David Hussey, a renowned colorist at Company 3, used DaVinci Resolve Studio to grade the visually striking action-comedy "Violent Night," directed by Tommy Wirkola. The film, produced by Guy Danella, David Leitch, and Kelly McCormick of 87North, was distributed by Universal Pictures.
Color Grading Process
Hussey collaborated closely with director Wirkola and cinematographer Matthew Weston to achieve the desired look for "Violent Night." The team aimed to create warm and rich interiors while keeping exteriors cooler, particularly emphasizing action scenes. Hussey discussed his approach: “I basically tried to enhance what Tommy and Matthew had designed on set,” he recalled.
Collaborative Efforts
The grading process involved virtual sessions with the post-production supervisor in Vancouver, Wirkola in Oslo, and Leitch and McCormick in Australia. Hussey utilized DaVinci Resolve Studio’s grouping feature to quickly adjust scenes and share these changes across different time zones.
Technical Tools
Hussey appreciated the speed and efficiency of DaVinci Resolve Studio for his grading tasks, especially during window tracking and secondary color correction. He used Open FX for its grain package to add texture to the film, enhancing the overall mood.
Notable Scene
One particularly memorable scene involved Santa Claus in a fight with mercenaries around a woodchipper. Weston set the mood using bright highlights through barn slats, and Hussey balanced these elements while maintaining action clarity. “It was one of my favorites,” Hussey said, highlighting the cohesive result.
Hussey’s experience with DaVinci Resolve Studio spanned most of his career, making it a perfect tool for balancing highlights and tracking objects in fast-paced action scenes.