Red "Weapon" Name Poll - Change it or not?

[Daniel Stilling]

Which option is more worth it to you?

1. Change the name and potentially back up production times due to design changes.
2. Leave it as is and be able to get the camera as originally projected.

Personally I think that option 2 is by far the better one. No one should buy a camera for its name. It should be bought for the images it takes.

I don't think etching on the side of the camera and the small logo in front would delay the camera. For all I know they could only have have a few prototypes and just getting tooling together. It was said that the upgrades from MX to Dragon would hault over the sumer to give way to new camera upgrades. So I really don't think that this will cause any delays.

 

[Antony Newman]

For what it's worth - I read the following out load to my GF while she is preparing for a performance to help people with PTSD.

"RED is at war... which we define as passionate and active opposition to an adversary.

We are at war with conventional thinking.

We are at war with the thought of 1080P being a suitable replacement for film in motion capture or home entertainment display.

We are at war with old business principles, like planned obsolescence, lack of communication with customers, and unfair business practices.

War is good, depending on the target. I think most would agree that a war against disease is just. A war on poverty is noble.

When people get out the microscope and pixel-peep they often lose sight of the big picture. The same thing happens when people focus on a word instead of a concept."

Her opinion made a dramatic u-turn - and felt that in this Context - the name was Apt.

She also suggested that the world needed more people who can make such an eloquent stand and with such conviction.

AJ

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

For what it's worth - I read the following out load to my GF while she is preparing for a performance to help people with PTSD.

"RED is at war... which we define as passionate and active opposition to an adversary.

We are at war with conventional thinking.

We are at war with the thought of 1080P being a suitable replacement for film in motion capture or home entertainment display.

We are at war with old business principles, like planned obsolescence, lack of communication with customers, and unfair business practices.

War is good, depending on the target. I think most would agree that a war against disease is just. A war on poverty is noble.

When people get out the microscope and pixel-peep they often lose sight of the big picture. The same thing happens when people focus on a word instead of a concept."

Her opinion made a dramatic u-turn - and felt that in this Context - the name was Apt.

She also suggested that the world needed more people who can make such an eloquent stand and with such conviction.

AJ

I think that everyone who doubts the name needs to read these quotes at least another time or two.

Next they need to go look up the literal definition of "Weapon." And finally, they need to take a look back at the historical presence of the word "Weapon" as it applies to the arts. As it applies to science and as it applies to friendly adversity through sports or similar competition. A Weapon is not always a bad thing and it is indeed more broad sweeping and conceptual in nature than purely defining. Same with the term "Epic" that has served so well.


Also keep in mind that this poll is non-sanctioned by RED or official in any way. IMO, I would have not made it a three option poll, but whatever...

 

[Donald MJ Anderson]

The war thing going through REDs product has been borderline for me till now...silly and over the top, but borderline. The Bomb Squad name is silly but for all intents kept private. The arrows and chevrons and the word PRO everywhere I can sort of see past. REDs aesthetics on shaping the metal is lovely. On the print that goes on the metal...not so much. I`ve heard similar opinions on here from a wide range of users.

To me it looks like WEAPON was simply a wink towards this military aesthetic too far. Shame that.

 

[Sami S]

British Dictionary definitions for weapon
weapon
/ˈwɛpən/
noun
1. an object or instrument used in fighting
2. anything that serves to outwit or get the better of an opponent: his power of speech was his best weapon
3. any part of an animal that is used to defend itself, to attack prey, etc, such as claws, teeth, horns, or a sting
4. a slang word for penis

 

[Michael MacDonald]

Can't belive people would really care about the name.... As long as it's kick ass that's all that matters jarred already said that the TSA has no issues.... Let's rock on and shoot!!!

 

[Dunkan Wolf]

Can't belive people would really care about the name.... As long as it's kick ass that's all that matters jarred already said that the TSA has no issues.... Let's rock on and shoot!!!

Not everyone lives in the USA. I've heard of people getting trouble due to similar named products in Europe and other places.
I don't really care about the name either, but at least give an option to people who do.

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

Many Redusers understand Red's philosophy, the context and resulting unique expressive route embedded in its products, and especially those who have been following and supporting the project all the way from it's concept phase. But those tools go around and meet others who are not familiar with the background and philosophy nor they care to become, and that is when exposed branding of this type sometimes goes against the tool makers and tool users.

