From Spain to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" — Juan Cabrera on Color, Craft, and Creative Grit
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Juan Cabrera’s journey from a small town in Spain to some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters is a masterclass in creative grit and technical mastery. A self-taught artist with roots in animation and VFX, Juan found his calling in color grading, where storytelling meets science.
Whether contributing to "Star Trek Into Darkness" or "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," Juan’s work brings clarity, emotion, and cohesion to the screen. Today, he leads LightBenders, a post-production studio built on collaboration, innovation, and heart.
Juan opens up about how color shapes narrative, why early collaboration across departments matters, and what it means to build a career by staying curious and committed to the craft. If you’re navigating a creative path or want a behind-the-scenes look at how stories come to life on screen, tune in and be inspired.
🎯 What You’ll Hear:
✔ Juan’s path from early animation work in Spain to Hollywood post-production
✔ The artistic and emotional role of a colorist in storytelling
✔ How LUTs, HDR, and color theory impact what we feel on screen
✔ Behind-the-scenes insights from working on "Startup," "Star Trek," and more
✔ Why early involvement can save time, elevate quality, and spark creative breakthroughs
💬 Ask Us:
What film’s look stayed with you long after the credits? Tag @NRJMediaGroup or DM us.
💬 We’d love to hear how Energis Podcast has sparked your journey! Share your story with us ✨
🌐 Thank you for listening! Stay inspired. Stay bold. Stay Energis’d. Visit us at www.nrjmediagroup.com to learn more and connect with our growing community.
Chapters
1. Introduction to Juan Cabrera (00:00:00)
2. Early Years and Passion for Animation (00:03:45)
3. Building a Career from Spain to England (00:10:52)
4. Becoming a Colorist by Chance (00:18:40)
5. What Does a Colorist Actually Do? (00:22:56)
6. The Science of Image and Color (00:31:46)
7. Working on Major Productions (00:43:03)
8. Founding LightBenders Studio (00:48:27)
9. Go-to Strategy for Achieving Your Goals (00:51:35)
10. Final Thoughts and Personal Wisdom (00:57:10)
9 episodes