The pivotal moment that led me into the color grading industry was driven by the development needs of the company, a fortuitous event intertwined with inevitability. In 2012, I was a project director at a film and television production company. The company recognized a lack of DaVinci Resolve color grading expertise in our operations and assigned me to attend a DaVinci Resolve training course organized by the Beijing Film Academy. Following the training, I gradually immersed myself in the DaVinci Resolve color grading industry, starting out as a colorist working on advertising, promotional videos, and documentaries.

Several years later, I transitioned into teaching, focusing on nurturing the next generation of colorists. It has been 12 years since then. This transition was coincidental in that it was driven by circumstances, but also inevitable because of my longstanding interest in post-production color grading and my prior self-study in DaVinci Resolve. Moving from a passive career change to wholehearted dedication, from focusing on personal growth to spreading knowledge widely, I am grateful for this rare opportunity that has shaped my journey.

Although it's only been a little over a decade, the color grading industry has undergone tremendous changes, which could be described as earth-shaking. Firstly, there's been an increase in the number of professionals, but also a diversification in their backgrounds. Back in the day, encountering a colorist would inspire admiration; you'd assume they had a certain level of skill and respect for their craft. However, today, upon meeting a colorist, you might first assess their age, inquire about their projects, inspect their equipment, to ascertain whether they're formally trained or self-taught. With the decreasing cost of color grading equipment and the easy accessibility of tutorials on the internet, the barriers to entry and learning costs have lowered, resulting in a flood of newcomers to the industry. Consequently, this has led to a mixed bag of talents.

Secondly, there's been a notable polarization within the industry. On one hand, companies specializing in color grading for films, TV shows, and commercials, equipped with top-tier projects, facilities, and skills, dominate the high end of the market, setting the industry pricing standards. On the other hand, there's a large but unevenly skilled group of freelance colorists struggling to secure high-quality projects, contributing to a somewhat chaotic pricing structure.

Lastly, the rapid evolution of color grading technology has profoundly transformed the industry. Personally, I began with DaVinci Resolve 7.0 and now work with DaVinci Resolve Studio 19, which has evolved from a simple color grading tool into a comprehensive post-production software integrating editing, effects, color grading, and sound mixing. Notably, DaVinci Resolve has incorporated numerous AI functionalities, simplifying tasks that previously required intricate steps. However, this ease of technology has also influenced the learning attitudes and work habits of new colorists. They may not approach the craft with the same diligence and patience as previous generations, potentially neglecting foundational skills.

Perhaps my views are somewhat traditional, but I earnestly hope for a more standardized and professional color grading industry. I aspire to see professionals with genuine expertise and adherence to industry standards, ensuring the healthy development of the entire field. It's crucial to keep pace with new technologies while preserving the essence of traditional craftsmanship in both learning and practice.

Firstly, it's driven by the need for teaching. I deeply feel it's my responsibility to patiently answer students' questions and provide them with satisfactory explanations. To do so, I must continuously learn, constantly refer to materials, and sometimes consult colleagues and other teachers.

Secondly, it's driven by the need for curriculum development. Initially, our school only offered training courses in DaVinci Resolve color grading, catering to a relatively homogeneous group of students. However, as DaVinci Resolve software evolved, we expanded our curriculum to include training in editing, visual effects, and sound mixing. This not only enriched our teaching content but also brought in additional revenue.

Furthermore, participating in the translation work for DaVinci Resolve software has also been a driving force for my continuous learning. While my expertise lies in color grading for film and television, I also need to grasp knowledge in other areas. For instance, when encountering unfamiliar audio terminology, I must consult various sources and learn from scratch until I fully understand these concepts.

Lastly, it's fueled by my passion for this industry. Over my twenty-year career, I've spent over a decade dedicated to DaVinci Resolve color grading. This work has not only allowed me to make friends from different places with diverse cultures and ways of thinking but has also continuously inspired me. All these aspects contribute to the pressure and motivation for my ongoing learning, and maintaining a passionate attitude is what keeps me tirelessly engaged.

Aside from training, I also handle color grading projects across various fields such as advertising, TV series, and films. However, the biggest challenges I face in my work are insufficient time and physical stamina. Having been engaged in teaching for many years, my body has adapted to a fixed schedule of nine to five. However, when taking on projects, my schedule often becomes irregular, which leaves me feeling physically drained. Compared to colorists who are always on the frontline, my working hours are shorter, and I undertake fewer projects, which inevitably hinders the progression of my skills. It seems achieving excellence in both teaching and production is indeed no easy task.

Defining the "quality" of color grading in a piece of work is actually quite simple at its core. It's about whether it quietly helps the director tell the story better, rather than making the audience say, "Wow, that color grading is amazing." Excellent color grading is like the sleight of hand of a magician—it conceals flaws and makes the visuals look effortlessly pleasing, as if they were always meant to be that way. This requires the colorist to be a master of psychology, understanding how to use colors to guide the audience's emotions, leading them through the story rather than drawing attention to the color grading itself.

Of course, precise color reproduction, creative color combinations, creating depth in the visuals, and having strong technical skills are all fundamental elements in judging the quality of color grading. However, the most important thing is that color grading is meant to serve the storytelling, not to showcase technical prowess. A colorist must always keep this principle in mind to steadily improve on this path of color grading.

Color grading is also an "art of communication" that requires close collaboration between the parties involved. The most important quality for a qualified colorist undoubtedly lies in their communication skills. Color grading is not just about technical operations; it involves a deep fusion of art and creativity. A colorist must not only be proficient in color theory and grading techniques but also possess exceptional communication abilities.

This is because a colorist needs to collaborate closely with stakeholders such as producers, directors, photography instructors, and post-production teams. Colorists must accurately understand their intentions and requirements to ensure that the color grading aligns with the overall creative goals. Effective communication skills serve as a bridge of trust and consensus between the colorist and the stakeholders. It allows the colorist to promptly receive feedback, understand the director's expectations for the color grading, and make flexible adjustments to continuously optimize the grading process. Without clear communication and understanding, efforts might go astray, leading further away from the intended goals.

A colorist needs to have a strong aesthetic sense. They must stay updated, continuously learn, and comprehend aesthetic principles across different eras and cultural backgrounds, as well as the unique beauty inherent in various styles. Only then can a colorist accurately translate the emotional expressions and artistic pursuits of directors or clients into appropriate language during the grading process.

Lastly, a colorist should possess a holistic view. Adjusting a single shot is like a "battle," but grading an entire film is like a "campaign." A colorist needs to have a broad perspective, considering the overall style and atmosphere of the film or project. They ensure that the grading of grouped shots maintains coherence and consistency, creating a coherent and unified visual experience for the audience.