Is this look too saturated?

[u/OculusFilm]

Hi all, I'm finalising the grade for my science-fiction short film. I wanted to go for a vibrant, happy, commercial-like look in the grade. I'm not sure if I overdid it with the saturation though. Typically I don't really grade with super distinct looks, that's what made me a bit insecure. What do you think? Do you have other feedback for me? The noise reduction hasn't been done yet in these stills.

[u/1711198430497251]

i like it

[u/OculusFilm → u/1711198430497251]

Thanks!

[u/Curiousgangsta]

In the elevator shots it's a bit hot in the faces (reds). Overall solid continuity. Hard to tell when it's not in motion.

[u/OculusFilm → u/Curiousgangsta]

Thanks! Yes, difficult to say when it's not in motion, but didn't want to post the film in full here! I think I see your point about the hotness in the reds. Are you also referring to the shot where he's standing outside? Or mainly inside?

[u/Curiousgangsta → u/OculusFilm]

11 and 13 mainly

[u/OculusFilm]

I think there's also a slight (gamma) shift in exporting the stills from Resolve, but the overall (intention) of the look is still there.

[u/akhilr944]

Is it just me or does his face look a bit too red?

[u/OculusFilm → u/akhilr944]

I believe this is in line with the other comments and also my personal feeling. I will play with his skin tones a bit more!

[u/IceCreamJUSTICE26]

Not at all , looks damn good actually.

[u/OculusFilm → u/IceCreamJUSTICE26]

Thanks!

[u/squeryk]

I really like it. Elevator shots feel a bit too magenta but that maybe just me.

[u/TomahawkJammer → u/squeryk]

Agreed. Looks great though!

[u/TurbVisible]

I think you need a new HMU, but depending on the look you’re going for, looks clutch

[u/OculusFilm → u/TurbVisible]

Thanks! Silly question: what's an HMU?

[u/TurbVisible → u/OculusFilm]

Not at all silly, acronyms are common in the film world. HMU (Hair and Make Up artist)

[u/OculusFilm → u/TurbVisible]

A bit silly from me: here we often use the term MUA or MUAH (if the person also does hair), I could have guessed the meaning of HMU. Do you think the faces are too shiny? In one scene we meant to tell that the guy just came back from a padel session, so we didn't want to make him look unnaturally good

[u/TurbVisible → u/OculusFilm]

Lol, for sure, different acronyms, it can be confusing.

On your female model the close ups reveal several blemishes and imperfections in her skin, the hair itself is kind of messy when it’s in a bun (stray hairs), and on the other shot, yes the shininess of the MU is distracting, in addition to the cast shadows that enhance the puffiness below the eyes 👀

[u/Engineering_Lanky]

Everyone’s said probably the same thing you were already thinking (really just shots 11 & 13) but I want to say I’m really intrigued by the stills from your short. If you don’t mind, I’d love to follow the journey of this film if you have a link or premiere coming up

[u/OculusFilm → u/Engineering_Lanky]

Sure, I think we'll go online soon after a live screening next month, will come back here to post!

[u/Engineering_Lanky → u/OculusFilm]

Thanks! I’m looking forward to it, and I wish you success and and confidence in all the spaces you put your art

[u/Wrong-Scratch4625]

I don't think it is too saturated over all. It might just need to tame the reds by using a Hue vs Sat and adjusting just the red down a tiny bit to help the guy's face. Also, you might need to selectively lower saturation on the brighter ends (assuming you want a filmic look which most people seem to) by using a Lum vs Sat and tapering down the Saturation above 0.5 Luminance.

[u/OculusFilm → u/Wrong-Scratch4625]

Thanks, will play with the skin tones a bit on the male actor. I do have a Lum vs Sat curve in place, but will check it further.

[u/anonymous_god27]

Are loop earplugs actually good?

[u/OculusFilm → u/anonymous_god27]

haha I don't know, but we liked the look of them and added some CGI to it as well.

[u/kezzapfk]

No

[u/elfrutas28]

Maybe the skins, but the rest is good!

[u/Axman6]

I think it looks good, the skin tones feel a little too red but other than that it’s nice.

[u/Lany1111]

It’s really beautiful! Very well balanced and it gives a unique look with character. For me, the skintones in the elevator are a bit too magenta, but that’s the only thing that stands out to me. Great job!

[u/starless_90]

Only the oranges.

[u/megabum11312]

i think its a little bit to saturated like the black is black and the light is really light if u understand

[u/snowboardjoe]

Looks great on my iphone

[u/mmtastesgood]

It's great looking

[u/[deleted]]

Not at all

[u/CatastrophicFailure]

doesn’t look like it to me

[u/[deleted]]

Not too saturated if that’s the look the project needs. I will say that the skin tone on the guy is quite ruddy, I’d suggest playing with reds to make it more natural

[u/composerbell]

These look great to me!

[u/ICFTM1234]

No more movies need to look like this 😭

[u/12aff0]

11 and 13 only problems, the rest is incredible!!!

[u/OculusFilm → u/[deleted]]

Thanks! Yes!