Fear of Post

[Joe G.]

I have several nagging fears about jumping into this red pool, but the biggest so far is that I have no idea what is going to happen when it comes time to assemble the actual movie. You guys have 50 different programs, and all sorts of jargon complicating matters to an unacceptable degree.

I can't make an informed decision about what it will cost for post production.

Is there a LIST of post production houses that support the Red system?

Are there special effects companies I can contact that support your format?

Apparently there is a program called "Scratch" that apparently sells for $5000??? In order to use the footage on another (standard?) platform you have to pay a third party software company 5 gs?

Is that correct?

Why doesn't RED simply provide a file conversion application for FREE?

When you create a proprietary format like ".R3D" you incur some responsibility to see that it has adequate support and compatibility.

Lastly, I would like to know about editing "proxies" that are smaller than the 4k native files. Is this process explained simply somewhere? How easy is it to take this data to a place and say "Make me a 35mm print?"

I don't want to get a PHD in computer science in order to put my movie together.

[Cüneyt Kaya]

I have several nagging fears about jumping into this red pool, but the biggest so far is that I have no idea what is going to happen when it comes time to assemble the actual movie. You guys have 50 different programs, and all sorts of jargon complicating matters to an unacceptable degree.

I can't make an informed decision about what it will cost for post production.

Is there a LIST of post production houses that support the Red system?

Are there special effects companies I can contact that support your format?

Apparently there is a program called "Scratch" that apparently sells for $5000??? In order to use the footage on another (standard?) platform you have to pay a third party software company 5 gs?

Is that correct?

Why doesn't RED simply provide a file conversion application for FREE?

When you create a proprietary format like ".R3D" you incur some responsibility to see that it has adequate support and compatibility.

Lastly, I would like to know about editing "proxies" that are smaller than the 4k native files. Is this process explained simply somewhere? How easy is it to take this data to a place and say "Make me a 35mm print?"

I don't want to get a PHD in computer science in order to put my movie together.

1. red one is a computer
2. scratch is around 50 k -80k and not 5k
3. redcine is free------- red.com/support
4. you will need the QT/FCP plug ins
5. if you wish you can get the log and transfer plug in and log the r3d files directly into fcp
6. redalert and redline are free too
7. yes we all wait for the releasing of the sdk
8. its better to ask politly then shout
9. i forgot the redcine tutorials
10. maybe you are interested in crimsonworkflow.com

[Cüneyt Kaya]

and about your how easy is it to make a 35 mm print....

go to a Posthouse....then talk to the lab they are using...
then you will get an idea about dpx files, Look up Tables, log, linear Colorspaces
etc.....


the quality you want dictates the amount of energy you are putting in
the postworkflow....
find the sweetspot for you

[Greg M]

or simply buy Final Cut and drop the quicktimes the Red camera produces and start editing...couldn't be simplier.

[Steve Sherrick]

Shoot with an HVX200. And I don't mean this in a disrespectful way at all. The workflow is probably a bit easier to grasp and lots of post production houses support P2 at this point.

If you want to shoot with RED, then I suggest doing a bit more research as it is more involved than P2 in some ways, although I could also argue that in terms of simple editing, RED workflow can be faster.

[Cüneyt Kaya]

the workflow is easy...
but if you know nothing a lot can go wrong...

best would be to talk to the rental house/owner you will get the cam...
if you want to buy you will have some time to search in the apple workflow forum for your answers.

[Lucas Wilson]

I have several nagging fears about jumping into this red pool, but the biggest so far is that I have no idea what is going to happen when it comes time to assemble the actual movie.

It's a new technology. If you're not comfortable with it and with learning new technologies, then perhaps you should stick with something you feel comfortable with. Not trying to dis you at all. But if you're that uncomfortable with it, then it may not be right for you.

You guys have 50 different programs, and all sorts of jargon complicating matters to an unacceptable degree.

You want jargon? How about this... taken from bits of actual email regarding a project a friend of mine is working on...

I've shot 35 3-perf. I think there was a perf slip on Lab1 in TK, so the D-Betas will need to be slipped by 1. The one light seems to have been done a stop up for some reason, so be careful of that.

When you rehang for best light, please supply an accurate ALE or FLX file referencing the 3-perf O-Neg. If there is any perf mixing (3- + 4-,) make sure that they are broken into separate FLX files.

DI will be from 10-bit log DPX files with appopriate TC/Reel metadata in headers (I think it's going to be on a Northlight2.) Not sure whether it will be on SCRATCH or Resolve.

So that's some film workflow for you. Jargon is all a matter of perspective. :)

Is there a LIST of post production houses that support the Red system? Are there special effects companies I can contact that support your format?

Where are you based?

Apparently there is a program called "Scratch" that apparently sells for $5000??? In order to use the footage on another (standard?) platform you have to pay a third party software company 5 gs?

I work for the company that makes SCRATCH, and it is more than 5 G's.

Why doesn't RED simply provide a file conversion application for FREE? When you create a proprietary format like ".R3D" you incur some responsibility to see that it has adequate support and compatibility.

Perhaps 5 minutes of research would have helped you before you posted this. RED provides two free tools off their website that are file conversion apps.

Lastly, I would like to know about editing "proxies" that are smaller than the 4k native files. Is this process explained simply somewhere? How easy is it to take this data to a place and say "Make me a 35mm print?"

The Final Cut/RED workflow is explained ad nauseum in a bozillion places on the web. Do a bit of research. Making a print is a fairly specialized and involved process. You should talk to a reputable film-out house in your area to see what they require.

I don't want to get a PHD in computer science in order to put my movie together.

You don't need one... but you do need how to use Google and pick up a phone every once in awhile.

Best,

Lucas
-----
ASSIMILATE, inc.
LA, CA, USA

[Cüneyt Kaya]

You don't need one... but you do need how to use Google and pick up a phone every once in awhile.

hahahaha best advice of the year

[Joe G.]

"but you do need how to use Google and pick up a phone every once in awhile."

Spare me the arrogance. "It's on the web" isn't really an answer, now is it? I've been reading a forum dedicated to the camera for two days now and have isolated very few hard facts about the post production process. One would think the company would make a clear how-to that doesn't require google or phone calls to arrive at a simple explanation.

Your other advice to start calling random post production houses, in the hope that they'd heard of the Red One isn't exactly what I was looking for either.

A lot of ego here.

I'm in Northern California.

I hardly think I'm asking too much for the company to give a clear explanation of how their system will work END TO END. If the customer is unsure of how it will work, he won't buy. These concepts aren't all that radical now are they?

If the Red requires a monopoly solution (like yours? face it, you're not exactly an impartial voice here) the costs will be inflated at that stage, and THAT is what I am trying to quantify.

[Joe G.]

"or simply buy Final Cut and drop the quicktimes the Red camera produces and start editing...couldn't be simplier."

And after that, when I want to get some vfx produced at the minimum cost, what format will I be stuck in? What format will I need to convert to, and etc.?