ALERT: Red Cameras & Access. Stolen in Boston

[Peter Majtan]

PS: Brent - if I had a RED-SDK (not the R3D-SDK), I would happily write the code myself - including the SW to generate the RED-Key SD cards...

In case You guys are flat-out... :innocent:

Peter

 

[Peter Majtan]

Very interesting Peter. My guess is you will get some resistance based on people being paranoid. They will be nervous about number of boots, especially if that camera has any of the boot issues that have been known to happen.

This is precisely why there is the option to ACTIVATE / DEACTIVATE the RED-Key functionality - hence the first boot question whether it is (user) activated. When not activated and no RED-Key SD card in the camera - the camera will just work "as usual", albeit unprotected... :devil:

But I think your overall concept is good, and I do think anything that can be done to deter theft without potentially hurting the honest clients is a good thing.

I remember way back in the days when I did valet parking, there was a pro athlete who used to come in with a Viper and it had a special key that looked like a mini credit card. That had to be inserted for the car to start. He told me once that if I lost the card, he'd have to take me out back and kick my ass. I never did lose the card.

Thanks. I hope RED makes this happen...

Peter

 

[Peter Majtan]

Also - if the camera is on rental and the # of boots is getting close to comfort level (due to failed boots or what ever...) - the # of boots could be reset with the RED-Key SD card in the camera via the added security submenu. If the camera is going on a remote location (without easy access to the owner), the owner could issue a "temporary emergency RED-Key SD card" that can be used X number of times (owner programmable) to reset the # of boots...

Peter

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Also - if the camera is on rental and the # of boots is getting close to comfort level (due to failed boots or what ever...) - the # of boots could be reset with the RED-Key SD card in the camera via the added security submenu. If the camera is going on a remote location (without easy access to the owner), the owner could issue a "temporary emergency RED-Key SD card" that can be used X number of times (owner programmable) to reset the # of boots...

Peter

So, let's say I rent the camera to a new client who checks out okay but I want to protect myself just in case. They are going to be shooting in the Arctic. I provide the client with an SD card that I program to allow the client to reset the # of boots 3 times. I have to hope that three things happen.

1. They don't lose the SD card.
2. They don't surpass the amount of resets
3. They don't get annoyed by the whole process.

Here are my arguments in your favor Peter.

1. If you lose the the battery plate (cradle, belt pack, etc) and that's your only source of power, the camera won't start either. So, crew needs to be responsible for making sure they don't lose it.

2. I suppose extreme conditions could affect the # of boots or a whole number of reasons for why the camera might be rebooted often. I guess you go with a number you feel comfortable with.

3. If they are getting great images, I'll deal with them being a little annoyed. Hopefully the quality they are getting outweighs the inconvenience of this protection device.

Now the reasons against.

1. The card is small, could easily be misplaced. If the client is stuck out in the middle of nowhere and they happen to lose it, and the camera won't start, uh oh, very unhappy client. And the client is always right.

2. It could be tricky coming up with the right number of resets/boot cycles to allow. But I suppose experience will dictate this.

3. We want happy clients.

Overall, I think you have offered an intriguing solution. I would like to see a poll for this type of approach. I'm also curious about how the guys at Red feel about this.

 

[Peter Majtan]

Thanks Steve - great and valid feedback. I think that for the particular situation You have described - the owner could just DISABLE the RED-Key all together against a $17.5K security deposit (or any other amount decided by the owner). This would apply to all "paranoid" clients... :devil:

I would like to see a poll for this type of approach. I'm also curious about how the guys at Red feel about this.

You took those words out of my mouth...

After I see any feedback from RED I will set up the POLL myself - or anyone else feel free to do so...

Peter

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Thanks Steve - great and valid feedback. I think that for the particular situation You have described - the owner could just DISABLE the RED-Key all together against a $17.5K security deposit (or any other amount decided by the owner). This would apply to all "paranoid" clients... :devil:



You took those words out of my mouth...

After I see any feedback from RED I will set up the POLL myself - or anyone else feel free to do so...

Peter

Yes, I think the deposit is safest for the situation I described. But perhaps for those jobs that are more commonplace, your method works well. It's actually a very intriguing scenario for someone like me who doesn't rent out the camera without being on the set in some capacity. I actually would like this feature a lot because I would always have full control over it. For example, if I am out shooting something I could have it setup so that the camera is protected and if someone were to steal it from my car or whatever, it would only do them so well for a short period of time.

How robust would the protection be? In other words, if the thieves are savvy enough and know their way around all things computer related, would it be possible to deactivate this with a little know-how? Or could it be built in a way that is relatively bullet-proof?

