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Colorist Paul Westerbeck (Fire Country, CSI: Vegas, Gotham) shares his secret to staying on top of his work even if he's out of the office.
In the fast-paced world of post-production, deadlines don’t wait for anyone especially colorists who need to deliver flawless looks on tight schedules. Paul Westerbeck, a seasoned colorist known for his work on shows like Fire Country, CSI: Vegas, and Gotham, shares his secret to staying on top of his work even when he’s away from the office. His setup is a game-changer for anyone who needs to color grade on the move without sacrificing quality or efficiency.
The Challenge of Travel Grading
How many times have you had a project with a showtime scheduled at 8 or 9 PM on a Friday, and you’re scrambling to finish grading so the show can air on Saturday? This is a reality many colorists face regularly, including Paul, who admits this situation happens to him about 30 times a year. The challenge is clear: how do you maintain professional-grade work without being tethered to a bulky, stationary system?
The Ultimate Portable Solution: The New Micro Color Panel
Paul’s answer lies in a compact, portable color grading setup centered around the new micro color panel. What makes this setup exceptional is its sheer convenience and power packed into a small form factor that fits effortlessly into a backpack—alongside your laptop and iPad Pro.
- Portability: Everything fits right into a backpack, making it easy to grab and go, whether you’re heading to a remote location or just traveling between cities.
- Compatibility: The micro panel integrates seamlessly with Apple devices, allowing Paul to monitor remotely on his iPad Pro and control color grading on his MacBook Pro.
- Efficiency: This setup enables colorists to connect to their work systems from anywhere, ensuring uninterrupted workflow and timely delivery.
How It Works: A Seamless Remote Workflow
When the shot arrives, Paul simply connects to his system at work. Using the micro color panel in tandem with his iPad Pro for remote monitoring, he controls the entire grading process from his MacBook Pro. This workflow is not only efficient but also incredibly flexible, letting him finish projects from virtually anywhere without compromising the quality of his work.
“I throw it in my backpack, head off wherever I’ve got to go, and when the shots show up, I connect to my system, look at it on my iPad Pro, control it with my MacBook Pro, color the shot, and I’m done. This thing’s insane from the price.”
Why This Setup Matters for Colorists
The ability to travel without losing productivity is invaluable in the film and television industry. Deadlines are often non-negotiable, and shows must deliver on schedule regardless of where the colorist is physically located. Paul’s setup demonstrates that with the right tools, you don’t have to sacrifice quality or timeliness due to travel constraints.
Moreover, this portable solution opens up possibilities for colorists to work in more inspiring environments, reducing stress and increasing creativity—all while meeting the demands of a rigorous production schedule.
Embrace Mobility Without Compromise
For colorists looking to stay ahead in a demanding industry, adopting a portable grading setup like Paul Westerbeck’s micro color panel system is a smart investment. It combines convenience, power, and affordability, empowering professionals to maintain a high standard of work no matter where they are.
If you find yourself frequently traveling or needing to juggle tight deadlines, consider how a compact, remote-capable grading setup could transform your workflow and give you the freedom to deliver exceptional results anytime, anywhere.
