December Update...

[Dave Dessel]

Simple Thanks

Simple Thanks

Jim and the all of the Team,

Thanks has been said so many times on threads of all shapes and sizes. In spite of that, I feel personally obligated to express my deep appreciation for the honesty and all of the incredible hard work. I can't wait to get my camera, and I am happy to wait for however long it takes. I have also learned how to improve the way I treat my customers by Red's example. For that I say thanks as well. I wish all of the Red team an awesome and restful holiday.

-Dave Dessel #: 522

www.daviddessel.ccom

 

[Rich Schaefer]

Jim, LET YOUR HEART NOT BE TROUBLED!

I would much prefer you work out the issues with the Red cameras now! It would be a disaster to be on set and have major or even minor issues! It would damage Red's reputation and mine!

My customers are typically spending $20k to 200k to shoot their days. If the footage is screwed up or we spend lots of time trying to get the camera working. I have a huge problem! It means someone did not get what they payed for and the director has lost time to get good performances!

It's best you are doing it right!

Rich,

P.S. As #115 I am very excited!!!!!! Oh... there is the phone, maybe it's ...

 

[Matthew Verkler]

You have the absolute right to be sad and frustrated. It really doesn't matter that I posted "Everything in life changes... including our camera specs and delivery dates..." at the bottom of every post. We did post a schedule, tentative or not. We all made plans based on this hopeful schedule. I am frustrated. I am embarrassed and I am irritated that it has taken us so long to get the job done. I should have known better. This is a helluva challenge that we started from ground zero. I was nuts to think we could do it properly in this amount of time, let alone several months less.

I can only hope that all the waiting will be forgotten after all our customers get their cameras. Please take solace, I do, in the fact that the camera does things no other camera can do. It is priced to get in the hands of many. We are listening and have changed our program many times based on feedback. We are replacing cameras with better one at no charge. We will do our best to treat our customers as they deserve. No one is just a (serial) number at RED. Ask 1-100.

I encourage any who are frustrated to set aside one full minute to swear at us, kick the table, or whatever else you need to do to vent. Then come back and join the club with a clear purpose. Life is a long road.

Jim

Reminds me of my divorce several years ago. I somehow had this idea that it would go reasonably quickly. I was reasonable, and I thought she was reasonable. My divorced friends said I was, um, underestimating the process. They said every person she knew was going to influence her away from being rational. I was still optimistic.

In short, they were right - it took wayyyyyy longer than I thought it would, and was hard as hell. But that's what needed to be done, we got through it, and now we have one of the best divorces ever! (yes, this is my inspirational holiday message).

Red is worth it too. Something like Red is only accomplished with great optimism, and though reality (and Murphy) must be dealt with, you still have to reach for the stars. Setbacks are normal; getting back to it with determination is what makes the difference.

President Kennedy said man would get to the moon by the end of the decade (of the 60's). We accomplished that goal in eight years. I'm glad Jim set his target more aggressively! And because it was so aggressive, a little slippage is understandable.

Being number 508, I was hoping for my Red before the end of the year; I can't say I'm happy (Christmas will be late this year, into next year), but I know it's almost here. And I have nothing scheduled for the camera until it's in my sweaty hands!

P.S. Did I really compare Red, man landing on the moon, AND my divorce in the same post? I don't even drink!

 

[planet e]

Another delay announcement...whatever.

RED Drive release announcement and longer record times....HALLELUJAH! Thanks, Jim and RED team.

 

[Eryc Tramonn]

Ya and lose his single largest marketing tool that he has full control of. That would a smart bussiness move.

Funny, I've written the same thing in here somewhere. It's a marketing move. Albeit a smart one that made the camera into a sociological event...a movement. Whether that was intentional, or happenstance...does it really matter at this point? It is what it is.

Criticism is easy in hindsight. And you're talking to king critic over here. But being the first to do something, or having the guts to put your ass on the line and go for something is uncommon. It just so happens that that spirit is really prevalent in this forum. To me, that's indicative of the spirit of a true filmmaker, an artist. Trying to make the leap from critic to player is always going to be a real bitch, and the niggling analysis Jim exposed himself to is ultimately a part of the greater good.

 

[Eryc Tramonn]

Yeah I agree that once the camera's specs are locked down and production has ramped up, that'll be the time for a HUGE party.

