Case Studies
The aesthetics of dystopia:
Colour grading Black Mirror season 7
PART ONE
In this three-part series, we go behind the scenes of three episodes from the latest season of Black Mirror, with senior colourist Sam Chynoweth at The Farm.
Season 7 of Black Mirror, released on 8 April, continues the series’ tradition of exploring the dark intersections of technology and human nature. The season is made up of six episodes, each delving into unique dystopian narratives that challenge viewers' perceptions of reality and innovation, exploring themes from the consequences of digital immortality to the ethical dilemmas of advanced surveillance technologies.
The season showcases a diverse array of directors, bringing fresh perspectives to the series, but one constant across five of the six episodes was senior colourist Sam Chynoweth at The Farm.
The Black Mirror legacy
For Chynoweth, grading Black Mirror was a dream job.
“The episode bears more similarities with a feature film than a TV episode. That scale brings complexity, both in terms of maintaining a consistent, high-end finish and in navigating the more restrictive schedules typical of episodic delivery.”
