For the Newbie [Archive]

J.D. Frey

01-03-2008, 08:41 AM

Hey Guys. I wanted to post this in case there are any others out there that need encouragement and are in the same boat as me: No Cinema Camera Experience- until yesterday. Sometimes it's good to know that there are other people out there making mistakes. To me that's what this revolution is all about.

1. Fear is good- it keeps you from over torquing your hardware and makes you careful with the electronics and glass- but don't be afraid to play! The only way to learn is hoist the rig on your shoulder and shoot footage
2. It is exactly like sex- All the metaphors work. My first time with the RED was messy and awkward. All the enjoyment was on my end- but I got a taste, and I'm learning how to treat a lady right.
3. Find a pro- there is one in your town, and he knows everything, and even if he doesn't he has a good clue. Starting out fresh on this camera has the advantage of no preconceived notions- but the disadvantage of no experience can be daunting
4. Batteries are heavy, buy them in odd numbers- We have three, one on the camera and two on the charger at all times for two reasons: You obviously always want one charging (the power pack seems to charge one battery at a time not in tandem) and if you take one battery off without replacing it your charger will fall over. I know this sounds dumb- but alas I'm a newbie, and gravity is less kind to newbies. Five batteries and two chargers is probably a very good idea.
5. This is the last time your gear is new- so take care of it. It has to last a long time. Eventually all that nice black hardware with have shiny new scratches. I imagine the exchange will be something like your child scraping their knee for the first time. If it doesn't break and you can still use it- chalk it up as experience and growth.
6. READ- the instruction manual- this website (The FAQ), everything you can find. If you don't know what Bayer data is then look it up on wikipedia- throw away all your Sci-fi novels and start reading about this technology you have in your hands, it is far more rewarding.
7. Don't forget that you are a story teller- It's easy to forget when you have a shiny new camera. Even if you are not a writer or director remember that no matter what camera you use every pixel you shoot is telling a story. It's up to you whether the story is good or bad.
8. Don't Panic!- There will be more Newbies one day, with even cheaper cameras. One day RED will ship their $5,000.00 16K resolution camera and you will be the old pro in a sea of newbies- so find a newbie and help them out.

Thanks everyone for all the great posts- on the message board, and for all the free advice. All my future questions will have the weight of experience (read: stupid mistakes).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2060/2163404512_cb7bf2912f.jpg

number6

01-03-2008, 08:46 AM

Words to live by

Radoslav Karapetkov

01-03-2008, 09:11 AM

Another one:

Every pro was a newbie in the beginning...

Mark L. Pederson

01-03-2008, 09:16 AM

I like this guy.

Nice post!

as far as #2 goes - confidence is key. learn where the right buttons are ... and push 'em ...

number6

01-03-2008, 09:19 AM

I like this guy.

Nice post!

as far as #2 goes - confidence is key. learn where the right buttons are ... and push 'em ...

More words to live by

C.H.Haskell

01-03-2008, 09:29 AM

Well said solecize. :)

Nathan Garofalos

01-03-2008, 09:40 AM

Maybe RED could set up an adopt a newbie program...

Curran Giddens

01-03-2008, 11:03 AM

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm probably the least experienced newbie of all. -- I've never even used as regular video camera before. :blush:

Bing Bailey

01-03-2008, 11:14 AM

Maybe RED should facilitate a Mentor Program. RED Mentor , I guess the whole site is kinda like that. but it would be good to have an area for it

number6

01-03-2008, 11:26 AM

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm probably the least experienced newbie of all. -- I've never even used as regular video camera before. :blush:

But yet you had the foresight to order RED #561.... you'll be alright.

Vladimir Eugene

01-03-2008, 11:44 AM

[B][COLOR="Yellow"]4.if you take one battery off without replacing it your charger will fall over. I know this sounds dumb- but alas I'm a newbie, and gravity is less kind to newbies.
[B][COLOR="Yellow"]5.

I really enjoyed your post. Especially number 2- takes years to find out that some else is supposed to get something out of it.

As far as the battery charger if you lift it up and turn it upside down you will be able to pull the bottum up towards you and make it perpendicular- then when you set it down even with one battery it wont fall over. I hope this tip helps.

vladimir- former newbie

J.D. Frey

01-03-2008, 12:07 PM

Thanks for all the encouragement and support everyone. It's nice to know that there are so many people willing to help out there. The level of support for this product is unparalleled mainly due to the people (Pros and Newbies alike) on this message board- It really is an adopt-a-newbie program.

By the way Curran: when you get your camera (soon it sounds like) it will be a thrilling first step in the right direction. This camera has been such a roller coaster ride from the first time we heard about it until delivery. You are guaranteed some very fond memories for a long time.

and thanks for the tip Vlad!

