The Gstaad Guy Podcast Ep. 12, Stefan Sonnenfeld: Founder of Company 3 – “Da Vinci of Colour Grading”, Movies, Discipline, Working With Apple
Aug 6, 2025
Stefan Sonnenfeld, a legendary colorist and founder of Company 3, discusses his influential career in shaping iconic visuals for film and advertising. He reflects on transitioning from law enforcement to the creative world and reveals how he balances passion with discipline. Stefan delves into the art of color grading, its emotional impact, and his pioneering work with Apple, noting Steve Jobs’ meticulous attention to detail. He also shares insights on biohacking and achieving optimal health to maintain creativity and productivity in his demanding industry.
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Unlikely Path to Law Enforcement
- Stefan Sonnenfeld began undercover anti-piracy work leveraging his entertainment knowledge despite appearing unpolished.
- His path led him to become a certified L.A. sheriff reserve officer balancing intense training with a demanding career.
From Driver to Company Founder
- Stefan started in post-production by chance, first driving to pick up film dailies before discovering color grading.
- He founded Company 3 out of frustration with companies not valuing him, investing heavily with external funding.
Color Grading's Hidden Power
- Color grading is a latent art that shapes emotions and storytelling through nuanced manipulation.
- It's often unnoticed unless done poorly, but critical for bringing film visions to life.
