Sidharth Srinivasan's KRIYA Horror Film Graded with DaVinci Resolve Studio
27/10/2020
Blackmagic Design today announced that KRIYA, the new horror film by award winning filmmaker Sidharth Srinivasan, was graded using DaVinci Resolve Studio. Grading of the intense horror film was completed by Delhi based colorist Divya Kehr, with the film premiering at the virtual Fantasia 2020 film festival.
KRIYA is the nightmare odyssey of a young DJ named Neel who is picked up one fateful night by the beautiful Sitara, only to be thrust into a hallucinatory world of ritual magic surrounding the imminent death of her father. Following a 10 night shoot at a 150 year old colonial mansion in India in September of 2018, the film premiered in competition at Fantasia 2020.
Director Sidharth Srinivasan had an exact claustrophobic, reddish look and feel he wanted for the film that he knew had to come together during post production.
Filming in just 10 nights at a single location made for a pressure cooker, race against time shoot. 'KRIYA' was a herculean task simply wrapping on schedule and we knew the look of the film would emerge during post, while grading, Srinivasan said. Ultimately, I think Divya and I arrived at the final look of the film through a painstaking but rewarding 2 month period of trial and error which resulted in a very earthy, dark, high contrast look with red tones predominating. A warm horror film, if you will.
Resolve did all the heavy lifting while grading, affording me a very smooth experience as a director and enabling me and Divya to experiment and enter a dialogue with the footage. It didn't hurt that Divya is exceptionally comfortable with Resolve and has a highly refined aesthetic sense! The beauty of it was that the final look of the film, while highly stylized, was organically' dictated by the raw footage, and felt very natural. I'd like to believe we achieved an original ancient, sepia tinted feel, but in color, if that makes sense! To be very honest, Divya really pushed the footage to its max, and Resolve was instrumental in helping her achieve this, he said.
Kehr added: I've always seen modern film and especially the horror genre as more of resonating with the audience's imagination than with what is exactly shown in the film. The film, or rather the matter filmed, is only the cue which is interposed in the mind of the audience whereas the actual effect is that of the interpretation the mind derives from the cues given. With Resolve's ability to tweak the depth/hue of the colors of the film we were able to enhance the underlying tension we wanted to portray.
The film is made up of a majority of close up and mid close shots, with several extreme close ups to maintain a feeling of claustrophobia. Throughout the film, Srinivasan and Kehr avoided a generic horror movie blue/green tone and worked to push a feeling of darkness in every shot.
Srinivasan continued: The red tone of the film subconsciously evokes visceral, passionate and violent emotions. A warning to stand still or you will get burnt, and by extension a sense of inertia, of being unable to escape try as you may.
To get that look, Kehr explained how Srinivasan asked her to make use of shadows and skin tones: As the adage goes It's not the dark we're afraid of its what hidden in it.' Sid wanted the film to be super dark and wanted to push the envelope and overuse the shadows. So we had played around with the log window in Resolve quite a bit to tweak the shadows and highlights.
That use of shadows made the shots more claustrophobic. We had used tight vignettes around most of the close up and mid shots and we also had to window and track everyone's faces and increase the shadows accordingly as their skin tones were slightly different.
One of the most dramatic shots in the film is of the protagonist's dead father slowly walking down a dark hallway wide eyed and covered in blood. Used in the trailer and with all of the film's press kit materials, the shot was incredibly important to set the feel of the film for viewers at the very start.
Kehr explained the grade for this shot: We didn't want the image to look dark and dull but dark and dramatic. The curve window gave us control over all the highlights for that. The entire room looked like it was lit by firelight. We had increased the mid tone details in this shot to make the blood stand out more. Darkening the shot had made the blood almost black in color so we had also keyed some of it and used a parallel node to put the red back into it. Resolve's luminance curve window worked quite well to get the blood the right color in all the shots.
