Senior colorist Marcy Robinson has completed the grading of HBO Max’s docudrama Reality, employing Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve Studio to manage the film's challenging visual requirements. The project, which premiered at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival, focuses on the FBI’s interrogation of Reality Winner, a former U.S. Air Force and NSA translator turned whistleblower.
Color Grading Challenges
The film is set in one room, with much of the action taking place over a few hours, requiring Robinson to maintain visual consistency while adding subtle nuances. “Even though the film takes place mainly in this one room, there were a lot of subtle continuity concerns to keep us on our toes,” noted Robinson.
Director Tina Satter adapted her stage play Is This a Room, using verbatim dialogue from the FBI’s audio recording of the interrogation. Director of Photography Paul Yee aimed for limited visual stimuli at the start, making every camera or character movement deliberate and purposeful. As the story unfolds, the visual language shifts to become more subjective and visceral.
Technical Approach
Robinson utilized various tools within DaVinci Resolve Studio to achieve her vision. She used OFX glow and tilt shift effects heavily at times, along with keying tools to manage windows and fluorescent lights. “Paul achieved some amazing in-camera effects, and we had to match some of those in the grade,” Robinson added.
Collaborative Process
The collaboration between Robinson and Yee was crucial for the film’s visual success. “The greatest strength of Marcy and my working relationship is that we can discuss the grade in the abstract as opposed to the strictly technical,” Yee said. “Her understanding of color theory, combined with her prowess with Resolve, allows her to synthesize thoughts and feelings in the room and project them onto the screen.”
Robinson expressed her appreciation for the talent involved in the project: “‘Reality’ is an outstanding film and a project that feels very dear to me. I really loved working with Tina and Paul. They are ridiculously talented and such fantastic collaborators.”