London-based postproduction company UNIT has purchased a Baselight HD color grading system from FilmLight for its newly-opened 9,400 square-foot specialty facility, dubbed ‘The Finish.’
UNIT has also purchased FilmLight’s Kompressor technology and is using it to connect Baselight with its central SAN and share files and data with its Autodesk visual effects and compositing systems, as well as the Apple Final Cut Pro editing systems employed by its editorial division – The Cut.
UNIT CEO Adam Luckwell said his staff conducted a thorough technical review of grading systems and also polled the company’s advertising clients regarding their preferences for grading. “Almost across the board, they said Baselight,” Luckwell noted. “At that point, it became an easy decision,” he said. “We considered other systems…but not for very long.”
UNIT senior colorist Simon Astbury said that Baselight’s ability to import and export XML files will make it easy for him to collaborate with editors on projects. Additionally, Baselight’s robust features will greatly enhance his ability to carry out complex grading functions required by high-end commercial work.
“It’s a product that opens doors simply through its reputation,” Astbury said. “As far as I’m concerned it’s the best grading system out there.”
