Tash Hicks - Colourist
Job title - Colourist
Experience - 1+ years
Meet Colourist Tash Hicks. A passionate photographer from a young age, Tash discovered the art of colour grading in her first job as a runner and never looked back! Faced with industry hurdles, her tenacity and talent set her career trajectory on an upward path, she is definitely one to watch!
“Don’t let people try and dissuade you from what you are after. Also be confident in your skills and know how valuable they are. Eventually the right people will see that!”
Describe your job role and the kinds of projects/clients you work with and what software you use.
I’m a colourist at Coffee and TV and I use DaVinci Resolve. My job is to make the director's vision come to life through colour correction and grading. I fix any potential problems from the shoot and create a look that the director and client are happy with. We enhance the world they have created, and make it as believable and organic as possible.
What does an average day look like in your colour grading world?
Typically I work on a different project every day, whether that is a commercial, music video, short film etc. We split our time between client attends and remote working - whatever works best for the clients and directors. The first half of the session is creating a look that everyone is happy with, which can take some time if people aren't in attendance. We build this through references provided by the director / client / dop, as well as pulling from fashion, films and other materials that spark inspiration. Then we spend the rest of the time matching and finessing that look over the whole film.
What has been your colour grade career highlight?
Honestly every new job becomes a highlight for me. I am so lucky to be working on some amazing projects and with some amazing clients!
How did your career in colour grading begin? How did you discover that grading was what you wanted to do for a career?
I fell in love with photography as a child, and by the time I was a teenager that had extended to a love of film and TV as well. I assumed I would need to adapt to a job that fitted that criteria, but I found colour grading when I was a runner in my first job. The rest is history!
Loro Piana
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your career
Coming to Coffee & TV really put me on a whole different trajectory. I was freelance before I came here, having taken some time away from the post production world as I had some bad experiences. But Coffee & TV not only showed me that you shouldn't have to sacrifice your career goals for your happiness, but that you can succeed in everything you want to if you are supported by the right people.
Lines in the Sand - Directed by Daniel Gurton
Colourists you admire?
I’m lucky enough to not have to look far for inspiring colourists as I'm surrounded by them every day. Simona Cristea has been someone I have admired since I started in the industry, and to get to learn from her is so valuable. In terms of people I don’t know directly, I'd say Jill Bogdanowicz and Natasha Leonnet to name a few.
What advice do you have for other women wanting to start a career in grading?
This is a hard question because I feel like I've had to fight very hard to get to where I am. I’ve orchestrated all my own opportunities whilst watching many others get handed the same with a lot less effort. I think I would say - don’t be afraid of coming off as assertive. Don’t let people try and dissuade you from what you are after. Also be confident in your skills and know how valuable they are. Eventually the right people will see that!
Stand out project you’ve worked on;
I recently graded a beautiful music promo for Katie Melua, directed by Jackson Ducasse. Working with him is always great because he’s really collaborative and trusting of the process!
Katie Melua - 14 Windows