SCRATCH DI Tools Power QLAB’s

Images courtesy of Thousand Lights Inc.

Success in Complex Imagery
ASSIMILATE’s SCRATCH® is QLAB Mumbai’s DI workflow tool of choice for features shot using RED’s
high-resolution digital cameras, because it packs the real-time performance needed to tackle the complex
imagery of QLAB’s numerous projects. One of QLAB’s latest projects, director Shesh Adivi’s ‘Karma’ (2011),
was shot by cinematographer James Laxton using the RED ONE™ 4K Camera. From conform through finishing
and final deliverables, QLAB utilized SCRATCH in its post-production of ‘Karma’, which featured a range of color
hues, numerous CG elements and multiple layers to convey the moods and details of this emotionally packed film.

“For Karma, director Shesh Adivi set a well defined look for this
complex project that included nearly 560 CG elements, sky
replacements, and extensive shapes/masks, all flowing
seamlessly together,” says Amit Shetty, Director of QLAB and
Colorist. “Using SCRATCH, we were able to process all of this
the way a high-end DI system should work – with almost 9TB
of data on the system; handling all kinds of data sizes (r3d,
DPX, and CG elements) without slowing down performance;
getting instant response even when pushing the system with
12 to 18 layers of scaffolds that included masks, blurs,
qualifiers, six vectors, mask tracking, secondaries, and more.
The high performance and stability of SCRATCH under this level
of ‘pressure’ is truly astonishing, as is the price/performance
value. We’re able to do high-end DI, achieve the client’s vision,
and work within tight budget constraints.”
“Our SCRATCH system is fitted with dual RED Rocket cards so
we were able to work off the native r3d files in raw format, with
all the metadata information, at full resolution throughout the
entire project,” adds Amit. “We were working directly in the
4K REDRAW files until the end of the project, doing the color
grading, blurs, masks, burn-out correction, and more. Only
then did we convert the files to the final desired deliverable
format, with pan & scan, applying different format guide and
blanking for real-time reference as we progressed to creating
the final product. The speed and ease of use of the SCRATCH
system takes our productivity, and the ability to be more
creative, to a whole new level that is exciting for our post
artists, and more than satisfies the client’s visionary goals.”
“Our SCRATCH DI theatre is equipped with 5.1 Dolby playback
capability, which gave our director and colorist full audio
support throughout the grading session. They used the ‘feel’ of
the audio treatment to create the looks that would best convey
the different moods of the scenes,” says Amit. “The ability to
work in real-time was a huge asset because they could
immediately see the changes and results, as well as compare
versions of the same scene and make a final selection. The
efficiency of creating several versions without rendering means
no down time, which equals more time for creativity and cost
savings for the client.”
Amit notes, “We created multiple deliverables - with subtitles -
using the alpha channel. We were able to effortlessly match it
up with the 4K r3d images, and then enhance with a bit of
shadow for perfect readability.” Final deliverables included an
intermediate negative, D5 HD Masters, and 2K DPX for DCI.
Performance Advantages of SCRATCH
“Paste grade is one of the coolest features of SCRATCH,” says
Amit. “It remembers the metadata, and any change in the EDL
can be re-conformed with the previous grade automatically
applied to the new timeline.”

www.assimilateinc.com © Copyright ASSIMILATE, Inc. March 2011 The SCRATCH X-perience 1

“Also the one-click qualifier option with instant selection of
shadows, midtones and highlights is a great tool that saves a
lot of time and effort,” adds Amit. “And with scaffolds, we can
use the recursive option to create separate layers for certain
elements of the scenes and create different looks with the
blend mode.”

Amit notes, “A significant and unique advantage of SCRATCH

is the ability to share color grading files between multiple
systems and locations. A colorist working in India can email a
small color decision file (CDL) to a SCRATCH facility in another
city or country, and that remote facility can update their system
and be ready for a client review. The high productivity, as well
as the time and cost savings that come from this efficiency, is
substantial. This also enables us to expand our role in the
global marketplace by taking on projects from anywhere
in the world.”
“ The high
“Another productivity benefit is the ability to create performance
multiple-format deliverables from a single rendering,” says
Amit. “For example, in Karma, we sent out files for sound and stability
and VFX in multiple formats, such as mp4, h.264 .mov, DPX,
and others.” of SCRATCH
Amit adds, “the time and cost savings we achieve with
under this level
SCRATCH allow us to stretch our creativity, giving us a huge of ‘pressure’
advantage in the marketplace.”
is truly
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astonishing”
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Images courtesy of Thousand Lights Inc.

www.assimilateinc.com © Copyright ASSIMILATE, Inc. March 2011 The SCRATCH X-perience 2