Bubble Hires Nick Dalby as Colourist

Bubble has announced the appointment of Nick Dalby as colourist. With over 10 years experience and a vast technical knowledge in many aspects of post production, Nick has honed his skills as a colourist and has successfully built a loyal client base and delivered some exceptional content for brands like BMW, Nike, DAZN, Pepsi, UKTV, OPPO, Huawei and Samsung. 

Q> Why did you decide to make the move to your new company?

Nick> After what was a great six and a half years at Unit, where I met some amazing people and gained a wealth of knowledge and experience, I felt I was ready to make the move. When Sam (bubble’s MD) contacted me, it was at a perfect time both for me and Bubble. It was a no brainer really, so I jumped at the opportunity to help further build a great department in an already buzzing company.

Q> What is it about the team there that clicks for you?

Nick> We share so many of the same values and work ethic that as soon as I started it seemed like I’d been here for ages. The people, work and atmosphere make it a fun and rewarding place to work.

Q> How did you first get in the industry? What was your very first job in the industry?

Nick> My very first job was as a runner at M2 Television, it was largely an offline edit house with audio suites but also a telecine suite where the TK guys would be scanning and restoring rolls of archive film. This is where I found my calling and I set on the path that brought me to Bubble as a Colourist.

Q> Where did you learn your craft (film school? Mentored as a runner? Self taught?)

Nick> I did A levels in art and design and music tech. However, after that I went straight into searching for a runner job, back then that meant heading into Soho on multiple occasions with physical copies of my CV and handing it into various media companies. From there it was just a case of finding the right people to shadow and learn from.

Q> Before doing what you do now, did you work in any other field/ have any different career path?

Nick> I was a DJ for years, from about mid-teens up to late 20s. I had to make a decision eventually and I chose to give that up. I don’t think a DJ career was quite as realistic as I thought when I was 17!

Q> And which creative talents in your field have inspired you in your own career?

Nick> I have always carried the upmost respect for all stages in the process. Photography is such a key interest for me, so DOPs naturally get my attention. My interest in music tech also means I keep a close eye on the great sound design work out there (especially at Bubble!). 

Q> What was your first creative milestone in the industry – the project you worked on that you were super proud of?

Nick> I was fortunate to be involved with a project for Greenpeace & Ogilvy called "Ocean of the Future" and we ended up winning the BAD (British Arrows Doorway) award. The subject is very close to my heart, and it is a great concept, so I am really proud of the result.

Q> And what recent projects are you proudest of and why?

Nick> I recently completed a three episode series for the British Fashion Council and Vanish called "Generation Rewear". it's an interesting watch and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of adding style to a piece of that length in a very, very tight deadline! 

DAZN We all Rise with more Eyes. This was not only a cool project to grade, it carried a great message for Women’s football. 

Another would be a film for clothing brand Ning Dynasty. I love the creativeness that comes with fashion, and this was shot on 16mm so even more fun for me!

Q> Do you have any personal or side projects on the go? What is it, what inspired it and why is it important to you?

Nick> I always like to have a nice side project on the go whether it be short films or music promos. I’m currently working on a short film for a good friend and talented writer/director Ravin Vythelingum. It’s our third short we’ve worked on together and it’s important to me to keep these side projects going and build on working relationships with like-minded people.

Q> What really drives you creatively?

Nick> Colour is so creative it really allows me to interpret how I see the world through creating beautiful and impactful frames. I love the whole process of collaborating and coming up with looks with the client and that really drives me when we are bouncing ideas off each other.

Q> What are the aspects of your work that you really obsess over?

Nick> I learnt quite early on that you never fully know everything in your field and everything you create can always be improved. It can really get to your head when you obsess over one thing, so I tend to sit back and rest my eyes for a bit and then come back to it and things become a little clearer. Sometimes less is more and that's particularly true in colour.

Q> How would you describe your approach to your work?

Nick> At the first stage it is very much a collaboration with the director and DOP, sometimes they look to me for ideas and sometimes there is already a strong creative direction, which I then interpret for them. From there it's really a process of finding the best look for the footage and the subject matter and bringing this across in the grade.

Q> When it comes to enjoying the creativity of others, what sort of thing excites and inspires you?

Nick> I love art and music. With art it can be photography, painting or even film. With music it’s anything from classical performances to live DJs. There is inspiration to be taken from all of these, so I try and keep an open mind. It’s all creating, and I love it!

Q> Outside of work, what are you passionate about?

Nick> At the moment my son (8 months) has most of my attention, but I really enjoy hiking and any chance to get my cameras out.