Colorist Society International
| Abbreviation | CSI |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2016 |
| Type | Professional association; 501(c)(6) non-profit |
| Purpose | Advancing the craft, education, and awareness of the art and science of color grading and color correction. |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon |
Region served | Worldwide |
President | Kevin Shaw |
Main organ | Board |
| Website | coloristsociety |
The Colorist Society International (CSI; often styled Colorist Society) is a professional association for motion picture and television colorists, established in 2016. Organized as a U.S. 501(c)(6) non-profit, it is not a labor union. CSI’s activities include regional chapters, educational programming, and participation in industry forums related to color grading for film, television, and streaming.[1] It is an honorary and educational organization, similar to the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) and American Cinema Editors (ACE), which serves to recognize and promote the creative and technical contributions of its members.[2]
History
Colorist Society International (CSI) publicly launched at the NAB 2016 Colorist Mixer in Las Vegas, with membership surpassing 100 within the first four months.[1] Independent trade press reported the launch during NAB 2016, describing CSI as a non-profit representing professional colorists and promoting the art and science of color grading, restoration, and finishing.[3]
Founded by colorists, including Kevin Shaw and Jim Wicks, who announced plans for a member-led association at NAB 2016.[4] As of 2025, the organization lists chapters in Hollywood, New York, Argentina, Germany, Canada, China, Poland, and Australia/New Zealand.[5]
Mission and activities
The mission as described by the Colorist Society International is to promote the creative art and science of color grading, restoration, and finishing by advancing the craft, education, and public awareness of the art and science of color grading and color correction, while representing colorists with a unified professional voice.[6] Independent coverage has characterized CSI’s goals as seeking to increase the prestige and dignity of the color profession and to bring a sense of community to color artists worldwide.[7]
The society participates in industry events and technical forums. Reported activities include involvement in Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) user-group sessions at IBC, discussions on camera metadata and LUT workflows, and sessions on HDR and color science at trade shows.[8] The Hollywood chapter has presented panels at NAB, with a mission to advocate for the art of color grading, support diversity initiatives, and expand ties to other organizations.[9]
The Colorist Society and the International Colorist Academy (iColorist) co-organize the “Colorist Mixer,” a networking event held alongside trade shows such as the NAB and IBC. Independent coverage noted a post-NAB virtual edition in 2022, and ACES listed sponsorship of the IBC 2023 mixer. A 2025 announcement listed a Las Vegas event during NAB.[10][11][12] The Society publishes member newsletters and maintains an educational podcast available on major platforms.[13][14][15]
Organization
Governance
As of 2025, CSI’s board of directors includes President Kevin Shaw, Vice President Sarah Priestnall, Secretary/Treasurer Hugh Heinsohn, and board members Mark Todd Osborne and Jason Bowdach.[16]
Membership
Colorist Society International lists several membership categories: Full Member (established professionals), Associate Member (students and early-career entrants), Alliance Member (non-colorists working in related roles such as cinematographers and editors), Corporate Sponsor, and Fellow (by invitation). Dues vary by category. Full membership requires two references from Full Members and at least three years of verifiable professional experience. According to CSI’s policy, Full Members may use the post-nominal “CSI,” while Associate and Alliance members may not.[17][18]
Members have worked on a wide range of film and television projects with credits that include works directed by Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Francis Ford Coppola.[1]
Fellows
CSI maintains a Fellows designation for selected members. Early Fellows included Dale Grahn, Lou Levinson, Charles Poynton, and Kevin Shaw. In 2020, Walter Volpatto was named a Fellow.[19][20] In 2021, Lynette Duensing was also named a Fellow.[21]
Advocacy and industry relations
The Colorist Society International (CSI) states that it advocates for professional recognition of colorists in screen credits and awards discussions. A 2017 member newsletter outlines efforts to raise awareness of colorists’ contributions within the film and television community.[22] In 2019, CSI representatives said they asked IMDb to create a dedicated “Color” department to consolidate colorist credits.[23]
In 2025, IMDb introduced a formal “Color Department” credit category as part of a broader expansion of professional listings on the platform. Industry coverage reported that the update was developed in consultation with several organizations, including the Colorist Society.[24] The addition consolidated colorist and color-finishing roles under a dedicated department heading, addressing CSI’s long-standing request for clearer recognition of color grading professionals.
CSI members frequently collaborate with allied bodies such as the ASC, SMPTE, and the ACES community, and the society’s activities often coincide with major trade events including NAB and IBC.[25][26]
Relationship to awards
In 2021, FilmLight announced the FilmLight Colour Awards, with winners to be presented at EnergaCAMERIMAGE in Poland. The launch notice stated that the judging and awards were organized in cooperation with the ASC and the Colorist Society International (CSI), and that entries were open to colorists using any grading platform. CSI was listed as a cooperating organization in the 2021 announcement.[27]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "About the Colorist Society". Colorist Society. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". Colorist Society. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Colorist Society International launches for color pros". postPerspective. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ Eagles, Warren (15 June 2017). "Why join the Colorist Society International". Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Colorist Society Chapters". Colorist Society. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Colorist Society International launches for color pros". postPerspective. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ Aindow, Matt (26 September 2016). "Colorist Society International aims to provide a voice for professional colorists". RedShark. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "CSI Takes Part in IBC and SMPTE Events". Colorist Society. December 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Colorist Society Hollywood to present NAB panel". Post Magazine. 19 April 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Colorist Society to host post-NAB 2022 virtual colourist-mixer event". StudioDaily. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Colorist Mixer at IBC 2023". ACESCentral. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Colorist Society and iColorist Host Colorist Mixer at NAB 2025". Colorist Society. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Newsletters". Colorist Society. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "The Colorist Society Podcast". Colorist Society. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "The Colorist Society Podcast". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Board of Directors". Colorist Society. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "FAQ". Colorist Society. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Join the Colorist Society". Colorist Society. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Q&A: Colorist Society International President Kevin Shaw". StudioDaily. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Colorist Walter Volpatto Elevated to CSI Fellow". HPA. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "Lynette Duensing recognized by Colorist Society International". Post Magazine. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "CSI March 2017 Member Newsletter". Colorist Society. March 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ Ince, Brian (21 June 2019). "Q&A: Colorist Society International President Kevin Shaw". StudioDaily. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ Tangcay, Jazz (20 November 2025). "IMDb Adds Credits for Intimacy Coordination, Choreography, Dubbing and 9 More Professional Categories". Variety. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ "CSI Takes Part in IBC and SMPTE Events". Colorist Society. December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ↑ "SMPTE Hollywood at NAB". SMPTE. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ↑ "FilmLight Colour Awards bring attention to colorists' contributions". Post Magazine. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
External links
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