No.8 Colour Marks 1 Year Anniversary with Bold Creative Growth

​No.8 has celebrated the first anniversary of its new Colour department, reflecting on a year of standout work, rapid growth, and a team that has already established itself as one of the industry’s most exciting creative forces.

Under the direction of Matt Turner, one of the UK’s most respected colourists, the No.8 Colour department has quickly gained a reputation for cinematic storytelling, technical excellence, and trusted collaboration. Alongside senior colourist Jonny Tully, Matt has built a team that has not only raised the bar for colour grading at No.8 but also helped define a new creative standard across the industry. “We’re not trying to be loud or trendy,” said Matt. “It’s about quiet confidence, choosing restraint over noise. We’re not reinventing colour grading, but we are being deliberate.”

Over the past year, the team has delivered beautifully crafted visuals for global brands, artists, and filmmakers. Highlights have included campaigns for Under Armour which earned Matt a nomination for ‘Best Colourist’ at this year’s British Arrows Craft Awards, along with projects for global rapper A$AP Nast and Barbour. Meanwhile, Jonny recently completed a project for McDonald’s Canada and a global campaign titled ‘Meals, Better with Pepsi’ directed by Meji Alabi, reuniting Jonny with a collaborator from a decade earlier. Another standout for Jonny was ‘In Power’ directed by Lauren Luxenberg and shot on 35mm with DP Josh Fry. Jonny described it as a “dream job” and an honour to help realise such a personal project.

The shift to Baselight has also been pivotal in shaping the department’s creative identity. For Matt, moving away from a workflow he had used for years was no small feat, but one that ultimately paid off. Jonny noted that Baselight’s colour science and grading tools allow him to push images further while achieving exceptional results quickly, making sessions highly collaborative and faultlessly integrated with VFX.

For executive producer Ollie Ireland, growing the department has been one of the most rewarding challenges of her career. “Building a team from scratch is no small task, but we knew from the start we had a powerhouse. Turner and Tully are both incredibly talented, hugely experienced and up for the challenge.”

Alongside the senior colourists, No.8 has also welcomed assistants Jamie (from Black Kite) and Benita (from UNIT), as well as Calum in production. Their addition has strengthened the department and supported its culture of mentorship and collaboration. “Being a small team means we get to put in the time, energy and love to help people grow,” said Ollie. Matt echoed this sentiment, “We’re small, which means agile. No factory line mentality. There’s a shared curiosity and a sense that we’re building something special.”

As the department looks ahead, the focus is on growth, long-form projects, and nurturing rising talent within the team. With No.8’s recent acquisition of JAM VFX, the scope of work is set to expand even further. “More opportunities in the narrative work and long-form space are very exciting,” said Matt.

One year on, No.8 Colour is more than just a department. It is a team defined by trust, adaptability, and a shared belief in the craft. By embracing change and pushing themselves out of their comfort zones, the team has proved that the magic lies not just in the tools, but in the artistry, taste, and care they bring to every frame.

As Matt sums it up, “Year one was about building. Year two is about flying.”