Can I come even though I don't own a camera? :gun: :sorcerer: :watsup: :ranting2:

 

[Casey Green]

I know it's frustrating, themusic (sorry, I couldn't find your name anywhere), but what Jim says really rings true. Even the first 100 camera owners dealt with delays after delays, and he's right - even though they've put up the disclaimer a million times, when schedules are posted frequently one wants to believe that targets will be met. But the camera is amazing, and now that mine has personally shipped, all of my frustration with the delays is completely gone.

I was one of the first people to get in line for the HVX, too, because I thought it had real promise (on paper). But from day one I have never been satisfied with that camera. It sucks to put down any amount of money and be disappointed from the moment you open the box. With all the hype and expectations surrounding RED, you'd think that they'd be destined to face even harsher disappointment from their critical user base. But from nearly all reports I've seen, people love their camera. It is worth every minute you are waiting for it.

This last weekend I shot lots of footage with RED, an HDX900, and 35mm film. All I can say is that Panasonic and Sony have a lot of work to do in their cinema line if they want to stay players in this game. The HDX body alone costs over $25,000, and the image quality isn't even close. I'm going to post some frames and video in a little bit so people can see some differences. The quality and value of RED is in another world.

I also really have to commend Jim on the decision to replace cameras 1-100 at no additional charge. In this world, it can really suck to be an early adopter (or "beta tester," as in this and many other cases). Most companies don't pay any attention to the fact that you're a steadfast believer in what they're trying to accomplish and usually charge you a premium to be first. I honestly weighed the decision about waiting to take ownership of RED #79 until hardware bugs were sorted out... I don't mind the software/firmware upgrades at all, but I wasn't about to pay $40,000 for a brand new camera system to find out that cameras 50 serial numbers down the line had superior hardware improvements. The fact that they're retiring all of our old bodies and keeping us as current as the ones coming fresh off the assembly line speaks volumes. The fact that we don't have to pay for a "RED ONE-A" version that "fixes" things should be the rule, not the exception. Yet RED seems to be one of the very few holding steadfast to that philosophy. Some say that RED is just doing these things to keep up their reputation; they're new players in the game and they can't afford to look bad right out of the gate. But I prefer to think that this is just Jim's philosophy; that he really does care about his customers and wants RED ONE to be the best it can be. This isn't about selling thousands of "pretty good" cameras and running away with the "camera of the moment" cash. RED is the real deal and they're going to do what it takes to make sure that's the way it stays.

The wait sucks, but you'll forget all of this when the camera finally ships. And then you'll wonder how you put up with everything inferior you've used until that point. Hang in there.

right on. very well stated.

 

[Adrian T.]

Thanks for the update Jim.
I deeply admire your decision to replace 1-100 free of charge, wow. :usd:

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Aside from the tax man, this delay is actually working out for me. Never thought I would say that as I have been one of the anxious ones who just wants to get the camera and start working, but it has forced me to make a better business plan, research data management strategies, options for financing, lenses, etc. Sometimes we get caught in the got to have it now mentality, I know I do. But when all is said and done if you utilize the delay time to fine tune your approach, it can be beneficial. I have clients chomping at the bit to see the camera in action, but the reality is I won't put this camera onto a paying job until I am completely comfortable with it and I am confident of the workflow.

Jim, do what you have to do to get it right. Just make sure that when you reach that moment of satisfaction, i.e everything has come together as you imagined it, please share your excitement with us so we know that the camera has arrived (as in, it's the camera you have always wanted). I have to think that your standards are as high as anybody, so if you say you're happy, there's a good chance we will be too.

Steve

 

[vincelucero]

Hark the RED angel sings, glory to a newborn king... Everything about the RED company is amazing. Keep kicking ass. Thanks for taking us along for the ride, good, bad, ugly, whatever. I can be very patient for something that's not even supposed to be here for another 2 years according to Sony and the like.

 

[Kenn Michael]

Aside from the tax man, this delay is actually working out for me. Never thought I would say that as I have been one of the anxious ones who just wants to get the camera and start working, but it has forced me to make a better business plan, research data management strategies, options for financing, lenses, etc. Sometimes we get caught in the got to have it now mentality, I know I do. But when all is said and done if you utilize the delay time to fine tune your approach, it can be beneficial. I have clients chomping at the bit to see the camera in action, but the reality is I won't put this camera onto a paying job until I am completely comfortable with it and I am confident of the workflow.

