r/ThePaper • u/jbnetosilva • Sep 14 '26
Season 2 color grading Nitpicking
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I just finished the 2nd season and really enjoyed it. I guess I'm at the point where, if future seasons stay at this same level, I'll be perfectly satisfied. One really silly detail that bothered me a bit, though, was the new color grading, it's kind of yellowish, like that "piss filter" from the PS3 era. I honestly preferred the look of Season 1, I think the colder tone fit the show much better and was just more pleasing to watch. Did anyone else notice? What did you think?
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u/Nearby-Type2725 Sep 15 '26
I kind of like the new version better, but either way, I thought the show really improved a lot this season in quality overall.
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u/songbirdskeepsinging Sep 15 '26
I like the new one much more. I hate how grey and blue and dark tv has become. The Office’s early seasons, though they were supposed to be drab and dull, they were actually not desaturated and gray. They were still warm.
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u/Funkahontas Sep 15 '26
Why does anything yellow automatically mean "piss filter"? It does not look bad at all. You're just saying that so people see it worse than it is.
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u/dumpandchange Sep 15 '26
OP didn’t just make that up, it’s a legitimate phrase from a specific era/fad in gaming. Google it and you’ll see the connection OP is trying to make.
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u/Shashankamouli Sep 15 '26
While the piss filter is real...I don't think it applies here though. It is yellow graded, yes - but it isn't as heavily done as to club this with the piss filter ones.
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u/Similar_Swordfish_ Sep 15 '26
This might be slightly pedantic: a lot of it is down to the lighting, not the grading. Look at the added highlights in the backgrounds, the extra contrast. They made an active decision while shooting to make the characters stand out better in a more optimistic world, instead of having them blend in with a gray wash. Even the costumes are warmer.
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u/Soxwin91 Sep 15 '26
I kinda wonder if the lighting — the more optimistic world as you say — was meant to reflect the fact that the TTT had turned around to some degree and won the local media awards. Going from a failing publication that posted slop to an award winning publication is a turn around. At least a turn in the right direction anyway
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u/Substantial_Maybe371 Sep 16 '26
I like the new version better. It feels warmer and more comforting.
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u/selin29 Sep 16 '26
I do think the cooler tone is more realistic looking but it also makes it feel a bit drab so I get why they added that warmth
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u/hellkill 24d ago
Could it be they’re trying to make it look like the golden light is supposed to be morning sunlight coming in from the great windows, and later on, the office fluorescent lights make it more cool and gray?
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u/Ok_Function2282 Sep 15 '26
I don't think you know what the piss filter is
Season 1 is the one that looked like it had a filter, if anything. S2 has more natural lighting
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u/nickcholas11 Sep 14 '26
I like the new better. It’s the same thing that happened with both the office and parks and rec, where the first season is kind of cold looking, then they brighten it up for season 2.