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LightBender

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uuid002kjzh

Namestring
LightBender
Legal namestring
LightBenders
Websiteurl
lightbenderpost.com
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
2014
Descriptiontext

LightBender (DBA: LightBenders) is a boutique post-production color grading studio founded in 2014 by Juan Cabrera and headquartered at Fox Studios Lot in Los Angeles (Santa Monica). The company provides professional color grading, workflow design, and deliverables management for feature films, TV series, and streaming content, serving enterprise clients that include Netflix, A24, Paramount, Showtime, Sony Pictures, Hulu, Bad Robot, and TNT. Its primary customer segments are major film studios and production companies, streaming platforms, and individual cinematographers and directors seeking collaborative creative partnerships. The studio operates on a project-based professional services model with custom quote-based pricing and direct client engagement rather than channel-based distribution.

The studio's technical stack centers on three SGO Mistika 4K+ DI Systems and two DaVinci Resolve Studio color rooms, supported by LightSpace Color Management tooling and Colorimetry Research Color Probes for color science precision. It became a Dolby Vision Certified facility in 2017 as an early adopter of HDR workflows, holds IMF Delivery Certified status for standardized interoperability package delivery, and maintains MPAA/TPN security compliance. Infrastructure includes 512 TB of uncompressed 3D-4K capable storage, 10GbE facility-wide networking, hardware firewall, access control, and 24/7 on-site security. The company holds no AI/ML capabilities, no API, no patents, and no disclosed technology partnerships beyond its use of standard industry color grading platforms.

Revenue is generated on a per-project professional services basis with quote-based pricing tied to scope, complexity, and deliverables; no standard pricing tiers or revenue figures are publicly disclosed. The company operates with 1-10 employees and relies primarily on reputation-based marketing through portfolio reels, a content website, blog, press coverage, and organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook). LightBender is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or parent company, and is described as serving both California-based and worldwide clients reflecting the global nature of its studio and streaming roster.

Short descriptiontext

LightBender is a boutique post-production color grading studio serving major film studios and streaming platforms including Netflix, A24, and Paramount. Founded in 2014 by Juan Cabrera, the Dolby Vision certified facility operates from Fox Studios Lot in Los Angeles.

Operating statusenum
Operating
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
1–10
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersSanta Monica, United States
HQ citystring
Santa Monica
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices1 record

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
color grading services, post-production studio, HDR mastering, Dolby Vision grading, digital intermediate
Industry2 codes
1Color Grading & Finishing (DI, HDR, Deliverables)
CodeMPADAGABPrimaryYes
2Color Grading & Color Management
CodeMPAHAAABPrimaryNo
NAICS code1 code
  • Photofinishing Laboratories (except One-Hour)812921
Product category
Post-Production Color Grading
GTM motion1 record

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

Revenue model1 record
1Color Grading Services
TypeProfessional Services
Description

Project-based color grading services for feature films, TV series, and streaming content. Revenue is generated on a per-project basis with pricing based on scope, complexity, and deliverables required.

lightbenders.com
Marketing channels6 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components5 values
Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Pricing details1 tier
1Custom project-based pricing
ModelOtherBilling cadenceMulti-year contract
Notes

No standard pricing tiers disclosed; each project is quoted individually based on specific requirements for color grading, HDR work, deliverables, and turnaround time.

lightbenders.com
GTM typeB2B
B2B
Offering typeServices
Services
Core offering1 text field

LightBender is a boutique post-production studio that provides professional color grading and finishing services for feature films, TV series, and streaming content. The studio specializes in HDR and Dolby Vision workflows, offering tailored color grading, custom workflow design from pre-production through delivery, and comprehensive deliverables management for broadcast, streaming, and theatrical releases.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Quantifiable outcome1 of 3 values shown
  • Specializing in HDR since 2017 as Dolby Vision certified facility
+2 more records
Product overview1 text field

LightBender is a post-production color grading studio offering a unified service portfolio centered on color grading, workflow design, and deliverables management for feature films and TV series. Founded in 2014 and based in Santa Monica, the studio provides end-to-end post-production services through its three core offerings: Color Grading Services (specializing in HDR/Dolby Vision since 2017), Workflow Design (customized workflows from pre-production through delivery), and Deliverables Management (managing complex deliveries for broadcast, streaming, and theatrical release). The studio operates on SGO Mistika and DaVinci Resolve platforms with IMF delivery capabilities.

Product and service3 records
1Color Grading Services
CategoryCore Service
2Workflow Design
CategoryCore Service
3Deliverables Management
CategoryCore Service
Scale indicator2 records

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Recent move3 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Peers10 records
1PHG (Post Haste Group)
TypeDirect peer
Description

PHG Post Haste is an LA-based boutique running grading rooms and finishing for TV and features; serving similar studio and streaming clients at comparable boutique scale to LightBenders.

2EFILM
TypeDirect peer
Description

EFILM is a Hollywood-focused color grading and finishing boutique within Deluxe, specializing in DI and HDR for theatrical and streaming releases — a direct competitor for the same high-end grading mandates LightBenders pursues.

