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The Offset Podcast, Washington D.C., DC (2025)

04/15/2025

For our 30th episode we're discussing that topic we always seem to revisit - monitoring!

While we have some opinions on the state of reference and consumer monitors in 2025 we thought it'd be fun to celebrate our 30th episode with some good friends who also happen to be experts in their part of the monitoring ecosystem.

In Part 1 of a two-part series, we're joined by CEO Bram Desmet, Nate McFarlin from , and David Abrams from & Avical

Specific topics explored in this episode include:

- Staying on top of monitoring technologies
- Choosing display technologies for a monitor product line
- Determining what features make it into monitor software
- Addressing different needs of different users e.g. DITs vs Colorists
- How staying at the forefront of color science helps deliver the most accurate monitors possible
- The role that an R&D company like Dolby plays in the monitor ecosystem
- How monitor usability is just as important as performance
- The complexity of monitor display technologies and how they can complicate monitor evaluation
- Sometimes monitor evaluation brings with it things manufacturers don’t want to hear
- Consumer monitors can be considerably harder to evaluate than professional monitors
- What does Dolby Certification really mean for consumer TVs
- When will we hit a point where HDR is standard & SDR is looked at in a similar way to HD or 4:3
- Professional vs Consumer displays when it comes to calibration accuracy out of the box
- Calibration is not a replacement for understanding & proper setup/use of a monitor
- Exploring how calibration has become both easier and harder
- How accurate is accurate enough and is the cost of reference calibration gear worth it
- Noticeable differences & degrees of accuracy with calibration
- Drift and the frequency of recalibration

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lAYPOjP3f4k

You can also find the episode on all major podcast platforms and at offsetpodcast.com. For all the ways to watch and listen check out the links in our bio.

Big thanks to for joining us, for the ongoing support, and to our amazing editor for all the help putting shows together.

04/01/2025

In this episode, we continue our discussion about ARM-based computing and its impact on postproduction. If you missed part 1 in this series, be sure to check that out, as we cover a lot of helpful background information.

In this show, some of the specifics discussed include:

- How ARM will factor into our next workstation purchases
- Do we think Apple will deliver on a ‘beast mode’ Mac Pro
- Will Apple Silicon ever support discreet GPUs
- How ARM Linux systems are very appealing from a hardware point of view but have software challenges
- Is widespread adoption of ARM an inflection point for cloud-based workstations for the masses
- A side effect of cloud-based workstations might be faster feature/bug fix deployment
- Why the future of workstations is really exciting

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OThlXxumcSI

The show is also available on all major podcast platforms search for ‘The Offset Podcast’ or for more ways to watch & listen use the links in our bio.

As always, a big thanks to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc. for the support and to our amazing editor .

03/17/2025

ARM SoCs (system on a chip) have become a hot topic in the computing world in the past few years. Apple branded ‘Apple Silicon’, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon, Ampere’s Altra, and others have been disruptive in a world once dominated by x86/x64-based systems from Intel & AMD.

In Part 1 of a two-part series on ARM in post production, we explore some of the essentials of ARM systems, including:

- Basics of ARM vs x86/x64 processors
- RISK vs Non-RISK CPUs
- The flexibility & scalability of ARM
- The goal of a uniform product architecture and its advantage for a company like Apple
- GPU design/performance - the surprise of Apple’s ARM implementation
- The appeal and benefits of efficiency and low power consumption
- The benefits of unified memory
- Package scalability - faster/more cores, multiple SoCs
- Does clock speed matter with ARM SoCs?
- Additional benefits - onboard encode/decode abilities
- Are SoC GPUs ever going to be on par with discrete GPUs? Will discrete GPUs ever come to Apple ARM systems?

In part two, we’ll dive a bit deeper, exploring additional topics, including how cloud-based ARM computing could be a game changer for cost-effective, decentralized post workflows, what the future may hold for workstations from Apple and others, and much more.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YvZ_UPDEgLY

You can also find the show on all major podcast platforms; just search for The Offset Podcast. For more ways to watch & listen, use the links in our bio.

Please like and subscribe anywhere you find the show!

Big thanks, as always, to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc. & our editor

03/03/2025

The built-in tools in grading applications like DaVinci Resolve are immensely powerful, but sometimes, you need a tool that goes further—or, at the very least, approaches a task in a slightly different way.

