The Bangkok Palette: Shaping the Future of Colour Grading
As a network of premium global companies m25 regularly researches market trends, Chloe Ko (founder/EP) whilst recently judging at Adfest shares a conversation with renowned colourist Pete Williams, whose talent is global with whose career has spanned continents and transformed the colour grading landscape. Pete’s journey is as dynamic as the city of Bangkok itself. Starting at The Mill in London, he contributed to award-winning campaigns for brands such as PlayStation, Nike, and Mercedes, and later refined his craft while grading every episode of Spartacus over four transformative seasons in New Zealand. Now based in Bangkok, Pete continuously merges innovative technology with a distinctive creative flair, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in colour grading.
I began my journey in the world of post-production as a tape operator at a post production house before joining The Mill in London. That invaluable introduction laid the technical foundation for my transition into colour grading. I had the privilege of working on award-winning campaigns for brands like PlayStation, Nike, and Mercedes. Later, my path led me to New Zealand, a transformative period where I played a significant role on projects that redefined the boundaries of post-production. One of the highlights from that era was grading every episode of Spartacus over four seasons. Being involved from the initial camera tests to evolving the looks, and finishing each episode with meticulous care, taught me the art of balancing creativity with stringent technical demands.
Moving to Bangkok, I found myself immersed in a revitalizing and dynamic media landscape. The energy here is unlike anywhere I have been, the commercials are bold, hyper-real, and bursting with intense, vibrant colours. Adapting to the local creative ethos was both challenging and exhilarating. I had to get used to local preferences, such as the lighter, almost Westernized skin tones, which contrasted with the natural hues I'd been accustomed to. Economic pressures here also shape the creative process; with budgets tightening and expectations climbing, remote grading has stretched workflows, turning what used to be quick approvals into multi-day collaborations.
In Bangkok's lively scene, embracing new technology became essential to stay ahead. I've integrated AI tools into my workflow through DaVinci Resolve, developed by Blackmagic Design. The DaVinci Neural Engine leverages advanced machine learning to handle tasks like facial recognition, automatic mask tracking, and object detection. One tool I rely on heavily is facial recognition, which is able to auto track faces to enable them to manipulate the faces and smooth any blemishes and achieve the soft healthy stylised look . While these AI driven processes significantly accelerate my work, they don’t replace the human touch. In high-end projects, especially commercials where precision is everything, my own experience and creative instinct remain irreplaceable. AI, in my view, is a powerful assistant but the final creative decisions, imbued with emotion and personal insight, are firmly in my hands.
Looking ahead, I'm embracing the evolving trends in Bangkok and the global market. Training the next generations on what I've learnt and how that balances the technology now available gives me great insight into each generation's perspectives. I don’t see these shifts as obstacles, but rather as opportunities to further refine my craft and those around me.
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