What is the best thing that I love about my work?

I love to drive stories forward through colors . The most interesting aspect, however, is the preparation. That means understanding the vision of the director and director of photography, asking questions and thinking about colors and mood that will drive and tell the story. Of course, seeing the result on TV or in the cinema also pleases me and the feeling that comes from it is not to be underestimated 🙂

What is my idea of happiness?

The idea of happiness for me is to know yourself and to stay true to yourself. The insight that one day you will have to be dead is just as important. This insight motivates me every day and at the same time it relaxes me. If one day everything goes wrong, death calms me down, because it is inevitable and everything does not seem as bad as assumed.

Discovering and pursuing one’s own interests and talents are also part of it for me. It is important to develop your passion and as a goal to earn money with it, whether as an employee or as a self-employed / company owner. To live and practice the passion on a daily basis is essential for me. I could not do it as a part-time job or as a hobby. That would be too little. Finally, real friends that I have known for a lifetime and still spend time with today, the love of my parents, my wife and child also belong to it. Would we as humans one day, for whatever reason, have to start our lives over again and own nothing more, we would perhaps realise that love and companionship would already make us happy.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

Every year there comes a little phase where i put my work above everything and act very focused and somewhat selfish. There are situations where I’m not ready to go on vacation just because I prioritize my work. My family suffers a bit because of that.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

I’m not very comfortable with the word admire, but there are very good digital colorists all over the world who inspires me. For example the team of Company 3 in the US. But there are a lot more out-there for example in Germany and France but I don’t remember the names right now. I see them on Instagram posting great stuff.

What is my greatest extravagance?

Color grading equipment 🙂

On what occasion would I lie?

I would lie if I could save the lives of my best friends and family. But in everyday life, we always lie a little bit, even if we don’t want to admit it.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

When the job is not well organized and in a hurry. When the feedback comes from all sides, from the production company, the director, the dop, the agency, the client…. But fortunately these situations are really rare.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I’m always happy when I’m working, but there’s always a project where the brief of the look sounds unfamiliar or strange and you think, “This isn’t going to work.” And then those very projects look fantastic. That’s when I’m happiest with my work.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

Maybe it sound arrogant or so, but I would change nothing. The answer of the why is explained in the question above: “What is my idea of happiness?”

What is my greatest achievement in work?

There is some work that I am proud of. I don’t think I’ve achieved anything big as a colorist yet. Two years ago I was involved in a project where the director won the silver dolphin in Cannes for a commercial. But this does not mean much to me. On the contrary, I am proud of the fact that I have been self-employed since 2010, and have taught myself everything self-taught. First as an all-rounder in the film industry, then as Director of Photography up to my greatest passion color grading. During the Corona time I had more time to realize my ideas and produced the COLORIST COMPANION. It is a notepad for colorists to help them work more efficiently. The niche product is currently selling in over 30 countries and has been featured on several filmmaker and colorist platforms. This was some kind of a great achievement in work for me.

Where would I most like to live?

I love to live where I was born: Bern / Switzerland

What is my most treasured possession?

My Studio.

What is my most marked characteristic?

My playfulness and humor. At least that’s what my friends say. Yes, we laugh very often.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

The old town of Bern or the mountains.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

For a drink: Abflug Bar. I do not have a favorite restaurant.

What books influenced my life and how?

The Dead Poets Society, The Alchemist, and almost all of Martin Sutter’s books.

When I read these books I was still very young. They touched me very much and made me think and teach about life. If a story or music can trigger this in me, I always learn something about myself. That fascinates me.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Sister Sledge: Lost in Music

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Al Bundy.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

I have no heroes. Honestly, no one should worship and idolize any person. Personally, I find that a bit strange. I don’t need a role model to know in life what I want, where I’m going. The responsibility is all mine.

However, there are people for whom I have great respect. Such as social workers, critical and independent journalists, and all those people who work help animals and poor people every day.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

There are many good films, but Memento by Christopher Nolan is crazy. I like extraordinary stories. Cast away with Tom Hanks and American History X with Edward Norton are movies that make you smarter because it makes you think about life. In terms of the art of imagery, acting, and dialogue for me personally The Godfather is a masterpiece.

What role play stories in my life and work?

In my life, stories are very important. Whether it’s knowing stories of people, or about the accumulated experiences in life. The fact that you consciously think about it says to me that you live life, are curious, reflective and take risks. These are important aspects of my life. From that point of view, stories are important because I can think about them, learn a lot and develop my consciousness.

In my work-life stories plays also an essential role. My job is all about driving the stories forward through colors and mood.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

It is true.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My best friend Jonathan Duca. We have known each other since I was 5 years old. Now I am 41 years old. we know each other inside out. We laugh a lot. He is the greatest.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2022?

Shining Film

Pascal Walder (DoP)

Jan Mettler (DoP)

What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to work on?

I know my projects on average 2 weeks in advance. In May 2022, however, an international advertising campaign will be broadcast on TV where I was active as a colorist. The brand of the product I may not mention due to the contract.

Where can you see me or my work in 2022?

On social media or my website. But on social media my work are more up-to-date and more informative.

Link to my Showreel:

https://www.davescolor.ch/videos/colorgrading

Other work:

https://www.davescolor.ch/videos/husqvarna

https://www.davescolor.ch/videos/norqain

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

Discovering and living out your passion ignites a fire in you that is intrinsically motivated to burn. This fire will belong to your personality and therefore cannot be switched off at the push of a button. You can suppress it, but you can’t turn it off. The discovered passion is within you.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?

Antoine Janssens. He is a filmmaker from Switzerland working all over the world. He is very talented. His agency is called: Toast agency.

How can you contact me?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidegreco.colorist/

Website: https://www.davescolor.ch/