What if RED...

[Chandler Simmering]

So I was thinking about how I could get my hands on a RED (EPIC,ONE,SCARLET, it dosent matter) but as a young teenage I don't have the money And I came up with great idea, what if RED had some pros who use red teach the young filmakers/photographers to be the basics of digital cinema with red cameras at little or no cost to the young people. now why would Red do this you may ask? so that those young filmakers will grown up go to cinema school or collage and when they get out the will want to make movies, so who do they turn to for the cameras? the people who gave them there foudation, RED!

 

[Stephen Gentle]

I hate to be cynical, but RED are hardly going to offer free education on the basis that some students possibly may buy RED cameras in the future.

I think a better solution is that if your school has a film program, get them to buy some Scarlets when they are released. RED will have a lot of returned RED ONE cameras after EPIC starts shipping - perhaps they will sell them to film schools cheaply also.

 

[Julio Quintana]

You don't need a RED to learn how to make movies. Learn how to write, direct actors, stage scenes. The cameras will be waiting for you when you're ready.

 

[Mark Phelan]

Chandler, it's not a bad idea at all. Perhaps RED could have a group of us owners who would be part of a teaching team that would go to schools to help educate the next generation about the camera system. I myself have taken my camera to a local school for a show and tell to their broadcast class. Did this a couple years ago before the camera was as well known as it is today. I think this idea has a lot of merit, sort of miniTed's out there showcasing the camera and it's abilities. I like it.

 

[David Rasberry]

What does a Reducation class cost?

 

[Mark Phelan]

$2,500.00 for the class at RED.

 

[Tim Hole]

What would be the point in teaching kids about digital cinematography on kit they won't be able to use. Thats the equiv. of taking a kid to a choc factory and tying their hands behind their back.

Part of me really wants to be a kill-joy in this kind of situation. I don't mean it to be mean or begrudged because of what I had to go through (because on the one hand what a lot of people on here had to deal with, the lack of quality doesn't exist anymore - I'm not including 8/16mm in this). My point is I think you need to learn and master cameras with restrictions. You will be a better cameraman by overcoming obstacles than by jumping into the quality gear.

The other part of me really wants to educate ambitious and dedicated young filmmakers but I think my dark side will win out.

 

[Tim Hole]

$2,500.00 for the class at RED.

An expected level of knowledge is generally expected though with reducation though is it not? Unless they offered a beginners guide.

 

[Mark Phelan]

Tim, I couldn't disagree more. This is an opportunity the way I see it. Right now, unless they are rabid fans of all things digital, they probably don't have a clue what a RED is or what it means. But the change is happening very quickly and it would be a help to schools who cannot afford or just don't have the ability to teach about the industry and where it's heading. Also, they would be able to rent a camera or the school might even buy a Scarlet system for the film class to use. I think Chandler's idea is very proactive.

 

[Mark Phelan]

An expected level of knowledge is generally expected though with reducation though is it not? Unless they offered a beginners guide.

I agree. I don't think that class is what we're talking about here. More of an introductory session that would potentially lead to a class taught at a school level. We could build a class structure that would incorporate the history of cinematography that brings them into the current state of the art. Can you imagine being a kid taking a field trip to RED Studios?

 

[Steve Johnson]

An expected level of knowledge is generally expected though with reducation though is it not? Unless they offered a beginners guide.

Tim

I attended REDucation 003 back in December 09 having never touched or operated a RED ONE. I could follow the course completely and I would consider it to be a steal at $2500. Personally I think it's a must for everyone. Attendees on the course ranged in seasoned professionals through to beginners, English speaking to non- English speaking (as a first language), and the atmosphere and knowledge was incredible.

I met many people who I still keep in contact now, so in my eyes REDucation is more than worth the money, so much so, I am thinking about doing the course each year for the next few years to stay ontop of RED developments and hone my skills!

Just my 2 cents worth!

Steve

 

[peter roehsler]

great idea, Chandler!
If this were anywhere near my place I´d volunteer to come over to your school for a day or two.
You are on the right board for this kind of thing. Don´t expect RED to step in, they have cameras to build. But if you are willing to organize this type of class, give your location and ask for help. I think you could start something here.

all the best
peter

 

[Steve Das]

You don't need a RED to learn how to make movies. Learn how to write, direct actors, stage scenes. The cameras will be waiting for you when you're ready.

Couldn't agree more. Cameras don't make movies. People do.

People always are getting confused with technical knowledge and film.
The best cinematographers are great artists not great technicians.

 

[Tim Hole]

Tim

I attended REDucation 003 back in December 09 having never touched or operated a RED ONE. I could follow the course completely and I would consider it to be a steal at $2500. Personally I think it's a must for everyone. Attendees on the course ranged in seasoned professionals through to beginners, English speaking to non- English speaking (as a first language), and the atmosphere and knowledge was incredible.