Srinivasan continued: Yes, I'm stoked with how that shot turned out. My DOP's Karan Thapliyal and Lakshman Anand and I were very happy with the results on set too. It just came together I think: the actor's skin tone, the lighting and the fake blood. Karan shot that scene on a gimbal in a massive open hallway in the mansion, one side facing the outside world. Of course, the footage was crushed majorly on Resolve, darkening the blood, but because the liquid was also catching the light, it became very real.
Divya and I collaborated very closely on the grade of KRIYA.' I cannot overstate how beneficial her proficiency on Resolve was to the ultimate look and feel of the film, a fact that has been acknowledged by many reviews of the film as well. Personally, I felt Resolve enabled me to translate my own personal demons onto the image, in terms of color. I was actually blown away by how effortlessly the software can interpret what's going on in your mind's eye, which is oftentimes indescribable, and deliver it in concrete visuals, Srinivasan finished.
###
About Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design creates the world's highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors
North America Stories
29/03/2024
Dalet to Demo AI-Enabled Production, Automation and Monetization at NAB Show
PARIS Dalet has announced that during the 2024 NAB Show (booth #W1713), attendees can experience firsthand Dalet's collaborative, AI-enabled workflows that ...
29/03/2024
DirecTV Inks Deal to Carry 2024 Colorado Rockies Games
DENVER AND EL SEGUNDO, Calif. DirecTV has announced a new agreement with Major League Baseball that will allow Colorado Rockies fans to see this season's ga...
29/03/2024
S&P: Media, Telecom M&A Plunges to 13-Month Low
S&P Global Market Intelligence has released new data showing that dealmaking in the North America for media and telecom companies remains in the doldrums....
29/03/2024
NAB Show: Pebble Launches PRIMA Software Platform
EPSOM, Surrey, UK The automation, content management, and integrated channel specialist Pebble, has announced that it will be launching a new software platform ...
29/03/2024
Gray Television to Air Arena Football League Local Games
ATLANTA Gray Television Inc. has inked a multi-year agreement with the Arena Football League to bring Saturday arena football games over-the-air to local audien...
28/03/2024
Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know 8 Women Filmmakers With Shorts at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival
A still from Jasmin Baumgartner's Bye Bye, Bowser, which screened as part ...
28/03/2024
The Best Shared Storage For Video Production
alt= class=wp-image-12214 data-lazy-src=/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Best-Shared-Storage-EVO-logo-960x540-1.jpg/> Embarking on a cinematic journey or crafting a ...
28/03/2024
Future-Proofing the B-52
L3Harris is upgrading critical electronic warfare systems to ensure the iconic aircrafts spectrum superiority for decades to come....
28/03/2024
Supporting the RCAF for more than 25 Years with L3Harris' WESCAM MX-Series
L3Harris' WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR systems have supported the RCAF for more than 25 years....
28/03/2024
ENCO to Add AI News Anchor to Qimera Virtual Production Set
NOVI, Mich. During the 2024 NAB Show, ENCO will be showcasing an AI-driven virtual anchor delivering live news from a realistic 3D virtual news set....
28/03/2024
Johan de Nysschen Named President and CEO of ARRI Americas
MUNICH ARRI has announced that Johan de Nysschen has been put in charge of the ARRI Americas team as president and CEO ARRI Americas Inc....
28/03/2024
Fubo Inks Carriage Deal with YES Network
NEW YORK The YES Network and FuboTV have reached a multi-year carriage agreement that will allow Fubo to launch YES in its Pro base channel plan in time for YES...
28/03/2024
Dalet to Demo AI-Enabled Production, Automation and Monetization at NAB 2024
PARIS Dalet has announced that during its 2024 NAB showcase (booth #W1713), attendees can experience firsthand Dalet's collaborative, AI-enabled workflows t...
28/03/2024
Blackmagic Design Used on 2024 Oscar Nominated Films
Blackmagic Design Used on 2024 Oscar Nominated Films Brie Clayton March 28, 2024 0 Comments Blackmagic Design congratulates the many film professional...
