Digital Intermediate (DI)
Definition
A Digital Intermediate (DI) is the post-production process in which a film (originally shot on photochemical film or digital video) is scanned into a digital format, color graded digitally, and then output back to film or to a digital distribution format. The DI process became the industry standard in the early 2000s, replacing the traditional photochemical color timing process and allowing for much greater creative control over the final look of the film. Today, virtually all major feature films go through a DI process, even those shot digitally.
Contextual Usage
The post-production supervisor outlines the DI workflow: "We'll start the Digital Intermediate process once picture is locked. The film will be conformed in DaVinci Resolve, and then the colorist will work with the director and DP to establish the final look. Once the grade is approved, we'll output the DCP for theatrical distribution, the HDR master for streaming, and the Rec. 709 master for broadcast."
About this section
Color grading and finishing is the final visual polish of the image — the stage at which the raw footage is transformed into the rich, cinematic image that the audience will ultimately see. A skilled ...
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