Made in California...

[Martin Jäger]

Hi John, what is not understandable?
It's a reply on Lee Saxon's worries.

Martin

 

[JIM MALLON]

I firmly believe the future of America is high end products. America shouldn't try to compete with Asia to make cheap products it should seek the luxury brand market that ironically Asians crave and are willing to pay for.

Red fits this category perfectly.

 

[AJ Aguirre]

Get over yourself... concentrate on meeting deadlines and building reliable products, then you can worry about american pride.

 

[Stefan Antonescu]

I am really suprised how many people think that scarlet is over priced. Considering its specs, build quality, beautiful images, we are getting an amazing deal. think about the industry before red was around. Literally nothing for professional cinema that didn't cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

+1.

 

[Billy Barber]

As much as I admire Red and what it has accomplished and love the idea of building a competitive product in the US I don't quite understand what difference it would make to Red's bottom line if this were common knowledge. If we were to wake up tomorrow and suddenly everyone from the Today Show to the Wall St Journal ran this story aren't the relatively few people that are in the market for a camera already completely plugged in to the latest news and technology?

It is a story worth telling to be sure and would be inspirational to many people but the last time I turned on the Today Show Matt Lauer was interviewing the parents of two kids who had gotten into the flour can and sprayed it all over their apartment and got a zillion you tube hits. This is news? Who cares?

 

[Jack Shanahan]

Utmost Respect

Utmost Respect

My family emmigrated to the US when I was 3. I have the utmost respect for the made in US sentiment - let alone the actuality of what it does for our economy. Im happy to go the extra mile to keep this economy out of the bubble, and to help people who came to this country to find a life they are comfortable with succeed.

Props to Jim for his razor vision and relentless force.

Jack

 

[Eric Lange]

Reality is a bitch, isn't it? Is the world really ready to applaud the creation in the U.S.A. of cameras costing thousands of dollars in the middle of the economic situation in which we are? People, come down to reality! Of course you can manufacture in the U.S.A when the final tab is in the thousands $$$ for only a few to afford it while prohibitive for the majority of people out there working their butts off everyday to make ends meet. If you can afford a $20K package you go on your knees and thank God, not the manufacturer.

I understand the sentiment, it is valid.

…However I might seek to re-frame the picture a little bit…

Most people on the “street” think that all that happens in industry is that “industry” as such only churns out consumer products as that’s where the money allegedly comes from. The reality is that in industry by far the larger fraction of business transactions are sales of products and services to other companies; i.e. not selling to the general public.

In essence the RED systems are primarily professional/industrial tools, especially if your industry happens to be the film/movie industry. For professional outfits the RED systems are extremely well priced, considering a few years ago SONY’s best offering would be less than a quarter of the measured resolution at $200,000.00 ++.

I/we design specialized HW and SW systems in the US and UK that are not mass market but are in essence high precision tools and systems to be used by technical professionals in a range of different industries; it would be extremely doubtful that our tech would be sold directly to individuals, but some our of patented methods may indeed end up being licensed and ultimately may appear in many consumer based products. We are a small company starting out in one of the worst recessions in living memory, but we can make it work. The one thing that is really expensive WAY more expensive than a camera is “manpower” (or do we say “women-power” these days?). So for example for us a good lead programmer or software architect is going to set you back at least $100,000.00++/year. We are in the business of SW and hardware so we have a core team that is very good at wearing different hats from industrial design engineering to very deep algorithmic issues; as well all the IP and legal aspect and so on. Good people are VERY expensive.

So… when you look at these pictures that Jim and RED put out it is a real show of strength. I.e. there are a lot of highly skilled and well trained people that are in the employ of RED. This is an indication of RED going from strength to strength as it is expensive to have that many people well paid in California (so that is a measure of a very healthy company). It seems unlikely that demand for RED systems will suddenly drop so the company appears to be growing and getting into completely new areas.. such as a new S-3d format for REDRAY AND REDRAY itself, or a new cinema format for S-3d plus new 4k projectors… as well as similar high end products aimed at the home market, as well as of course professional cameras lenses accessories etc.

So whatever you see in the pictures presented today of the RED shop floor, you can expect to see that virtually double if not quadruple that within the next two and half years. Ultimately that may represent thousands of jobs; which indeed is impressive in of itself, especially as someone had pointed out, in California, which is apparently one of the worst states to do business in.

