Based in Los Angeles
Derek Hansen is a colourist at Santa Monica-based AFX Creative, a creative studio delivering post services for the advertising and entertainment industries. They provide VFX, motion design, finishing and colour grading services.
Derek has spent the last decade shaping captivating images for some of the industry's most influential figures. Collaborating with esteemed directors like Gia Coppola, Young Replicant, Brian Buckley, and Luke Monahan, Derek has coloured projects for renowned global brands such as Lululemon, Old Spice, Reebok, Toyota, and Facebook. Additionally, he has lent his colour expertise to music videos for prominent artists like St. Vincent, Halsey, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, and J.Cole.
In June 2019, following his departure from The Mill, Derek joined Arsenal Creative to spearhead their colour department. Together, they have established a full-service Baselight suite, equipped for HDR and Dolby Vision Mastering, along with remote viewing capabilities. Under Derek's leadership, Arsenal expanded its studio portfolio to include finishing, VFX, and colour services.
Derek's talents have been recognised within the industry, earning him a shortlist nomination for AICP 2019's Best Grade in Music Video for Janelle Monae's 'I Like it Like That.' His fruitful collaboration with directors and DPs has resulted in a diverse and rich body of work, extending beyond commercials to long-form narrative and documentary projects. He contributed to the debut season of 'SMILF' on Showtime in late 2017, worked on the TIFF Midnight Madness debut of 'The Incident at Sparrow Creek' in 2018, and participated in the surreal horror film 'Greener Grass,' which delighted Sundance viewers in 2019.
Derek began his color journey in 2011 at MPC LA as an assistant to Mark Gethin, swiftly developing into a promising talent within the MPC roster. After leaving MPC, he played a pivotal role in establishing and launching the colour department for Velem (A Milk Studios Company) and later joined The Mill LA in 2015, where he honed his craft alongside Adam Scott before parting ways with The Mill in 2019.
Social Media Handle:
Instagram - @_derekhansen