15 Minutes with Color Scientist Matthew Tomlinson – The Color Timer Podcast

Building trust, shepherding a look, and creating digital jazz – the work of a color scientist!

Matthew Tomlinson is the head of color science for Harbor Picture Company, and his incredible list of credits includes Suicide Squad, Skyfall, The Avengers, Matrix Revolutions, Air Force One, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, Passing, Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and The Irishman – to name just a few 🙂

During our conversation, Matthew shares what a color scientist actually does, the interpersonal skills he needs to shepherd the Show Look through the entire pipeline, and the joyful moment when the colorist, DP, and color scientist can create digital jazz together.

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What is the definition of color science? Trust. I think that’s really kind of what it boils down to. The idea that if you’re looking at something on a display, a projector, an iPad, a whatever, you see what you expect to see.

Matthew Tomlinson, Color Scientist

Learn More About Matthew Tomlinson

• Matthew’s LinkedIn profile
• Matthew’s IMDB credits
• Harbor Picture Company

Related Mixing Light Insights

A color scientist should be proficient in a range of areas related to color. Here are some great Insights in our library if these topics are something you’re interested in learning more about (number counts are at the time of publishing).

• Attended Grading (42 Insights)
• Client Relations (136 Insights)
• Color Management (21 Insights)
• Collaboration (25 Insights)
• Calibration (50 Insights)
• Deliverables (13 Insights)
• HDR (80 Insights)
• LUTS (68 Insights)
• On Set (22 Insights)
• References (5 Insights)
• Theory (346 Insights)

Questions or Comments?

Did you enjoy this conversation? What stumps you about the world of color science? Let me know in our discussion section!

– Vincent