color correction and grading an mp4 file

[The great dog Chippie]

I received an mp4 file and was asked to color correct/grade. I know that the best way to achieve this is to work with the original files from the camera. However (unfortunately) that is not possible. It was already encoded. I used windows 10 to search for the Codec on the mp4 file and it was a h264. It is a music video and there is very heavy effects used throughout the video. What do you suggest would be my best possibe workflow, if any. and if you can send a link to any video/site that explains how to to do this, it would be appreciated.

[John V Knowles · Accepted solution]

Normally, when coloring and grading you work with the individual clips in an edited sequence. It sounds like what you've been given is the final product, already compressed for the web. This is far from ideal.

If you cannot get a project file with the raw media then at least ask for the final video to be provided in a mastering codec like ProRes 4444 or Cineform. Yes, that will be a big file but you NEED the highest quality to start with before you grade. And if the video was shot in a RAW format then that would be the ideal thing to give you as then you have total control over the color. 

Before you even start with a tutorial or lesson on color/grading you need to get good materials to work with. Explain to your client that you cannot accept a compressed h.264 file to work with; it will be a disaster. As the old saying goes: "garbage in, garbage out."

[The great dog Chippie]

Thanks for the good advice.