Frequently
asked

Answers to the questions that come up most often. If something is not covered, send it through and I will come back within one business day.

Working together

  • The Palette works with production companies, agencies, in-house content teams, directors, editors, and artists in the UK and internationally.

    Color grading is the core service. Conform, online finishing, custom LUTs, and supervised review can be included where the project requires them.

  • Yes. The Palette is based in Brighton and works worldwide.

    Calls and reviews are scheduled around the production time zone. Fees are quoted in GBP unless the written estimate states otherwise.

  • Most projects run remotely. This removes travel days and facility minimums, and allows versions to go out as soon as they are rendered.

    Remote supervised sessions are available for live direction and sign-off.

    In-person attendance is also available by arrangement. It is quoted as a committed day plus transport, regardless of runtime, because the day is reserved for the project.

    If only the final sign-off needs someone in the room, the bulk of the grade can run remotely and the attended session can be scoped separately.

  • Yes. Secure upload links are provided for project assets, and NDAs can be signed where required.

    Material marked confidential is excluded from portfolio and promotional use.

  • Unless the estimate, an NDA, or a written agreement says otherwise, approved project stills and clips may be used in The Palette's portfolio and promotional channels after public release.

    Discuss any restrictions before work begins so they can be recorded in the estimate.

    Where appropriate, the requested on-screen credit is:

    Colorist: Khalif Sultan, CSI

Pricing and scope

  • Every project is scoped individually and confirmed in a written estimate before work begins.

    Pricing reflects runtime, source complexity, camera count, delivery requirements, deliverable count, and turnaround.

    Send the current cut, runtime, deadline, and required deliverables through the booking form. I will come back within one business day with any questions and the next steps.

  • Sound mixing, sound design, VFX, beauty retouching, and editorial changes are not included in the color grading scope.

    Reconforms, additional revision rounds, new versions, and deliverables that were not listed in the estimate are quoted before the work begins.

    Where useful, I can help identify or coordinate with the appropriate specialist.

  • Yes. Remote supervised sessions are available for live creative direction, agency review, and final sign-off.

    Supervised time is confirmed in the written estimate. In-person attendance is available by arrangement.

Assets and delivery

  • At minimum:

    - Picture-locked edit
    - Source media or a conform package
    - XML, EDL, AAF, or DRT as appropriate
    - H.264 offline reference with matching timecode

    Helpful additions include reference stills, grade notes, subtitles, graphics, and audio required for the final master.

    Use the [GRADE PREP GUIDE] before exporting.

  • The timing, shot order, and duration of the edit are final.

    Editorial changes after grading begins require a reconform and may affect the schedule and fee. If a change is unavoidable, send the revised cut and reference before making any assumptions about delivery.

  • The standard master is confirmed in the written estimate. A common delivery is ProRes 422 HQ at source resolution in Rec.709 Gamma 2.4.

    ProRes 4444, DNxHD or DNxHR, DCP, broadcast masters, and platform-specific exports are available where required.

    Include every required version in the brief so it can be scoped properly.

  • Most professional camera originals and intermediate formats can be accepted, including RAW, ProRes, and DNxHR.

    H.264 and H.265 are suitable for reference and some delivery uses, but they are not preferred as grading source media.

    If the production uses mixed formats, unusual codecs, or a VFX-heavy pipeline, get in touch before exporting.

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

    Extended archival can be included where required. Clients should maintain their own backups of all source media and delivered masters.

Revisions and schedules

  • Two revision rounds are included unless the written estimate says otherwise.

    Feedback is submitted as one consolidated set of timecoded notes through Frame.io. This keeps the review clear and prevents conflicting directions from different stakeholders.

    Additional rounds are quoted before they begin.

  • Tell me as soon as the schedule changes.

    Availability is confirmed against the dates in the written estimate. A significant delay, new cut, or missed asset deadline may require the grade to be rescheduled.

    I will confirm the effect on availability, delivery, and scope before continuing.

  • Turnaround depends on runtime, conform quality, source complexity, feedback volume, and required versions.

    A 60-second commercial can typically reach first review within a few hours. A 45-minute episode can take about half a day from conformed files.

    Revision turnaround ranges from one hour to half a day depending on the note volume.

    The delivery schedule is confirmed after the material and conform requirements have been reviewed. Rush work is available where the calendar allows it.

Technical

  • Consumer displays vary in brightness, color, contrast, viewing mode, and calibration. Phones and televisions may also apply automatic processing.

    The grade is monitored in a calibrated, color-managed environment and delivered to the agreed specification. For Rec.709 work, that is commonly Gamma 2.4.

    Check review files with automatic display modes and brightness adjustments turned off where possible.

Booking and payment

  • Complete the booking form with all relevant project details.

    I will review the project and come back within one business day. If the scope is clear, you will receive a written estimate. A 20% deposit secures the dates.

  • Deposit: 20% non-refundable, due when the booking is confirmed.

    Balance: due 14 days from final delivery. Rush projects are due on delivery.

    Payment can be made by UK bank transfer, Malaysian bank transfer, or international wire, as stated on the invoice.

    Overdue commercial invoices may accrue statutory interest and compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

  • Send the brief and current cut through the booking form.

    If you do not have every technical detail yet, complete what you can. I will identify any missing information when I review the project.

    [START A PROJECT]

Something not covered?

Send your question and I will come back within one business day.