From simple color correction to setting the mood, Color Grading enhances the visual aspect of a film to convey yet another dimension in storytelling. Color Grading is both an art and a science: An art because simply having a correct looking image may not serve a story as much as a color grade especially tailored for the film, scene, and even character or prop – A science because there are standards that need to be adhered to, including ones that are required for international distribution. Each project I take is unique and has its own set of peculiarities. Grading is often seen as a post-production phase, yet sometimes a seasoned cinematographer will consult with a colorist in order to create a LUT that can be used on set, or even collaborate with a colorist & art director or Production designer, before the film is even shot. It is always wise to pre-plan and minimize the amount of time a colorist has to spend on correcting images and give them time to work more on the look and feel of the end result which will serve a film story best.