We had the good fortune of connecting with Jon Coy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jon, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
One thing about the film industry that many people are unaware of is that many technicians develop multiple skill sets, especially in smaller regions or networks. My background as a cinematographer on indie movies puts me in an ideal position to help other cinematographers maximize the potential of their images as a colorist. The satisfaction of taking raw images and turning them into exactly what the cinematographer and director intended is immensely gratifying. My years in production have given me the skills and experience required to understand and utilize the science, technology, and trends present in the film industry. Without developing extra sets of skills, I would never have found my way towards starting a color correction and finishing business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What keeps me busy professionally is finding ways to incorporate my own experiences, opinions, and gut feelings into the work I do with other people. Film making is a group effort, and all parts need to function in order for the whole to succeed. More specifically as a colorist, I need to possess a technical mastery of the tools and technology available to solve any and all problems that might arise in the finishing of a film’s overall presentation. But beyond the technologically used, my own unique perspective on film and art guides most of my decisions along with the conversations I have with the filmmakers. My perspective has value because I will undoubtedly approach it differently than someone else might. I learned many years ago to follow my heart and look for the emotional resonance of an image, and that has never been more true than it is now. Emotion is the foundation I prefer to work from, whether the project is a tough indie drama or a car commercial.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Columbus is a really fun and diverse city! Having grown up in northeast Ohio, I never really considered Columbus the place to be if I wanted to work in the film industry, but here I am, thriving in an unexpected place. The city is full of interesting artists, craft breweries, scenic river views from downtown and plenty of parks to explore. I’m a runner and hiker myself, so I can usually be found out on the trails somewhere. Columbus is also experiencing rapid expansion and growth, complete with a new Intel chip manufacturing plant that just broke ground recently with the help of President Biden, so good things are happening here in central Ohio.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be anywhere without the help and support of others in the film industry who made sure there was a space available for me. As a cinematographer, the filmmakers who invited me to shoot their films–who put their faith in me as an artist and as a leader–gave me the chance to prove that I had something special to offer. Through my collaborations with them, I found my voice as an image creator. They also trusted me enough to provide the final color correction services on their films, which opened a new door in my career. I’ve collaborated with M.r. Fitzgerald and Jessy Leigh on multiple projects, both as a cinematographer and as a colorist, and those projects have been some of the most rewarding of my career. I also need to highlight Jared Greene and Brad Keplinger of Central Grip and Lighting, an excellent company here in Columbus, Ohio that provides grip and electric services locally and nationally. They gave me my start in Columbus, and without them, none of what I’m doing now would be possible. Finally, I need to mention my partner Dylan Dyer, without whom Qualia Color Studio would not exist. We have been on a journey together for nearly a decade, and this is the beginning of something new and exciting.

Website: https://www.qualiacolorstudio.com/

Instagram: @qualia.color.stuido

Other: https://vimeo.com/qualiacolorstudio

Image Credits
Images courtesy of Jessy Leigh, M.r. Fitzgerald, Trevor O’Neal, Camerata Pacifica, Jacob Midkiff, Roger Hill, Qualia Color Studio

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