Steven Soderbergh...

[Denis Haineault]

...I have learned a lot from Steven. Not just about cameras and shooting, but about living. "We have what we have and that is plenty enough (for today) to do something meaningful. If you give me more, I'll do more. But I have enough now." I just love his philosophy.
Jim

Occasionally, I will read something that truly inspires me (about living in general). This is one of those.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Shawn Booth]

I have to be honest here, not only did I get how impressed Jim is with Steve, Peter, Lance, et al, but I also could not shake the feeling he was sending a message to those he feels think the camera is "never good enough" or always want something more.

I think the words "shut up why don't ya!" come to mind.

Keeping customers happy can be a hard thing.

Jay

I saw it more as Jim saying thanks...

... much as we do all the time around here to RED...

 

[Thom Steinhoff]

It's a while since I read the book, but one part of Lance Armstrong's autobiography that really made an impression was the way he was treated by his sponsors when he was diagnosed with cancer. At that stage in his career he was unknown outside the cycling world, and nothing he had achieved so far suggested the level of success he was to achieve.

One of his major sponsors, dropped him. His medical insurance provider was refusing to pay for his treatment.

His other major sponsor stood by him. A senior executive called up the medical insurer and told them that the corporation would be taking its very considerable insurance cover elsewhere unless they paid for the treatment Armstrong needed.

That sponsor was Oakley.

This doesn't surprise me.

I shook Jim's hand, had him sign my 'R' but I only really "know" him from his words here on the forum and from what people like Jarred say about him, again--here on the forum.

But, that's the Jim I know. Integrity, honor, loyalty. Given the situation, i would have expected nothing less of him.

Jim YOU are an inspiration to us all.

 

[andrew Cheng]

salute to passionate RED team

salute to passionate RED team

As the earliest RED user in China, i salute to you , RED team and especially Rayn who is so helpful. His Mandarin is also very RED style. You are making this camera in an artistic way. Everybody wants to have a chance to touch the RED in Chinese production cycle. Look forward to the Scarlet and Epic.

 

[James Brundige]

One of his major sponsors, dropped him. His medical insurance provider was refusing to pay for his treatment.

His other major sponsor stood by him. A senior executive called up the medical insurer and told them that the corporation would be taking its very considerable insurance cover elsewhere unless they paid for the treatment Armstrong needed.

That sponsor was Oakley.

Very, very, very cool.

And this thread is a great lesson for all of us. It points out how incredible it is that Jim takes time for some of the rookies on this board. More thanks.

 

[Simon Valderrama]

after reading this i think: i hope this love between Steven and Red will last long, seems it has driven a lot of the efforts that have made my Red so awesome.
hope the guy will have the same effect on Epic, Scarlet and Monstro development!
the world to the brave ones.

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

great post Jim!

I also think Steven's post team kicks ass.

 

[Scott Roberts]

Good read. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Friedrich Moser]

Jannard and Soderbergh

Jannard and Soderbergh

My personal experience is that all the real great folks are just like what Jim reported about Soderbergh. In every profession. In every part of the world.

Whenever I came across someone alike (when making my documentaries) it always was a pleasure to work with him/her. And it always turned out a nightmare working with the wanna-be's and wanna-do's who mostly don't have a clue.

my 2 €cent

Fritz

www.blueandgreen.info

 

[Casey Green]

Jim,

Reading your words had me thinking many of the same thoughts about you.
You have been such an inspiration. It's truly a wonderful thing when like minds get to work together and propel each other even further as you have done with SS.

What stood out was the example of someone using an amazing product for what it was at the time, believing in it, and striving to make the best of what they had, knowing they were in uncharted territory.

I run into folks in the industry sometimes (professionals that I respect and admire) that for whatever reason, just somehow can not understand the concept that creating something great takes amazing dedication, leaps of faith, development time, and a great passion for what you do. These folks said early on, "Oh, RED is vaporware." or "C'mon, from a sunglass company?".

These same folks now are saying things like, "Where are the built in ND filters?" or "Well, it's technically not 4K".

There just are some people that won't (or can't) grasp the idea of creating something new for the sake of passion. They don't see the goal, they don't see just how difficult it is to pull off, they don't understand that it isn't even a choice, to forge ahead, when you have a dream, but just a question of how.

Of coarse, there are the ones that don't want change, want to protect their jobs, are envious of others, etc., but I think there just are those out there who are wired differently. They are great people too, but operate on a different wavelength. To those, a product that stays within the set boundaries, doesn't push the envelope, or think outside the box is just fine with them. They would rather stick with what works for them and that is their choice. But that isn't how the making of Motion Pictures is going to advance. That isn't how new ideas will develop.