I met many people who I still keep in contact now, so in my eyes REDucation is more than worth the money, so much so, I am thinking about doing the course each year for the next few years to stay ontop of RED developments and hone my skills!

Just my 2 cents worth!



Steve

That's good to hear. I am glad you got so much from it. Had you experience with cameras beforehand, even HDV?

My point is, if you don't know anything about (not assuming that the OP doesn't when I say this) exposure, compression, codecs/formats/raw, what an XLR or HD-SDI lead/socket are, what an f/t-stop is, ISO etc...maybe some groundwork should be done before you spend money and attend these type of classes - mostly even just for your own benefit.

No point running before you can walk.

 

[Mark Phelan]

Couldn't agree more. Cameras don't make movies. People do.

People always are getting confused with technical knowledge and film.
The best cinematographers are great artists not great technicians.

I agree, it's not the tool that makes the artist. BUT, there is still an opportunity here that can use the enthusiasm that RED has generated by simply being RED that could be used to educate and enlighten. How many of you as a child saw a red firetruck and weren't enthralled by the many bells and whistles on it? Certainly nobody was expecting you to jump on it and put out a fire, but simply seeing it and getting up close to touch it generated enthusiasm and interest that caused you to want to know more about it and what it's like to be a fireman.

 

[Stephen Gentle]

People always are getting confused with technical knowledge and film.
The best cinematographers are great artists not great technicians.

I don't know if I agree with that. A cinematographer must be a good technician to know how to achieve their artistic vision within the limits of the equipment they are using.

I think that the best cinematographers are usually great artists and great technicians. But of course, the problem a lot of people have is that they focus too much on the technology and not enough on the art. But you definitely need both.

 

[Steve Das]

...BUT, there is still an opportunity here that can use the enthusiasm that RED has generated by simply being RED that could be used to educate and enlighten.

I agree...but it seems like this already done through this website.

Everything you need to know to fire up a camera can be learned
through this website in a day or two. More than enough to get you shooting.

 

[Tim Hole]

Tim, I couldn't disagree more. This is an opportunity the way I see it. Right now, unless they are rabid fans of all things digital, they probably don't have a clue what a RED is or what it means. But the change is happening very quickly and it would be a help to schools who cannot afford or just don't have the ability to teach about the industry and where it's heading. Also, they would be able to rent a camera or the school might even buy a Scarlet system for the film class to use. I think Chandler's idea is very proactive.

I'm sorry but I don't see it that way. I don't see why a school kid should hear about RED unless they are rabid fans. Its not just the camera its the hardware that is required for the entire pipeline and all the other kit.

There is nothing wrong with HDV for school kids. Get to college (not sure what they call it in America but its not university) learn a bit and build up to a RED.

Unless I am confusing educational systems,ages and levels here.

 

[Mark Phelan]

I'm sorry but I don't see it that way. I don't see why a school kid should hear about RED unless they are rabid fans. Its not just the camera its the hardware that is required for the entire pipeline and all the other kit.

There is nothing wrong with HDV for school kids. Get to college (not sure what they call it in America but its not university) learn a bit and build up to a RED.

Unless I am confusing educational systems,ages and levels here.

Why make them wait? I remember in high school having a similar discussion with my Chemistry teacher who said we had to learn how to use the slide rule, even though we all had the brand new Texas Instruments calculators. His response was "because that's the way it's done". I do see value in teaching with a basic camera, absolutely. But I also think technology is outpacing us older folks faster than we like to admit. How many school kids have an iPhone with high def video built into it? I know first graders that have them.

All I'm saying is this is an opportunity that RED could capitalize upon that would endear them to future generations of cinematographers who don't know they want to be a cinematographer, yet.

 

[Wouter V Gestel]

Why make them wait? Because learning RED now is overkill for what they need to learn now.

A lot of creative people I know start his or her career thinking that you need the best equipment to learn to make content. Even when they read ‘Rebel without a crew’ the only thing they take from it was that in the end Robert Rodriguez shot el Mariachi on 16mm film.

What used to be 'If only I had a HD or film camera' is now 'If only I had a 4K camera' and will be 'If only I had a 28K camera'. If only I had a billion dollars.

It’s a trap! Your mind will create barriers of why you’re not good enough to learn to shoot. And most of the time it will be either equipment or money. Then you end up either not doing anything or making a movie and feel bad about it because it doesn't look like a billion dollar movie. It’s a struggle every time until you accept the struggle or until you quit.

I learned early on to accept that struggle of reaching for perfection and I don’t feel bad about making some mistakes, because it is necessary to learn your skills. I even believe that if you don’t have that struggle, you probably won’t learn the skill.

So go out and make some content with the stuff you DO have and learn from the mistakes you WILL make.