Very well put Steve.

 

[Paul Hazlett]

Great stuff, Jim.

It might be a little emotional to put ELVIS & MR. BOND out to pasture. Maybe you can find a nice shelf somewhere for their retirement. They have worked so hard!

retire??? are you kidding those babies are getting retooled and back on the
road!!!! at least I hope they are.

 

[Rocco Schult]

Everything is in here

Everything is in here

I much prefer having the real and honest information, like you gave to us from the begining.

..I am only partially disappointed however, because the improvements you have listed are huge, especially in light of the "issues" thread.

P.S. Did I really compare Red, man landing on the moon, AND my divorce in the same post? I don't even drink!

LMAO. When the ground[is]breaking, relations might shift. :w00t: :biggrin:

You have the absolute right to be sad and frustrated. It really doesn't matter that I posted "Everything in life changes... including our camera specs and delivery dates..." at the bottom of every post. We did post a schedule, tentative or not. We all made plans based on this hopeful schedule...
I was nuts to think we could do it properly in this amount of time, let alone several months less.

I can only hope that all the waiting will be forgotten after all our customers get their cameras...

Ok,first one :ranting2: , DONE.

2nd: No, not nuts. Without the guts to think and do so, this project wouldn't have come so far, period.
Your words have never been more open and honest than today, err, yesterday. VEEery much appreciated! More than before I think it was no error to have that open conversation.

You hear the good, bad and the ugly as we go along. We hope that we can continue to operate this way. It is a refreshing (although challenging) way to communicate to our customers.

Thanks for the flowers. And btw: the good, the bad and the ugly' is usually one of my favourites, like this time.

 

[msadauskas]

Thanks for update, Jim. And please take some time to celebrate holidays

 

[Ben Wolf]

I'm probably not the only one in this position -- but as #325 in line it is becoming increasingly unclear whether we will be receiving or even paying for our camera this year. And for a small business like our's, this has some serious tax ramifications.

How can we find out now when we will be able to pay for our camera?

Thanks in advance for your attention!


Ben Wolf
Topiary Productions, Inc.

 

[Gopher77]

We will work continuously over the holidays to try to catch up. We hope to get back to a more reasonable delivery schedule after the 1st of the year.

Jim

All work and no play makes Jarred a dull boy. Geeze Mr Scrooge at least give them christmas day off with a bird to eat.

Seriously though thanks for keeping us up to date! Personally I didn't want to be in the first 500 cameras, I wanted the bugs to be worked out before getting mine. Mine has to go to work the day I take delivery, so I need it to be fully functional. I appreciate those who could afford to test out the camera and the improvements that have resulted. I also appreciate your being upfront with the good and the bad. I feel certain that the results of these delay will be well worth the wait. Happy holidays to all at red and don't work too hard!

 

[Michael "Dorkman" Scott]

I got this message in an e-mail after not being able to check the forum for the greater portion of the week.

See, was that so hard?

Thanks for the update. I just put together a DVD project for the first time. I projected that I could finish in 3 months. It took 9. So I understand wanting to take the extra time to get it right, and ALSO the frustration of having people frustrated with you when all you're doing is making sure their money is ultimately considered well-spent.

I'm happy to wait as long as it takes to get the camera I've always wanted. (Well, mine could do slo-mo, too, but I'll live.)

 

[Tony Lorentzen]

We have recently made significant improvements to many aspects of the RED ONE. That includes a new lens mount, better image quality by a new IR/low pass filter and moving it into a new location, better DSP, new sensor processing magic (instead of the new daughter board), a reworked mount system for the board stack, new(er) firmware, more features enabled... you get the idea. SO....

So - does this mean the camera will have enough power to be able to do 1080p 4:4:4 (via the dual HD-SDI ports)? (pretty please with sugar on top) :tongue:

 

[SIRAJ KUMKHE]

So able to do 1080p 4:4:4 (via the dual HD-SDI ports :tongue:

I HOPE SO

 

[Emmanuel Cambier]

I have reasons to believe so, but can't say more…