Waqas Qazi - Freelance Colorist Masterclass ((hot)) Info

The Freelance Colorist Masterclass (FCM) by Waqas Qazi is a comprehensive training program designed to take students from beginners to professional freelance colorists using DaVinci Resolve. It uniquely blends technical color grading instruction with "soft" business skills necessary for landing clients and building a sustainable career. Core Course Offerings

The program includes over 30 hours of video content across 10 modules and 258 individual lessons.

Technical Curriculum: Modules cover conform, camera science, color correction, shot matching, color grading (look building), and studio setup.

Advanced Workshops: Specialized training on ACES for Beginners, HDR Ready workflows, and Advanced Film Emulation.

Business Focus: A major portion of the course (Module 07) is dedicated to the business of freelancing, including building a client base, setting rates, and using social media for networking.

Hands-on Materials: Students receive professionally shot footage and project files from Qazi’s own professional work to build their portfolios. Key Benefits & Resources

Weekly Coaching: Students get weekly video feedback on their work, often cited as one of the most valuable aspects of the program.

Exclusive Community: Lifetime access to a private Facebook group with thousands of colorists for networking and support.

Career Support: Top performers may be added to the Qazi & Co. job roster.

Industry Discounts: Enrolled students receive discounts on tools like Colourlab.ai, Dehancer, FilmConvert, and ShotDeck. Enrollment Details

Access: Immediate lifetime access across all devices once enrolled.

Pricing: Usually offered as a one-time payment of $997 (or three payments of $399), though periodic discounts may occur.

Guarantee: A 30-day money-back guarantee is available, provided the student shows they have put in the work. Considerations

While many students report significant career growth and skill improvement, some professional colorists in the industry criticize the course for its focus on "look recreation" over deep color management principles like ACES or manual node-tree management. Reviews from sites like Jonny Elwyn suggest it is best suited for those who appreciate Qazi's high-energy teaching style and need a strong emphasis on the business side of freelancing. Waqas Qazi – The Freelance Colorist Masterclass Review Waqas Qazi - Freelance Colorist Masterclass

Waqas Qazi’s Freelance Colorist Masterclass (FCM) is one of the most visible and controversial training programs in the color grading industry. While it is praised by some for its high-energy delivery and business focus, it is frequently criticized by industry professionals for overcomplicating technical workflows. Course Overview & Curriculum

The masterclass is a massive 30+ hour course designed to take students from beginners to working freelancers. It consists of 10 primary modules:

Technical Fundamentals: Covers conforming, camera color science, and DaVinci Resolve basics.

Core Skills: Extensive lessons on color correction, shot matching, and look development.

The Business Side: A unique focus on the "freelance" aspect, including studio setup and client acquisition strategies.

Extras: Access to professionally shot practice footage, a private Facebook group, and weekly coaching videos. The Controversy: Pros vs. Cons

Reviewers and industry veterans are deeply divided on the value of this course. The Freelance Colorist Masterclass Review by Jonny Elwyn

Freelance Colorist Masterclass (FCM) by Waqas Qazi is a comprehensive online training program designed to take students from beginner to professional colorist, with a heavy emphasis on building a freelance business alongside technical skills. Jonny Elwyn Course Overview & Pricing Total Content: Over 30 hours of training across 258 individual lessons. Target Audience:

Beginners looking for a "Zero to Hero" path and advanced students seeking industry secrets. Typically priced around

for a single payment (often discounted to ~$697 or lower during promotions) or three payments of

, accessible on web, mobile, and tablet with lifetime access. What’s Included Technical Training:

10 core modules covering the entire pipeline—from conforming and camera science to advanced grading and studio setup. Business Training:

A dedicated module on how to land clients, set rates, and build an employable reel. Community & Coaching: The Freelance Colorist Masterclass (FCM) by Waqas Qazi

Access to an exclusive Facebook group for feedback and weekly coaching videos. Software Discounts: Savings on tools like Colourlab.ai FilmConvert Asset Library:

Includes professionally shot footage and project files for practice. Jonny Elwyn Curriculum Breakdown Preparing projects for grading. Understanding different sensor data and science. Color Correction: Fixing technical issues and balancing. Shot Matching: Ensuring consistency across an entire project. Color Grading: Artistic "look-building" and storytelling. Studio Set Up: Hardware and environment recommendations. Freelance: Marketing, client management, and business strategy. Bonus Workshops: Includes newer topics like ACES for Beginners HDR Ready Workflow Advanced Film Emulation Jonny Elwyn Critical Perspectives

While popular, the course is polarizing within the professional community:

High-energy teaching style, comprehensive business advice, and immediate access to a large community of peers. Some professionals on Reddit's r/colorists

criticize the "secret sauce" marketing, citing a lack of focus on foundational color management (like ACES or DaVinci Wide Gamut) in earlier versions and high pricing compared to industry-standard sites like Mixing Light for learning DaVinci Resolve?

