How a project
actually works

At enquiry

Send the basic project details. Runtime, deadline, budget range, and a rough sense of the look are enough to begin.

• Project type and runtime

• Delivery deadline

• Budget range

• Current cut

• Reference material, if available

• Required deliverables and versions

You do not need to know every technical detail before getting in touch.

After your enquiry

The Palette reviews the brief and current cut. A short call can be arranged where useful to discuss the creative direction, source material, deliverables and schedule.

Any questions are resolved before the estimate is prepared.

Before booking

You receive a written estimate covering scope, grading days, deliverables, schedule, fees, payment terms and revision allowance.

Once scope, fee and dates are confirmed, you receive the booking form to complete the project details. The standard advance is 50% of the agreed project fee. A lower advance may be negotiated, subject to a minimum of 20% and written agreement. Work begins after the estimate is approved, the booking is confirmed and the agreed advance has been received.

Before the grade starts

After booking is confirmed, you receive the upload instructions and relevant preparation guide.

The timeline is rebuilt from the source media and checked against the offline reference before grading begins. Missing material or differences are flagged so they can be resolved before the grade.

Please provide:

• Picture-locked edit

• Source media or conform package

• XML, EDL, AAF or DRT as appropriate

• Offline reference with matching timecode

• Grade notes and references

• Graphics, subtitles and audio required for delivery

Use the GRADE PREP GUIDE before exporting.

Before shot-by-shot grading

The Palette develops the look from the creative conversation and your references, then sends representative stills for approval across key lighting conditions and skin tones.

Approval establishes the creative direction before shot-by-shot grading begins. This makes changes easier to discuss early and reduces the risk of a major shift later.

As confirmed in the estimate

The approved look is carried through the project, with attention to exposure, contrast, color and continuity. A review copy is shared for timecoded feedback.

Provide one consolidated set of notes per round so decisions remain clear. The revision allowance and feedback windows are confirmed in the estimate. Additional rounds or changes to the approved scope are quoted before they begin.

After sign-off

Final masters and any scoped platform versions are released on delivery following sign-off, to the agreed specification. The remaining balance invoice is issued the same day and is due 14 calendar days from the invoice date. Thirty-day terms apply only where agreed in writing before delivery.

Final masters are retained for 30 days after project completion. Source and consolidated media, Resolve project files and look/LUT files are not retained after completion. Only compressed versions of masters may be kept beyond 30 days for permitted personal portfolio use. Keep your own copies of delivered masters and source materials. Rerenders after completion are quoted as a new project, with the required materials, handover and scope agreed in that quotation.

Your enquiry is reviewed with the project requirements in mind. Questions, next steps and any issues with the supplied material are raised before work proceeds.

The schedule is agreed after reviewing the material, conform requirements, deliverables and review stages.

Representative stills establish the look before the full grade. Early approval reduces the risk of major changes later.

The written estimate defines the work. Reconforms, extra revisions and new deliverables are agreed with their fees and schedule impact before they begin.