Is Colorist a Good Career Choice in 2025?

Color grading is a fascinating and creative field that plays a crucial role in the filmmaking process. But is it a good career choice in 2025? Let's explore the pros and cons, and hear from an industry expert - João Homem, a professional colorist and CEO of Cromatic Elements.

“Color grading is honestly a dream job. Every day, I feel so grateful to wake up and do something I’m extremely passionate about—being creative, collaborating with amazing filmmakers, and shaping stories through color. I love every bit of it and once you get bit by the color bug, there’s no way back.”

“For anyone thinking about pursuing a career in color grading, it’s an incredibly rewarding path, and I would highly recommend it. It can be challenging to start, and it takes time to build the technical skills, an artistic eye, and the confidence to bring your creative vision to life. The industry can be competitive, and there’s a constant push to stay current with evolving tools and trends. But the effort is worth it. There’s nothing like the feeling of seeing your work on the big screen or hearing how your color choices brought a story to life. If you’re passionate, curious, and willing to put in the work, color grading can open doors to a world of creativity and collaboration you won’t find anywhere else.

Pros of Being a Colorist in 2025

1. Creative Fulfillment: As a colorist, you get to shape the visual tone of a film, bringing the director's vision to life. This creative freedom can be incredibly fulfilling.

2. High Demand: With the rise of digital filmmaking, the demand for skilled colorists has increased. This means more job opportunities and the potential for a stable career.

3. Collaborative Work: Colorists work closely with directors, cinematographers, and other post-production professionals, fostering a collaborative and dynamic work environment.

4. Technological Advancements: The field is constantly evolving with new creative assets, software and tools, offering exciting opportunities to learn and grow. 

5. Good Income: Colorists tend to make a decent wage, especially since it's such a niche career.

Cons of Being a Colorist in 2025

1. High Competition: The industry is competitive, and standing out requires a strong portfolio and continuous skill development.

2. Long Hours: Post-production work can be demanding, with tight deadlines and long hours to meet project schedules.

3. Challenging startup phase: Starting a career as a colorist can be difficult, there’s no defined roadmap on how to grow as a colorist and become a full time professional. It can be a slow process to build up your portfolio and acquire clients. At the start you’ll likely have to do many free projects and a lot of networking to gain trust and build lasting professional relationships. 

4. High entry cost: Proper color grading equipment can be really expensive and a steep fee for someone looking to start out as a freelancer. Everything from calibrated monitors, I/O device, a color grading panel, plugins and more can become a hefty cost. However, there is a strong community with creators/educators like Cullen Kelly and companies like Cromatic Elements who are dedicated to bringing high quality tools for accessible prices.

More Insights from João Homem

João emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and networking in the industry. "The key to success as a colorist is to never stop learning and to continuously build strong relationships within the industry," he says. "It's also important to have a great understanding of your personal tastes. Because that’s what will make you and your work stand out as a colorist. That and being a good communicator. Understanding what the client needs and wants and how to navigate that path with him whilst communicating your own creative ideas.”

Conclusion

Becoming a colorist can be a rewarding career for those passionate about visual storytelling and willing to invest in their skills. While it comes with its challenges, the creative fulfillment and demand for skilled colorists make it still a viable and exciting career path in 2025.