28/03/2024
Arkona to Introduce BLADE//master Control and Orchestration Service at NAB 2024
Arkona to Introduce BLADE//master Control and Orchestration Service at NAB 2024 Brie Clayton March 28, 2024 0 Comments New option for BLADE//runner ke...
28/03/2024
Join Maxon for NAB 2024
Join Maxon for NAB 2024 Brie Clayton March 28, 2024 0 Comments Maxon returns to NAB with presentations by artists from around the world and demos of t...
28/03/2024
Boston Conservatory to Present Center Stage Production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Huntington
Boston Conservatory to Present Center Stage Production of A Midsummer Night'...
28/03/2024
2024 Big Night In Raises $145k to Support Triangle Arts Councils
Capitol Broadcasting and WRAL-TV once again proudly supported our local arts community with the broadcast of Big Night in for the Arts Thursday, March 7, 2024. ...
28/03/2024
JIC, MRC Announce Accord On Roles In Judging Measurement Companies
With more companies offering different approaches to measuring television viewing and campaign effectiveness, two of the groups that evaluate potential media bu...
28/03/2024
Hulu Added to Disney Plus App for Bundle Subscribers
The Walt Disney Co. said that it launched Hulu on Disney Plus, which makes Hulu programming available via the Disney Plus app....
28/03/2024
GroupM To Double Ad Spending On Women's Sports Programming
Giant media buyer GroupM said it plans to double its media spending on women's sports....
28/03/2024
Scripps Renews State Farm As Sponsor of Friday Night WNBA on Ion
Scripps Sports said that State Farm has signed a new multi-year agreement to continue as the title sponsor of Ion's Friday night WNBA telecasts....
28/03/2024
Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington Sign On for Imperfect Women' on Apple TV Plus
Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington will star in, and executive produce, Imperfe...
28/03/2024
Telemundo Station Group Addresses Climate Change With Month-Long Initiative
Telemundo Station Group launches the month-long climate change initiative Our Planet Thursday, March 28. The multiplatform campaign ends on Earth Day, April 22,...
28/03/2024
Circle City Broadcasting Renews Nielsen Ratings Deal
Nielsen said that Circle City Broadcasting, owner of WISH-TV in Indianapolis, has renewed its local TV measurement deal....
28/03/2024
Lionsgate Extends Deal With Seth Rogen's Point Grey Pictures
Lionsgate Television said it extended its deal with Point Grey Pictures, the production company led by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver....
28/03/2024
Ariana DeBose Back as Tonys Host
Ariana DeBose returns as host of the Tony Awards Sunday, June 16, on CBS and Paramount Plus. It is her third consecutive time hosting, and it will be the 77th T...
28/03/2024
The Steve Wilkos Show' Renewed for Season 18
The Steve Wilkos Show has been renewed for its 18th season in national syndication, Tracie Wilson, executive VP, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios & E! News, sai...
28/03/2024
Sinclair Selects Embrace as Its Media Orchestration Engine
PARIS Embrace, a developer of advanced automation and orchestration software solutions, has announced that Sinclair Broadcast Group has selected Embrace's P...
28/03/2024
Nielsen and Circle City Broadcasting Renew Local TV Measurement Deal
NEW YORK Nielsen has a multi-year renewal with Circle City Broadcasting, Indianas only locally owned and operated broadcast and digital news media network, for ...
28/03/2024
JVC to Demo Its First Ever 40x Zoom PTZ Camera Series at 2024 NAB Show
LAS VEGAS JVC Professional Video has announced that it will debut its new KY-PZ540 Series PTZ Cameras with 40x zoom at 2024 NAB Show (Booth C4720)....
28/03/2024
Brightcove Launches Cloud Playout 2.0
BOSTON Brightcove has announced the launch of Cloud Playout 2.0, a platform that the company said will offer customers new ways to create linear channels, monet...
28/03/2024
NBC Sports Chicago to Air First-Ever Animated Real-Time Local Sports Telecast
The Chicago Blackhawks and NBC Sports Chicago have announced a collaboration with the NHL to bring fans the first-ever local animated real-time sports telecast....
