RED #8 testing team & some details

[Steve Gibby]

L.A. REDTest team roster & updated info

L.A. REDTest team roster & updated info

L.A. REDTest team roster and updated info

(Last name alphabetical listing, with RED User posting names in parentheses for those that use a handle other than their actual name)

Andrew Benz, Al Cheng (“Opcode”), Chuck Colburn, Ken Corben (“Sharkguy”), Daren Findling (“Finner”), Steve Gibby, Evin Grant, Casey Green, Gavin Greenwalt (“im.thatoneguy”), Haakon, Jeff Kilgroe, David Mullen ASC, Alexander Nikishin, Ralph Oshiro, Charles Papert SOC, Blair Paulsen, Billy Summers, Steve Tammi, Matt Uhry, Brook Willard, and a confidential (for now) technology expert from the studio we’re testing at.

Steve Gibby and Ken Corben are now co-producing L.A. REDTest. Evin Grant is directing the testing. We now have four cameras to test, and we’ll have a great array of camera setups to test, incorporating many different lenses and accessories.

Also, with four cameras to test, we plan to divide the roster into four teams, each with a designated Team Leader. Each team will have tests and setups that are drawn from the testing suggestion lists of the overall team roster, key guidance suggestions by Team Leaders, and usable (within the 2 day timeframe) suggestions from the RED User board. We’re excited to have added the new VXF/green screen testing team, consisting of Jeff Kilgroe, Al Cheng, and Gavin Greenwalt. They will undoubtedly seek additional input from other associated VFX/green screen specialists before and after the two days of actual testing.

As of now, the four Team Leaders will be: David Mullen ASC, Evin Grant, Charles Papert SOC, and the confidential tech expert from the studio we’re testing at. Matt Uhry will function as a floating Assistant Team Leader, directly helping each of the four Team Leaders as needed. Jeff Kilgroe will function as the Team Leader for the VFX/green screen team.

We have a really balanced team roster! A partial list of team members skill sets and experience areas includes: producing, directing, editing, CGI, VFX/green screen, lens technology, AC, AD, documentarian, DP, DIT, photography, cinematography, videography, video relay, technical director, specialty cinematography (water, aerials, POV, stabilizer, jib), data management, and many more. In broad media industry terms, we have highly-experienced members encompassing cine-style, EFP style, photography, and technology.

It has been really exciting bringing all these professionals together for L.A. REDTest! Each one of them has expressed their happiness and willingness to donate their time and talents for the team effort. I’m deeply impressed by their commitment to their crafts and their search for answers about RED One. The production of a feature or television program is always a team effort – or should be if it is to run smoothly. These guys are obviously used to professional teamwork and ready to team up for the L.A REDTest project.

I’ll post more updates as we get closer to the testing days.

Gonna be fun!

 

[Alexander Nikishin]

Looks like a great team, can't wait to meet everyone and get to work!

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Looks like a great team, can't wait to meet everyone and get to work!

I'll second that.

I guess I'd better start putting together a list of shots, tasks, and anything else I can think of to cram into two days of testing.

 

[Gunleik Groven]

Jeez.

3-2-1-0

Let the party begin!

Cheers guys. looks great.

Gunleik

 

[Albert Cheng]

Jeff, Gavin, I sent you guys a PM with my contact information. Looking forward to talking to you both.

 

[kunal2]

Hi Gibby,will it be possible to do a green/blue screen test
thanks

Those who have been following various threads on RED User the past few months know I've organized a team for independent testing of RED #8 in Los Angeles the Los Angeles area immediately after I receive the camera. More info will be released as we get closer to the delivery of #8, which is now scheduled for August 30. As Jim Jannard noted, that delivery date could still change. The point is, #8 will be tested immediately after delivery of the camera. Here is some info on the testing of #8:

Overview
We'll test both cine-style and EFP style setups, scores of lenses, accessories, etc. Impressions and results will be posted on RED User, HD for Indies, and some magazine articles I'll write. Various news outlets have requested information about the testing, and interviews with the testing team members. I’ll have unlimited time to work with the camera system after the testing sessions, so I will personally take a mostly hands off position in the testing, and rather let the team do their thing. I’ll shoot DSLR stills of the team at work, and I am producing the testing. The tests will not be a shootoff against other camera systems, but rather real world shooting and testing of a production RED One camera system with as many setups and lighting conditions as we can fit into 2 days, then a technical analysis of the results.

