
Ahead of this years FilmLight Colour Awards, jury member Jax Harney, founder and senior colourist at X-LDN speaks to TVBEurope about the colourists role and what she hopes to see from the 2024 entries
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July 23, 2024 Updated: July 24, 2024
Ahead of this year's FilmLight Colour Awards, jury member Jax Harney, founder and senior colourist at X-LDN speaks to TVBEurope about the colourist's role and what she hopes to see from the 2024 entries
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> Ahead of this year's FilmLight Colour Awards, jury member Jax Harney, founder and senior colourist at X-LDN speaks to TVBEurope about the colourist's role and what she hopes to see from the 2024 entries
https://www.tvbeurope.com/production-post/the-grade-should-flow-not-steal-the-show-colourist-jax-harney-reveals-her-hopes-for-the-filmlight-2024-awards title=Share via Email class=share-email>
Do you think it's important for colourists to be recognised in awards like these? Absolutely, these awards are essential for validating the skills and artistry that colourists bring to the table.
You've been working for over two decades as a colourist. What are you looking for in entries? I'll be looking for creative use of colour that enhances the story being presented. I want the grade to flow - not steal the show, but compliment what I'm watching. I'll be looking at texture and then the obvious clean keys, fine shape work and making sure my attention is being led to where it's required.
Jax Harney, founder and senior colourist, X-LDN As a colourist specialised in advertising, what are your thoughts on the new category for this year - Emerging Talent? I think this new category is an incredible way to recognise and celebrate the fresh faces in our industry who are bringing in new energy and ideas. This category not only highlights their hard work and potential, but also encourages them to keep honing their craft. I'm really excited to see this kind of recognition and support for the next generation of talent. It's definitely a step in the right direction towards a more innovative and inclusive industry.
Having worked for so many luxury brands, what is the most important part of the grade for this type of project? Is it skin tone, the discussion with the creative agency, etc.? Anyone who knows me, knows how much I bang on about collaboration being key. On every job, I try to work closely with the director, DoP and creatives to achieve the best results. With beauty work in particular, I have to be gentle with the skin tones and stay as real as the environment will allow. This can be difficult sometimes if the client wants their product singing out of the scene, but it's always a team discussion on how to walk this fine line of staying true to the scene while also delivering what the client wants.
You set up your own facility in 2020, can you tell us more about it? I did indeed and it is the best thing that came out of the pandemic for me. The model we've created is based on collaborations with different independent artists and post facilities. Colour is still my main focus and the core of the business at X, but over the years I've connected with some incredible talents in all areas of post, which has led to some amazing creative partnerships across the globe.
How do you prefer to work with the DoP on colour? For long form I always try to connect with the DoP early in the process. This gives us time to shoot ideas around, test looks and create a solid LUT. I find that consistent communication throughout the shoot, with tweaks to the look as we go, always yields the best creative outcomes. I much prefer having the DoP in the suite for the final grade, but in commercials that isn't often the case. In this instance, I will always endeavour to at least have a brief from set to try and carry as much of the creative intent across.
What are the key challenges of your role as colourist? Particularly in advertising, diminishing budgets mean less productions are factoring in the appropriate time for colour and finishing. Plus, some editors are now using AI tech for colour in their edit software, so we are finding that the colour grading is being axed to save money. A lot of the time this results in us having to pick up a project very late in the day - when the production hands it over to fix what hasn't been achieved in edit and what hasn't been accounted for at the beginning of the project.
What's your career highlight to date and why? I have quite a few career highlights for various reasons, so I will list a few.
Going to the BAFTAs with the short film, Kamali (2018), directed by Sasha Rainbow and shot by Jake Gabbay. This was super special.
Working with Nicole Ackermann, Adam Bentel and the amazing VFX team at The Mill NYC on the trailer for the Bethesda Game Studios' game, Starfield' was also pretty special. I'm a huge gamer and grading video game trailers is my happy place.
Setting up my own post facility - that's got to be up there.
Finally, watching the cast of Celebrity Gogglebox get all emotional while watching episode 6 of Big Boys (season 1).
The shortlist for the 2024 FilmLight Colour Awards will be released in autumn with winners announced at EnergaCAMERIMAGE in November. For more details, visit: www.filmlightcolourawards.com.
Elvis, JFK cinematographers among judges for FilmLight Colour Awards
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
13/08/2026
LaLiga has renewed broadcast agreements with ESPN and DSports covering Spanish-l...
13/08/2026
Three days of skateboarding competitions, live music, and other programming will...
13/08/2026
Matrox Video will showcase its portfolio of IP and software-defined technologies at IBC2026 (Booth 7.B15, RAI Amsterdam, September 11-14).
The portfolio includ...
13/08/2026
SMPTE will present expert-led sessions, professional workshops, and networking events at IBC2026. The organization will be located in the IBC2026 Owner Pavilion...
