SICA event : Color grading Solutions and Data Management!

Southern India Cinematographers’ Association (SICA) Post Production Awareness Event

Today’s event was organized by the Southern India Cinematographers Association (SICA) to raise awareness on the critical aspects of post-production within the film industry. The event brought together notable industry professionals, including DOPs, editors, producers, and other cinema union members, highlighting essential information that enables producers and teams to plan effectively for the post-production phase. On this initiative, SICA President Karthik Raaja, emphasized the growing interest among new members, which was inspiring to see.

SICA General Secretary Ilavarasu stressed the need for this awareness program, acknowledging how post-production intricacies affect DOPs, editors, and producers alike. Producer Kalaipuli S. Thanu praised Ilavarasu and SICA for their efforts and encouraged similar programs for all cinema crafts unions. The event was meticulously compered by Executive Committee member Naga Saravan, while Treasurer Sakthi Saravanan concluded by thanking all speakers and attendees.

All speakers were honored by veteran cinematographers Raghunatha Reddy, Loganathan Srinivasan, Nirav Shah, and MS Prabhu for their valuable contributions and insights. Their recognition added a memorable touch to the gathering, highlighting the significance of experience and mentorship in the industry.

Event Itinerary

1. Opening remarks by SICA President, Karthik Raaja

Appreciation for the large turnout of new members.

2. Welcome speech by General Secretary Ilavarasu

Addressing the importance of post-production awareness for producers, DOPs, and editors.

3. Producer Kalaipuli S. Thanu’s Address

Commending SICA’s initiative and suggesting a broader reach across all cinema crafts unions.

4. Expert Panel Presentations:

Key insights from industry professionals on post-production, budget planning, and deliverables for theatre, OTT, and satellite formats.

5. Conclusion and Thanks by Treasurer, Sakthi Saravanan

6. Honoring Ceremony:

Each speaker was honored by esteemed cinematographers Raghunatha Reddy, Loganathan Srinivasan, Nirav Shah, and MS Prabhu, acknowledging their valuable contributions to the event.

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Deliverables by Speakers

1. Vijay Venkataraman – “Post is Pre” Key Insights on Budgeting, Data Management, and Storage

Theater and Satellite Deliverables:

Emphasis on upfront production budgeting and data management to avoid unexpected costs at the end of production. Key areas include:

Camera data requirements, resolution, format, and storage needs.

Estimated storage capacity for a typical 60-day shoot, requiring 90 TB for two cameras.

Backup Strategy:

The 3-2-1 backup approach (3 backups: 2 on different media, 1 offsite).

Preferred storage media like RAID systems and LTO tapes (with specific conditions for indoor storage setups).

OTT Deliverables:

Cloud storage solutions aligned with streaming service requirements, like Netflix, to ensure optimal data integrity.

2. G. Balaji – Color Grading and Delivery Specifications

Theatrical Deliverables:

J2C Packages: Multiple versions including censor, overseas, and time-coded variants for different screening needs.

High-quality formats like:

16-bit TIFF for IMAX, EPIQ, and PLF screens.

HDR deliverables, such as 108 nits for Dolby Cinema and 300 nits for HDR LED screens.

Aspect Ratios:

IMAX content in 1.89:1; standard screens in 1:2.35.

Only cinemascope formats for IMAX may result in zoomed image presentations.

OTT Deliverables:

Comprehensive HDR Dolby Vision IMF packages for platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Sony Liv.

UHD ProRes 4444 HDR10 and ProRes 422 (HQ) SDR options for Amazon and Hotstar, including regional variations.

Satellite Deliverables:

ProRes 422 HQ format with different frame rates:

24fps for archival.

25fps for satellite channels like Sun TV, Vijay TV, and Zee Tamil.

DPX Clean Versions for dubbing without watermarks.

3. Ranga – SDR and HDR Grading, Workflow, and Archival

Theatrical Deliverables:

Emphasis on HDR Grading:

HDR provides a 10-stop dynamic range versus SDR’s 6 stops.

ACES workflow for VFX, with 1000-nit grading monitors.

J2C Encoding and high-fidelity projectors for IMAX HDR displays.

OTT Deliverables:

Dolby Vision HDR for OTT platforms, requiring careful shot-by-shot remapping.

Metadata adjustments for visual consistency across devices.

Archival Needs:

Long-term backup solutions using LTO tapes and cloud for future-proofing.

4. Raghunath Verma – OTT Complexity and Post-Production Supervision

OTT Deliverables:

Increasing demand for high-res formats and complex HDR deliverables, especially for Dolby Vision IMF.

The Post Production Supervisor’s Role:

Ensures uniformity across all deliverables.

Helps producers, DOPs, and editors manage timelines, quality, and costs effectively.

Post Production Benefits:

Reliable and consistent visuals across platforms.

Streamlined workflow that meets tight deadlines.