In this installment of The OffSet Podcast, we're exploring how power grades, DCTLs, and OFX fit into a grading workflow.

Specific topics we discuss in this episode include:

- Defining Powergrades, DCTL & OFX
- The benefits of extending the toolset without cluttering the user interface
- Integrating DCTLS and OFX into fix node tree structures
- The DCTL ecosystem as R&D for Blackmagic Design
- Keeping DCTLs & OFX in sync, up to date, and on multiple systems and locations
- Exploring how to NOT paint yourself into a corner with DCTLs & OFX
- How DCTLS and OFX require a lot of steps and clicks for use
- There could be better interface & panel integration
- Some of our favorite DCTLs and OFX

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ex2fCiNL-TI

For more ways to watch and listen, check out the links in our bio.

Big thanks as always to our sponsor for the support and to our Editor

02/14/2025

In this episode of The Offset Podcast, we’re discussing strategies for managing client review sessions - both in person and remote.

The review session sounds straightforward on paper, but it can be a complicated balancing act of moving things along, addressing changes, and keeping everyone happy.

Some of the specifics we discuss in this episode include:

- Managing both in-person and remote review sessions
- The importance of ‘knowing’ the show - content, characters, etc
- Modulating small talk and reading the room
- Leveraging markers & notes for remaining tasks to accomplish & notes to self
- Anticipating problems, tangents, and pushback
- Setup your grading pipeline to make changes and comparisons easy for the client
- The power of making choices and changes visual
- Documenting and tracking changes for consistency and completion
- Making sure the technology works - audio, networking, lighting, passwords etc
- Having a backup strategy - rendering out intermediate masters, duplicate projects/timelines
- Having clearly defined goals for the review session & a post-review plan

You can watch this show on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ibr1MU_fP70

You can also listen to the show on all major podcast platforms. For ways to watch and listen check out the links in our bio.

Remember, you can submit show ideas and find show notes by visiting www.offsetpodcast.com. You can follow the show on Facebook and Instagram - just search for The Offset Podcast

Thanks to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc. for the support and to our amazing editor Stella.

02/03/2025

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we're discussing many of the things no one told us before we decided to become professional colorists.

While being a professional colorist can be exciting and rewarding, the job also comes with a plethora of challenges and things you might not realize.

Some specifics we discuss in this episode include:

- Is being a colorist everything it’s made out to be?
- How being a colorist can challenge your physical and mental health
- How not every project is share-worthy and it's easy to feel like you're not making art
- Challenges of long hours and being away from family and friends
- Being an independent colorist is hard, but the benefits can be numerous
- There is more out there to color besides movies, television, and commercials - i.e. the great middle
- How postproduction knowledge as a colorist can be leveraged for lots of other things
- How you have to learn to check your ego at the door
- Long-term success usually means consistency and repeatability vs one awesome grade
- Learning how to be a team player with other parts of the pipeline
- Putting your knowledge to work through education, speaking, etc can be just as rewarding as grading
- Advancement in postproduction isn’t really connected to titles - - but more so responsibility and overall trust from stakeholders

You can watch this show on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WEMcZ26nh_s

You can also listen to the episode on all major podcast platforms. Check out the links in our bio for more ways to watch and listen.

Big thanks to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc. and our fantastic editor Stella. We couldn't do the show without them.

01/15/2025

The Offset Podcast is back for Season 2! We publish an episode every two weeks, and for Season 2 (2025), we’re excited to discuss a wide range of exciting topics.

In this episode, we explore a subject that should be important to everyone who cares about image quality and accuracy—calibration. While this episode is not encyclopedic, it should give you a high-level overview of modern calibration.

Topics covered in this episode include:

- The importance of calibration & why calibration = the truth
- Using color bars to set a monitor baseline isn’t calibration
- How standards guide calibration
- Calibration and monitor perfection is unattainable - the goal is to eliminate visual deviations from reference as much as possible.
- Understanding the parts of a closed-loop calibration system
- Colorimeters
- Spectroradiometers
- Creating display-specific offset matrices for a colorimeter with a spectroradiometer
- Pattern generators
- Pattern/Patch size and understanding the basics of loading behavior
- Calibration software
- Direct device control within calibration software
- Meter placement
- Challenges of calibrating projectors vs. direct-view monitors
- Understanding what calibration can’t do & recalibration considerations
- Is auto calibration any good?
- Hiring a professional calibrator

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RQCRNLkkXf0

You can also find The Offset Podcast on all major streaming platforms including Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Check out the links in our bio for all the ways to listen and watch.