13/08/2026
Clear-Com will exhibit at IBC2026 (Stand 10.D29, September 11-14, Amsterdam), showcasing FreeSpeak Cell, Avalon IP Station, updates to Arcadia Central Station, ...
13/08/2026
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has appointed Eran Binyamin Zeitoun as Senior Techn...
13/08/2026
Miami HEAT, Florida Panthers, Orlando Magic, University of Miami join leading vendors for a day of gameday-production talk in South Florida
The 2026 SVG Venues...
13/08/2026
NBC Sports is producing the Twins-Phillies game alongside the streamer, which is...
13/08/2026
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) will exhibit at IBC2026 (Hall 5, Booth 5.A21, September 11-14, Amsterdam), demonstrating cloud-based workflows across low-late...
13/08/2026
Dalet will participate in the IBC2026 Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, co...
13/08/2026
Cox Media Group (CMG) has announced multi-year local broadcast rights agreements...
13/08/2026
J nger Audio will join Fraunhofer IIS and industry partners to showcase a cloud-based, DTV+-compliant workflow at SET Expo 2026 in S o Paulo, August 17-20. DTV+...
13/08/2026
IBC has announced that Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) will receive the Inte...
13/08/2026
NESN has partnered with WSBK-TV38 to broadcast Boston Red Sox games on August 17 and 18 over the air, extending the reach of the 24th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fun...
13/08/2026
LiveU and Panasonic LUMIX have announced the Live Anywhere workflow, demonstrated at NAB 2026 and InfoComm 2026 in collaboration with Social180Group. The work...
13/08/2026
Chyron will demonstrate its sports analysis, graphics, remote production, virtual production, and venue control solutions at IBC2026 (Booth 7.A23). This year...
13/08/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent ratings news and is derived from press re...
13/08/2026
Season tips off Oct. 20 and runs through April 11; Christmas Day, NBA Cup, All-S...
13/08/2026
Company preview bio-interactive' synthesizer
VAEMI have announced the upcoming launch of a new standalone bio-interactive' generative synthesizer....
13/08/2026
Plug-in host gains new Slot Scenes feature
Ravine DSP have recently updated their innovative plug-in host, kitting it out with a new feature that brings yet...
13/08/2026
New Agreement Aims to Leverage Gracenote Infrastructure to Create More Relevant ...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
IBC today announced that its most prestigious honour, the International Honour for Excellence (IHFE), will be presented to Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), ...
13/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced its participation in the IBC2026 Accelerator Media Innovation Pro...
13/08/2026
dzjinius, the all-in-one production management platform for the media and entertainment industry, will showcase its new application, dzjinius on-set , at IBC20...
13/08/2026
Broadcasting Center Europe (BCE), a leading European provider of media services, system integration and product development, will demonstrate an end-to-end sove...
13/08/2026
Clear-Com is returning to IBC 2026, taking place September 11-14 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. At Stand 10.D29, Clear-Com will spotlight the award-winning FreeSpe...
13/08/2026
Test & measurement innovator, Leader Electronics of Europe, will showcase its comprehensive portfolio of Leader, PHABRIX and LeaderPhabrix test and measurement ...
13/08/2026
KRK Brings Advanced Wireless Control to Professional Monitoring With New V Serie...
13/08/2026
Anthony Noack Captures Artist's Journey in Estonia with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton August 12, 2026
0 Comments
Solo filmmaker documents concept...
13/08/2026
ARRI Image Science makes its mobile debut in the HONOR Robot Phone
Brie Clayton August 12, 2026
0 Comments
Hero image displays the HONOR Robot Phone, ...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Suitest's Test Automation Platform Simplifies Video Quality Assurance, Monitoring, and Device Certification Across the OTT Ecosystem
At IBC2026, Suitest, a...
13/08/2026
Cinegy GmbH, the premier provider of software-defined television technology, will have its key software solutions ready to demonstrate at SET Expo 2026 (18 20...
13/08/2026
Scripps Research has established the Peter K. Vogt Endowed Chair, a new faculty ...
13/08/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-A vaccine's molecular structure plays a key role in determining how the immune system responds and prepares to protect the body from future exp...
13/08/2026
Venera Technologies Showcases AI-Powered Innovations Across its Media QC Platfor...
13/08/2026
New U and U&W Documentary Features Kathleen Richards, One of the Last Surviving Witnesses to Fred and Rose West
Kathleen is Reunited with Childhood Friend and ...
13/08/2026
Thursday 13 August 2026
Official trailer released for the return of Tea with Ju...
13/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
13/08/2026
Wenvoe serves over 1 million people across South Wales
13 August 2026, Winchester, UK - Vale of Glamorgan MP, Kanishka Narayan, has praised the engineering exp...
13/08/2026
RT 's Miriam O'Callaghan welcomed a range of specially invited guests to the National Concert Hall last week for a unique event to mark a new season wit...