Josh Petok has been working as a freelance colorist on TV, movies, commercials and music videos for over 18 years. He primarily works on television content, and has completed more than 700 episodes, including those for MasterChef,
Lego Masters and
The Courtship.
Petok believes that being a colorist is artistic as well as scientific. He strives to make beautiful pictures, and equally enjoys diving into the details of color management, HDR, and staying current on all the new tools and software. Equally important is goal being supportive of all his clients’ needs and desires.
Photo: MasterChef
Here, he shares insight into his career, preferred tools and workflow.
How did you go about becoming a colorist?
“One of my first jobs in Hollywood was at a local PBS station as an assistant editor. This was in 2001, when Avid Symphony was starting to become a great option for online editing. For many shows, it became flexible and affordable to complete the online and color in-house.
“This was the first time I was introduced to color, and I was extremely fascinated. The colorist I worked with was generous and helped me understand his process. It was a lucky combination of timing, availability and necessity. After that, I was confident in my skills to take on the creative and technical work myself.
“Until that experience, I always thought I’d be an editor, but color grading quickly became my passion. Unintentionally, some of the skills I learned as an editor still serve me today in understanding why editors make specific choices, how to direct the viewer’s eye and making a scene flow.”
Photo: Lego Masters
How do you think color shapes the way audiences perceive TV?
“We are all extremely sensitive to color, especially when it doesn’t look the way we expect it to. And these days, the production value of television has never been higher, not to mention UHD and HDR are more accessible through streaming networks.
“As colorists, our work should be invisible, but also makes you feel something. We can guide you to like one person over another, focus on the tears in someone’s eyes or salivate over a strawberry filling on a luxurious dessert. Overall, a colorist helps increase the production value and pull the viewer into the story.”
Can you talk us through a recent project?
“There’s some series that are very straightforward and easy to implement. For a show that has run over multiple seasons, they generally have a solid idea how the series should look.
Photo: The Courtship
“However, there are others that have something specific in mind. On a new series, The Courtship, the producer wanted a reality show that looked like 19th century England. After an overall balance, we used a film look operator in Baselight to give a more vintage feel. There was a serendipitous feeling to it that I wouldn’t arrive at if I just moved the controls around. I was able to quickly apply it to a scene and tweak it to our tastes.
“In both circumstances, I rely on the cinematographer to communicate their needs and motivations. Luckily, I have a great relationship with our DP, Adrian Pruett. After working together on many series and commercials, we collaborate very well. Whenever possible, he shoots test days and we review the footage to make sure everything will work as planned.”
How do you usually work with the producers, directors and cinematographers?
“Some of my best days are when I get to review with clients. A director once said, ‘I haven’t really seen my movie until your grade is on it.’ It’s that purpose and gratitude that gives me the energy to come into work every day.
“Our sessions are collaborative, whether in person or virtual. I will always try a client’s idea, even if initially I don’t think that it will work. But I’ll admit, sometimes I’m surprised how good it comes out.
“Like an editor, I am an impartial party that was not present on-set. I try to give them a realistic idea of what was shot and how it works in the context of their project, and how it supports their overall theme.”
Photo: The Courtship
How much time do you usually have to work on an episode? Do you enjoy the fast-paced environment of TV?
“It really depends on the show. Some episodes have a very quick turnaround, and with others, we can take our time. Because our shows have 1,500 shots (or more), I’ve been accustomed to working quickly and efficiently. There’s not a lot of time to overthink your grades. You just sit down, put on some loud music, and trust the years of experience. At times it can be stressful, but I still enjoy it.
“Television is no longer the domain of a single country. Our shows are recognized all across the globe. It’s a thrill to know our work is appreciated by so many people.”
Can you tell us about your grading suite and your Baselight/Avid workflow?
“I use both Baselight and Media Composer in the same suite. We chose the Slate as our primary grading panel, which is supported in Baselight and Avid. With a quick tap, I can be in either Baselight or Media Composer, with panels, monitoring and shared storage. We’ve saved countless hours on conform and rendering.
“This flexibility is essential to our workflow. Our producers prefer to review in Media Composer because we can change edits and shots, modify effects, review audio and improve the grade all in the same software. Their schedule is precious, so being able to get it all done at once saves massive amounts of time.”
Photo: Lego Masters
Can you tell us about a recent project and how you used this renderless workflow to achieve the desired look?
“Our latest show, Lego Masters on Fox, used the renderless workflow on every episode. During one scene, we decided the overall feel was too dark. Without leaving Media Composer or creating any new media, we were able to address the note quickly and review on the spot.”
How does Baselight serve you as a colorist?
“Working on a Baselight has a more natural feel than any other system I’ve worked with. I use significantly less layers to get a great looking image. From bringing the images in with FilmLight’s color science, to grading in a holistic tool, like Base Grade, and saving time with a renderless workflow, Baselight is the best system for me.”
Can you tell us about your experience with the FilmLight team and the support they provide?
“The team at FilmLight not only helped us build a system specifically for our needs, [they] also supported us every step of the way. Any time I had technical questions, they were available and willing to meet us locally or remote into our system. I appreciate having direct access to Andy Minuth for any workflow advice. This is a huge benefit.”
Photo: MasterChef
What’s next for you?
“This is an exciting time to work as a colorist. Technologies like deep learning and remote grading are more of a reality than ever. There’s a ton of content produced every day and it all needs the touch of a skilled colorist. I’m looking forward to a time when the majority of televisions display HDR in the highest possible quality, much like the transition from SD to HD. Our food beauty shots will look more delicious than ever. I will also continue on my quest to brew the best 24-hour cold brew coffee in the world.”