LOS ANGELES – MARCH 2025: Harbor is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Yacono as Senior Colorist. With decades of experience in color grading, Yacono has collaborated with top directors and brands across film, television, and advertising. His portfolio includes high-profile projects such as “House of Cards”, Ava DuVernay’s Oscar-nominated “13th”, and multiple Super Bowl campaigns.
Yacono’s career encompasses a diverse array of projects, including commercials, feature films, episodic television, documentary series, and music videos. He has collaborated with visionary filmmakers such as David Fincher, Ava DuVernay, Jonathan Nolan, Gus Van Sant, Errol Morris, and Chloé Zhao. Notably, he contributed to Beyoncé’s visual album “Black is King” and Kendrick Lamar’s music video “DNA”. His commercial work features collaborations with brands like BMW, Apple, Nike, Gucci, Ford, and Samsung.
During his tenure at A52, Yacono played a pivotal role in establishing the company’s color division before leading the color department at The Mill Los Angeles, solidifying his reputation as a leader in the field. His expertise spans both digital and film workflows, with a deep understanding of color science and cinematic texture. He has been instrumental in shaping the visual identity of groundbreaking projects, including “The Black Godfather”, “Five Came Back”, and “Amanda Knox”. Yacono has color graded over 20 Super Bowl commercials, including this years’ Budweiser “First delivery,” which earned #1 USA TV Ad Meter shot by Rodrigo Pietro, and last years’ PopCorners’ “Breaking Good” and Amazon’s “Saving Sawyer”.
Co-founder and Head of Color at Harbor Joe Gawler adds: “Harbor has built a legacy of creative excellence, and bringing Paul into our team reinforces that foundation. His exceptional talent and deep experience add another layer to what we offer filmmakers worldwide. At Harbor, we’ve built something lasting, and with Paul joining our roster, we’re expanding that legacy, ensuring that Harbor remains the gold standard for color grading.”
Speaking about his approach, Yacono shared: “For me, color is about storytelling—it’s about finding the right tone, texture, and personality that elevates a project. Whether it’s a film, a commercial, or a music video, I strive to bring a tactile quality that enhances the emotion and impact of the final piece.”
Commenting on the addition to Harbor’s esteemed color team, Harbor EVP of Post Production, Massimo D’Avolio, said: “Harbor’s approach to talent acquisition has always been driven by creative excellence and industry leadership. Paul’s deep expertise, his commitment to craftsmanship, and his ability to foster strong client relationships align seamlessly with our vision of elevating the creative process. His exceptional track record in defining distinctive looks for some of the industry’s most iconic projects makes him a natural fit for our global team.”
Echoing this sentiment, Executive Producer of Color, Advertising Nadia Dabibi added: “Paul is a powerhouse in the world of color, bringing an unparalleled depth of expertise and artistry to every project he touches. His ability to craft distinctive visuals, whether for award winning films, groundbreaking series, or iconic commercial campaigns sets him apart as a true leader in the field. With a keen eye for cinematic texture and a deep understanding of color as a storytelling tool, Paul doesn’t just enhance images—he elevates them. His addition to Harbor marks an exciting chapter for both our team and the clients we serve.”
At Harbor, Yacono will be supported with technology, workflow and global infrastructure to support his clients across projects from feature films to high-profile commercial campaigns and episodic storytelling. He will be based in Los Angeles and available to work across all of Harbor’s US and UK studios.
