The first anniversary of the Colorist Society International CSI has just passed, so what has changed? I sat down with CSI co-founder Jim Wicks at NAB and discussed some of the things the CSI has been up to.
The CSI was launched at the 2016 NAB Colorist Mixer. Jim Wicks and Kevin Shaw arrived at NAB 2016 with a bunch of postcards talking about their CSI plans, they hadn’t even officially launched the website! I explained in my blog post last year that the CSI was a fantastic idea but just like a movie, you need a budget to be successful. So I put down my $120, based on what the guys had to say that night.
I always thought that the second year would be one of their hardest challenges. Colorists had joined based on the initial hype, but could the CSI deliver enough to make them re-sign?
Jim explained that membership was growing steadily and that he was excited about the number of members happily rejoining for a second year. Jim talked passionately about the Colorist community referring to them as a family. At the same time he is a realist, the CSI has to keep moving forward.
If you haven’t been to CSI website lately then take a fresh look.
- A gallery page showing movies graded by CSI members.
- A members’ database with a profile picture and bio
- A members’ forum
- A monthly newsletter featuring CSI members
- Members’ discount on products and training
For the future, Jim explained that the real goal for the CSI is an awards evening. Obviously for this to be a success they need to grow the members list. We as colorists would then need to support an awards evening by entering our work.
It isn’t natural for us graders to enter awards, because we’ve often been overlooked by award shows. I know I haven’t entered any in the past, or won any awards.
As a CSI member, we’ve never been closer to dedicated coloring awards. Giving graders the opportunity to attend and say, “I am really proud of this piece of work”.
Great for inspiring new talent, and giving the established guys and girls some competition.
Take a fresh look at the CSI – it’s your society.
Warren
