Table of Contents
Why should you become certified?
Validation of Skills:
Certification serves as tangible proof of your expertise and proficiency in using the software. It validates your skill set and knowledge, which can be valuable when seeking job opportunities or clients within the industry.
Career Advancement:
Having a certification can significantly enhance your resume and open up career advancement opportunities. Many employers prioritize certified professionals when hiring for roles related to video editing, color grading, and post-production.
Increased Credibility:
Certification adds credibility to your profile, establishing you as a knowledgeable and skilled professional in the field of video editing and color grading. Clients and employers are more likely to trust your abilities if you hold a recognized certification.
Access to Specialized Knowledge:
Certification programs often cover in-depth aspects of the software that might not be commonly known. This specialized knowledge can equip you with advanced techniques and workflows, enhancing your efficiency and capabilities.
Networking and Community:
Certification programs often connect you with a community of certified professionals, providing networking opportunities and access to forums or events where you can learn and share insights with like-minded individuals.
Industry Recognition:
Certain certifications are recognized and respected within the industry, signaling to potential clients or employers that you meet a certain standard of proficiency and expertise.
Overall, getting certified in DaVinci Resolve not only enhances your skills but also boosts your credibility, potentially leading to better career prospects and opportunities within the field of video editing and color grading.
Certification doesn’t mean Mastery
Just grasping the basics of software doesn’t automatically make someone a master user. Mastery comes from a deeper understanding and extensive experience with the tool. It involves:
Exploration and Experimentation:
Mastery requires continuous exploration and experimentation within the software. It’s about pushing the boundaries, trying new techniques, and discovering creative solutions to challenges.
Efficiency and Workflow:
A master user knows the features and how to use them efficiently. They develop streamlined workflows, shortcuts, and techniques to optimize their productivity.
Problem-solving Skills:
Mastery involves the ability to troubleshoot and solve complex issues that arise during the creative process. It’s about understanding the software well enough to find solutions, even in challenging situations.
Creativity and Innovation:
True mastery goes beyond technical proficiency. It involves leveraging the software’s capabilities to express creativity, innovate, and produce outstanding results that go beyond the ordinary.
Continuous Learning:
Software evolves, and a master user keeps pace with updates and new features. They stay curious, always learning and adapting to the latest advancements to enhance their skill set.
Becoming a master user of any software, including DaVinci Resolve, is a journey that requires dedication, practice, a willingness to learn, and an open mindset to explore the software’s full potential.
Who is Davinci Resolve Certification good for?
Experience (intermediate level)
- Certifications in software like DaVinci Resolve target individuals with foundational knowledge seeking to advance their skills and understanding.
- These programs explore advanced features, techniques, and workflows, making them better suited for users with a basic grasp of the software.
- Absolute beginners benefit more from starting with tutorials, practice, and experimentation to build a strong foundation before pursuing certification.
- Mastering fundamentals first lays the groundwork for comprehending and applying advanced concepts covered in certification programs at a later stage.
- Understanding of non-linear editing (NLE) principles, including timelines, editing techniques, and workflow management within editing software.
- Knowledge of color science, encompassing color theory, color grading principles, color temperature, and various color spaces.
- Familiarity with lighting techniques and their impact on footage, aiding in interpreting and manipulating visuals effectively during color grading.
- Awareness of film production practices, which provides context for making informed decisions while editing and grading footage in DaVinci Resolve.
While not mandatory, possessing a foundational understanding of these areas can significantly enhance the utilization of DaVinci Resolve for editing and color grading purposes.
Where should I begin to be certified in Davinci Resolve?
Black Magic Design website
Download the free Lite version
The free version eliminates the high entry barrier. All you need to do is fill out the form or just click the download-only button. The free version is very capable and has everything you need to start learning the ins and outs of the software.
Blackmagic Design offers free resources for newcomers, including comprehensive training covering all DaVinci Resolve pages: Edit, Color, Fairlight, and Fusion. The training is available in multiple languages and regularly introduces new language options. Presented by DaVinci master trainers and top industry instructors from film and broadcast, these courses provide detailed coverage of all essential basics, enabling users to confidently begin using the application for various project types.