If you have a topic you'd like to see us cover visit www.offsetpodcast.com and use the submission form.

Thanks as always to our amazing sponsor Flanders Scientific, and our fantastic editor Stella

12/20/2024

Even though we're on a holiday break we wanted to a take a moment to say THANK YOU to all our listeners for the support, encouragement, and most of all for all the listens and watches.

Also a gigantic thanks to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc. your support has made the show possible. And to our editor Stella who does an amazing job putting the show together.

We'll be back on January 15th, 2025 with new episodes on our regular release schedule. Until then happy holidays!

12/02/2024

Programming Note: The Offset Podcast is taking a break for the holidays. We'll return in mid-January 2025 with new episodes and back to our regular release schedule. A very sincere thanks to our listeners for an amazing 2024 and for helping us launch the show!

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Continuing with our two-part series on DIY approaches, in this installment of The Offset Podcast we'll discuss using a DIY approach to software. No, we're not talking about making your own turn-key color or editing software (but let us know if you do!), but rather things like scripting, basic coding for tool building, automation, and more.

Specific topics covered in this episode include:

- Why DIY software approaches & can you really do these things yourself?
- The importance of always starting with an idea
- Basic scripting to improve workflows
- Integrating scripts through the Resolve API
- Leveraging Resolve developer documentation for help
- Learning by looking at other/open-source scripts
- DCTLs - creating custom color tools for DaVinci Resolve
- How color science and DCTLs relate
- Using low code/no code workflow automation platforms to connect the dots with different APIs
- Automating while also allowing for human decision-making
- Make your own UI/Interface for custom tools with Budibase
- Keeping interfaces simple to get more user compliance
- SaaS (Software As A Service) in the cloud vs local integrations
- The danger of using too many services
- Using developer marketplaces

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1mbrv6M54nk

You can also find the podcast on all major podcast platforms - just search for The Offset Podcast. For more ways to watch and listen check out the links in our bio.

Thanks as always to our fantastic sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc., and our amazing editor . We couldn't do the shows without you.

11/15/2024

You've likely heard the phrase 'work smarter, not harder'. Well, for the professional colorist who has to grade tons of shots day in and day out, working smarter is at the core of what we call grade management.

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we explore a plethora of tools & techniques for grade management. While many of these things are Resolve-specific, grade management approaches can apply to your grading tool of choice.

Highlights include:

- What does grade management mean?
- The power of fixed node tree (fixed structure)
- The process of building your own fixed tree
- Leveraging Node Stack Layers
- Using compound nodes
- Using groups, Lightbox & Smart Filters to work faster
- Shared nodes
- Understanding sort modes
- Using multiple playheads
- Remote and Local grades
- Using Versions
- Split screens for complex comparisons
- Stills and wipes
- Timeline (Layer) organization and track disabling
- Burn in options and rendering specific tracks
- Single Clip vs Individual Clip render options

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R84NCAJBeDU

You can also find The Offset Podcast on all major podcast platforms.

Please check out the links in our bio for ways to watch and listen.

As always, huge thanks to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc., and our editor Stella!

11/01/2024

No, we're not returning to the days of 1", U-Matic, or even D1 & Digibeta (although those were pretty awesome days!).

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we're revisiting some postproduction knowledge that many of us take for granted but that is surprisingly new or at least unclear to many people.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

- Preserving institutional knowledge of post - old vocab and techniques are still relevant
- Understanding fractional frame rates
- Drop vs non-drop timecode
- Understanding interlacing
- Interlacing to progressive, progressive to interlaced
- Transparency & alpha channels
- Composite modes and transparency in color-managed pipelines
- Recap on 3 and 4-point editing
- Inclusive & exclusive playheads
- Being obsessive about file names
- Using leader in file outputs - slates, bars/tone etc

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QdumhhqX-y4

You can also find the show on all major podcast cast platforms. Links in our bio for ways to listen and watch.

