TV Color Grading Reference System
Build and maintain color reference libraries for broadcast TV productions with LUT tracking
What You Can Do
You can establish comprehensive color reference libraries that maintain consistent visual signatures across entire TV series, manage LUT creation and versioning for different camera packages and shooting conditions, and document technical compliance requirements for broadcast delivery. This skill guides you through organizing baseline scenes, creating continuity tracking systems, and building frameworks for training assistant colorists or handing off shows mid-season while preserving color integrity.
Features
identify key scenes that establish your show's color signature across different lighting conditions and times of day
structured guidance for creating, naming, versioning, and archiving lookup tables tied to specific camera packages and production phases
templates for monitoring color consistency across multiple shooting days, camera changes, and editorial cuts
broadcast standards documentation for delivery specs including gamma, color space, contrast ranges, and international delivery variants
systematic file structure and metadata protocols for storing color references, DCP reviews, and approval documentation
templates for documenting color decisions, creative intent, and technical parameters when transferring shows between colorists or seasons
structured approach to onboard junior colorists using your established color palette and technical standards
diagnostic workflow for identifying and resolving color mismatches between episodes or camera setups
Example Output
Example 1: Reference Library Structure
Show: "Sunrise Daily" Season 2
├── BASELINE_SCENES/
│ ├── Ep101_Kitchen_Interior_D1.mov (approved reference)
│ ├── Ep101_Exterior_Golden_Hour_D3.mov (camera-specific LUT)
│ └── Season1_Finale_Night_Scene.mov (continuity reference)
├── LUTS/
│ ├── RED_Gemini_Indoor_v2.3dL (current production)
│ ├── RED_Gemini_Outdoor_v2.2.3dL (archived previous version)
│ └── Sony_FX30_Backup_v1.1.3dL (second camera package)
└── COMPLIANCE/
├── Delivery_Specs_EMEA_v1.pdf
├── DCP_Approval_S02E01-05.mov
└── Color_Decision_List_v2.xlsx
Example 2: Color Continuity Report Episode continuity check for exterior scenes across Ep02-04:
- ✓ Skin tones: 65-70 IRE (consistent across all episodes)
- ✓ Sky saturation: +12% from baseline (approved variance for time-of-day consistency)
- ⚠ Green foliage: +8% in Ep03 due to ND filter change—corrected in LUT v2.2
- ✓ Shadows: -5 IRE from episode 1 (intentional mood adjustment approved by showrunner)
Example 3: LUT Handoff Documentation When transitioning Ep06 to freelance colorist:
- Primary LUT: RED_Gemini_Indoor_v2.3 (locked)
- Scene-specific adjustments: Kitchen interiors +3 gamma (documented in attached notes)
- Broadcast compliance: Verified for HD/4K delivery with DCI P3 color space
- Reference materials: Approved DCP clips from Ep01-05 included for continuity matching
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file with complete TV color grading reference workflow:
- Color Reference Library Template: folder structure and naming conventions for organizing baseline scenes, LUTs, and compliance documentation
- LUT Creation & Versioning Checklist: framework for documenting LUT generation, camera package associations, and version control
- Color Continuity Tracking Spreadsheet: template for monitoring color values, camera changes, and scene-to-scene consistency across episodes
- Technical Compliance Documentation Kit: broadcast standards checklist, delivery specs templates, and DCP approval workflows
Who It's For
- Professional TV colorists grading multi-episode series who need systematic reference management
- Post-production supervisors overseeing color consistency and technical delivery on broadcast productions
- Assistant colorists and junior graders learning show-specific color palettes and continuity standards
- Color grading supervisors onboarding freelance colorists or managing handoffs between seasons
- Post-production facilities establishing standardized color reference protocols across multiple concurrent TV productions
Best For
- Establishing color reference libraries at the start of multi-episode TV series production
- Managing color continuity across multiple shooting days, camera packages, and editorial cuts
- Creating and versioning LUTs for broadcast delivery with technical compliance documentation
- Training assistant colorists or handing off mid-season shows while preserving visual consistency
- Troubleshooting color mismatches between episodes and generating continuity reports for showrunner approval
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