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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 :)

Have you paid back your $30K+ investment?

A

Aaron G.

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I was wondering out of curiosity. Has everyone who intended on working their Red's paid off their initial investments?

I've contemplated getting a Red, but the price is pretty huge. I'm relatively young but would like to start doing some freelance videography/ cinematography.

What is the best way to market yourself, and build cliental?

Thank you,
Aaron
 
depends on where you are located, how established you are, your network, etc.

know guys renting out their red for 250 Dollars a day (fully equipped with lenses)
but also know guys renting out the red without lenses for 800-1000 Dollars a day without a problem.


really depends on the circumstances you are in right now.
i would forget about buying a red for rentals only...

but you know best...calculate how much you would earn with a red...
if its ok for you...do it.

nobody can decide for you.

good luck finding the answer :)
 
K.Berlin said:
depends on where you are located, how established you are, your network, etc.

know guys renting out their red for 250 Dollars a day (fully equipped with lenses)
but also know guys renting out the red without lenses for 800-1000 Dollars a day without a problem.


really depends on the circumstances you are in right now.
i would forget about buying a red for rentals only...

but you know best...calculate how much you would earn with a red...
if its ok for you...do it.

nobody can decide for you.

good luck finding the answer :)
Click to expand...

Appreciate it!

I'm located in Dallas, and so far it seems like the Red is pretty scarce... But for how long?

I've asked for quotes for Red shooters locally, and they're charging OUTRAGEOUS prices (for low-budget narrative shorts). So I can only assume they're getting what there asking.

I've thought about starting a user-friendly (indie) production house (greenscreen studio/ sound stage/ ADR studio's/ editing suites/ and rentals). But I wonder how lucrative it could be. Especially nearing the "SCARLETfever," and the release of more Red ONES.

I have a vision that major cinema (AMC/ CINEMARK) will start to deteriorate, and smaller cinema's with HD projectors will be the norm. Think of myspace. There are TONS of indie bands on there, and they have substantial fan bases. Could we have loads of "micro-directors" producing quality "micro-features?"

If so, I'd say mastering the art, and providing user-friendly production houses, and small room theateres (charging $5 instead of $10 admission) are a thing of the future. AND there is still lots of money to be made through self-distro.

Just babbling....
 
I have the feeling that people are allready NOT renting the bodies, but the knowledge and competence around the system. Which is good...

And it is paying for a lot more around itself.
 
$30,000 - HA! I wish!

I'm having a great time. This thing is awesome.
 
Aaron G. said:
I have a vision that major cinema (AMC/ CINEMARK) will start to deteriorate, and smaller cinema's with HD projectors will be the norm. Think of myspace. There are TONS of indie bands on there, and they have substantial fan bases. Could we have loads of "micro-directors" producing quality "micro-features?"
Click to expand...

Only if none of them care about making a living.
 
mmost said:
Only if none of them care about making a living.
Click to expand...

With self-distro, new distro companies based on indie films and distro to these smaller theaters, and more importantly the world wide web... Anything is possible. You've just gotta get more creative.

Why can't a filmmaker set up a tour around the US at these art houses?

Filmmakers could and should be the new rock stars!
 
Well are most of us in it for the dough? If so- take a good look at the numbers, not exactly an upwardly mobile profession. More like the sort of luck you get playing the lottery.

Noah
 
NoahK said:
Well are most of us in it for the dough? If so- take a good look at the numbers, not exactly an upwardly mobile profession. More like the sort of luck you get playing the lottery.

Noah
Click to expand...

Agreed.

I care more about developing true fans as a filmmaker then making a couple hundred grand on a more then likely one time deal with lack of creative freedom. There are ALOT of chances given but ALOT of directors are just one hit (if that) wonders.
 
There's not to say I wouldn't mind the big chance, and a couple hundred grand. :wink:
 
a Red One is not a business plan. Think of it like reverse Kevin Costner, if they come, build it. If you already have the network and clients it's a great investment, if not spend your money on your reel, it will make you a much better return.
 
Evin Grant said:
a Red One is not a business plan. Think of it like reverse Kevin Costner, if they come, build it. If you already have the network and clients it's a great investment, if not spend your money on your reel, it will make you a much better return.
Click to expand...

