REDucation Preparation

[mattp]

I am a film student at Northwestern in Chicago and am attending REDucation in LA this July. My hope with the training is to gain a fundamental grasp on the workflow so that I might better produce student films shot on RED. Because my background is primarily as a producer, I am worried that much of the information may go over my head.

In the meantime, I intend to rent a Red to shoot some short films on. What else might I do to better prepare for the training session?

Best,
Matt

 

[Mike Thorn]

I think the more real-world applications of the tools you're familiar with, the better the info you'll get at the conference will stick.

You won't remember stuff you don't see a use for.

 

[Andrew clemson]

Wow, first off, congratulations on being able to afford the course and rent REDs on top of regular university fees. I worked 2 part time jobs when I was at Uni, and was still broke after paying fees and rent! I would have loved to do a course like this one, and Im sure you'll get a lot out of it. I cant wait!

In regards to your post, I love for producers to actually understand:

A)what the R1 is, and
B) how the system works, and (at least the basic) essence of the workflow

I spend forever perpetually re-explaining it to people on each new job.

I think the more real-world applications of the tools you're familiar with, the better the info you'll get at the conference will stick.

You won't remember stuff you don't see a use for.

Agreed, if you can get your hands on a RED before the course, you may be able to figure out what questions you want to ask, specific to your needs. That or if you're focusing on being a producer, maybe ask camera dept focusing friends what they would like to know?

See you in July.

 

[Steve Freebairn]

I'd read through Brook Willard's FAQ, then I'd read the most popular threads in the workflow section. It's worth reading threads that have a lot of posts from various experts in different fields. There are a lot of people who post here who are gold minds of information. As you use features like "find more posts by this person" (right click on a username) you'll be able to get a feel for what their specialty is. If you see threads with Jim, Jarred, Graeme, Stuart, Brooke Willard, Evin Grant, Mitch Gross, or some of the others that are meaningful contributors to REDuser, you should focus on those threads and use their experiences both good and bad to fill in areas that you're not as familiar with. Assume that the people you're posting with are experts, and it won't be too long before you'll know who to believe when you read their posts and who is worth just skipping over.

 

[Andrew Benz]

Hey Matt,

I would be glad to go over my Red Camera Package with you when I get back from my week long shoot out of state starting early on Thursday (June 27th-July 3rd).

We can go through my camera (everthing from menus to exposure strategies), accessories, on location DMT duties, how to break the camera down for various types of acquisition methodologies (Non-Hardlined EFP, Documentary, Narrative-Non Union, Commercial-Non Union--handheld, steadicam, Dollys, etc,), drink some amazing coffee and shoot some beautiful footage off the 24th floor Sun Deck of my building located in the South Loop. The view of the city is amazing! Then we can go over the footage in my Suite, etc...

I will have you in "Pipe Hittin" shape and ready to take that knowledge to an even higher level at the Reducation Camp. I do this for a lot for Students to National level crew from all over the country... and everybody so far has had a great time, learned a lot about the Red that they then applied on set.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Andrew Benz

900 South Clark St. Suite 1103
Chicago, Il. 60605

Cell:501.554.6790

 

[Von Thomas]

I 2nd the congrats on REDucation. This will be soup to nuts RED training.

 

[Andreas Reischl]

Hey Matt,

I would be glad to go over my Red Camera Package with you when I get back from my week long shoot out of state starting early on Thursday (June 27th-July 3rd).

We can go through my camera (everthing from menus to exposure strategies), accessories, on location DMT duties, how to break the camera down for various types of acquisition methodologies (Non-Hardlined EFP, Documentary, Narrative-Non Union, Commercial-Non Union--handheld, steadicam, Dollys, etc,), drink some amazing coffee and shoot some beautiful footage off the 24th floor Sun Deck of my building located in the South Loop. The view of the city is amazing! Then we can go over the footage in my Suite, etc...

I will have you in "Pipe Hittin" shape and ready to take that knowledge to an even higher level at the Reducation Camp. I do this for a lot for Students to National level crew from all over the country... and everybody so far has had a great time, learned a lot about the Red that they then applied on set.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Andrew Benz

900 South Clark St. Suite 1103
Chicago, Il. 60605

Cell:501.554.6790

WOW!!

I am really amazed by your generous offer.
More people should think like you do and it's once more an awesome example of the tight-knit and supportive RED community.

I tip my hat to you sir!

 

[Marc A Hutchins]

Hey Matt,

I would be glad to go over my Red Camera Package with you when I get back from my week long shoot out of state starting early on Thursday (June 27th-July 3rd).

We can go through my camera (everthing from menus to exposure strategies), accessories, on location DMT duties, how to break the camera down for various types of acquisition methodologies (Non-Hardlined EFP, Documentary, Narrative-Non Union, Commercial-Non Union--handheld, steadicam, Dollys, etc,), drink some amazing coffee and shoot some beautiful footage off the 24th floor Sun Deck of my building located in the South Loop. The view of the city is amazing! Then we can go over the footage in my Suite, etc...

Cheers,

Andrew Benz

Can I come too, and bring my 8 kids? No, seriously, I think that kind of spirit is what makes a great production environment. I applaud your open kindness in a production world of guarded souls. Keep it up and change the world - one RED user at a time.

MARC

 

[mattp]

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for the advice and the comments. REDucation starts tomorrow and because of the help, I will get much more out of the experience.

I also want to let everyone know how great the training session went with Andrew Benz. Andrew, who does DP and freelance work with his Red One in Chicago, had offered to run through his camera--menus, exposure strategies, accessories, DMT duties, breaking it down and building it up, etc etc. My brother Ted and I (Ted is also a film student and attending REDucation) met Andrew at his place downtown in Chicago and shot some footage from the top of his 24 story apartment.

It was the ideal environment for us--we got to ask question and got some great, practical, hands on time with the camera. Andrew was accessible, enthusiastic, and a great teacher. If anyone around is the Chicago area, Andrew is definitely available to talk Red. He's a real community advocate, a good instructor, a positive guy, and would be an asset to have on a set.

Also feel free to get in touch with me sometime. Geared more toward producing as opposed to DPing, I've had to teach myself a lot about the Red these last few weeks and may be able to offer an alternative perspective on certain things.

Either way, I am a much more enthusiastic Red supporter after the training, and incredibly appreciative for the feedback.

Best Regards,
Matt



matt.pacult@gmail.com
260.668.0135

and if you want to get in touch with Andrew,
benztel@yahoo.com
501.554.6790