This is one part, the other is an emotion of the creative person using this creative tool, triggered by the association and the meaning which differs from the intended one, especially due to the very sensitive issue it tends to draw.

Hopefully both parts will be considered.

 

[Daniel Stilling]

jarred already said that the TSA has no issues.... Let's rock on and shoot!!!

Have you not read all the examples posted on how the real world of security business really works? I almost got my bomb confiscated. Curt almost got shot over stingers. Someone (I apologize for not remembering your name) got arrested in Africa from talking about shooting. You have to be incredibly naive to believe that the name engraved won't cause issues...

 

[Adam Becker]

I would like to quote red user Clayton Burkhart who said something I feel was rather poignant. I believe his post may have been removed from an earlier thread, but his words (below) are worth everyone's consideration:

"I don't make films so that I can hold something called a 'weapon' and turn it on my subjects. I make films because I have something to say about their humanity and I want to preserve it. It's exactly the opposite of glorifying a tool which is used to kill people."

From a marketing standpoint, no matter how RED has previously branded themselves, refusing to consider changing the name just doesn't seem worth alienating a group of thoughtful filmmakers and cinematographers who might otherwise be excited to embrace red as a storytelling tool.

I really wish that RED would use this as an opportunity. Through discussion and a democratic vote of sorts, if RED does change the name, I would interpret that as strength, not weakness

Thanks for your consideration.

 

[Scott Crawley]

 

[Drew Mylrea]

weapon is just so aggressive.

movies are about people. human beings. i agree with clayton, naming a tool to capture the human experience and calling it a weapon just feels wrong.

and you can say, oh it's just a name. fine. but consider this scenario: the ideal filmmaking experience: you get together a handful of really talented people. a great director, a great script, great actors. the crew is small. the set has an incredible energy and everyone comes to work excited to be at the top of their game, excited that they have a shot at capturing moments that will touch people.

if i was tasked with creating or contributing to that environment, i would be extremely hesitant using a camera with the word WEAPON written on it. the actors will see the word WEAPON on the camera. we will hear an AC say the word WEAPON. as much as us here on the forum can justify how it embodies the ideology of red corporate, that does not matter. at all. it's about the energy on set. the vibe. the magical feeling of being in a supportive creative environment, and harnessing that magical energy – if you're lucky enough to have it - into something lasting and powerful.

in my opinion, 'weapon' works against that. even something as small and minor as the damn camera fan in the current epic works against that. and judging the poll results it seems like most agree.

 

[scott devitte]

Craftsman makes a badge remover. It's called a screwdriver. If folks don't like it they can pop it off themselves.

That is if it is screwed on, if not you are screwed.

The next time you are in a certain country(ies) in South America or the U.S. south, and are treking solo and don't know who that is around the next bush- maybe Govt. soldiers, maybe Farc, maybe gringo DEA, maybe local militia, maybe whatever, the last thing in the world you want is a provocative word that allows somebody to eliminate you. I love the weapon attitude, I really dislike the neon sign pointing at it. The word that I want is stealth. And the best word for stealth is none at all.

 

[Scott Crawley]

If it is glued on you can probably pop it off, and a 1inch red disc is hardly a neon sign. I understand that DRAGON was emblazoned on the side of those cameras but we have not seen much of Weapon. After all of this nonsense I wouldn't be surprised if they kept the name and left the markings more discreet as they were on MX.

That is if it is screwed on, if not you are screwed.

 

[Milan S.]

JANNARD! just posted "We are at war with conventional thinking." My interpretation of that is "Leave the name as it stands."

Because "weapon" is such an unconventional name? I'm confused.

 

[Elsie N]

Because "weapon" is such an unconventional name? I'm confused.

My guess is that it is going to be so unconventional that it will become THE weapon of choice for non-conventional movie making.

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

I think that everyone who doubts the name needs to read these quotes at least another time or two.

So what you're saying is we print this out and show it to every customs official and border agent that we cross.

They'll probably just ask what pixel peeping is and whether or not they should support our little guerilla war on it.

 

[diego torroija]

Free Country peops,
You don't have to, but thanks for flying with us.

 

[Mike Quill]

The name is actually refreshing, quite frankly. We live in a leftist, castrated, politically correct country now. I'm all for a name that harkons back to the good old days when men could be men and we could do some shit kicking without having the PC police start a shit storm against us!!!

Mike

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Men doing shit kicking. Yeah, those were the good old days. :-(