Interview with Randy Starnes on Color Grading Television Series Shows

Color Talk with Tom Parish

Imagine having the opportunity to sit down with a senior colorist who has graded dozens and dozens of shows over his career in the TV and movie business. That is what it was like as Randy Starnes and I conversed over FaceTime between our two locations, Austin TX and Santa Monica CA. Picking out one key point from this rich interview is difficult because Randy speaks with such ease and depth and care about his profession and the people he works with. He is a teacher, mentor, and seasoned professional colorist who remains fascinated with color. I'm grateful for this time with him. Clearly there are many important people in the creation of a TV series, but as a colorist your relationship with the DP is critical, and Randy makes this point with insight, finesse, and emphasis during our interview -- multiple times. Randy has deepened my commitment to push harder on all my projects to get to know the DP as soon as possible, any way possible. You will see why he feels so passionately about this as you listen to his stories and experiences in creating looks for TV shows I'm sure many of us have watched. For example, The Blacklist, Masters of Sex, The Goldbergs, Camp, The Client List, Gray's Anatomy, Private Practice, Desperate Housewives, and NYPD Blue, to name a few. We cover a lot or ground in this 45-minute interview.