3Cinelab & Film Lab
TypeOthers
Description

Cinelab operates photofinishing and dailies laboratories that feed graded projects into DI suites like LightBenders'; adjacent/enabling rather than directly competing, but a peer in the production-to-color pipeline.

4Harbor Picture Company
TypeDirect peer
Description

Harbor is an LA-based post-production boutique offering color grading, finishing and DI for features and episodic, with a similar boutique positioning and a comparable slate of indie and studio clients.

5BeBop Technology
TypeEmerging player
Description

BeBop provides a cloud-based remote color grading platform; an emerging player whose remote workflow potentially disrupts traditional on-site boutique DI facilities like LightBenders.

6Company 3 (Deluxe)
TypeDirect peer
Description

Company 3 is one of Hollywood's best-known DI and color grading boutiques operating under Deluxe, serving the same major-studio and streaming clients with feature and episodic finishing — directly comparable as an LA-based, color-first post facility.

7Picture Shop (Lightiron)
TypeDirect peer
Description

Picture Shop's Lightiron brand is a long-standing LA-based boutique specializing in dailies, finishing and color grading for scripted episodic and features — competing for the same cinematographer-driven grading engagements.

8Sim Post International
TypeRegional player
Description

Sim provides global feature and episodic post-production including color grading, comparable in service scope but with a broader international footprint than LightBenders' LA-centric facility.

9Roundabout Entertainment (PostWorks)
TypeDirect peer
Description

Roundabout/PostWorks runs boutique finishing and color rooms serving features, episodic and streaming — overlapping with LightBenders' feature and series grading offering for major-studio clients.

10Technicolor Post (Picture Shop, Mikros)
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Technicolor's post group is a global incumbent spanning DI, VFX and audio; while much broader than LightBenders, its grading operations compete head-to-head on premium feature and streaming DI work.

Market position
Strengths5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat4 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Named customers8 records

Each record includes

Name, Industry, Type, Use case, Source, UUID

Segment3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile3 records

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Feature5 records

Each record includes

Title, Differentiator, Description, Source

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles1 record

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

No data
Compliance3 records

Each record includes

Name, Class, Description

Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

LightBender

Post-Production Color Gradinglightbenderpost.com

LightBender is a boutique post-production color grading studio serving major film studios and streaming platforms including Netflix, A24, and Paramount. Founded in 2014 by Juan Cabrera, the Dolby Vision certified facility operates from Fox Studios Lot in Los Angeles.

What LightBender does

LightBender (DBA: LightBenders) is a boutique post-production color grading studio founded in 2014 by Juan Cabrera and headquartered at Fox Studios Lot in Los Angeles (Santa Monica). The company provides professional color grading, workflow design, and deliverables management for feature films, TV series, and streaming content, serving enterprise clients that include Netflix, A24, Paramount, Showtime, Sony Pictures, Hulu, Bad Robot, and TNT. Its primary customer segments are major film studios and production companies, streaming platforms, and individual cinematographers and directors seeking collaborative creative partnerships. The studio operates on a project-based professional services model with custom quote-based pricing and direct client engagement rather than channel-based distribution.

The studio's technical stack centers on three SGO Mistika 4K+ DI Systems and two DaVinci Resolve Studio color rooms, supported by LightSpace Color Management tooling and Colorimetry Research Color Probes for color science precision. It became a Dolby Vision Certified facility in 2017 as an early adopter of HDR workflows, holds IMF Delivery Certified status for standardized interoperability package delivery, and maintains MPAA/TPN security compliance. Infrastructure includes 512 TB of uncompressed 3D-4K capable storage, 10GbE facility-wide networking, hardware firewall, access control, and 24/7 on-site security. The company holds no AI/ML capabilities, no API, no patents, and no disclosed technology partnerships beyond its use of standard industry color grading platforms.

Revenue is generated on a per-project professional services basis with quote-based pricing tied to scope, complexity, and deliverables; no standard pricing tiers or revenue figures are publicly disclosed. The company operates with 1-10 employees and relies primarily on reputation-based marketing through portfolio reels, a content website, blog, press coverage, and organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook). LightBender is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or parent company, and is described as serving both California-based and worldwide clients reflecting the global nature of its studio and streaming roster.

LightBender firmographics

Firmographics
Name
LightBender
Legal name
LightBenders
Website
https://lightbenderpost.com
Company type
Private
Founded year
2014
Operating status
Operating
Headcount range
1–10 employees
Short description
LightBender is a boutique post-production color grading studio serving major film studios and streaming platforms including Netflix, A24, and Paramount. Founded in 2014 by Juan Cabrera, the Dolby Vision certified facility operates from Fox Studios Lot in Los Angeles.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

LightBender industry classification

Industry
Product category
Post-Production Color Grading
NAICS
Photofinishing Laboratories (except One-Hour) (812921)
akta.pro primary industry
Color Grading & Finishing (DI, HDR, Deliverables) (MPADAGAB)
akta.pro secondary industry
Color Grading & Color Management (MPAHAAAB)

Keywords

  • Color grading services
  • Post-production studio
  • HDR mastering
  • Dolby Vision grading
  • Digital intermediate

Where LightBender is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Santa Monica
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

LightBender business model

Business model
GTM type
B2B
Offering type
Services
Cost components
Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

  1. Color Grading Services: Project-based color grading services for feature films, TV series, and streaming content. Revenue is generated on a per-project basis with pricing based on scope, complexity, and deliverables required.

