The Beginner’s Guide to DaVinci Resolve 18.5 – A New Exclusive MZed Course is Live Now

by Mascha DeikovaSeptember 14^th, 2023

Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve has been around for a while, and it’s unlikely you’ve never heard of it. Even Hollywood’s top colorists use this software to correct and finish the biggest blockbuster films, episodic television shows, and commercials. Yet, color grading is only one of the tasks DaVinci Resolve is capable of. In recent years, more and more people have started taking the entire post-production there: from the first cut, mixing audio, applying effects, and delivering the project. Ever considered it? The newest MZed course, “The Beginner’s Guide to DaVinci Resolve 18.5“, held by Blackmagic Certified Trainer Ollie Kenchington can support you along the way.

Over the course of 6 hours, Ollie takes us from explaining the basic interface of Edit Page in DaVinci Resolve to such advanced topics as grade management, keyword smart bins, or node-based compositing in Fusion. Regardless of whether you’re a novice just beginning or an experienced editor contemplating a switch to new software, our comprehensive explanations and step-by-step demonstrations ensure you won’t become bored or confused. And the best part of it? DaVinci Resolve has a fully functioning free version that you can download at any time.  

Meet your guide to DaVinci Resolve

Ollie Kenchington is a filmmaker, editor, and senior colorist based in the UK. His company, Korro Films, has produced commercials, short films, documentaries, and branded content for the last 15 years. Among his huge international clients are BBC, Netflix, Canon, and Apple.

In addition to this, Ollie is an accomplished educator, Blackmagic Certified Trainer, and founder of Korro Academy. MZed.com already offers seven of his courses, including “Directing Color”, “Advanced Editing with DaVinci Resolve”, and “Canon R5 C Ultimate Video Manual”.

The goal of The Beginner’s Guide to DaVinci Resolve 18.5

Although it is called “The Beginner’s Guide to DaVinci Resolve 18.5”, the goal of this course is twofold. Firstly, it allows participants to understand the basics of editing, visual effects, motion graphics, color correction, and audio in DaVinci Resolve within a very short time. The contents also include the latest additions of the 18.5 version, like automated audio classification by AI.

At the same time, this guide is an official Blackmagic Design training and certification course. This means it will provide you with all the required information and skills you may need to pass the Blackmagic Certified Professional exam. So, basically, it’s also a good option for professional editors or colorists seeking additional qualifications, or for companies who are transitioning their workflow to this software. A significant benefit of this course lies in its ability to provide clear and precise explanations of even the smallest details, as well as practical tips and tricks, not only in theory but also from practical experience.

Nine modules cover all post-production stages

“The Beginner’s Guide to DaVinci Resolve 18.5” contains nine modules covering all the post-production stages and tasks you’ll encounter when working with video footage. They are:

• Editing in the Edit Page. Lessons ranging from learning the nonlinear editing tools in DaVinci Resolve 18.5 to working with smart bins and text-based editing, which was introduced only recently;
• Audio, Effects, and Titles in the Edit Page.
• Performing Primary Color Corrections. In this module, you will learn all about the primary corrector, secondary adjustments, nodes, as well as applying DaVinci Resolve FX for special effects;
• Making Secondary Color Adjustments. This lesson will take you into the depths of working on specific parts of the image, like changing the color of a chosen object without affecting the rest of the shot, or adding warmth to the actor’s skin;
• Grade Management. After watching this module, you will know not only how to color grade beautifully, but also how to make the process quick and efficient;
• Project Setup and Preferences. Essential insights on how to correctly set up a project of your own;
• Mixing Audio in Fairlight. The Fairlight page in DaVinci Resolve is designed specifically for audio to accompany pictures, realizing cinematic-quality sound for your productions. So, learning how to use it may save you lots of time, especially if you’re an indie filmmaker without a big crew behind your video projects;
• Creating Effects in Fusion. Even if you think you’ll never need the integrated “Fusion” page, leaving all the VFX to other experts, Ollie might make you reconsider this decision, showing you how easily you can apply the effects and retouch your shots with the help of nodes;
• Delivery and Media Management. This lesson touches on two final post-production elements to consider: the delivery and the archive.

Special offer until the end of September for IBC visitors

Good news for everyone visiting this year’s IBC show in Amsterdam. In the following days, we will be handing out vouchers to get “The Beginner’s Guide to DaVinci Resolve 18.5” course for $69 instead of $149 (valid only until the end of September). CineD will be at the Cineroid IBC booth – stand number 12.H11, right next to ARRI. Come and see us! We’re looking forward to meeting you in person!

What else do you get with MZed?

As an MZed Pro Member, you also have access to over 450 hours of filmmaking education, plus we’re constantly adding more courses (several in production right now).

For just $30/month (billed annually at $349), here’s what you’ll get:

• 54+ courses, over 850+ high-quality lessons, spanning over 500 hours of learning.
• Highly produced courses from educators who have decades of experience and awards, including a Pulitzer Prize and an Academy Award.
• Unlimited access to stream all content during the 12 months.
• Offline download and viewing with the MZed iOS app.
• Discounts to ARRI Academy online courses, exclusively on MZed.
• Most of our courses provide an industry-recognized certificate upon completion.
• Purchasing the courses outright would cost over $9,000.
• Course topics include cinematography, directing, lighting, cameras and lenses, producing, indie filmmaking, writing, editing, color grading, audio, time-lapse, pitch decks, and more.
• 7-day money-back guarantee if you decide it’s not for you.

Full disclosure: MZed is owned by CineD.

Join MZed Pro now and start watching today!

What about you? Do you work a lot in DaVinci Resolve? Have you considered moving all of your post-production processes there? If so, what would you like to learn more about in this software? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature image source: MZed