 

[Peter Majtan]

Yes, I think the deposit is safest for the situation I described. But perhaps for those jobs that are more commonplace, your method works well. It's actually a very intriguing scenario for someone like me who doesn't rent out the camera without being on the set in some capacity. I actually would like this feature a lot because I would always have full control over it. For example, if I am out shooting something I could have it setup so that the camera is protected and if someone were to steal it from my car or whatever, it would only do them so well for a short period of time.

How robust would the protection be? In other words, if the thieves are savvy enough and know their way around all things computer related, would it be possible to deactivate this with a little know-how? Or could it be built in a way that is relatively bullet-proof?

Leo made a valid point on the other RED-THEFT thread - we have hijacked this thread, albeit with good intentions. Lets move this to a dedicated thread along with the POLL...:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24399

Peter

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Leo made a valid point on the other RED-THEFT thread - we have hijacked this thread, albeit with good intentions. Lets move this to a dedicated thread along with the POLL...:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24399

Peter

Good point, I kind of hijacked my own thread. I think it is wise to move this conversation elsewhere and let Film Star and Boston Camera update this with any pertinent information that might help the case.

 

[Peter Majtan]

Also - I have already asked the mods to move all the RED-Key (and other security suggestions) from this thread to the new one, in order to keep this one "clean" for follow-up on this particular theft...

Thanks MODS and sorry about the extra work...

Peter

 

[Billy Mead]

I appreciate beyond words reading your compassion.

I wanted to first thank Steve, Joe and the others that wasted no time in posting the details of the incident the minute word was out that we and Boston Camera had been hit. I was on the first day of my Christmas vacation at Disney with my family and had to make the decision to stay or return home. Of course there was nothing I could do if I had returned home so I decided to stay put. But this is the one time of the year I leave the computer at home or I would have posted sooner.

Can a theft be completely prevented? Or are incidents like this all part of the ebb and flow of life, lessons to be learnt, experiences gained? A little about us…

Film Star Rentals was a new start-up as of this last year that I founded out of a passion of filmmaking and a desire to return to where I left off many years ago. I got my start in the late 80’s down in Orlando when production was really starting to ramp up with the new studios that were being built at the time. But careers changes, even if only for awhile.

In 2000 I founded an online printing company that grew to be a decent size company that ranked in the top 400 worldwide. When I sold out my majority stake in 2007 I did a lot of soul searching and an analysis of the New England area to see if there was an opportunity to get back involved but also give back the many, many blessings I have been the recipient of over the years. At 41, I took a summer internship at a local production company, answering the phones and taking out the trash. Best summer I’ve had in years. While Film Star was never envisioned as a charity, I really did want to make accessible top-quality gear to independents and producers that needed it the most. I think we hit a nerve as from day one, the phones rang. And then we got a call last week.

The caller identified himself as Rachel Robinson from B&H Films in New York. They were shooting a spot in Boston for T-Mobile and he had a list from his DP to reserve. He emailed the list over and I provided a quote. We went back and forth and he actually removed a few items saying budget was a concern. He was very knowledgeable and pleasant. The required insurance was provided, the equipment was paid in advance and nothing stood out or seemed out of the ordinary. And I’m not defending that to anyone.

While we do not have anywhere near the experience that Rule/Boston Camera has, we have never been targeted like this and would never think to question a producer to the extent of asking for an agency referral. And that’s not going to change for me as 99.99% of the people in the world are not thieves and do not deserve to be treated as such. I have a hundred ‘would have/should have’ questions floating around in my head right now but I’m not going to take any blame or feel ANY negligence. I cannot believe that some people can sit in glass houses and question the fact that thefts happen every day, thousands of times, and are of no fault to the victims. I pray you do not find yourself in the same situation, feeling you have to defend your actions to your peers? I for one will not throw stones, you have my empathy in advance.

We have been advised since day one that releasing all information might hurt more than it can help and I’d be devastated if inaccurate or damaging information was released. No one got hurt and I thank God repeatedly for that. This is about nuts and bolts after all… really fucking cool (and expensive) nuts and bolts but in the end just a piece of cold metal with no heart, no soul and no feelings.

This hurts us… A lot. $125,000 in gear gone and the possibility insurance might not cover it because it’s ‘intentional fraud’. We were building our entire business model exclusively around the RED camera and it’s workflow. Film Star, along with the other companies here in Boston embrace the system and it’s possibilities and are trying to make the equipment available at an affordable price so one day everyone can put this bleeding-edge technology to work for their projects.

What will come of this is unknown but the discussions of security systems are very encouraging. Film Star will find a way to survive and I’ll get another camera here by the end of the month, no matter what it takes. And I really hope no one takes our reply out of context or hears any whining. I for one had an unforgettable Christmas watching my three year old little girl dance in the Magic Castle and talk face-to-face with Cinderella. I hope yours was as special.