Pricing tiers

ModelBillingPrice
OtherMulti-year contractCustom project-based pricing

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

LightBender product offering

Product offering

Core offering

LightBender is a boutique post-production studio that provides professional color grading and finishing services for feature films, TV series, and streaming content. The studio specializes in HDR and Dolby Vision workflows, offering tailored color grading, custom workflow design from pre-production through delivery, and comprehensive deliverables management for broadcast, streaming, and theatrical releases.

Product overview

LightBender is a post-production color grading studio offering a unified service portfolio centered on color grading, workflow design, and deliverables management for feature films and TV series. Founded in 2014 and based in Santa Monica, the studio provides end-to-end post-production services through its three core offerings: Color Grading Services (specializing in HDR/Dolby Vision since 2017), Workflow Design (customized workflows from pre-production through delivery), and Deliverables Management (managing complex deliveries for broadcast, streaming, and theatrical release). The studio operates on SGO Mistika and DaVinci Resolve platforms with IMF delivery capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

  • Color Grading Services
  • Workflow Design
  • Deliverables Management

Quantifiable outcome

  • Specializing in HDR since 2017 as Dolby Vision certified facility
  • +2 more outcomes

Companies that use LightBender

Customer profile

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

LightBender technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

LightBender partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves3 records

LightBender competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

  • PHG (Post Haste Group): PHG Post Haste is an LA-based boutique running grading rooms and finishing for TV and features; serving similar studio and streaming clients at comparable boutique scale to LightBenders.
  • EFILM: EFILM is a Hollywood-focused color grading and finishing boutique within Deluxe, specializing in DI and HDR for theatrical and streaming releases — a direct competitor for the same high-end grading mandates LightBenders pursues.
  • Harbor Picture Company: Harbor is an LA-based post-production boutique offering color grading, finishing and DI for features and episodic, with a similar boutique positioning and a comparable slate of indie and studio clients.
  • Company 3 (Deluxe): Company 3 is one of Hollywood's best-known DI and color grading boutiques operating under Deluxe, serving the same major-studio and streaming clients with feature and episodic finishing — directly comparable as an LA-based, color-first post facility.
  • Picture Shop (Lightiron): Picture Shop's Lightiron brand is a long-standing LA-based boutique specializing in dailies, finishing and color grading for scripted episodic and features — competing for the same cinematographer-driven grading engagements.
  • Roundabout Entertainment (PostWorks): Roundabout/PostWorks runs boutique finishing and color rooms serving features, episodic and streaming — overlapping with LightBenders' feature and series grading offering for major-studio clients.

Others

  • Cinelab & Film Lab: Cinelab operates photofinishing and dailies laboratories that feed graded projects into DI suites like LightBenders'; adjacent/enabling rather than directly competing, but a peer in the production-to-color pipeline.

Emerging players

  • BeBop Technology: BeBop provides a cloud-based remote color grading platform; an emerging player whose remote workflow potentially disrupts traditional on-site boutique DI facilities like LightBenders.

Regional players

  • Sim Post International: Sim provides global feature and episodic post-production including color grading, comparable in service scope but with a broader international footprint than LightBenders' LA-centric facility.

Broad incumbents

  • Technicolor Post (Picture Shop, Mikros): Technicolor's post group is a global incumbent spanning DI, VFX and audio; while much broader than LightBenders, its grading operations compete head-to-head on premium feature and streaming DI work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

LightBender social profiles

Digital presence

LightBender compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance3 records

LightBender financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

LightBender leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

LightBender funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

LightBender M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LightBender

What does LightBender do?

LightBender is a boutique post-production studio that provides professional color grading and finishing services for feature films, TV series, and streaming content. The studio specializes in HDR and Dolby Vision workflows, offering tailored color grading, custom workflow design from pre-production through delivery, and comprehensive deliverables management for broadcast, streaming, and theatrical releases.

Is LightBender a public or private company?

LightBender is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.

When was LightBender founded?

LightBender was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.

Where is LightBender based?

LightBender is headquartered in Santa Monica, United States, in the North America region.

How does LightBender make money?

One revenue line is on record: color Grading Services.

Who are LightBender's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are PHG (Post Haste Group), EFILM, Harbor Picture Company, Company 3 (Deluxe), Picture Shop (Lightiron) and Roundabout Entertainment (PostWorks). Cinelab & Film Lab is listed as an others. BeBop Technology is listed as an emerging player. Sim Post International is listed as a regional player. Technicolor Post (Picture Shop, Mikros) is listed as a broad incumbent.

Does LightBender have an API?

No public API is recorded for LightBender.

What industry is LightBender in?

LightBender's product category is Post-Production Color Grading. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAGAB, Color Grading & Finishing (DI, HDR, Deliverables), with a secondary code of MPAHAAAB, Color Grading & Color Management. Its NAICS code is 812921.

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