Three years from now who knows what Jim and RED corp. is going to do next or get their fingers into…

Cheers,

Eric

I would expect that the folks working at RED are pretty thankfull... whether they choose to thank God for that or not is another matter entirely. Good to see that RED puts the bread on someone’s table AND is creating genuine opportunities that we are certainly thankful for.

 

[David Dennis]

Reality is a bitch, isn't it? Is the world really ready to applaud the creation in the U.S.A. of cameras costing thousands of dollars in the middle of the economic situation in which we are? People, come down to reality! Of course you can manufacture in the U.S.A when the final tab is in the thousands $$$ for only a few to afford it while prohibitive for the majority of people out there working their butts off everyday to make ends meet. If you can afford a $20K package you go on your knees and thank God, not the manufacturer.

RED ONE was produced in Thailand. Based on EPIC/Scarlet pricing, I don't think American production is costing much more, if at all.

I'm just piecing things together from Jim's statements, but I think he has excellent reasons for producing RED cameras in the US, and that's the real story he wants to convey.

I once read an article about Apple design guru Jony Ive, designer of iMac, iPhone, MacBook Pro, etc. It said Jonathan Ive has to spend much of his life in China, coordinating with the factory people. Even in a private jet, which he probably has access to, travel to China (or anywhere in Asia) is a royal pain. It's mind-bendingly expensive and executives are rarely productive during flight.

Jim and Jarred both have stunning wives I doubt they want to spend much time away from .

More seriously, direct access to the factory is bound to produce better products. When there are problems with production, Jarred can just drive half an hour so (or maybe even walk directly on the floor, I'm not sure what the setup is nowadays). I think this is one reason delivery times are now enormously improved from the old days. And of course everyone hired by the factory knows English, so there are no exasperating communications issues, which I'm sure are rampant in foreign factories.

Since production of an EPIC or Scarlet doesn't take much time - only a few minutes - the savings for a product anywhere near this price point are negligible. The main reason for the price is R&D, not materials and labor.

It can be much cheaper to build products outside of the US. I doubt that iPhones, for instance, could be made inexpensively enough here. But for a product with short production runs, where R&D is the majority of the cost, I think it makes a lot of sense for Jim to assemble the cameras here.

D

 

[Bruce Buck]

One other possible avenue for getting the message out, if the "news gatherers" don't seem to care, might be a show our company is sponsoring and working to support. It's called The Edge Factor Show, and its main goals are the following (as outlined on their website):

1. To provide an inside look at how manufacturing effects our lives, shapes our countries, and is the backbone of our economy.
2. To bring to the screen real people doing extraordinary things. Telling their stories for them in a way that has never been seen.
3. To demonstrate to our youth that manufacturing is incredibly diverse and interesting.
4. To engage the manufacturing community with the most current technology, demonstrating innovative thinkers and processes.

www.edgefactor.com

SME and many of the big tool/machine manufacturers are supporting this effort, and it may be just the thing to help get more people talking about and seriously considering the importance of this topic.

 

[Eric Lange]

One other possible avenue for getting the message out, if the "news gatherers" don't seem to care, might be a show our company is sponsoring and working to support. It's called The Edge Factor Show, and its main goals are the following (as outlined on their website):

1. To provide an inside look at how manufacturing effects our lives, shapes our countries, and is the backbone of our economy.
2. To bring to the screen real people doing extraordinary things. Telling their stories for them in a way that has never been seen.
3. To demonstrate to our youth that manufacturing is incredibly diverse and interesting.
4. To engage the manufacturing community with the most current technology, demonstrating inovative thinkers and processes.

www.edgefactor.com

SME and many of the big tool/machine manufacturers are supporting this effort, and it may be just the thing to help get more people talking about and seriously considering the importance of this topic.

Thanks for that link. Interestingly we use products from about ¾ of their sponsors. Being a pathological designer I could get myself into real trouble with their “reality” game show scenario.. will read on when I have time but have to do some REAL work now. Maybe Jim could be judge on the “show” (he, he).

Ta for that.

Eric

 

[Justin Coleman]

There are two types of successful people.

1, Those who work hard within the boundaries and borders created before they came along. They excel and are rewarded well. They win the support of those older than them and the younger generation who aspire to follow in their footsteps. They lead a peaceful life.

