Instead of using the brightness/contrast, I instead like to use RGB Curves.
This allows you to make a custom contrast setting but also to take away or add more RGB to your footage per color channel. I would order my effects the following:
Exposure (if needed)
Sharpen (not a lot just like 15 points or less)
RGB Curves
Color/Saturation (or tint depending on if you want a nice desaturation)
If you want deep shadows but not to affect the color channels, I also use this method I came up with:
Duplicate the footage, on top layer, add tint then curves. Leave the tint B&W, crush the blacks a bit, then set blending mode to darken or multiply and change opacity to your liking. You can then add the previous mentioned workflow to your original footage for stronger colors etc.
Just my 2 cents.
Best,
Derek Boettcher
Creative Management
BTH Media Group
http://bthmedia.com