Color & Coffee

Ever see a trailer and wonder how the look holds together when the film isn’t even finished? We sit down with senior colorist Lynette Duensing to unpack the craft of grading trailers before the final DI is locked, where creative intent, marketing needs, and incomplete VFX all collide under intense timelines. From Spider-Verse to Anaconda, Lynette walks us through the on-the-ground decisions that turn chaos into a cohesive, sellable story.

We dig into the real workflow: building node trees around show LUTs and set CDLs, using ACES so filmmakers recognize what they see, and designing parallel structures for embedded mattes to control faces, skies, and complex CG elements. Lynette explains how live VFX reviews work, grading temp comps in the room so notes to vendors are grounded in the final presentation. When a matte is missing, she splits what’s available, adds power windows, or taps AI tools to move fast without locking in mistakes. It’s part technical precision, part triage, and all driven by trust.

The human side matters just as much. Trailers stitch shots that never touch in the feature, so consistency becomes a storytelling tool rather than a constraint. Lynette shares how she communicates with filmmakers and studio creatives to protect intent while ensuring every one-second beat reads with impact. Organization is the quiet hero - conform, version control, and a rock-solid offline reference prevent the misalignments that can sink a session. And yes, we talk about unfinished VFX: how to gently add depth, soften edges, and keep believability intact, knowing studios continue updating shots even after theatrical release.

If you care about color grading, trailers, ACES workflows, and the art of running the room, this conversation opens the door to what really happens between editorial and the final DI. Subscribe, share with a fellow color nerd, and leave a review. What part of the color process do you want us to unpack next?
Guest Links:
IG - https://www.instagram.com/lynette.duensing/
Website - https://lynetteduensing.com/
IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0240255/
Facility Website - https://instinctual.la/
Send us a text
Flanders Scientific Inc. (FSI)
High-Quality Reference Displays for Editors, Colorists and DITS
DeMystify Color
Color Training and Color Grading Tools

PixelTools
Modern Color Grading Tools and Presets for DaVinci Resolve 
Support the show
Send us a text
PixelTools
Modern Color Grading Tools and Presets for DaVinci Resolve 
Support the show
Like the show? Leave a review!

This episode is brought to you by FSI, DeMystify Color, and PixelTools

Follow Us on Social:
Instagram @colorandcoffeepodcast
YouTube @ColorandCoffee
Produced by Bowdacious Media LLC

Join us for a conversation with Luke Cahill, a Los Angeles-based colorist whose credits include Icarus, With Love, Meghan, Tangerine, American Murder: The Laci Peterson Story, and the newly released Left-Handed Girl — now streaming on Netflix and selected as Taiwan’s official submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
Luke shares how he discovered color grading and the moment the craft truly made sense for him. We talk through his early career, finding confidence in the suite, and how balancing technical skill with emotional awareness is core to the job. From grading Tangerine (shot entirely on an iPhone) to navigating high-pressure documentary schedules, Luke offers an honest look at the realities of finishing at a high level.
A key theme of this episode is the human side of color. Luke discusses why colorists are often part technician, part therapist, how to build trust when clients arrive stressed or protective, and why simplicity, balance, and communication often matter more than deep node trees or plugins. We also explore look development, log workflows, and the importance of creating a safe, collaborative space where directors can actually see their film take shape.
This episode is full of insight for colorists, cinematographers, editors, and filmmakers who want to understand the craft and psychology of finishing.

Guest Links:
IG - https://www.instagram.com/lightwavepost/
Website - https://www.lightwavepost.com/
IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1760738/
Mentioned Work:
Left-Handed Girl — Directed by Sean Baker, Streaming on Netflix
Icarus — Netflix
American Murder: The Laci Peterson Story — Netflix
With Love, Meghan - Netflix
Tangerine — Directed by Sean Baker
Send us a text
PixelTools
Modern Color Grading Tools and Presets for DaVinci Resolve 
DeMystify Color
Color Training and Color Grading Tools

PixelTools
Modern Color Grading Tools and Presets for DaVinci Resolve

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show
Like the show? Leave a review!

