It’s an art that defines mood, tone, and emotion—yet, come Oscars night, it’s nowhere to be seen. Despite being a critical part of modern filmmaking, colourists remain the unsung heroes of cinema, often lumped under cinematography like an afterthought.
I fell in love with colour grading in film school. 🎬 It captivated me how a colourist could completely shift how a scene felt—intensifying the tension, amplifying nostalgia, or making something look like a dream.
As a freelance colourist in my spare time (and here at SLATE), I see both sides of the debate.💡Let’s talk about it!
🟡 It’s Already Covered by Cinematography
Some argue colour grading is just an extension of cinematography. They claim that awarding it separately could be seen as redundant or that it could ‘diminish’ the Director of Photography’s (DP) role.
🟡It’s Too Subjective
Unlike VFX, where technical skill can be measured against clear benchmarks, colour grading is highly interpretative. It depends on the vision of both the Director and the DP, and its effect on people can differ solely based on people’s personal visual taste—making it harder to judge.
🟡No Dedicated Guild
In America, editing has ACE and sound design has TSDCA. Colourists don’t have a strong, unified organisation actively pushing for Academy recognition.
🟡Fear of Over-Specialisation
The Academy is wary of category overload. They fret that adding more awards will fragment the process and make it harder for audiences to engage. (A weak excuse, if you ask me!)
🟢 It’s a Standalone Art Form
Colour grading is not just a tweak—it’s a storytelling tool. It shapes the visual narrative, enhances emotion, and dramatically alters the final product. Honouring it would give credit where it’s due!
🟢It’s More Important Than Ever
With technology advancing, colour grading has become more intricate, requiring deep expertise in software, an understanding of colour science, and artistic vision. A dedicated Oscar could raise industry standards and drive innovation.
🟢It’s Invisible to Most Viewers… Currently
Many moviegoers don’t even realise how much colour grading shapes a film! A category for it could educate audiences and elevate appreciation for the craft—just like Best Editing or Best Production Design does.
🟢Precedent Already Exists
The Academy already acknowledges collaborative technical roles. For example, Best Sound is awarded to both the production mixer and re-recording mixer. Why not have Best Cinematography co-awarded to the DP and the Colourist?
