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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 :)

Am i being unreasonable?

Y

Yean Loon

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I got an email in August stating that my RPPs were close to shipping. Wired the money within two weeks.

Before that, i had an offer for a feature in Dec '09. I thought to myself, i'm not going to commit to this feature unless i know i get the RPPs. So i rejected the production company.

When i got the email that my RPPs were close to shipping in August, i thought, "Hey, i can do this feature with the RPPs. Surely, they will reach me by latest Oct?!?!" So i called the producion company, and they were ready to hire me with my cam and the RPPs.

A few emails with Red later, i kept being told that they are fulfilling the orders as fast as they can. Without a mention of an ETA. Despite my every email asking for one. Now the production company is asking me for a camera test next Tuesday.......

I've been nothing but accomodating to Red. But seriously, i'm sick of being the nice guy. I realise that the people who hassle are the one who get their stuff. People who complain and kick up a fuss.

I feel i've been overlooked by many manufacturers because i don't complain. Whereas those that do get their stuff before me.

I'm #19 for Viewfactor's Inclino/Impero package. Yet Curt can post a message saying that he's shipping 20 units...and i'm overlooked.

I sent my Birger mount in for repairs cuz the bluetooth module died. They emailed me pretty fast saying that it's been repaired and asked me for a shipping address. I replied almost instantaneously. But after that....silence for a month. I thought to myself...the Widding's just had a baby, so i'll leave them alone and fork out the extra money for rental of PL lenses. But a a few emails to both Widdings went unreplied. Until i saw Erik posting on Reduser and i used Reduser to get him to contact me. They said, "Sorry, but we missed out on the email."

So now, am i being unreasonable for putting up this post?

sigh......sorry for the rant. But all these have added up to my uncharacteristic outburst.

yean
 
Hi Yean,

I understand your frustration, and believe me we want you to get your lenses as bad as you want them. The reason for your delay is answered by Brent here http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=34728&page=2

I can tell you that I just checked on your order, and you are very close to the top. In the next few shipments you should be getting your order. It is hard for our Bombsquad to give accurate estimates, as there are many steps that have to be done once the product hits our door.

If you have any other questions please feel free to email me (bfair-at-red-dot-com).

Thanks,
Brian
 
Yean Loon said:
I'm #19 for Viewfactor's Inclino/Impero package. Yet Curt can post a message saying that he's shipping 20 units...and i'm overlooked.
Click to expand...

You haven't been overlooked. I'm #20 and haven't received anything. Not even an email to confirm shipping address.
 
Dylan Macleod said:
ahmen.

It also seems a little strange being hired because of your lenses???
Click to expand...

i agree.. if they hire you for talent.. then it doesnt matter if you own lenses or a camera...

so its a strange situation to me?1?

I would just rent the RPP's for your camera test.. they are super cheap
 
Zakaree Sandberg said:
i agree.. if they hire you for talent.. then it doesnt matter if you own lenses or a camera...

so its a strange situation to me?1?

I would just rent the RPP's for your camera test.. they are super cheap
Click to expand...

thats not so weird these days...cant tell you how many jobs you hear go to
young guys cause they own gear...:lipsrsealed::lipsrsealed::lipsrsealed: And hey whatever works right Zak
 
Don't make promises you can't keep or suffer whatever slings and arrows may come your way, or something like that. In short, I tend to give companies hell upon repeated broken promises. We all hope to work in professional environments. Part of being professional (or just a good person) is keeping your word. People who continually break promises are either in denial because they don't want to admit they're over extended or overly optimistic; want to keep you in their hype grip lock so you don't go someplace else; or both. Its scummy business but sometimes we tolerate it because of lack of choice (kind of like when railroads first started).

That said, regarding your feature client, don't promise gear you can't deliver if that's part of your bargain whether they like your talent or camera more. If its the latter it may not be a major loss if you have to risk losing them since people who tend to hire based on package over talent often aren't at the helm of career breaking opportunities.

In short, those who don't appreciate talent most likely have none.

If you really want this gig, just tell the production company the truth - your situation. This is the test as to whether they consider you vital to their film or just another "meat pod". Hopefully, they see you as a DP first and front the lenses. While your at it bargain with a rental house for a 1 day week and promise them future business (if you can keep it). You'll be surprised and the production company should appreciate the effort and see what mensch you are. The money to feed the crew is probably more than lenses - just make sure the crew isn't pissed that they're eating baloney on account of your glass.
 
Woah....I didn't expect this to turn out to be a talent vs price thread. I can assure you guys, it's not at all about talent (although i'll be the first to admit, i don't have much of that!) I think it's my fault for not explaining the situation in detail.

First off, I'd like to say i have received nothing but STELLAR service from all i've communicated with at Red. Dan Duran, Brians F. and B., Natt Heart, Nick Miller etc. etc.. They have been always professional and polite in every phone and email conversation. Nothing was ever promised to me that they couldn't achieve. So apologies for my rant!

The production house is not hiring me for my camera or lenses. In fact, the director wanted to change the camera to a varicam because he was not convinced of the workflow. But i felt that the Red was a better camera suited for this telemovie. And because this is a made-for-tv movie, the budget is tight. I was approached and given a fixed amount which i felt would not be enough if i had to rent lenses
(which is why i turned down the job). On the other hand, if my RPPs came in time, i could include it as a package with the rest of my gear. It would be the same if i approach the rental house renting a whole package as opposed to just renting primes. The price would be better as a package, right? (which is why i took it up again!)

And as it stands today, there is only 1 set of RPPs in Singapore. So you can imagine how difficult it is to rent them. Not to mention, it's not that cheap. At least not as cheap as some i see for rental in USA. And if you're thinking about renting Ultraprimes or Superspeeds that cost more than the RPPs........then the price rise. So that was out for me.

Then i thought, no worries, i can depend on my Birger mount. But after it went back for repairs twice in two months. I thought maybe i shouldn't be using it after all.....
(Just got an email from Birger and it turns out, i f^&cked up the mount myself!)

So when i got the email asking me to confirm my order request, i stupidly assumed that it would ship within the month..or two. But as we all know, assumptions are the mother of all f&*kups!! I got overly excited and made the fatal mistake Curran said ,"never accept a job requiring use of any particular piece of gear unless you already have that piece of gear in your hands. "Once again, MY fault!.

And then, I threw in the VF part just out of sheer frustration cuz it seemed nothing was working out for me! But as you guys can see, after careful thinking, i really got no one to blame but......MYSELF!!!

So now, i'll just use my 18-50. Maybe rent an 85mm and wait quietly for my stuff to come.

"Stoopid" Yean. :)
 
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