Frequently
asked

Answers to the questions that come up most often. If something isn't covered here, send it through the booking form and I'll come back to you within one business day.

Working Together

  • Agencies, production companies, directors, editors, and artists — UK and internationally. Colour grading is the core service.

    I also offer conform and online finishing, custom LUT creation, supervised sessions, and 1-on-1 grading workshops.

  • Yes. Based in Brighton, available worldwide. Meetings and reviews are scheduled across time zones.

    All fees are quoted in GBP unless otherwise agreed.

  • Yes. Secure upload links are provided as standard, and NDAs can be signed where required.

    Materials marked confidential are excluded from portfolio use.

  • Unless an NDA is in place, project stills, clips, and case studies may be used for portfolio and promotional purposes.

    Where appropriate, I request on-screen credit as: Colorist: Khalif Sultan / @khalifsultan_

    Discuss any restrictions before work begins.

Pricing

  • Projects under 20 minutes are quoted based on runtime and complexity. Projects over 20 minutes use tiered per-minute pricing:

    • First 20 minutes: £50/min

    • Minutes 21–40: £45/min

    • Minutes 41–60: £40/min

    • 61 minutes+: £35/min

    A complexity multiplier (1.0× standard, 1.2× moderate, 1.5× complex) may apply depending on source format, camera count, and delivery requirements.

  • Sound mixing, sound design, VFX, and editorial changes are not part of the grading scope and are not handled in-house.

    These are referred to trusted specialists — I can help coordinate if needed, but they're quoted separately.

  • Yes, subject to scheduling. Supervised sessions are typically remote via Google Meet and are used for live creative direction during the grade, agency or brand reviews, and final sign-off.

    Supervised time is billed separately and confirmed in the project estimate.

Assets & delivery

  • Essential: Picture-locked edit, source media or conform package (XML/EDL/AAF + media files), H.264 reference export for Frame.io.

    Optional but helpful: Reference stills or grade notes, subtitles and graphics as separate files, audio stems.

    Use the Grade Prep Guide before exporting — it covers the most common issues.

  • Your edit is final — no timing changes, shot reordering, or duration adjustments once grading begins.

    Any editorial changes after grade start require a reconform fee (from £250 plus hourly rate for affected shots).

    Locked edit protects both your timeline and budget.

  • Standard deliverable: ProRes 422HQ at source resolution, Rec.709 Gamma 2.4.

    Platform-specific exports (web, broadcast, cinema, DCP) are available and quoted separately. Include all versioning requirements in the brief so they can be scoped properly.

  • ProRes, DNxHD, and RAW formats.

    H.264/H.265 accepted as reference only — not suitable as grading media.

  • Project media and grade files are archived for 30 days after final delivery.

    Extended archival is available at additional cost. Maintain your own backup copies.

Revisions

  • One first pass and two revision rounds are included as standard. All feedback must come via Frame.io with timecoded notes — no email, WhatsApp, or verbal notes.

    One consolidated set of notes per round. Additional rounds are billed separately. You have 7 days per revision round to provide feedback.

  • If asset delivery or feedback is delayed, your slot may shift depending on availability.

    Scope changes or re-cuts may require additional grading days and a revised project estimate.

Technical

  • Grading is performed on a calibrated display targeting Rec.709 Gamma 2.4.

    Uncalibrated screens interpret colour differently — absolute visual matching across all consumer devices cannot be guaranteed.

    I advise on best-practice delivery formats for your intended use during the discovery call.

  • Conform to first review: 0.5–1 day depending on complexity and source quality.
    Revision turnaround: 1 hour to 0.5 day depending on note volume.

    Delivery timelines are confirmed after conform QC. Rush work (under 48 hours from conform) is available and incurs additional fees of +25% to +75% depending on runtime.

Booking & payment

  • Send your brief through the booking form. I'll come back within one business day with availability and — for new clients or larger projects — arrange a discovery call.

    Once the project estimate is agreed, a 20% deposit confirms the booking.

    No deposit, no calendar hold.

  • Deposit: 20% non-refundable, due on booking confirmation.
    Balance: 14 days from delivery. Rush work due on delivery.

    Late payment penalties apply after a 3-day grace period: +2%/day days 4–7, +3%/day days 8–14, +5%/day day 15+.

    Accepted via UK bank transfer, Malaysian bank transfer, or international wire.

  • Send your brief, runtime, deadline, and budget range through the booking form. That's all you need to get a quote started. I'll do the rest.

Ask me.

Something not covered above? Send it through and I'll come back to you within one business day.