many cases, depending on your hardware, and it render caches quickly if needed. Film Convert is also cool, mainly for film grain but Resolve 12.5 Studio has got built-in Film Grain now, so if this does a good job, then I will most probably start using the built in solution instead. Film Convert also includes the possibility to mix in "film color" and "film curves" to create a quick "filmstock" look. But defaults seldom work, so it needs some tweaking in conjunction with your normal grading tools. / Dylan

When working on features, a teaser is usually graded before the main feature and trailer. I find this a good way to start the creative process looking towards grading the feature film. Touching the footage for the first time is always great, honouring the look references from the director and DOP, and giving them something they might not have thought about. Basically creating several looks that I feel could be right, just from my gut feeling. Having worked with the director and DOP on other projects always helps too. Knowing what they like / dislike. A while after the teaser is done I start with main feature. The trailer is usually grading towards the end of the main feature grade, or after. I always ask for time to grade the trailer shots in context with eachother, to make smoother (or harder) transitions between sequences, depending on the project. As Andy mentioned, a teaser / trailer is the "commercial" for the feature film. I sometimes push the grade a bit harder for these short form pieces, since each shot has less time to capture the audience. Shaping the light is also very important, directing the viewer to focus their attention on what is important for the story. / Dylan