RED failed me again

[sander kamp]

Lewis, the whole 'you really need a second camera' has me thinking twice about everything. I just want to shoot movies, not commercials. I've learned to accept the workflow issues..but it's getting close to buy or bye time for me.

Build 16 is giving me hope, but physical build quality problems are giving me pause. Seems like I'll have to wire my jaw to stay in 'just' the right position in order to keep things from failing. (kidding). I simply won't have the money to buy 2 camera bodies. If not having 2 is considered poor pratice, then...don't know what I'm going to do.

We just shot a feature film here in Thailand with my RED #441. We shot up a mountain, in a helicopter, in a boat, handheld, dolly, crane, car rig, in the heat, in the rain, humidity, sunshine and so on. The camera had it's quirks - like hanging on the first start-up in the morning - but overall it behaved very reliable and predictable. And I think that's the case for most RED's out there.

The thing is, even with a very reliable camera, things can go wrong. It can fall, get wet, get lost or anything else, so it is good to have a back-up plan for when you need it. Maybe not in the form of a second body but perhaps in the form of a deal with some other RED owner or rental house.

 

[azadfilm-jami]

HI
COLLIN PROBLEM IS VERY SCARY. PRODUCERS KILL U. ACTORS LOOSE TEMPO, CREW HATES U, U LOOSE MONEY, U LOOSE MAGIC ON THE SET.
please like Panavision i think RED camera team should keep 10 or 15 camera ready to be delivered to any location around the globe if they want a proper place in Film production business i think.

im also scared of the RED CAMERA COMING THIS MONTH BUT I BELEIVE IN TEAMS AND I BELIVE IN RED BUT PLEASE RED GUYS ...SHOOT IS MAGIC. IF MAGIC GOES FROM THE SET - U CANT GET IT BAC. ITS A MOMENT. WE EARN FROM MOMENTS F MAGIC . PLEASE PLEASE DO SOMETHING.

 

[Joe Carney]

I agree. I shoot movies too. Not commercials. I have money, but not moneeeeey! Although I'm in full swing with Red, and certainly won't reconsider anything, otherwise we'd never do or jump into anything, I'm very interested in all this and the questions it brings. I'm more than confident in this product, and I am convinced this is an amazing camera. I am more conviced by the spirit, energy and faith than by the pros and cons. I think Jim is avisionary business man and trust his passion beyond the commercial or business spirit other companies develop for the sake of money and rentability, even though I am sure he doesn't do all that just for our cute smiles... One thing to keep in perspective, even if I feel less concerned about that, is that all of us are here and customers for very different reasons. I respect every facet or reasons people have to be in this adventure, whether it's for business or art. The challenge of making this camera is huge and exciting, and to be part of it makes me proud and hopeful. Yet, luck is a factor, or badluck for this matter, and as we say in french, a lot of us will "wipe the plaster off our shoulders"... But eventually, we will have freedom and quality that will transcend in our work. And that's priceless.

I have a solution, I'll fly to France and we can be each others backup.I love French cinema. I heard France is one of the great places to make a movie. I could visit the home of one of my ancestors. Of course, don't have the first clue as to how to get a work permit. hehehe. Would they believe a tourist with 30K USD of equipment? Oh I forgot, that's only 25 Euros anymore.

As you can see, if I didn't think Red was so phenominal, I wouldn't hang around here. With the growing squeeze on what movies do and don't get released, a professional high quality look is as important as a great script and great acting. It's the only way small independents can compete.

 

[Colin Hubick]

First off, thanks to everybody here that offered suggestions, and cameras to use in the meantime, it was appreciated.

The camera went down on Sunday, and today the replacement camera's arrived at my door. The Red team were in touch with me in about an hour, and started the process of getting us up and running again. Unfortunately a string of circumstances made delivery of the cameras slower than normal. But nothing Red had any control over.

#1790 is on it's way back to RED to be looked at, and re-certified. It is a real bummer when these type of problems come up, and are extremely difficult to explain to a client. It will be great when I can have the confidence in the camera that other users have.

kudos to RED for tremendous user support.

Colin