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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Is the Scarlet good for...?

Where are you located, McKay? Maybe you could find a mentor in your area to help you learnt the gear and the editing workflow.
 
I've been in the same position. I won a film contest when I was 24, new to Los Angeles and just starting out. $25,000 right into my bank account. Here's how I spent it:

I put 20% aside for taxes right off the bat.

Bought a camera package. HVX200, P2 cards, cases, tripod, extra batteries, etc. (2006 was a simpler time, so I think I spend $10,000 or so).

Bought some lighting gear (used Mole Richardsons; 2 650w tweenies, 2 200w midgets, stands, sand)

Bought some sound gear (sennheisser mic, boom, xlr, mount, windscreen)

Bought an editing station (mac pro, 2 monitors, final cut pro [actually paid for it once in my life], accessories)

Put the rest of the money away, and just put it toward my Scarlet (5 years later).

I started shooting, editing, learning as much as I could. Worked for free, charged when I could. Slowly built a reputation. I've been working for myself ever since. Now I'm directing for TV, commercials, and the web.

My advice might be to spread that money around. As nice as it would be to have a top of the line camera, make sure you have everything else you need to make videos/movies/whatever. Solid lighting, sound, and editing gear has done just as much (or more) for me as a great camera would. Buy gear that will last. I'm still using and making money off my original investment. Making money back will be less important at your age, but learning and owning quality gear will be a great foundation.

Congrats and good luck!
 
McKay Olson said:
...an aspiring sixteen year old filmmaker? I have recently won a contest for $25,000 for film equipment. Is the Scarlet for me, though? Do I even have the brains to manage a camera like this? I've only worked with DSLRs, and this camera seems awesome. However, I realize that the people buying this camera are professionals, people not like me. Should I get it? Thanks for any help!
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Here is my solution. Take that 25k and put it into a trust fund/Bank if you can. Then enroll in a community college or even a summer program and take Television/Film classes. You can rent out the equipment for free if you are a student usually. Once you understand what you want to become invest into that. Also software is cheaper as a student and so are computers :) If you stash 25k for 3 years at 4% you can have 28k. Im just saying dont blow all your marbles on something unless you are sure its what you want to invest in. P.S. The Scarlet is an awesome camera but you might be able to get away with using an ex1 or a AF-100...maybe you can pick up a used one.
 
Wow! So much great advice on this thread! I say do it MCKay. Sign up for the very next Reducation Class. That program alone will give you not only hands on with Red Tech. But should dispell any concerns you may have in regards to learning red craft. The curriculum should also help you with choosing the right components for as you move in to a very exciting part of your life.

If I had my time again, I wouldnt hesitate for a split second.
 
My two cents.

Spend around $6-7K on an ENG camera like the Sony PMW-EX1R, FS100, or Canon XF305.
$1-3K on a Video DSLR (60D, 7D, or 5DmkII) as a B-Cam and for visual variety.
$2K on a variety of lenses for your DSLR of choice.
$4K on video accesories (Tripods, audio recorder, mics, filters, light sources, c-stands, bounces, gels
$4K on a DOPE PC for editing. (assuming you already have the software you need to edit, etc.)

That'll come out on the top end at around $20K. Giving you an additional $5K towards PRODUCTION VALUE! (The most often overlooked aspect of many productions.)

Compare that to the $20K it'll cost you for a fully set up Scarlet and likely the other $5K will go towards a beefy PC and storage for all your footage.

You need to measure you're priorities.
Do you want to make your videos "future proof" and high enough quality to blow up to 35mm film and screen in theaters?
Or are you interested in being able to practice, learn, and perfect your film making on a broad range of equipment with the ability to experiment with a variety of visual styles?

Being as you're 16, my guess is that the second scenario is more suitable for you.
 
Barry Bishop said:
Im just saying dont blow all your marbles on something unless you are sure its what you want to invest in. P.S. The Scarlet is an awesome camera but you might be able to get away with using an ex1 or a AF-100...maybe you can pick up a used one.
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Agree with this completely!
 
Barry Bishop said:
Here is my solution. Take that 25k and put it into a trust fund/Bank if you can. Then enroll in a community college or even a summer program and take Television/Film classes. You can rent out the equipment for free if you are a student usually. Once you understand what you want to become invest into that. Also software is cheaper as a student and so are computers :) If you stash 25k for 3 years at 4% you can have 28k. Im just saying dont blow all your marbles on something unless you are sure its what you want to invest in. P.S. The Scarlet is an awesome camera but you might be able to get away with using an ex1 or a AF-100...maybe you can pick up a used one.
Click to expand...


don't forget that said Community College may very well have Red One's on hand for student films as well.
 
McKay Olson said:
I'm just saying that I might not have enough experience to operate a cinema-grade camera like the Scarlet.
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It's not a space ship.
The chance is here.
 
McKAy,

experience will come automatically, don't even bother.
Scarlet would have been my dream at age 16, for you it's reality!
 
Like others have said, it depends what else you have at your disposal.

If I didn't really have much..... I'd rather grab a couple of hacked GH2s and all the right kit to make something really polished, that would enable me to hone my talents.... good audio, mics, tripods, dolly, jib, lights, edit station, matte box, follow focus etc etc... any spare would then go on glass.

If you already have access to such things, then $25k should get you a good working Scarlet setup. You wont get better bang for buck if all you need is a camera.
 
First off, where were these $25k contests when I was a kid?!

Secondly, No use for a Scarlet if you don't have the right equipment to color and edit Scarlet files. Also no use for it if you don't have the lens for it or understand how to take advantage of it to the fullest. It's like buying an expensive performance sports vehicle and never taking it to the track, or even know where the track is.

25k can go a long way, no need to blow it all on one camera and a few accessories when you can use it to buy a cheaper camera more suited to your use and have enough left over for very nice lighting equipment along with lenses, audio, rig, jib, dolly, computer and more. Just tossing my opinion.

EDIT: Looks like a lot of this has been said. Second opinion, buy a Flip cam and travel the world.
 
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Depends, a lot to consider.

I wish you the best of luck for I was once in your shoes. Cameras come and go, Scarlet could be a great investment, but is it your best option? You can figure this camera out despite its difficulties, your young and by the time your 20 you could probably school me if you work hard enough.

But if you somehow budget your first feature for $20K, save $5K as a safety net that's the route I'd go. Spend your energy on a good story, killer crew and talent. Camera should be the last of your worries.

Do you wanna tell a story or obsess over a camera?

Do you wanna make movies or do commercial work?

Do you want to Direct or DP?
 
I'll agree with Bannister. Take the next Reducation and get your hands on the tools and a bit of experience.
That will give you the answers you need and maybe more questions about where you plan to go with your gifts.
You should still have enough left for a basic kit.
 
If you can make it through a project on a DSLR, you are over qualified for Scarlet, lol. Congrats, and good luck.

I am more than willing to give advice on what to buy, what to plan for post, and whatever. Direct message me if you want, but there is all the good advice you need here too!

I just landed a business loan for $25k for Scarlet. So you have my professional resentment! lol. Glad to share my list of where I spent $25k and why.
 
Buy insurance. Seriously. If you go for a Scarlet or any such camera, do not forget about that. Many do.
 
Give them to me and I'll let you borrow my Scarlet-X once in a while :D
Congratulations! Just make sure you spend them on something you won't regrett.
 
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