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Episode 200 Dolby Creator Talks

A-List Colorist Stefan Sonnenfeld

July 16, 2024
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Perhaps the top colorist in his field, Stefan Sonnefeld joins us for our 200th episode!

So what does it take to be a top colorist in Hollywood, working for some of the biggest personalities in the business?

Well, it's not just the director, it's a lot of people now… So it's a team sport. Everybody plays a part in it. And it's why it's so enjoyable for me. You have to involve a lot of people, but in general, the director, let's say that's the main person. You have to have a good relationship with that person and you have to be able to interpret what they're saying and get that onto the screen. And to do it quite quickly too, because it's a lot of effort and work and money that goes into these projects. And some people talk in technical terms. And some people, like a Michael Mann for instance, talk through emotions. Like, ‘Hey, [the character is] very this [way] in the scene. And he's feeling this. And this is what's going to happen. And this is what just happened. And therefore this is what I want.’ And I'm sort of interpreting that, in a color way, and [I’ll] put it on the screen and he'll be like, ‘great, that's it!’ Or, ‘no, that's not what I meant. It should be this.’

Stefan Sonnenfeld, Senior Colorist, Founder and CEO, Company 3

  • you’ve almost certainly seen his work
  • Company 3
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