Should I buy a RED One this summer?

[Marc A Hutchins]

We have put together a RED package to include everything we need from RED (prime set, EVF, monitor, handles, media, etc) and everything else from a supplier (sticks, matte box, filters, ff, ext. monitor, and a bunch of ET accessories).
We tried to move on the purchase back in March, but with the constant shifting of the economy, the lenders were changing lending rules faster than we could meet their new demands. Through it all, it looks like we might be able to move forward with the purchase (within the next 4 weeks).

However...I have been a blog-reading fool for months now, and between hearing the challenges of other RED owner/operators and the upcoming opportunities through Scarlet, I now have cold feet. What to do?

We want to finish a feature started with the RED, provide the RED with an operator for others to fulfill their dreams, up our commercial game, and shoot our own films. The RED Package seemed like the logical decision back in February when we began to build the package.

So my questions:

1 - If we sink the dough into our RED package, will we be using all the same equipment if/when we roll over to the Epic? See the potential list at http://www.alexanderfilms.com/2009/04/red/
One fine gentlemen suggested moving forward with the purchase if we did indeed plan to go Epic down the road, stating that we would lose nothing in the transition.

2 - Starting out (being a non-RED owner with limited experience on the RED), would it be better to wait on the Scarlet, postponing our endeavors, and perhaps trimming the package budget?
Yet, we have no idea about the opportunities available through the Scarlet, and whether we'll save anything other than the cost of the camera itself - meaning, will we be using all the same "extras" for production (lens, sticks, matte box, etc).

3 - Will the RED quickly become obsolete?

4 - Having already signed up for the REDucation (TECH and POST), and purchased plane ticket, should I say "what the hell" and stick with the original plan?
I do have family in LA, and would only lose about $600 if I canceled the class, so it wouldn't be a complete wash.

Basically, we are serious about making things happen and we aren't afraid to take chances - we just want to make wise investments.

Thoughts?

 

[Andrew Walker]

Well if your planning on upgrading to an Epic I would say buy the RED package that you have built. But if you are planning on getting a Scarlet I would say rent a RED and then pickup a Scarlet when they come out. You just have to figure out if you are going to need the features that Epic offers, higher frame rates, increased data rates and a couple other things. So that's your first decision that you need to make.

So if your going to get an Epic buy a RED One.

 

[Mike Thorn]

Don't cancel the REDucation classes. Because you know that I'm not going to let you or Scottie ever shoot on anything besides RED ever again, so you're going to need the training.

Re: #3...the RED One will never be obsolete.

Ever thought about buying secondhand? I saw a full RED package here a few days ago for $25k. Might shave a few bucks.

Andrew has sound advice; the path you need to determine is how "big" you want to go. MAX would not have benefited from any of the features that EPIC offers, I think. Do you guys want to go bigger (think infrastructure, not story) or be able to stay small/local? A Red One would be fine. A Scarlet would probably be sufficient.

(Marc and I worked together on a Red One feature called MAX VO2 last September)

 

[Eirik Tyrihjel]

I second Andrews suggestions.

 

[Carlos Prio]

If you have the work and are confident that you can transition into a film like (heavy/cumbersome) workflow as opposed to a HVX/HPX workflow... DO IT!!!! Once you go Red and witness the lush images it produces you could never go back!!! The other thing I can tell you (that is not tangible) is the way it takes you to another level!!! Sure you can make shit with it but many here will agree that it brings out the "Image Pimp" in almost everyone!!!!

My motto is always- DONT WAIT!!! The quicker you start on the platform the better you will be in the long run!!!!

So, go Red One and then one day go Epic!!! Keep your HVX for the handheld handicam budgets for now.
Good luck,
Prio

 

[jimhare]

I agree. Don't play the waiting game as you may wait four months or you may wait a year.

If you have paid projects it will cover itself.

Scarlet will be fantastic but Epic is where it's at. Set your sights high and throw caution to the wind.
My opportunities increased ten fold as soon as I got my Red. I'm in a whole new league now and it's wonderful.

 

[Marc A Hutchins]

Gentlemen, all your comments so far are much appreciated. Please, if you have a thought, share it, as my window to purchase is right around the corner.

MARC

 

[JosephArthur]

So here are answers from my personal perspective (and not a total business one, because I got my Red Camera and Actioncam for fun).

So my questions:

1 - If we sink the dough into our RED package, will we be using all the same equipment if/when we roll over to the Epic? See the potential list at http://www.alexanderfilms.com/2009/04/red/
One fine gentlemen suggested moving forward with the purchase if we did indeed plan to go Epic down the road, stating that we would lose nothing in the transition.

2 - Starting out (being a non-RED owner with limited experience on the RED), would it be better to wait on the Scarlet, postponing our endeavors, and perhaps trimming the package budget?
Yet, we have no idea about the opportunities available through the Scarlet, and whether we'll save anything other than the cost of the camera itself - meaning, will we be using all the same "extras" for production (lens, sticks, matte box, etc).
--- Alot of it is reusable, although there will be a new shaped battery and harddrive. You could wait for the Scarlett, sure but there will always be things down the road to wait for if you listen to everything on the planet (my two cents on that).

3 - Will the RED quickly become obsolete?
--- Absolutely not, there is a tradeup for the Epic and other incentives to upgrade.

4 - Having already signed up for the REDucation (TECH and POST), and purchased plane ticket, should I say "what the hell" and stick with the original plan?
--- No go to the REDucation < I am going to the July 23rd Meet and greet Community day. (cause I am doing a Film Class that same week and a Tribal Film Festival on the 25th)
--- Although if you do back out of your TECH portion of REDucation, i could buy your spot from you.

 

[Marc A Hutchins]

I agree that playing the waiting game doesn't pay off cause there's always something else coming down the pipe. As soon as you buy one thing, the newer one's out - it never ends.
I know the bulk of the decision lies in my personal goals, but there are no certains in life or the economy, so it's all a gamble. Success comes at a price, but when we have to pay up varys by the day.

MARC

 

[Stefan Christou]

Not to sound like a lame motivational guru. But winners are risk takers. Don't be afraid to win (please read with a moc latin accent a la Eric Cartman).

Someone told be not to buy an HVX200 just before NAB 2008. They were right because the HVX200a came out. But Scarlet was announced too and Early 2009 didn't seem that long a wait until it turned into a forever wait. I've been ticking along with a Canon HF10 in the meantime, but I know an HVX would have been a much easier camera to get freelance work with.

I don't know why I'm still waiting for the the DSMC. (Well I do it's because of this forum and Scarletuser). Buy the Red One. People often regret what they don't do a lot more than what they regret what they do.

Stefan

 

[Marc A Hutchins]

Buy the Red One. People often regret what they don't do a lot more than what they regret what they do.

Stefan, that's sound advice. I know I'd rather look back and say I tried and failed, than look back and say I wish I would have tried.

I saw a man that looked like Spielberg, only heavier, the other day. This guy worked at some warehouse with a name badge. I thought to myself, "What if Spielberg gave up on his dream, and never attempted to make a film? Would that be him today?" I know I don't want to be working at a warehouse with a name badge 10 years down the road.

MARC

 

[Stefan Christou]

Well there's you answer. And the Red one package for sale thread looks alive in the new posts search.

:thumbsup: