RED Resolve VFX workflow

[Margus Voll]

what we do here is make offline files from resolve but retain original file names.

Later we can reconnect original red files in resolve to make all stuff in resolve.

we put vfx stuff on fcp timeline with resolve output rendering out from fcp final output.

as material has rendered out with original file names and as separate files it is rather eazy
to track down shots and do cgi on them. but in the end it will depend on your workflow
with the cgi house.

at least that is how we tend it to do mostly.

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Margus

https://iconstudios.eu

[Michel Aboudib]

Thanks Margus, I am planning on getting low res (probably ProRes LT) files after first light for offline. My concern, apart from reconforming, which so far has bee easy using resolve and R3D, is mainly regarding VFX grading in a RED workflow. BTW offline will be done on Premiere Pro and VFX on AE. A couple more precise questions:

– The client would like to return to R3D during final grading. We can’t do that with files coming from VFX. Would you recommend using the same format across the board or going back to R3D for non-FX files and use a different format for VFX?

– What format is best for VFX out and back to Resolve: DPX, OpenEXR, Uncompressed, other? The client will do effects himself as there isn’t much to do, but not sure what format would ensure flexibility and lossless quality.

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Hobgoblin Pictures
Cinematography | DI | Color Correction

[Margus Voll]

why not grade first and the do vfx ?

then you can blend the vfx nicely with final colors?

what format it really depends how it is good to work for you and the client
and how you move files from your place to clients place.
i do not have ae here so it hard for me to say what is good. it really depends
on your needs. i use uncompressed mov’s or tif dpx etc. but after grading.
i’m not sure if ae can handle red.

i think there is not rules written in stone. just test out and figure out what is important for you.
i bet most big post hoses have really custom way to do one or other thing.
and yes it also depends what your machines can cope with in reasonable time 4k vs 2k etc and the output format and bit depth and so on.

endless possibilities, it is hard for me to say what is good for your work on hand.

—

Margus

https://iconstudios.eu

[Michel Aboudib]

Thanks Margus,
I have done some more reading and here is the workflow I am going to test for this project:

1. First light in resolve
2. export prores LT for offline
3. export DPX 10bit for VFX
4. Conform using r3d for non-effects shots, DPX for effects shots.
5. Some effects may need to be done after grading, in which case do a roudtrip to AE using DPX.
6. Review final grades and export a full scale master (target export) or clips and xml (source export) to go back to NLE for titles, etc.

Does that sound reasonable?

Hobgoblin Pictures
Cinematography | DI | Color Correction

[Margus Voll]

Lets assume that you will have up to 2k output and you can use nle as your mastering tool.
Then you could master in fcp (or any other nle).

1. First light in resolve
2. export prores LT for offline
2.1 conform locked edit with full rez stuff
2.2 grad all the stuff in locked edit
3. export DPX 10bit for VFX or any other format you like and AE is good with
5. effects to be done after grading, in which case do a roudtrip to AE using DPX.
5.1 roundtrip from resolve final grade to fcp (nle in general)
5.2 replace vfx shots as needed
6. Review final grades and export a full scale master.

I use it like that at the moment. My goal is to set up pipeline like this so if i have any changes
i can change some parts and re export all in the end. So i just have to start rendering some parts or all parts and all out put files are deleted and re rendered and if i open final timeline all falls in to its place.
So i could have nice tea and reading cows when machines are rendering 🙂

Ok it is a bit one way street but until it all depends on me it works well for me. If you have bigger team then yes doing cg and vfx parallel to grading is good idea in time vize.
Just test it out and if it is all good then go for it.

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Margus

https://iconstudios.eu