Grading Criminal Justice

June 2008: BBC Post Production has graded the compelling new five-part thriller, Criminal Justice, made by BBC Drama Production for BBC One. It was shot and post produced in high definition to ensure it is future proof and to support international sales. It will transmit in standard definition over five consecutive days at the end of June.

Written by the acclaimed writer and former barrister Peter Moffat, the series has an impressive British cast, including rising star Ben Whishaw (Perfume, I'm Not There) and Pete Postlethwaite (In The Name Of The Father, Brassed Off).

The drama centres on 21 year old Ben Coulter, played by Whishaw, who finds himself being prosecuted for murder after a night out on the town with an attractive young woman. Ben finds himself on a rollercoaster ride through the criminal justice system. Ending up in prison, he has to learn to survive alongside tough inmates including Postlethwaite's character, Hooch.

Criminal Justice has been graded using BBC Post Production’s new Digital Vision Film Master non-linear grading system. This is the first major project to benefit from BBC Post Production’s Film Master. It gave Colourist Chris Packman access to a huge creative toolset and also greater flexibility and freedom, as he could work in data, which allowed him to jump between shots without having to spool tapes. It also meant that the master tapes were never at any risk.

Criminal Justice was directed by Otto Bathurst (Five Days, Hustle) and Luke Watson. The directors wanted to create a cinematic look, so they used a Pro35 adaptor on the HD camera, which allows the use of 35mm motion picture lenses. This combination produces a shallow depth of field and allows backgrounds to be thrown more out of focus than when using normal lenses. They also used nets on the back of the lenses to further diffuse the highlights. Considerable testing was done before the shoot started with the DOP’s Eric Maddison and Nic Knowland and Chris Packman in the Film Master, to optimise the look for the series.

In the course of the drama, Ben’s world becomes a labyrinth of oppressive places: police station, prison and courtroom, which BBC Post Production needed to accentuate through the grade.

A strong element of the grade was bringing out the cool blue green cyan of the specially made prison set, to create a chilling effect. The court, which was shot at Hackney Town Hall, plays a major part in the story and was graded to create a warmer, but formal look. The grade was also important for controlling highlights, as a number of scenes used bright sunshine flooding through windows, which needed to appear as sunshine and not burnt out.

As well as the grade, BBC Post Production was responsible for the HD online editing and conforming, which was carried out on its Avid Nitris by Gary Hewson and John Steel. It also did the audio track lay and stereo sound mix. BBC Post Production has much experience of working in high definition and post produced the BBC’s first HD drama back in 2004 – the award-winning Every Time You Look At Me.

Criminal Justice was produced by Pier Wilkie (When I'm Sixty-Four, A Midsummer Night's Dream), and executive produced by Hilary Salmon (The Passion, Five Days).

About BBC Post Production

BBC Post Production, a division of BBC Resources Ltd, is located in London, Bristol and Birmingham and offers award-winning creative solutions using the latest technology. Working in partnership with a variety of broadcasters and production companies, BBC Post Production’s extensive range of services include SD and HD editing across all platforms, 5.1 audio and telecine, as well as Media Solutions, its new consultancy service. The BBC Post Production team brings talent and experience to a vast range of productions, across all genres. Credits include: BAFTA Craft Award nominated Seven Ages of Rock, Strictly Come Dancing, Eastenders, Match of the Day, Ski Sunday, Gardeners World and the award winning Planet Earth.

For more information visit www.bbcresources.com/postproduction

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