FXPHD – Resolve Fundamentals

Info:

This training is exclusively available for standalone purchase in the fxphd store and is not available as part of the fxphd membership.

This is the 13th season I’ve partnered with fxphd to produce Resolve online training. Resolve Fundamentals covers both Resolve V15 and V16. It was originally recorded in V15 and includes two V16 update classes covering new features introduced in the 2019 release as well as additional new footage to go along with the lessons.

This course is ideal for people new to color correction, photographers, editors, DITs, DPs, VFX artists and directors. I always strive to show you why you do something not just how to do them.

One of the fantastic benefits of this course is that it comes with almost 7GB of high resolution source material so you can follow the same techniques on the same footage Warren uses. You get the media the XMLs, the reference movies and even the Powergrade looks. Footage supplied with the course may be used for learning or your showreel (use in commercial or non-commercial projects is prohibited).

I had a great time working on these classes and I hope you enjoy them!

— Warren Eagles

What level is this course?

This is a beginner level course. You will be taken through the steps needed to get started with both the editing and color features within DaVinci Resolve. You can follow the classes using the same techniques as Warren uses because you get the footage media as well as the instructional videos.

What will I be editing and coloring?

You will edit a :45 beach sequence that has a mixture of good and poorly shot (too light, too dark, too blue) ProRes material. You’ll learn how to add speed ramps, soft focus, reframes and cool text animations. Once the sequence is edited, you’ll color correct before rendering to your desired social media or TV destination.

Why take this class?

Take this class if want to understand the post process and take more control or your images. Warren’s real world experience as a colorist and teaching classroom courses helps the way he transports techniques into online training classes. Movie content on a website or social media has become a vital part of marketing any business or individual, so it’s critically important that your movies look as great as possible.

Who is this class for?

This course is ideal for photographers, DITs, DPs, VFX artists and directors; basically, anybody who needs to produce great looking moving images. This could be :15 for social media, a small TV commercial, or your personal short film passion project that you want to edit and grade. It will also give DPs, directors and producers a better understanding of the complete post process and give everyone the foundation and confidence needed to get started with grading.

Class by class breakdown

CLASS 01: RESOLVE – WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

Learn about Warren as he walks you through Resolve.

CLASS 02: EDITING – GETTING STARTED WITH RESOLVE

How to set up the Resolve user preferences. Using the Clone tool to copy media from your HDD.

CLASS 03: EDITING – GETTING YOUR MEDIA INTO RESOLVE

Preparing for an editing session on the Project Settings page, choosing frame size, frame rate and color space. Media Page overview and creating a large timeline with all your media from the shoot. How the timeline looks on both the editing and color pages.

CLASS 04: EDITING A SMALL SEQUENCE TOGETHER

Reviewing your camera rushes and adding markers, choosing a clip to start your edit, how to view audio waveforms below your picture. Covering the insert, overwrite, and replace commands.

CLASS 05: MORE EDITING

tart to fine tune your edit, adding video layers, and replacing your initial edit decisions. The Slip and Roll tools and using the Inspector change the properties of a clip. Changing clip speed and the retime curve, resizing the image, using OFX Gaussian Blur to defocus the image, and adding an end logo.

CLASS 06: EVEN MORE EDITING

Retime Control to create a speed ramp, adding titles and using Fusion presets, dissolve/video transitions. Adding music and adjusting the audio for music an dialog. Getting ready for color correction.

CLASS 07: PRIMARY CORRECTION, PART 1

Using the supplied Resolve project .drp file to load up the same timeline as Warren. How and why to use the scopes. Setting 10bit RGB values in the color picker, using a LUT and where to put it in the node chain. Primary controls explained, including Lift Gamma Gain and the Offset Control. Making the picture black and white to judge contrast and how to use the color picker to evaluate black and white levels.

CLASS 08: PRIMARY CORRECTION, PART 2

Using the Color Chart Match mode, fixing the cool color temperature on the volleyball shot. Examining if we can bring back over-exposed footage and learning how to grade LOG material.

CLASS 09: CURVES AND SECONDARY CORRECTION

Custom Curves and using Hue Curves to change colors individually. Qualify with the eye dropper to change the color of an object.

CLASS 10: POWER WINDOWS, TRACKING AND KEYFRAMING

Learn why a window shape can bring your subject to life, with an explanation of the five window shapes. Changing the color of a shot with keyframes. An explanation of the Resolve Tracker and when we use it instead of keyframing a shape.

CLASS 11: NODE OPERATION

Nodes are the key to successful grading in Resolve. How do we cut through a warm picture to get an original blue sky back? Serial v Layer Nodes: when and why we pick each one.

CLASS 12: FINISHING AND OUTPUTTING – THE DELIVERY PAGE

Examining the various output options and when you would use them. ProRes vs. H264 for web delivery? Facebook, Twitter or standard HD? How to use a custom output aspect ratio for deliverables such as Instagram that require a square image or a widescreen output with no letterboxing.

V16 UPDATE – PART 1

Quick overview of the new Cut page. Auto Analyze for faces, then adding to a Face Bin. Dragging and dropping any clip to be a reference movie. Speed Warp for super digital slo-motion. The new Render Cache Color Output, CIE 1931 xy scopes, histograms on the Curve background, improved LIghtbox, and new split screen options for better preview and matching.

V16 UPDATE – PART 2

Using the new Adjustment Clip on the Edit Page and punching clips through the Adjustment Clip. New faster Fusion 3D titles. New OFX plugins including Beauty OFX, Analogue Damage OFX, and Chromatic Adaptation OFX. Rendering straight to Frame io and Vimeo.

MARCH 2020 BONUS CLASS

There are big challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and maybe even bigger ones to come after it has passed. When it’s all over you will need to hit the ground running, as you will hopefully be very busy as things ramp up again. This class includes advice on what you can do to keep your color skills fresh during the forced break…things like refreshing an old reel, re-grading the original clips, changing mixed frame rates and re framing for Instagram. The aim is to help you use the time in a positive way.