Team
Evin Grant has accepted my invitation to direct the testing. The team is highly experienced and diverse in their backgrounds. As of now, the team members who have accepted invitations are: Me, Evin Grant, David Mullen ASC, Charles Papert SOC, Matt Uhry, Ken Corben, Haakon, Brook Willard, Alexander Nikishin, Ralph Oshiro, Daren Findling, and Jeff Kilgroe. There will also be an ace FX guy and a veteran camera technology guy, both of which will remain un-named until after the testing sessions when the results are published. I'm excited about the skill set and experience composition of the team - cine, EFP, still photo, editors, FX, camera technology, specialty cinematographers, etc. Nobody is being paid for their time spent testing – they’re donating their time, something I deeply appreciate. It’s hard matching team member’s work schedules against the testing days, so it may happen that some of the team members won’t be able to attend both days, or attend at all. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. We’ll have a list of reserve testers we can call on as replacements, should a team member be unable to attend. If initial team members have to drop out for scheduled work, reserve list members will fill their team places.

Facility
For equipment security and crowd control purposes, the location of the testing facility will be kept secret until after the testing, when the results are published on RED User and elsewhere. The testing facility will be identified in the posted and published results of the testing. A great Los Angeles area production/post production company has donated their facility for the 2 days of testing - very cool, and very appreciated. The testing team members have yet to be told where the facility is located. Before they are told the location, they will be placed under a non-disclosure agreement. Please don’t pester them for information. They will not be free to give you any info about the testing facility or its location.

Testing Parameters
More info will be released as we get closer to the testing dates. In advance of the testing, I'm having each team member submit their Wish List for parameters, setups, lenses, and accessories to test on the camera. We’ll accommodate as many of those suggestions as possible within the testing time constraints. Me and Evin will be approaching this testing the same as when we individually produce motion media projects – an organized testing schedule analogous to the shooting schedules used on the set or in the field. That way we’ll have a good chance of getting through all the testing and analysis we have on the testing schedule. Testing team members will be asked to use all their varied skill sets, to be unbiased, analytical, and objective - while also paying close attention to aesthetics and artistry.


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Summary
Nobody has asked me to organize the testing of RED #8. It was completely my own idea, and I’m donating my camera and time as I produce the testing sessions. As a purchaser of two RED One camera systems, I’m obviously curious about the hands-on results, strengths, and limitations of the system. Though I’m well qualified to test the camera myself, I feel that there is no better way to quickly answer my questions about the camera than to assemble a diverse and talented group of professionals, and then team test it. That way, the results should have a lot more dimension and depth than just myself testing out the camera. After deciding on a team testing of the camera system, the next logical thought that came to my mind, was this: Rather than horde the results and knowledge gained from the testing among the team alone, why not post it so that the rest of you who are hungry for real-world, hands-on feedback on RED One can share in the results. That was an easy decision for me. Anyone who has followed the development of RED One since it was first announced, should also know that I have continually stepped up to mentor, advise, and inform this board and others about the tech and business principles of the motion media industry, and specifically share what knowledge and insight I may have about RED and RED One. It’s been fun for me doing that and I’ve learned immensely from many of the rest of you. This testing is an extension of that symbiosis: I’m sharing this testing with you – and I’m sure you’ll be sharing your ideas and results over the coming months and years ahead with me. I’ve been very fortunate to get an early reservation number so I’m spreading the benefits around this board to all of you. If many of you were in my position, I seriously think you would do the same thing.


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Note: I'll be on location today shooting some television programming. Shortly after putting this thread up I have to head out for today's shooting. Later tonight I'll visit RED User and be happy to then answer any questions posted on this thread.

Cheers! :biggrin:

 

[Steve Gibby]

Hi Gibby,will it be possible to do a green/blue screen test
thanks

Yes, we have a VFX/green screen team as part of the testing team now. See my post earlier on this page for their names. The VFX/green screen team is already talking about their concepts for how/what they would like to shoot. We'll post more info on that as we get closer to the testing dates.

 

[Eugene]

Tonga anywhere near FL?

I know you are joking. You had better make friends with someone in New Zealand or Australia who has a big boat.

Eugene, how did the short look? Could you describe it please?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZT23V07w4Q
There was no digital noise, and the 24 frames per second was a good frame rate. It was the best movie about a Teddy Bear ever.