28/03/2024
The Best News Coverage is Real, Live, Balanced, Professional
The Best News Coverage is Real, Live, Balanced, Professional Andy Marken March 28, 2024 0 Comments Hero image source News of the World, Perfect Wo...
28/03/2024
TNT Sports Gets Its College Game On for March Madness Audio
TNT Sports Gets Its College Game On for March Madness Audio Marching bands, crowds make up for lack of court FX and wired players By Dan Daley, Audio Editor ...
28/03/2024
Cosm/ESPN Deal Will Bring NBA, NHL, Tennis, College Football, and More to Shared Reality' Venues
Cosm/ESPN Deal Will Bring NBA, NHL, Tennis, College Football, and More to Share...
28/03/2024
MLB 2024: The Famous Group, Miami Marlins Team Up for AI-Powered Intro for All 2024 Home Games
MLB 2024: The Famous Group, Miami Marlins Team Up for AI-Powered Intro for All 2...
28/03/2024
MLB 2024: MLB Network Showcase Opts for Secaucus-Based Remote Production
MLB 2024: MLB Network Showcase Opts for Secaucus-Based Remote Production The league's production arm marks 15th-anniversary season with packed schedule By ...
28/03/2024
MLB Opening Day: ESPN Brings Sunday Night Baseball Into Analytic Age With Volumetric Replays, Win Probability' in Scorebug
MLB Opening Day: ESPN Brings Sunday Night Baseball Into Analytic Age With Volume...
28/03/2024
MLB 2024: FOX Sports Steps Up to the Plate With Big Audio Plans
MLB 2024: FOX Sports Steps Up to the Plate With Big Audio Plans More player and field sound will be on tap By Dan Daley, Audio Editor Thursday, March 28, 202...
28/03/2024
Netflix Announces Agatha Christie Series 'The Seven Dials Mystery' by 'Broadchurch' Writer Chris Chibnall
Back to All News Netflix Announces Agatha Christie Series The Seven Dials Myste...
28/03/2024
Haivision Showcases World-Leading Live Video Contribution Ecosystem at the 2024 NAB Show
Makito X4 video encoders, Haivision Pro mobile transmitters, StreamHub receiver,...
28/03/2024
FOR-A shows production flexibility for entertainment and sports at CABSAT
Compressed and uncompressed IP solutions alongside SDI...
28/03/2024
Greater Scope: Doctors Get Inside Look at Gut Health With AI-Powered Endoscopy
From humble beginnings as a university spinoff to an acquisition by the leading global medtech company in its field, Odin Vision has been on an accelerated jour...
28/03/2024
Get Cozy With Palia' on GeForce NOW
Ease into spring with the warm, cozy vibes of Palia, coming to the cloud this GFN Thursday. It's part of six new titles joining the GeForce NOW library of ...
27/03/2024
Inside the Archives: It's Lights, Curtains, Action When Sundance Films Become Stage Productions
By Jen Scott It's time to unwrap those noisy candies and put your phone on ...
27/03/2024
Sencore and Showfer Announce Collaboration at NAB 2024, With a Brand-New Content Management and Distribution Solution
Las Vegas, NV, April 14-17, Booth W2401 Sencore, a leading provider of profess...
27/03/2024
I Am L3Harris - Sam Bonelli
I'm proud to be a woman in aerospace making an impact on our world and among my peers, team and future generations of women in STEM....
27/03/2024
Bitmovin to Show Live Encoder Running on Akamai Cloud at NAB Show
DENVER Bitmovin has launched its Live Encoder running on the Akamai Cloud Computing, optimizing live streaming and reducing total streaming costs by up to 90%, ...
27/03/2024
Hulu Launches on Disney+
BURBANK, Calif. The Walt Disney Company has officially launched Hulu on Disney+ in the U.S. in a move that brings together the extensive Disney+ and Hulu librar...