If you like this episode, please subscribe and like the show wherever you find it. Also, thanks to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc., and our awesome editor Stella.

If you have an idea for a new episode please visit offsetpodcast.com and use the submission button to share your thoughts

10/15/2024

It's hard to believe but this is our 20th episode! We sincerely thank all our listeners and viewers for checking out the show. We're super excited for the next 20+ shows!

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We're big fans of customization, including things on our desk and other hardware we need around the facility. With huge online marketplaces, it is easier than it has ever been to find those oddball parts and items to personalize your setup. But what if you can't find what you're looking for or you've found something that fits your need 80% but not completely?

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we start a two-part series on DIY (do it yourself) approaches for postproduction. We're starting out by exploring one of our favorite DIY approaches - leveraging the power of 3D printing to make custom items for your suite, facility or anywhere else you might need a customized part.

Over the past 10 years, 3D printing has morphed from an engineering hobby for the most serious DIYers to something approachable for even the most tech-phobic of us.

In this show, we'll explore the basics of 3D printing to make your own hardware including:

- The power of customization & fulfilling exact needs
- What kind of things can you print for postproduction?
- Understanding the basics of additive and subtractive manufacturing
- The 50,000 ft view of the 3D printing - modeling, slicing, and 'programming'
- How a good set of calipers can help you design anything with real-world measurements
- 3D printing communities
- Farming out fabrication to a vendor

You can check out this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l8cPLdhffZ8

The episode is also available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts - just search for 'The Offset Podcast'. Links in our bio for more ways to watch and listen.

In a future episode, we'll explore DIY software approaches including custom scripting and workflow-enhancing tools.

Thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc.and to our awesome editor - we couldn't do the show without you!

If you liked this episode, be sure to check out our other episodes and like and subscribe wherever you find the show.

10/01/2024

Color management pipelines play an integral part in modern postproduction, but these pipelines still cause a lot of confusion for many people.

In this episode of The Offset Podcast, we discuss essential concepts & vocab about color management pipelines to prepare you to dive deeper into these concepts.

Specific topics discussed include:

- Why understanding color management so important in modern workflows
- Understanding the concepts of scene and display referred
- How LUTs can be considered part of a managed pipeline - but with some limitations
- The parts of a color-managed pipeline
- Choosing an intermediate/working space
- Project-wide, node-base, and layer-based approaches to color management
- The power of color space-aware tools
- Printer lights & contrast in a managed pipeline
- Output metadata tagging
- Using OFX and DCTLs in a managed pipeline
- The danger of too much fiddling with transforms

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jTLyWvQ4Ha8

The show is also available on all major podcast platforms - links in our bio for ways to watch and listen.

Big thanks as always to our sponsor , and our editor we couldn't do the show without you!

09/16/2024

In this installment of The Offset Podcast, we discuss those horrible feelings of being way overworked and becoming burned out. The truth is - video and film postproduction can take a toll on your physical & mental health and leave you feeling unmotivated, tired, and even potentially thinking about quitting the industry.

Postproduction (like lots of other industries) can be hard work, full of stress, and long hours - but with a little work, you can battle burnout pretty effectively.

In this episode, we share our opinions on fighting burnout and cover topics including:

- Why burnout is pervasive in video/film postproduction
- Hard work vs true burnout
- The frequent disconnect between managers & operators
- A plethora of time management strategies including day optimization, focus techniques, and creating approachable blocks of time
- Avoiding the procrastination snowball & multi-tasking
- Learning the concept of 'that's a tomorrow problem'
- Managing notifications and the stress caused by them
- Expanding your horizons by working in new genres and/or using new tools
- Finding a side hustle and new creative interests
- Learning how to build a focus & energy reserve
- Understanding & managing stressful personalities

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YwKAG35QiDI

It's also available on all major podcast providers. Check out our bio for links and ways to watch & listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to like and subscribe and tell your friends and colleagues to check out the podcast!

Thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, and our amazing editor - we couldn't do the show without you guys!

09/02/2024

We get asked for advice by new colorists and those looking to do more color (editors,DPs etc) all the time.

It’s easy to get into the technical weeds very quickly. In our opinion, a super-technical deep dive into modern coloring is not the place to start - it can be overwhelming and turn off a lot of people who are looking for a creative outlet.