Thanks Evin! I agree with what your saying. I wish I could fork out the $30k min it'd take for a usable Red setup.

Needless to say I'm salavating for Scarlet. Hopefully I'll build my client base and have a need to purchase a Red One at some point... It's nice to dream.

I more or less thread jacked my thread... I've just been thinking of what great things we could see in the near future.
 
Well are most of us in it for the dough? If so- take a good look at the numbers, not exactly an upwardly mobile profession.
Click to expand...

Well if you buy a camera, call yourself a DP, and shoot crap, no you are not going to make a lot of money. If you realize that is an art and a craft, and that it will take you years to understand how little you actually knew when you started, you bust your ass, you have some talent, and you stick with it, you can do pretty damn well (not directed at you, have no idea of your experience or commitment).

It's called the film business, not the film hobby. All the professionals I know do pretty well for them selves. Want to be a director? Get in the DGA training program. It's hard, it sucks, you'll make no money for a few years. But it will pay off long term.Want to be a DP? I suggest a few hard years in the trenches as an AC and then an operator. Learn and make $5-800 a day while doing it.

I love hearing grips with tattoos, and pirate facial hair talk about who the best massage therapist in town is, and bitching about the shitty quality of the bottled water on set ;-) But I'm from Baltimore, and we all know what thats like ;-)

I support my wife and two kids, own my house, I'm pretty happy with the return on my time/blood/sweat investment.

Nick
 
Muleskinnerfilms has been not only able to secure long term rental agreements and clients but made grand leaps towards our doc and film projects. This was only possible because of "the clapp" (my RED). Now, I dominate a region with out many Reds, so I am maybe one of the exceptions, not the rule. Lucky is what my wife and my friends call it, but I've waited too long for this opportunity to care. No matter what the only way to sell the RED is by having a good RED reel, with footage from other HD and SD sources to compare. We also hooked most of our big clients with a "special" (commercial at discount) which paid off with a larger long term contract. This isn't recommended for politicians...get your money up front. Its Art no matter how you look at it and its always a gamble, still a better one than moving to NYC/LA to become an actor. Good Luck and Good shooting.
 
Beer $$$

Beer $$$

K.Berlin said:
depends on where you are located, how established you are, your network, etc.

know guys renting out their red for 250 Dollars a day (fully equipped with lenses)
but also know guys renting out the red without lenses for 800-1000 Dollars a day without a problem.


really depends on the circumstances you are in right now.
i would forget about buying a red for rentals only...

but you know best...calculate how much you would earn with a red...
if its ok for you...do it.

nobody can decide for you.

good luck finding the answer :)
Click to expand...

Love to know who are the guys that a renting their RED ONE for $250 with lenses? I have yet to find thoses RED rental rates...

Shooting a feature, neediing RED ONE in Sept/Oct and most of the rentals I have been receiving are beyond $1,200.00/day rate WITHOUT lenses.

So, I presume these guys are making money. If not, they are making extra beer money...Sweet!!!

Thanks.
 
charlesN said:
Love to know who are the guys that a renting their RED ONE for $250 with lenses? I have yet to find thoses RED rental rates...

Shooting a feature, neediing RED ONE in Sept/Oct and most of the rentals I have been receiving are beyond $1,200.00/day rate WITHOUT lenses.

So, I presume these guys are making money. If not, they are making extra beer money...Sweet!!!

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi,

I was discussing a project on Thursday & got offered a Red for free for a production.

Stephen
 
If you can't get your return of investment from a Red rental then there is no point of having one. The post is so expensive that I don't see what's the idea for an individual possessing a red one camera, just for having one.
Especially when you have new models knocking at the door.
I think in the medium to long run this strange strategy of Red, flooding the market with 4000-5000 cameras and rushing to next models, without assuring that you have even one model that deliver the product will knock them back.
 
charlesN said:
Okay...how long is your project schedule? Is it 3-4 weeks like mine.

Good job...
Click to expand...

Hi,

5 weeks, I think we could be getting to the point that supply exceeds demand as far as rentals.

Stephen
 
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