Eli Jarra

01-03-2008, 12:40 PM

J.D. Frey

01-03-2008, 01:05 PM

We got the camera and accessories yesterday- just waiting for one more lens, a Nikon mount, side handles and drives.

We had a little wine and unboxed the gear last night. It was an exercise in extreme patience not to tear the box open before the party started, but some of the other guys were on location yesterday, so we had to wait- we played until 4:00 am!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2060/2163404512_cb7bf2912f.jpg
like the monkeys in 2001 trying to figure out the obelisk

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/2162585229_a2ab96be7f.jpg
ok you stand over here and i'll stand over there

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/2162596913_04ac461b2a.jpg
the RED arm rocks!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/2162594507_c02aba11a5.jpg
the table full of goodies

BASSAM MSSALATIE

01-03-2008, 01:24 PM

solecize where are you in the pic?

and i really like your post , it is really what we need .:blink: .befor receiving our cam's. :glare:

J.D. Frey

01-03-2008, 01:29 PM

I'm the guy in the blue and white shirt that looks very confused most of the time ;)

BASSAM MSSALATIE

01-03-2008, 01:43 PM

you are look so happy excited newbie .congrats.:usd:

Larry McKee

01-03-2008, 03:48 PM

Evin Grant

01-03-2008, 04:48 PM

solecize... what does DWP stand for? Department of Whoop-Ass and power? :P

J.D. Frey

01-03-2008, 05:31 PM

solecize... what does DWP stand for? Department of Whoop-Ass and power? :P

Close- it's actually Dead Workers Party

:)

J.D. Frey

01-03-2008, 06:14 PM

Hang in there solecize. When I first got started I listened to the old pros tell story after story. I had nothing to say because I didn't have any experience. That was 30 years ago. Now I'm the old guy that won't shut up.

Thanks- We were lucky enough to find an "old pro" to share experiences with- he's always breaking out with crazy stories about shooting IMAX under water.

I look forward to one day telling my grandkids about the early days of digital cinema before smellavision or what ever passes for entertainment in the future.

:biggrin:

Greg M

01-03-2008, 06:38 PM

nice post!

Júlio Taubkin

01-03-2008, 07:03 PM

Not only intelligently written, but with a little unpacking goodness that we all want to live in a near future!

J.D. Frey

01-03-2008, 07:06 PM

Oh yeah- this was way better than Christmas- January 2nd is a new holiday as far as the Dead Workers Party is concerned

Alexander Christ

01-04-2008, 02:29 AM

hi solecize, thanks for sharing!

galexander

01-04-2008, 02:51 AM

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm probably the least experienced newbie of all. -- I've never even used as regular video camera before. :blush:

Being a newbie, is good, no preconceived ideas or bad habits. Especially if you are doing an independent production, I was writer, producer, director, sound, grip, caterer, travel consultant, 2nd unit, PA, gopher, psychiatrist, and now editor, foley. When you're a 'pro' you do one function extremely well but miss out on the reality of what everyone else contributes. I've always had the philosophy that there isn't anything I can't do. If Kubrik can make his kind of films with an Arri-IIC so can anyone else. All the technology doesn't mean anything if you don't have a good story to tell. A great story will overcome all of the less than professional aspects IMHO.

dino g

01-04-2008, 04:42 AM

there is a way to stabilize the battery charger, underneath there is a stand, pull it out and twist...and you will be able to have one battery in at a time.

good luck

J.D. Frey

01-04-2008, 06:48 AM

Thanks Kosmos I'm learning lots now that the camera is in hands and my questions are no longer speculation-I'd be totally lost without this site though.

I'm really amazed at how fast everything happens on this board- The whole metric lens issue yesterday was amazing to watch. At first I thought why won't sony, et. al. try something like reduser.net and then I realized that as soon as they had a riot on their hands- the site would crumble. It's a different level of passion.

Larry McKee

01-04-2008, 08:02 AM

I'm really amazed at how fast everything happens on this board- The whole metric lens issue yesterday was amazing to watch. At first I thought why won't sony, et. al. try something like reduser.net and then I realized that as soon as they had a riot on their hands- the site would crumble. It's a different level of passion.

The passion at RED is about cinematography. The passion for the big guys is about cold hard cash. That's the difference.

Robert Frank

01-04-2008, 08:04 AM

IMO, there is way too much negativity in what people post at times.

If we could all operate with the understanding that this entire effort is a TEAM effort it would benefit us all.

Feedback, issues, information and questions are ALL great things. They can constructively push us forward, unless a destructive energy is attached.

Whatever I am doing, in whatever role I happen to be in that day, I always approach the tasks at hand with a constructive mindset.

Notice how the vibe (and end result) will change with whatever energy is present, even if not articulated, be it positive or negative.

If some of the "Experienced Professionals" here would remember what it was like when they started it would be a great thing.