Read the ebooks
Similar to the training courses, there are five books available, with four dedicated to specific main pages—Edit, Color, Fairlight, and Fusion. Additionally, an introductory book provides an overview of the main functions across all pages. However, some may find navigating through books cumbersome, especially when they contain over 600 pages. Fortunately, the training videos encompass most of the book content, offering an alternative way to learn. Nevertheless, thoroughly reading through the books is crucial as all test questions are directly sourced from them. Each chapter concludes with a brief questionnaire, serving as good practice for the test, as some questions mirror those asked in the test itself.
Exercise and practice project
You can freely download exercise files and source materials to accompany the exercises in the books and training videos. It’s highly recommended to engage with these resources as it allows you to familiarize yourself with the software and follow along with the training. This helps in getting comfortable with the interface and understanding button placements and their functions. It aids in developing a visual memory of the UI and encourages experimentation with your content. Additionally, the exam may include questions related to contextual menus, icons, or labels within DaVinci Resolve, presented in various formats such as multiple-choice questions or screenshots from the software interface.
Online exam
You get 3 takes per exam and 24 hours in between every attempt. If you can’t pass within the three trials, I suggest you take some time off and review the source materials once again before diving back in. There’s a finite amount of questions per every test so if you take the test multiple times some of the questions will be repeated. Make sure to take note of the answer and most importantly you have to understand the reasons why. One last tip, make sure to read the explanation of the questions you answered wrong. It will help you in your next attempts. Remember, your efforts eventually are to deepen your understanding of the software not just to get a passing grade.
After dedicating time to study and practice, you should feel prepared to tackle the 50 questions within the one-hour time limit. Achieving an 85% or higher marks a passing grade. The exam is open book, allowing access to the test questions in one window while referencing Google, PDF books, and personal notes in another. Some questions may purposefully include tricky wording, so it’s essential to read them carefully. One helpful strategy is marking questionable items for later review. Upon completing all 50 questions, you can use any remaining time to reconsider and research without the pressure of completing the test.
You’re granted three attempts for the exam, with a 24-hour gap between each try. If unsuccessful after three tries, it’s advisable to take a break, review source materials again, and then approach the exam refreshed. As questions are finite, repeated attempts may feature duplicate questions. It’s crucial to note correct answers and, more importantly, understand the reasoning behind them. Additionally, reading explanations for incorrectly answered questions aids future attempts. Ultimately, the goal is to deepen your understanding of the software, not just to pass, emphasizing the importance of learning throughout the process.
How to be a Certified Trainer for Davinci Resolve
The certified trainer exams align similarly to the certified user exams, covering five distinct areas: intro to DaVinci Resolve, Color, Fairlight, Edit, and Fusion. To qualify as a certified trainer, passing the certified user intro to DaVinci Resolve suffices. However, aiming for all five trainer certifications typically involves clearing the certified user exams first.
To express your interest in becoming a certified trainer, an initial email to the BMD training department is necessary learning@blackmagicdesign.com. Expect prompt responses from the BMD staff, guiding you to:
- Fill out a PDF form.
- Introduce yourself, detailing your experience and outlining your motivations for pursuing the role of a trainer.
- Upon approval, the training department will furnish you with a schedule for online training sessions. These sessions, conducted remotely over Zoom, span between 3 to 5 days, encompassing five hours per day. BMD’s master trainers lead these sessions.
- Post-training, you’ll receive a private link granting access to the exam portal. This portal hosts an hour-long exam comprising 80 questions. Given the potential complexity of some questions, practicing and avoiding hasty answers is advised for success.
Conclusion
Certification processes can indeed be lengthy and demanding. However, the value of the knowledge gained and the recognition received make it a worthwhile endeavor, significantly enhancing one’s career and sense of accomplishment. It’s crucial to note that certification signifies recognition rather than complete mastery. To excel as a colorist or editor,a VFX artist dedicating extensive hours to learning and practicing various scenarios and projects is essential. There are no shortcuts to professionalism.
I underwent the certification journey for DaVinci Resolve as both a user and a trainer. It required a year and a half of commitment, yet I’m immensely satisfied that I pursued it. I’m learning something new every day.
What about you? Does the idea of certification appeal to you after learning more about the process, or does it seem too labor-intensive? I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
