5 Tips To Clean Up Your Video Sequence Prior To Color Correction
DaVinci Resolve 12.5 is a great program to use when color correcting your finished video. However, you need to perform the crucial step of getting your video out of your editing software and into your color correcting software. There are several things you can do to make the entire process easier, before you even open DaVinci Resolve. Here are 5 things that you can do.
Make a Copy of Your Sequence
The first thing you'll want to do is duplicate your sequence for color correction within your video editing software. This will ensure that you do not accidentally delete anything from the sequence when cleaning it up, since you can always revert back to the original sequence later.
Remove Unused Clips
The video editing process will leave you with plenty of clips buried in your timeline. You may have alternate shots that you decided not to use, or overlapping shots that you cannot see. It is best to remove all unused clips that you do not intend to color correct. For example, there may be graphic titles that you do not want to color correct, or footage that you are happy with its current color.
Condense the Sequence
Chances are that your video will also be on several layers, as you were in the middle of creative editorial. Color correcting programs like DaVinci Resolve work best when all of the video has been condensed to a single video layer. If you need to color correct multiple pieces of video that are up at the same time, move them to the end of the sequence on video layer 1 so that they can be corrected separately.
Remove Existing Effects
Wipes, dissolves, and other transitions will be difficult to color correct, when two pieces of videos are coming together. It will help to color correct each piece individually, then you can recreate the transition in your video editing software.
Create a Reference Movie
You will want a reference movie made before you export it as an XML file for color correction. This will help ensure that the video was translated properly by DaVinci Resolve, and it will allow you to see the piece in its original color, so you can compare it to the final color correction.
While these tips will give you a great start, consider taking training courses on DaVinci Resolve to learn about other ways you can better prepare your sequence for color correction.