Respectfully,
Billy

 

[ericyoung]

Great post Billy. No need to explain yourself, but thanks for elaborating. Sincerely hope the insurance doesn't weasel out of paying up. Good luck catching the thieves and recovering your equipment.

And best wishes for a successful 2009!

 

[Billy Mead]

Thank you Eric.

On a positive note we purchased two new complete RED Systems today and will be back very, very shortly with a new lower rate.

Base system will start at $400.00 with:

Red One Camera Body - PL lens Mount
Red CF Module
Red 8GB Compact Flash Card
EVF - Electronic View Finder, 5" arm, 2' cable
Focus Hook
AC Adapter
Body Cap
Case

Available well outfitted for $550-575.00. Mid week daily rate will be $375.00. We want start breaking down the price and allow as many people as possible to get time behind these incredible cameras. We're building our business model for independents around them.

Billy

 

[ericyoung]

Gotta say those rental rates sound too low - but appreciate you want it to be affordable to more people. Just make sure you make a reasonable profit. Everyone has to make a living too!

 

[David Wyatt]

I just posted the following link in the other stolen Red thread (there's beginning to be too many to keep up...maybe we need a separate sticky or even a forum?) - basically it's a subscription-free GPS tracker that you could conceal in your case and it's currently showing at CES (if anyone's down that way maybe they could find out details & pricing etc):

http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/xact-trax-personal-tracking-device-requires-no-monthly-subscri/

Just imagine being able to catch someone red-handed with your camera (you'd have at least a good 10 minutes before the cops turned up :devil

p.s. I wonder if something like this might make your insurance slightly cheaper too (although the main motivation is still catching someone red-handed :wink?

 

[Billy Mead]

Yes Eric, on the surface it seems low but as a long term investment in getting the technology and work flow in the hands of the masses, I hope it pays off, even if it’s in different ways. We have to get people shooting here with the camera so it becomes more and more widespread. And so it has to be extremely affordable if it’s just going out on tests or personal shoots for ones reel. And if it is a working shoot, producers can be more competitive and get awarded more jobs. Between lower prices, seminars, contests and just general awareness we’d like to see the RED Cameras surpass our other camera rentals by summer.

And we always see lenses, lights, usually grip go out as well on the same ticket.
Billy

 

[Curran Giddens]

We have to get people shooting here with the camera so it becomes more and more widespread.

Don't forget the 25% film tax-credit for any production over $50k that spends 50% or more of their budget in Mass. Everyone should be coming here to shoot....

 

[Billy Mead]

In addition to the 25% film tax-credit, a 4 stage complex is in the development phase for South Boston, 3 miles from the airport, 5-star hotels & dining. The first stage, which is an existing space, will be available in March and the ground-up complex is now being fast-tracked for late 2009. Boston Studios will feature purpose-built stages, large scale rentals (10-ton trucks, camera cars), on-site set construction & storage, star transportation, screening theaters, post-production, retail…. This is not the proposed Plymouth Studios 40 miles south of the city but a private developer that has the funding in place now. (it’s actually across the street from my condo in Southie!).

It’s a very exciting time for Boston/New England and we grateful for the opportunity to be involved. Everyone will benefit tremendously from this and the other projects in the works

Regards,
Billy

 

[Andy Dunn]

Stolen Camera Returned!

Stolen Camera Returned!

Stolen 1746 returns to Boston!

Ok, hard to believe, but it is true (at least in part). The other day, a person walked into RED having just bought a camera from a person in Brooklyn, serial# 1746. Apparently they wanted RED to look it over and transfer the registration. Chad and Justin (thanks guys!) immediately called me up to confirm that it was not my intention to sell this camera.

Police were called in and I asked them to leave the camera with RED unless they needed it as evidence (the whole time crossing my fingers that they would agree to leave it). They did and RED shipped it back to me. Needless to say, the camera is very happy to be home with its two brothers (no I have not named them).

Unfortunately, the only thing brought in to RED and sent back to me was the body (with CF unit) and Element Technica breakout box but that is a big help. Hopefully more parts will find their way to their birth place and get a chance to reunite with the camera.

So a huge thank you to Chad, Justin and the rest of the RED team (you know who you are!) Great doing business with you.

 

[Dave Weber]

Nice. Congrats! :beer:

 

[Rick Darge]

That's awesome news man! Not so awesome for the guy who spent all that money on a hot camera but great to hear it made its way back to you. If it was a Sony, you would have never seen it again. Red, lets get those lowjacks installed in our Epic/Scarlets!