A great meeting in Chicago

[Jay A. Kelley]

First, let me say I hate long drives. I need some serious motivation to take them (One of my main reasons for leaving LA).


So you can imagine my feelings when Tom Fletcher announced he wanted to have a "RED Owners meeting" at Fletcher's in Chicago (5 hour drive for me).

I pissed and moaned to myself, told myself all the other things I could be doing with my time... And all the while, I was packing to leave! :mad2:

Well, no matter how long or hard that round trip drive was I can say I would have gone twice as far for all I got out of that meeting.

There were about 20 or so of us there. A RED owner and one guest was allowed. So Tom had set up one of his REDs with the new MX sensor, and a circle of chairs with our respective camera number on it (I felt old).

Then the conversation started, it was an open format, and we all were able to discuss anything we wanted (With one exception, which we all agreed too). It was fantastic, and I got the chance to meet some new people, and reconnect with old "forum friends".

I also got a people coming up and saying "hey man! I feel like I know you, I've been watching you for three hours on the DVD!". And to make matters even better, no one pinned me down and demanded their money back! That's always nice. :blush:

Tom really deserves a lot of credit for putting together something so intimate. Without a lot of people there, we got the chance to have some serious and meaningful discussions. Tom put a lot of effort into a very small meeting, but it had a serious punch. It was also the first time I had a real opportunity to get to know him. He's a very honest and stand up guy. If you are in Chicago, and need equipment for rental, I strongly suggest you look him up.

I am a RED fan boy. But not of the camera. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my camera (even more now). But it's the RED COMMUNITY that has changed my life. I have learned more, experienced more, and become with more friends on here than any other time in my life. One time 2 years ago before NAB, I told people I had a hearing loss, and to be sure to come up to me and say "hello".. You would not believe how many people I met because of that.

I want to tell you all about the great people I met at the meeting, there were so many, but I'm not going to start with names, cause I'll miss someone and that always makes me feel bad. Just know that I REALLY enjoyed speaking with everyone there (Even though I tend to talk a lot!).

We all agreed after the meeting to see each other after NAB. And I for one and looking forward to it. :driving:

Jay Kelley
RED #327

 

[Lawrence Daufenbach]

Midwest Red Owners

Midwest Red Owners

Jay your drive was much appreciated! It was great to finally meet you in person after learning much from your forum postings. It was really great getting to know the other RED owners in the Midwest as well. We are in exciting times and RED has changed the lives of many filmmakers alike. They're keeping us on our toes, and its all very exciting! It is great of Fletcher to organize the meeting! I am a smaller rental house but I would love to continually get together with other RED owners and am hoping we can get some meetings going weekly to stay on top of the masses amounts of discussion going on daily on the forums. It'd be great to have a weekly meeting for those who can make it where we can discuss the best discussion from the week on the forum and possibly post our results. As soon as my new space in the West Loop is up and running I'd love to get that going. Then we can have some large quarterly or annually meetings at Fletcher. Either way the more we can meet, the more we can discuss, and the more we will grow!

If your in the Midwest and in need of a RED, check out our site, we can ship anywhere! Visit www.daufenbachcamera.com for more!

 

[Jon B.]

Hey Jay,

Thanks for taking the time to drive here. I loved viewing the smooth MX footage and getting the opportunity to meet with everyone.

Tom is great at bringing people together and I always look forward to workshops or meetings he provides for the community. Not to mention, he fed all of us. What a terrific gesture to all.

I told you I'd send you a message but here you go!.. and thanks for the DVD.

 

[Tom Fletcher]

Midwest Red Owners

Midwest Red Owners

Thanks for the kind words, but you guys made the event by showing up and sharing. I agreethis was a very successful launch of a Midwest Red Owner/User group.

Everyone participated.
Everyone learned from one another.
Everyone had a good time.

A special thank you to David Mullen, ASC for allowing us to screen your test footage from the "Ride Along" test.

I look forward to the next gathering to review NAB. Maybe we can use Lawrence's new facility in the West Loop.

Below are some photos from the evening.

Tom

http://www.fletch.com/rentalred.html

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4842208&
id=56170259466


http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4842208&
id=56170259466

 

[Tom Fletcher]

Sorry, I told you guys I am not active with this Reduser.net stuff and certainly not used to posting. So here is my second try at posting the photos.

Tom
www.fletch.com

 

[christopher witzke]

well damn... I didn't see the happening... would have loved to have driven 4.5 hours to be there. bummer.