The second best teddy bear movie is the one below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTDuGaTRiJU

I didn't see Collateral, but getting some night shots of a cab in LA shouldn't cost you LA based guys much in travel expenses. It's a lot cheaper than going to Tonga.

 

[Casey Green]

Very much looking forward to meeting and working with all of you. This should be quite an interesting event!

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

Can't wait to meet everybody! I'm sure I'm going to be jealous of what every other team is doing including the one I'm on. Where's omniscience when you need it?

Good thing someone is shooting a doc so everyone will be able to see what everyone else was up to.

 

[Andrew Benz]

Can't wait to meet everybody! I'm sure I'm going to be jealous of what every other team is doing including the one I'm on. Where's omniscience when you need it?

Good thing someone is shooting a doc so everyone will be able to see what everyone else was up to.

Haha... looking forward to meeting you Gavin. I can't wait to see what you guys do... I am very lucky to get see everyone hard at work getting solid intel on our favorite subject.

 

[Alexander Nikishin]

The few, the proud, the Red LA Test Team. :biggrin:

 

[Jarred Land]

yes indeed. this will be very interesting.

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

Gibby -

This is starting to sound like WAY too much fun.

As my business partner Aldey & I were planning to fly to LA to pick up our cameras and take a few meetings - so ... if you are interested in adding RED #6 & #7 we are down -

just ping me off line -

 

[Cail Young]

As my business partner Aldey & I were planning to fly to LA to pick up our cameras and take a few meetings - so ... if you are interested in adding RED #6 & #7 we are down

Oh my. Three of the four horsemen of the REDpocaylpse... Where's #9?

 

[Ken Corben]

OK,

Somebody invite Spielberg to the LART already. With all this talent and the RED cameras we can shoot the Spielberg directed CGI live action short for RED NAB '08.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

OK, serious comment here... With all the cameras and people, and how the LART is growing, perhaps we should do a short. (??) Or at least plan shots, tests, and content accordingly. ...So that if by some chance everything falls into place, we could present all the various tests and their results in the form of a short film. ...Just throwing that out there.

Of course, I wouldn't want any focus on a short film take precedence over the testing.

 

[Ken Corben]

Jeff are you implying I'm not serious about inviting Spielberg to direct the LART short? You don't know me very well:clown2:

Good suggestion let's talk to Gibby about a pre-pro meeting to discuss the possibilities via webcam conference. I would offer that the LART results, data and feedback are very important to all those participating and the entire global RED community. Peter Jackson nailed it to say the least so the real world applications on the test agenda are rather valuable to us all. I would bet that given the talent and dynamics of the LART numerous great ideas and projects will emerge.

 

[Michael Hastings]

RE: underwater test and underwater housing

RE: underwater test and underwater housing

Went away from the forum for a few days.

All kidding aside, if I have a camera and lens in hand I can make a housing - not tweaked as nice as a final version but very functional - in 2 days (we have basic body tubes, endplates, wings, etc. premachined on the shelf). In other words if one of you early receivers can fedex me your camera on friday night for saturday delivery I could fedex it back out on Monday. Or delta dash would even be quicker.

Further, if we can convince the RED team to just ship me a body - which shouldn't be that hard once the physical design is mostly locked - I can make the housing in advance. As long as it has the lens mount, accurate button and mounting hole locations I don't need a working camera.

Billy, Jeff and Steve now that you mention it...

I was thinking of shooting the first underwater RED 4K 3D tests which will require two Redone cameras. Perhaps after the LA RED test in LA we can head to Tonga to shoot underwater 3D of humpback whales as a test with Mike Hastings and his custom housing? If only my wallet matched my imagination.

Imagine this on a RealD 3D screen:
http://www.naia.com.fj/tonga/whaleinfo.html

or we could go to South Africa and shoot this:

 

[Ken Corben]

From their cold dead hands...

From their cold dead hands...

In other words if one of you early receivers can fedex me your camera on friday night for saturday delivery I could fedex it back out on Monday. Or delta dash would even be quicker.

I know Mike and would do this in a heart beat if my res # was <50. It would be very cool to do an homage to the scene in 300 of the "witch" dream sequence. Green screen in my pool at night with HMI diffused surface lighting the requisite nude beauty in flowing silk with long hair - oh wait I digress from the point - this would be a fantastic add on to LART before or after and a great live action plate for the VFX team.