fylm.ai is a newly launched color grading platform that is cloud-based, which means it lives in your browser. The platform allows to upload footage (stills and videos), color-grade them professionally, and export LUTs. Moreover, fylm.ai allows the privilege of collaboration, just like frame.io, but with a special focus on the color grading process. DaVinci Resolve in the cloud, or frame.io with grading options? 

Democratizing the color grading process

fylm.ai is an Israeli-based startup that was developed for two years, by a company that specializes in online generated 3D LUTs. fylm.ai aims to simplify the complex process of color grading, making it much more user-friendly, and thus, more accessible for those who are not colorists per definition but are “need to know basis” (producers, directors, camera operators, and more). As stated by the company: “When we first set out to build fylm.ai we had a vision of democratizing the color grading process”. fylm.ai claims that it caters to professional users and amateurs at the same time since it doesn’t force you to work in one specific way or to use the same set of tools. There are tools for all levels of knowledge and experience. Furthermore, fylm.ai is cloud-based, and just like frame.io (notice the similarity regarding the names), is dedicated to collaboration and remote operation. 

Remote post-production

fylm.ai states: “Film industry is changing. Turnarounds are quicker, remote sessions are the new norm and the need for new and fresh content is greater than ever. In a reality where budgets have to be as efficient as possible a new kind of solution is needed. A solution accessible from anywhere that’s been built from the ground up for in-app collaboration but more importantly a solution that allows anyone to establish a show look without any burdens”. Thus, the software was developed to allow you privately collaborate with your team and clients remotely. The collaboration is focused on grading, as opposed to frame.io, for instance, that is dedicated to feedback on editing.

Features

Here’re the main features and highlights of fylm.ai:

• Magic Mode: This mode allows creating stunning looks, based on proven color science, just by clicking the best-looking option.
• ACES Print Film Emulations: fylm.ai offers 15 ready-made ACES Print Film Emulations to give your color grades the best starting point. Combine them with 15 ready-made Cine Looks, a high-end, carefully created cinematic color grade, to boost your creativity and kickstart your grade.
• Profession tools: fylm.ai offers a virtually limitless number of tools. Primaries and Log Primaries, Printer Lights, Subtractive Colour Model, Smart Curves, HSL, Print Film Emulations, Filmic Curve Response, Smart Warmth, and much more. Scientific or creative approach.
• Professional scopes: fylm.ai has all of the controls you’ve come to expect from a professional-grade tool. Eliminate guesswork. Check your grades precisely and confidently with RGB Parades, Waveform, Vectorscope, and Histogram.

Check out the introduction video below:

Workflow

This is the basic workflow of fylm.ai:

1. Import your assets: Import stills from your edit, photos from your shoot, or use video files. Everything is securely stored. You can start grading even before your assets have finished uploading.
2. Color grading: Create color-managed grades using professional GPU accelerated tools, AI color extract, or use Magic Mode to create looks just by clicking the best-looking option.
3. Exporting LUTs: Export a high-precision LUT to fit your workflow. Using ACES? Export color-managed ACEScct LUT and drop it in your project. Not using ACES? We’ll create the correct LUT for your setup.

Pricing

There’re a couple of plans (Pro, Team, and Enterprise). Each of those depends on storage, number of projects, collaborators and etc. Also, there’s a free plan that is limited to one user, 3 projects, and 1GB of cloud storage. The platform has just come out of private beta, hence 500 first early adopters can get a 50% discount by entering the EARLYADOPTER50OFF coupon code.

Final thoughts

Now let’s get back to the title. fylm.ai is NOT DaVinci in the cloud. DaVinci Resolve has many features that fylm.ai hasn’t, which are essential to professional colorists. However, fylm.ai can offer a much more simplified alternative when you want to grade in the cloud, and without downloading any heavy software. There’re solid advantages to working in the cloud, for instance, the option of collaboration is simplified, there’s no need for updating nor upgrading, and more. But they’re also valid limitations of working in the cloud as well. The most significant mission of fylm.ai is to make the ultra-complicated grading workflow much more intuitive. On the other hand, DaVinci Resolve has been significantly improved and offers so much more, and they’re tons of tutorials out there to learn from. Also, resources like Color Grading Central have their own amazing intuitive and super user-friendly products and professionally grade LUTs, film emulators, and more outstanding features. There’re plenty of options out there for sure. To sum it up, I’d say that fylm.ai doesn’t want to be DaVinci Resolve in the cloud, but more like frame.io with better color grading management tools.

What are your thoughts about fylm.ai? Would you use it in your color grading workflow?

Product List

Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers. 

• Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve 17 Studio with Speed Editor
  • BUY on B&H
  • BUY on ADORAMA