Newton Thomas Sigel gave Drive a look that splits between warm golden daytime Los Angeles and an electric neon nightscape. Night sequences are defined by their color sources: pink and blue neon signs, orange sodium streetlights, green dashboard glow. Sigel underexposed deliberately, letting neon become the dominant light and faces fall into partial shadow.
Recipes
Neon Night Drive
Pink and blue neon reflecting off the car, deep shadows, electric color
Film SimulationClassic Chrome
GrainWeak/Large
Color ChromeStrong
CC FX BlueStrong
White BalanceFluorescent 2
WB ShiftR+2 / B+2
Dynamic RangeDR200
Highlight-1
Shadow+2
Color+1
Sharpness+0
Noise Reduction-3
Clarity+0
ISOISO 1600-3200
Golden L.A.
Overexposed daytime California, soft and sun-bleached
Film SimulationNostalgic Neg
GrainWeak/Small
Color ChromeOff
CC FX BlueOff
White BalanceDaylight
WB ShiftR+2 / B-1
Dynamic RangeDR400
Highlight+2
Shadow-1
Color-1
Sharpness-1
Noise Reduction-1
Clarity-1
ISOISO 200-400
Elevator
Warm tungsten interior cutting to cold fluorescent — the tonal shift