Color Assist

Location: New York, NY (On Site)

Hours of Operation: 3:00pm - 11:00pm EST

Pay Range: $22.00 - $30.00 USD hourly

About the role

The Color Assistant is a key support role within the Short Form team, working closely with colorists to ensure efficient color grading workflows from ingest through final delivery. This role requires a strong willingness to learn, as the Color Assistant is expected to adapt to evolving technologies and internal workflows. The Color Assistant is technically minded, detail-oriented, and proactive in identifying solutions and providing day-to-day operational and creative support to the color team.

Responsibilities

• Support colorists in supervised client sessions, following direction from Colorists and/or Production Management.
• Help support colorist hardware, displays, and audio monitoring to enable colorists to perform efficiently and productively during sessions.
• Prep incoming projects for next or same day color sessions.
• Render deliverables as per client specifications.
• Maintain outstanding levels of oversight of deliverables manufactured within the short form/commercials finishing process.
• Color-trace project updates to all appropriate versions.
• Ensure all required color elements are accounted for such as drop-ins, mattes, and conform references.
• Set up color suites prior to sessions start per project requirements.
• Keep in communication with Production and Operations regarding any outstanding footage needed to complete the project.
• Maintain outstanding levels of deliverables created within the short form finishing process.
• Ensure all assigned tasks are actualized in task management.
• Participate in the weekend on-call rotation.
• Work with many different media and file types including, but not limited to: VTR formats, frame-based sequences (video), stream/container-based video (compressed and uncompressed), audio files (compressed and uncompressed), and metadata.
• Help support new processes and maintain proficiency with evolving technical applications and trends within the company workflow.
• Communicate with the project Producer and the Production Coordinators about any issues or changes that may arise with elements.
• Flag and contact project Producer and Colorist on any shots that do not line up to the reference.
• Ensure that artists add their session time to the work order.
• Prep and add any FX drop-in shots for the session.
• Ensure hero stills are updated and grabbed for all timelines.
• Update the project Producer with any spec and/or delivery changes.
• Maintain updated information on the central project repository for project specs and changes.
• Run internal or client-facing sessions as indicated by operations.

Requirements

• Strong aptitude for problem-solving, multi-tasking, and managing competing priorities.
• Familiarity with common file and tape-based video formats.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with all stakeholders.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Collaborative mindset with a positive attitude and willingness to contribute within a team environment.
• Curious and eager to learn new technologies and workflows.
• Availability to work overtime and/or weekends on short notice as needed, based on project demands.
• Demonstrated experience working in post-production environments, preferably within color grading or finishing departments.
• Familiarity with industry-standard color grading software (e.g., DaVinci Resolve, Baselight, or similar).
• Basic understanding of video codecs, color science, and file management workflows.
• Experience working in client-supervised sessions or collaborating directly with creative teams.
• Previous exposure to short form projects such as commercials, music videos, documentaries, or short films.

Shift schedule is determined by the Production team and may vary daily.

Benefits

The benefits for eligible part-time employees working 25 or more hours per week and full-time employees in the US include a comprehensive package of health, retirement, and insurance benefits and paid time off. The benefits for eligible project hires and part-time employees working less than 25 hours per week in the US include retirement, select insurance benefits, and where required by law, health benefits. For roles filled in Canada and other territories, local benefits plan offerings as adopted and amended from time to time will apply.