Also, there are many people that are never going to use the product themselves that love commenting on it technically. Being out in the field (100 degree Spanish Jungle) creating artistic shots for a masterpiece is just slightly different than analyzing a camera sitting on a workbench at a rental house or talking tech specs on a forum.

There are cycles that come and go like the tide. Right now, we are just beginning to witness a tidal wave of change. And those who are open minded, creative, passionate and are early adopters are leading the way.

I'm so happy to be living during this unique period that will allow for my cinematic aspirations (as well as many other's) to be realized.

Thank you, Jim, and RED, for all of your efforts, past, present, and future.

 

[Eryc Tramonn]

This doesn't surprise me.

I shook Jim's hand, had him sign my 'R' but I only really "know" him from his words here on the forum and from what people like Jarred say about him, again--here on the forum.

But, that's the Jim I know. Integrity, honor, loyalty. Given the situation, i would have expected nothing less of him.

Jim YOU are an inspiration to us all.

Absolutely. Follow your dreams, and never let ANYONE tell you otherwise. If you truly believe, each of us has the ability to manifest whatever we imagine.

 

[Antoine Fabi]

Jim,

This story is certainly good for you, and a huge motivation too.

People who have a lot to tell do not have that much time to complaint, they just work and work.

...and when they find what works best for them,...then they work "with"...not against.

RED One is not perfect, but it is unbelievable, like a good music instrument, not perfect...but the best!

Cheers

Antoine

 

[Robert Sanders]

Wow. Great post Mr. Jannard.

I remember thinking when I watched the new "Knowing" trailer, "And people are bitching that RED isn't there yet? WTF?"

 

[David Battistella]

Jim,

Sharing this is kind of you. Thanks. It reminds me that one thing that great people seem to share is humility.

Attitude is everything.

Thanks for this post.

David

 

[Remy Carter]

It's nice to know that there are people like Jim creating and building companies and innovations today in this period of time in this industry. There are so many naysayers and people in this industry that say things are impossible. I see Jim as one of the best examples of "Just Do It". let history sort out who could and could not.

 

[Jason Diamond]

yeah great post...i had alot of contact with a member of his team and he told me alot of stories as they were happening and i have to say they were overall thrilled to have the RED team there as a part of the team making changes as needed on the fly. that's gotta be exciting even if it doesnt work. being on the edge and having the talent to pull it off is a nice place to be.
that goes for the RED team in equality

thanks

 

[Florin Andrei]

Soderbergh's "Solaris" really opened my eyes to the art of cinema. I was not much of a visual person before, I spent a lot more time with words and sounds (tinkered with synthesizers, published a few articles, things like that). Movies were just a pretty marginal pastime.

And then I saw "Solaris" - you know, the sequence at the beginning when you look over Clooney's shoulder and it's like you're in his head. My jaw dropped to the floor. I was like - "oooh, so THAT's what it means to tell a story with your camera!..."

I'm sure there are better examples than that, but to me that was the turning point. It's like someone flipped a switch in my head, and all of a sudden I started to "get" movies.

 

[Deanan]

i have to say they were overall thrilled to have the RED team there as a part of the team making changes as needed on the fly. that's gotta be exciting even if it doesnt work. being on the edge and having the talent to pull it off is a nice place to be.
that goes for the RED team in equality

thanks

Likewise we were also thrilled (and lucky) to get to work with the awesome team on Soderberg's side. They made the toughest challenges seem like a walk in the park. It was truly one of those once in a lifetime experiences.

 

[Tim Hole]

Isn't on wide released in UK till January and February so haven't seen it can't wait though. An inspiring film on a lot of levels I'm sure, I have an interest in Cuba having visited a few times, However part of my reason for seeing it is purely RED!

Thats an inspiring post though, Jim. I hope I am more like that than the polar opposite, I think I am! I profess many times, when it was the fixed scarlet on the table and nothing else I was eternally thankful for having something so fantastical close to my grasp, anything it couldn't do was an after thought and I would always make use of it fantastic pros. Now we have all the cake and we are told we can eat it as well. We are not left wanting. We have far more than we bargained for and are humbled by RED positive drive forward...blowing our minds from day today. I can't wait for a year hence when we start seeing footage on these boards and out in the world on the Scarlet cam.

My stories were always going to be told, regardless of whether RED was around or not, however the fact that RED are, and I will have a Scarlet, these stories will be that much better because of it. I thank you and applaud you dedication, enthusiasm, knowledge, and business ethic.

Its a quirky experience to consider a company having a face. You can't really name that many. To me RED have a personality. A gestalt entity if you will...and as such I can care, empathise and praise.

 

[Duncan Thompson]

Just took delivery of a RED ONE camera today.

First film school in Australia to own one.

Gotta say: THAT'S THE SPIRIT

That's why we do this.

www.ifss.edu.au

THANK YOU!

Duncan Thompson
CEO/Head of School

This is cinema!