5. Fuji Representative, Mr. Zabi – Archival Solutions with LTO Tapes

Archival and Storage:

LTO tapes are the preferred long-term storage medium with an 85-year lifespan.

Recent LTO versions:

LTO-8 with native 12 TB capacity (up to 30 TB compressed).

LTO-9 at 18 TB.

LTO-10 projected at 36 TB.

Data types for storage:

Hot Data: SSDs for VFX and editing.

Warm Data: Organized on traditional hard drives.

Cold Data: Stored on LTO tapes for long-term safekeeping.

Key take ways from above esteemed speakers

Crisp overall important take away from esteemed speakers.

Mr. Ranga, Colorist

Topics Covered: Dolby Vision/HDR Grading, IMF Standards, Color Encoding, Frame Rates.

Dolby Vision & HDR: Mr. Ranga began with an in-depth explanation of Dolby Vision and HDR grading for high-quality visuals. He discussed the impact of HDR in enhancing color contrast and the importance of consistent output in both OTT and theatrical formats.

IMF Requirements for OTT: He elaborated on Interoperable Master Format (IMF) requisites, essential for OTT deliverables, explaining how platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hotstar require precise encoding and frame rates for smooth streaming and playback quality.

Ensuring Consistency Across Platforms: The session also addressed challenges in grading content acquired by OTT platforms, with Mr. Ranga offering tips on setting discipline to meet diverse OTT standards. This included strategies for achieving visual uniformity across deliverables, ensuring that each viewer experiences the content as intended, regardless of platform.

Mr. Raghunath Varma, Colorist, Post-Production Supervisor, and President of DIVA

Topics Covered: Crafting Quality for OTT Originals, DI Suite Essentials.

Crafting for OTT Originals: Mr. Raghunath’s session titled “Crafting Quality for OTT Originals: Essential Steps and Specifications” explored the realities of post-production for original OTT content. He outlined crucial steps from pre-production planning to the final color grading process, emphasizing specifications unique to streaming.

DI Suite Requirements for Producers: He further discussed Basic Infrastructure for DI Suites, helping producers understand what is needed for efficient post-production environments. This included essential components for color grading, calibrated monitors, storage solutions, and archiving standards for long-term preservation.

Mr. G. Balaji, Colorist, Vfx ,DIT

Topics Covered: OTT Original and Acquired Content Workflow, Bridging Creative Teams, DIT Standards, OTT Compliance.

Grading Workflow Overview: Mr. Balaji provided an overview of grading workflows for both original and acquired content on OTT platforms, from initial color correction to global delivery standards. He stressed the importance of defining a unified workflow for consistent quality across content types.

Bridging Creative Teams and DPs: Addressing the gap between creative teams (Edit/VFX) and Directors of Photography (DPs), he shared strategies for visual consistency, encouraging collaboration for refined aesthetics that align with each platform’s expectations.

Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) Standards: Mr. Balaji proposed best practices for DITs to maintain consistent visuals throughout the grading process, focusing on quality control from on-set capture through post-production.

OTT Compliance Practices: He further discussed OTT standards compliance, covering elements such as closed captions, audio formats, and subtitle integration. Mr. Balaji also touched on adapting content for vertical compositions on social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter) and YouTube to broaden viewership.

Mr. Vijay Venkataraman, Co-Founder, Spotter (Post Production and VFX Management Service)

Topics Covered: OTT and Theatrical Deliverables, Streaming Platform Standards.

OTT and Theatrical Requirements: Mr. Vijay focused on the OTT deliverable standards for streaming platforms and the specific needs for theatrical releases. He covered the essentials of HDR, SDR, and Dolby Vision formats, highlighting how each impacts the viewing experience across different devices.

Platform Specifications: He provided an overview of standard delivery requirements for platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Hotstar, discussing factors like resolution, bitrate, and color profile to ensure that content meets each platform’s technical specifications.

Fuji Film Representative Zabi – LTO Tapes for Long-Term Preservation and Storage

Topics Covered: LTO Tape Archival Standards, Cloud Storage Options.

LTO Tape Technology: The Fuji representative introduced LTO tapes as an essential solution for long-term content preservation, discussing the durability and storage advantages of using LTO tapes in post-production.

Archival and Data Access: Recommendations were shared on storage and data access practices, addressing accidental data loss and solutions for digital preservation. The speaker also presented updates on LTO and cloud storage technologies, providing insights on advancements for safe, long-term data management

This event underscored SICA’s dedication to educating industry professionals on the importance of post-production planning and budget awareness. It also highlighted the industry’s best practices for efficiently handling and archiving data, while ensuring high-quality deliverables across theatrical, OTT, and satellite platforms. The esteemed cinematographers’ recognition further highlighted the value of the knowledge shared, marking a significant step in SICA’s commitment to film industry excellence.

Drafted by

CJ Rajkumar

Author/ Cinematographer