Color Grading Services for Film, Television & Streaming

COLOR GRADING & FINISHING

From creative color grading and color correction to online conform and final picture finishing, SMV brings every element together for a polished, technically precise final master.

What Are Color Grading
& Finishing Services?

Color grading and finishing are the final stages that bring a project’s creative and technical picture elements together before mastering and delivery.

SMV Post Production combines color correction, creative color grading, online conform and picture finishing to refine the image, maintain visual consistency and prepare the approved picture for its intended destination.

From technical color correction to the final creative grade, SMV helps ensure every shot supports the intended look of the production.

Our Color Grading & Finishing Services

Color Correction & Grading

Balance and refine the picture while developing the creative look of your project. SMV addresses exposure, contrast, white balance, saturation, shot consistency and other visual elements before shaping the final grade.

Online Conform

Reconnect the approved edit to the highest-quality source media and rebuild the final timeline for finishing, with careful attention to edits, framing, transitions, effects and source integrity.

Picture Finishing

Bring together color, graphics, titles, final picture adjustments and approved visual elements to create a polished master ready for delivery.

TECHNICAL PRECISION. CREATIVE CONTROL.

Color Correction & Creative Color Grading

Color correction establishes a balanced, consistent foundation by addressing exposure, white balance, contrast, saturation and differences between shots. Color grading takes the image further, shaping color, contrast and tone to create the intended mood, style and visual character of the finished production.

EXPOSURE & COLOR BALANCE

Correct exposure, white balance, contrast and saturation to establish a consistent visual foundation.

SHOT-TO-SHOT MATCHING

Balance footage across cameras, locations and lighting conditions for visual continuity throughout the production.

CREATIVE LOOK DEVELOPMENT

Shape color, tone and contrast to support the project's creative direction, mood and visual storytelling.

FINAL COLOR REFINEMENT

Fine-tune skin tones, selective color, highlights, shadows and other picture elements before final approval.

FROM EDIT TO FINISHED PICTURE

A Complete Color & Finishing Workflow

SMV brings the technical and creative stages of picture finishing together in a coordinated workflow, from rebuilding the approved edit through final color and picture finishing.

01

CONFORM

Reconnect the approved edit to the original or highest-resolution source media and verify the final timeline for finishing.

02

COLOR

Correct and balance the image, then develop the creative grade to establish a consistent, intentional look across the production.

03

FINISH

Integrate approved titles, graphics and final picture adjustments, preparing the finished picture for mastering and delivery.

COLOR & FINISHING CAPABILITIES

Built for Today's Finishing Workflows

SMV combines experienced colorists and finishing professionals with high-resolution systems and a dedicated post-production environment for critical picture work.

From creative grading through final finishing, our workflows are designed to maintain image quality, accuracy and creative intent.

COLOR GRADING & CORRECTION

DaVinci Resolve · Exposure · Contrast · White Balance · Shot Matching · Look Development

ONLINE CONFORM

High-Resolution Source Media · Timeline Rebuilds · Reframing · Transitions · Effects · Graphics

SDR & HDR FINISHING

SDR · HDR · High-Resolution Workflows · Color Management · Final Picture Review

MASTERING & VERSIONING

Final Masters · Alternate Versions · Titles · Graphics · Picture Adjustments · Delivery Preparation

Why Choose SMV for Color Grading & Finishing?

40+ Years of Post-Production Experience

More than four decades of post-production experience serving studios, networks, production companies and content owners since 1982.

Dedicated Burbank Facility

Color grading and finishing are performed at SMV's established Burbank post-production facility, serving productions throughout Los Angeles and beyond.

Experienced Colorists & Finishing Artists

Experienced professionals combine technical precision with a creative eye to maintain visual consistency while achieving the intended look of your production.

Collaborative, Responsive Workflow

SMV works closely with filmmakers, producers and post-production teams throughout the grading and finishing process, with responsive communication and efficient turnaround.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is color grading?

Color grading is the creative process of shaping the color, contrast and tone of a finished production to establish a consistent visual style and support the intended mood and storytelling.

What is the difference between color correction and color grading?

Color correction primarily addresses technical issues such as exposure, white balance, saturation and shot consistency. Color grading builds on that corrected foundation to create the desired creative look and visual character of the production.

What is online conform?

Online conform is the process of reconnecting an approved edit to the original or highest-quality source media and rebuilding the final timeline in preparation for color grading and picture finishing.

When does online conform happen?

Online conform generally takes place after the edit has been approved and before final color grading and picture finishing.

Does SMV provide both color correction and color grading?

Yes. SMV provides technical color correction and creative color grading as part of its professional picture finishing services.

Does SMV use DaVinci Resolve for color grading?

Yes. SMV uses DaVinci Resolve as part of its professional color grading and finishing workflow.

Can SMV provide SDR and HDR finishing?

SMV can support SDR and HDR finishing where applicable based on the technical requirements and intended destination of the project.

Can SMV integrate titles and graphics during finishing?

Yes. Approved titles, graphics and other final picture elements can be incorporated as part of the conform and finishing process.

What types of projects does SMV color grade?

SMV works with feature films, television programming, documentaries, commercials, branded content and independent productions.

What happens after color grading and finishing?

Once the final picture is approved, a project can move into mastering, quality control, versioning and the appropriate deliverables for theatrical, broadcast, streaming or other distribution destinations.

Ready to Finish Your Project?

Tell us about your project, creative goals and delivery requirements. Our Burbank team can help determine the right color grading and finishing workflow for your production.

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Post-Production Services

UNDER ONE ROOF.

Color grading and picture finishing are often part of a larger post-production workflow. SMV supports studios, filmmakers, production companies and content owners with Master QC, deliverables, DCP creation, captioning, media digitization and other post-production services from our Burbank facility.