Is Becoming an Independent Colorist Realistic in 2025?

Office Hours LIVE! Tactics for Going Solo

In this lively open Office Hours session, Mixing Light contributors tackle a burning question from a seasoned producer-shooter-editor: Can you realistically pivot to a full-time independent colorist role amid today’s competitive market? You’ll hear candid discussions on financial planning, client building, remote work, and even how AI tools are shaking up workflows—perfect for pros eyeing a career shift.

Whether you’re feeling stuck in your current role or worried about ageism and low-ball gigs, this roundtable offers reassurance and strategies. Mixing Light Contributors Katie Hinsen, Bernd Klimm, and Billy Causey share real-world experiences, emphasizing that with smart transitions and boundaries, thriving remotely is within reach.

“And so, you know, when you do that exercise, what it ends up giving you is how many gigs you have to get a month in order to be able to be financially sustainable. And there’s different kinds of gigs. There’s a whole spreadsheet, and you can figure out the different kinds of clients…you might have multiple kinds of clients, some low pay some high pay. What that exercise will allow you to do is determine how much work you need to bring in in a month in order to sustain this as a full-time job.”

Katie Hinsen, Technologist

As we dive deeper, you’ll explore how to evaluate your finances before leaping into independence. Katie stresses starting with a clear-eyed look at your overhead and gig requirements—often less daunting than imagined. This session reminds us that your existing network from editing or production can fuel the switch, turning connections into color grading opportunities.

We’ll also unpack the realities of remote work, where flexibility meets the need for firm boundaries. Contributors discuss how overcommitting leads to burnout, but setting expectations early keeps clients happy and your schedule sane. Plus, get a peek into how AI like Grok is aiding tasks beyond grading, such as website optimization, though it demands human oversight to avoid pitfalls.

Building on these foundations, let’s break down key strategies shared in the discussion.

Assessing Financial Feasibility for Going Solo