2, These people break boundaries, redefine rules and set new trends. They excel eventually but it's a long slog. They risk getting no rewards with getting huge rewards. They are often mistrusted and even hated. But for every one who criticises them, someone else loves them. They don't lead a peaceful life and often don't even get to see the full affect of their work on the new world they helped to create.

 

[Bill Abbe]

I personally take pride knowing this. Also knowing the amount of engineering and craftsmanship going into the camera. To me RED has had a driven singular focus to make the best. By keeping all aspects of the products upbringing in the states shows that no expense was taken and pride was placed on the camera development. To me it shows, and hence I’m now a RED owner.

 

[Craig Schober]

it works both ways. if an apple or samsung were to move all their production and factories in the u.s., the manufacturing cost of millions of computers, phones, laptops, etc. would shoot way up. they would sell less and have to cut back on r&d and engineering staff to maintain a profit. so all of those manufacturing jobs gained would be offset by other jobs lost.

of course this mostly applies to manufacturing in the millions of units. red sells tens of thousands of cameras. there would never be much of a economy of scale production benefit to building 10,000 cameras that cost professionals $20,000 each. most pros don't care about spending an extra $5,000. they wouldn't miss it.

but raising the price only $50 alienates potential millions of consumers to your low-end product like a phone.

 

[Paul Ellington]

I would happily pay that, any ad on insurance and the like red offers I would do my best to buy, not only for selfish reasons but also to give back. Pardon my French but it amazes me that the way Red has our backs we still get stupid comments on here. Gotta ask yourself, are these bomb throwers from other "companies"? There must be a way to do a little research.

 

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

Ought to have Gizmodo do a write-up... they certainly seem to be in Red's pocket/corner. Other than tech-savy media, I don't see this being a big story despite how wonderful manufacturing in the USA is (for the USA). Most people don't know what Red is... my mom probably thinks this is what I am talking about all the time:

Point is... it's big news when Ford Announced 12,000 new jobs last month... that's the blue-collar, brand recognition people are looking for. Every job counts, but good old American car workers will get more press coverage than camera technicians or assembly workers for a camera the general public doesn't know much, if anything, about.

You guys did a good thing. You get an A+ in my book, but don't get too discouraged when media mom and dad doesn't put your A+ on the fridge. Your customers likely appreciate it, and surely your employees do! Isn't that enough?

 

[Paul S.]

I fully admire a business decision to keep manufacturing local and under close control. But to be honest the column inches that these cameras achieve should be down to their quality, not any kind of patriotic or charitable element.

It would be a bummer if interest were diverted towards analysis of economic impact, and then we end up with comparisons of the reduction of crew and film processing jobs due to digital, or the loss of middleman sales infrastructure due to direct sales only, etc etc etc. which when analyzed only in the currency of 'American Jobs' would make these seems like a bad thing.

When you're so far ahead in terms of the product, you don't need to be pointscoring on matters of the heart.

 

[CK Olsen]

Jim-
I am ecstatic that you have made the effort to make these products here in the US. Innovation in manufacturing is what made this country great... and I am so proud to see my favorite camera designed and built here in the states. Keep it going man, 'cuz we love you guys!!
-CK

 

[Anthony Vu]

I'm a proud American who grew up in Orange County.

I love the world and its diverse culture. Many things I bought in the past come from places all over the planet. My cameras, lens, computers, car, clothing, and the list goes on.

It puts a huge smile on my face to know that the SCARLET I'm buying is made by my neighbor.

 

[Jeff Coatney]

NEWSFLASH!

NEWSFLASH!

Start the Presses!

 

[Jay Patton]

You know Jim, we have all seen you get overlooked time and time again.

I remember when you threw your hat in the ring for public speaking events at colleges and such, and you wrote about how nobody took you up on that offer. It's just too bad.

You are one of the brilliant minds of our generation. Everyone on this forum can attest to that. Everyone speaks your praises in camera circles (almost everyone), and your name gets thrown around for your Oakley success as well. People who know what's up think you are the hot shit that you are. You should be on the cover of Time magazine in a couple weeks as the man of the year for Epic. Fact of the matter is, most people in journalism don't know jack shit about cameras, the film industry, the revolution that is happening, or how what you and your company has done is the most mountainous feat ever attempted and achieved in the world of cinema equipment.

The Epic camera is your Pet Sounds. Not fully appreciated by the critics because it's so ahead of its time.

Jannard for Prez 2012.



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