So instead of debating the merits of specific workflows and tools, in this episode, we jump into a handful of high-level tips geared to help the new colorist or those working in other disciplines get their feet under them in the world of color.

Some of the things we’ll explore in this episode include:

- The power of a less is more approach and following your instincts on overdoing grades
- Learning how to respect the photography of a project and not reinvent it
- Working in passes, focusing on big moves first and working to not get caught up in tiny details right away
- When it comes time to massaging details learning how to focus on the ones that really matter
- Understanding and learning how to fight visual adaptation
- A good-looking scope doesn’t always equal a great-looking shot
- Learning to understand visual intent and why neutral is not always the goal
- Why reference monitoring is and always will be important & why calibration/environment is more important than a specific display technology.
- Not overcomplicating color management & believing everything the internet has to say on color pipelines
- The importance of allowing time for experimenting & learning to not feel pressured to use new tools just because they’re there
- Shaping your best characteristics - confidence & communication

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VDr7qt5O_Hk or on all major podcast providers - links in our bio.

Thanks for watching/listening. If you liked this episode please be sure to like the show and follow us wherever you found the show.

Big thanks to our friend and fantastic colorist Josh Petok for the show concept. Follow Josh on Instagram Josh Petok

Thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc. for the support and to our editor

08/15/2024

If you're like most people in postproduction (and many other industries), you've probably felt at one point or another that budgets are getting smaller, clients are more demanding & expecting more for the same price, and it's often a battle to get the rates you deserve.

The 'Race To The Bottom' is a real thing and in this episode, we'll explore ways to combat it including:

- Defining the race to the bottom
- Valuing artists, not tools
- Different ways to set rates
- The challenges of starting low/benefits of starting high with pricing
- Diversifying pricing
- The slippery slope of discounting
- Accuracy in bidding
- Understanding not everyone is competition & saying no is sometimes a good thing
- Never working for 'free' & always getting something tangible out of a job

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RKCEAlM3Wbs or find the show on all major podcasting platforms - links in our bio.

Big thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc. & our editor - we couldn’t do the show without you.

Thanks for checking out the episode. If you like The Offset Podcast please like and subscribe wherever you find it.

08/01/2024

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Nate McFarlin () - Senior Content Engineer at Dolby.

If you missed part 1 of this conversation, be sure to check out Episode 14 to learn more about Nate's background and how he arrived at Dolby.

In Part 2 we cover a lot of ground with Nate including:

- Professional & consumer display considerations for HDR & Dolby Vision
- Clearing up common misconceptions about display certification (i.e. Dolby doesn't certify displays)
- Display performance criteria from Dolby
- The pitfalls of using consumer displays for HDR mastering
- The move to individual Dolby Vision certifications vs facility certifications
- HDR first and SDR to HDR workflows
- The evolution of Dolby Vision analysis
- Dolby Vision education resources & knowledgebase
- And much more!

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GZN3NPiV--M

You can also listen to the show on your favorite podcasting platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and more - links in our bio for all the ways to watch and listen.

Big thanks to Nate for joining us for these great conversations!

Also a big thanks as always to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc. - we couldn't do the show without you guys! And thanks to our editor .

07/15/2024

We've been Dolby Vision evangelists -speaking, presenting, and developing training on it almost since the very start - including a 10-part series for the Dolby Institute a few years ago. We LOVE to talk and !

So, every time an opportunity presents itself to chat with our friends at Dolby we jump at the chance. Recently we caught up with who is a Senior Content Engineer at Dolby for an engaging two-part conversation.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Joey & Robbie's passion for Dolby Vision
- Nate's engineering background and his time at RIT in the Motion Picture Science program (MPS)
- Some of the origins and spread of HDR and Dolby Vision
- Understanding Dolby Vision as translation technology (tone mapping)
- The explosion of HDR and Dolby Vision content
- And much more!

In part 2, we'll dive into some more of the technical parts of the Dolby Vision ecosystem as we continue our chat with Nate.

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i0itdvw95MI or listen to the episode on all major podcasting platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and more - links in our bio.

If you like the show, please be sure to like and subscribe wherever you find it.

As always, a huge thanks to our sponsor Flanders Scientific, Inc. for the support and to our editor for all her help in putting the show together.

The Offset Podcast