Originally Posted by
Jon Sagud
I am enjoying my down time and beginning to realize the benefits in having time now to do the things that bring me the most pleasure, and spending more time on reduser has been one of those added bonuses. I am an outsider now with the unique advantage of an insider's view. Here is my take on Jim's announcement:
RED's not trying to be anyone else, not Apple, not Arri, not anybody. RED is RED. This is a company evolving and adopting a philosophy that is sound business, nothing more. The transparency in the beginning was industry shaking; the whole forum concept, revolutionary for any company in our industry. It has been copied and attempts have been made to emulate the model, but no one does it as well as Jim. It is undeniable that it was brilliant marketing, creating excitement for product that didn't even exist; it created a brand and a buzz that any company in the world would die for. All without a penny spent on advertising or promotion. There was the practical side to it; create an exchange of ideas between manufacturer and customer that could only make the product better, reflecting the needs of the user. The ultimate products made by users for users. But there was more to it than just that. It was personal. It was the telegraphed excitement from a man that was a user, just like all of you, that stood on the precipice of knowing what was in the works, technology and product that would change the world. Jim is like a kid in that way, so excited to share what he knew that he couldn't help himself from giving the world a peak into his crystal ball. Jim, often times, was the hardest one to keep a secret. He wants to share his excitement with you, his passion for the ultimate camera trumped by no one.
I think that it's a mistake for anyone to view this announcement in the context of a change in that transparency. There will be no fewer RECON posts. Every notion, every thought that Jim has, will continue to be expressed. Feedback is the cornerstone of RED's model and will always be encouraged and nurtured. Don't expect any fewer exchanges on what RED is thinking about or tossing around; it's your dialog that fosters the greatness in this company. The exchange has been, and will always be, critical to the product that is developed and brought to market. I heartily expect the discussion to be more, not less. And if I know Jim, it's going to be the hardest thing in the world for him not to leak a tease here and there :)
What will be different is that the expectation of new product, which puts RED in the constant state of defense, will be minimized. No one likes to disappoint. The complexities of bringing revolutionary technology to the world at affordable prices is a formidable task. No success can be achieved without failure. Contrary to popular belief, Jim and Jarred are not aliens. They are flesh and blood humans, and they, along with the RED Team, work day and night to make this miracle that is RED happen. Taking the pressure off of this great company to pull rabbits out of a hat will make the company stronger. Product will be ready when its ready. No disappointments.
For anyone concerned that not knowing the roadmap will force them elsewhere, I say this: There is good product everywhere and there are a variety of tools out there for many applications, but there is no other company that you can hang your hat on that will have your back and stay as true to you, the customer, as RED. Buying RED is buying into a family, it is buying into protection from having to buy a new camera for every generation of advance. And most importantly, it is buying into a legacy, cameras designed by persons passionate about the art of cinematography and photography. Those persons reside at the studio in Hollywood, the manufacturing site in Irvine and on the pages of this forum.