This episode is brought to you by FSI, DeMystify Color, and PixelTools

Follow Us on Social:
Instagram @colorandcoffeepodcast
YouTube @ColorandCoffee
Produced by Bowdacious Media LLC

We’re trying something new this week — a solo episode! Instead of interviewing a guest, I’m diving into my favorite Black Friday deals for 2025 and sharing the tools, plug-ins, hardware, and subscriptions I think every colorist and post-production artist should know about.
From reference-grade monitors and color-science training to noise reduction, scopes, motion graphics, and workflow tools, this episode breaks down 11 deals worth grabbing before they expire. If you’re looking to upgrade your suite, re-up a subscription, or score a few “treat yourself” pieces of gear, this roundup is for you.
Get comfortable, pull up your wishlist, and let’s walk through the best Black Friday offers for creatives in 2025.
Links and discount codes are all below.
Flanders Scientific (FSI) — XMP270 under $10K; XMP550/551 from $17,995. Ends Nov 29.
Demystify Color— 40% off (code BLACKFRIDAY40).
Time in Pixels Nobe OmniScope — 30% off until Dec 1 (code SCOPESBF2025).
MediaLight — 15% off, up to 40% off select items.
Adobe Creative Cloud — Up to 50% off Creative Cloud through Nov 28.
MotionVFX — 30% off templates + weekly flash deals. (Code FINAL)
Neat Video — 15% off.
Avid — Up to 40% off Media Composer Ultimate + Pro Tools.
iZotope — Up to 60% off RX11 + suites.
Elgato — Up to 30% off Stream Decks starting Nov 20.
PixelTools — Free PowerGrade with any DCTL + 25–40% off.

If you enjoyed the solo format, send me a note or a comment on social. 
Happy grading — and happy deal-hunting!
Send us a text
PixelTools
Modern Color Grading Tools and Presets for DaVinci Resolve

Flanders Scientific Inc. (FSI)
High-Quality Reference Displays for Editors, Colorists and DITS

DeMystify Color
Color Training and Color Grading Tools

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show
Like the show? Leave a review!

This episode is brought to you by FSI, DeMystify Color, and PixelTools

Follow Us on Social:
Instagram @colorandcoffeepodcast
YouTube @ColorandCoffee
Produced by Bowdacious Media LLC

We’re back for Season 3!
Kicking things off with Greg Cotten and Andrew Finch, the creative duo behind Video Village and tools like Filmbox, Lattice, Screen, and Scatter. From their Chapman University days to building groundbreaking color and post tools, Greg and Andrew share how curiosity and innovation shaped their journey from DPs to software developers.
We explore the evolution of Filmbox, from a Hackintosh prototype to a fully featured film-emulation plug-in capturing the unique look, grain, halation, and bloom of real film stocks. Plus, how Lattice and Screen are redefining precision workflows for colorists and filmmakers alike.
Grab a comfy seat and tune in for a deep dive into creativity, technology, and the art of film emulation.
Guest Links:
IG - https://www.instagram.com/videovillageco/
Website - https://videovillage.com/
Products Discussed:
Scatter (Digital Diffusion):  https://videovillage.com/scatter/
FilmBox (Film Emulation): https://videovillage.com/filmbox/
Lattice (LUT Swiss Army Knife): https://videovillage.com/lattice/
Screen (Pro Video Player for MacOS): https://videovillage.com/screen/
Send us a text
PixelTools
Modern Color Grading Tools and Presets for DaVinci Resolve 
Support the show
Like the show? Leave a review!

This episode is brought to you by FSI, DeMystify Color, and PixelTools

Follow Us on Social:
Instagram @colorandcoffeepodcast
YouTube @ColorandCoffee
Produced by Bowdacious Media LLC

Join us on an engaging journey into the colorful world of filmmaking with John Daro, the lead DI colorist at Warner Post Production Creative Services. John shares his fascinating insights into the art of color grading, drawing parallels between the meticulous craft of filmmaking and the simple pleasure of brewing coffee and tea. 

Together, we unravel the unconventional path of an editor whose passion was sparked by early tech experiences and unique ventures like selling breakfast burritos and DJing. From pivotal moments in Camarillo to the life-changing Avid certification, we celebrate the magic that happens when technology, creativity, and a human ingenuity combine in a relentless pursuit to make cool stories. Our conversation also sheds light on the groundbreaking use of HDR in animated films, where subtle enhancements in character emotions and minute details transform storytelling, drawing unexpected yet powerful parallels with classical art techniques.

Reflecting on the evolving landscape of filmmaking in the remote (COVID) era, we emphasize the irreplaceable value of collaborating with talent in person and how the essence of in-person creativity remains unmatched in the sport of filmmaking. 
Grab your favorite beverage and get ready for an excellent episode of Color & Coffee!
Guest Links:
IG - https://www.instagram.com/johndaro/
Website + Blog - https://www.johndaro.com/
Studio Website - https://www.watertowercolor.com/
IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2237933/
NeatVideo - https://www.neatvideo.com/
Send us a text
PixelTools
Modern Color Grading Tools and Presets for DaVinci Resolve 
PixelTools
Modern Color Grading Tools and Presets for DaVinci Resolve

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show
Like the show? Leave a review!

This episode is brought to you by FSI, DeMystify Color, and PixelTools

Follow Us on Social:
Instagram @colorandcoffeepodcast
YouTube @ColorandCoffee
Produced by Bowdacious Media LLC