The Freelance Colorist Masterclass (FCM), created by professional colorist Waqas Qazi, is one of the most comprehensive online training programs designed to bridge the gap between creative passion and a profitable career in color grading. This program focuses on both the technical mastery of DaVinci Resolve and the business strategies needed to succeed as a modern freelancer. Who is Waqas Qazi?

Waqas Qazi is the founder and senior colorist at Qazi & Co. and is recognized as the most-followed colorist globally, with over one million followers. His portfolio includes work for major brands such as Adidas, Prime Video, Toyota, and Universal Studios, as well as high-profile music videos for artists like The Weeknd. Having started his journey over 15 years ago, Qazi transitioned from a background in computer science to becoming a self-made Hollywood-level colorist. Course Structure and Curriculum

The Masterclass is a deep dive into the colorist's world, containing over 30 hours of training spread across 250+ lessons. The curriculum is structured into ten core modules:

Foundation & Workflow: Covers conformed footage, media management, and the Premiere Pro-to-Resolve round-trip process.

Technical Mastery: In-depth lessons on color science, understanding scopes, and navigating the various pages within DaVinci Resolve.

Creative Grading: Detailed modules on primary and secondary corrections, shot matching, and creating "Hollywood" looks for commercials and music videos.

Advanced Topics: Includes specialized training in ACES workflows, HDR-ready processes, and advanced film emulation.

The Business of Freelancing: This critical section focuses on client acquisition, setting rates, building a professional reel, and managing difficult client interactions. Key Benefits of the Masterclass Immediately actionable: You can finish a module and

Real-World Practice: Students receive professionally shot footage and project files from Qazi’s actual commercial work to use in their own portfolios.

Community & Feedback: Membership includes access to a private Facebook group of over 5,000 alumni and weekly coaching videos where students can receive tailor-made feedback.

Industry Tools & Perks: The course offers exclusive discounts on popular industry plugins like FilmConvert, Dehancer, and Shotdeck.

Job Opportunities: Top-performing students in the masterclass may be added to the Qazi & Co. job roster for real-world project placements. Pricing and Accessibility Online Courses in Urdu/Hindi 2024 | PDF - Scribd

The Freelance Colorist Masterclass by Waqas Qazi offers over 30 hours of training in DaVinci Resolve, focusing on professional grading techniques, workflow, and business strategies for freelancers. The program includes 10 core modules covering topics from conform and shot matching to creative grading and client management. For more details, visit courses.waqasqazi.com.

The Waqas Qazi Freelance Colorist Masterclass is a 27-hour, $1,000+ course designed to teach DaVinci Resolve grading and business skills, aimed at beginners. While it offers a structured curriculum, the program receives significant criticism from professionals for lacking standardized color management techniques and high-end technical rigor. For an overview of the course, visit waqasqazi.com


3. The Good (Strengths)

No Fluff / High Energy Editing
The course is edited like a YouTube video – fast cuts, direct to the point. If you hate slow, academic tutorials, you’ll love this.

The Business Section is Gold
Most colorist courses teach how to grade. Qazi teaches how to get paid to grade. His scripts for cold emails and negotiation tactics alone can pay for the course.

The PowerGrades are Legit
Many "pro" courses give you basic LUTs. Qazi's node trees are complex, well-organized, and genuinely useful as a starting point for commercials.

Excellent for the "Commercial/Music Video" Niche
If your goal is to work with Nike, Adidas, or rappers, this look is exactly what agencies and artists are currently buying.

Community Access
You get access to a private Facebook/Slack group where Qazi and alumni critique your work. This feedback loop is extremely valuable.

What’s Inside the Freelance Colorist Masterclass?

The masterclass is hosted on his platform, Qazi Studio. It is a video-based course that typically runs between 15 to 20 hours of content, but the value lies not just in the run time, but in the specific, repeatable workflows.

Here is a module-by-module breakdown:

Pros ✅

  • Immediately actionable: You can finish a module and apply it to a client project that same night.
  • Excellent production quality: The videos are crisp, well-lit, and edited tightly. No rambling.
  • Focus on "cheap" cameras: He spends time on Sony A7S III, BMPCC, and even iPhone footage. He doesn't assume you own a RED.
  • Lifetime access: Pay once, get all future updates.
  • Private Facebook Group: A very active community where Qazi himself sometimes critiques your grades.