Instructional DVDs

[Alex Boothby]

Here's another idea to make the Red team groan. I know it's way early to even mention this but I wonder if RED has any plans to produce little instructional movies on things like camera and rail setup, basic camera menus, REDCINE and RAW workflow? Something like this:

http://www.panavision.com.au/News/Building_Genesis.htm

The advantage of instructional videos over manuals is that first time users and renters, camera ops, ACs, editors and assistants can get a quick overview of the RED concept without thumbing through dozens of pages of documentation. Ultimately this benefits RED by preempting negative comments by whiners and old-schoolers who are set in their ways. Let's face it: there will be a convergence of film and video users and renters coming into contact with RED, each bringing their own baggage on how a camera system and post workflow should work. Walking them through simple tutorials will help them make the paradigm shift a lot easier.

These instructional videos could be packaged in a DVD with chapter headings, or broken down in smaller quicktimes posted on red.com. In time, esoteric topics could be address such as "exposing to the right", "cleaning and maintenance", "RAW vs. RBG", etc.

AND NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS: this need not (and should not) distract the RED team from more pressing matters. Why not recruit some of the fine local film and video makers in the area (and on this board) to take it off your hands? Shooting, editing, full deal. I'm sure you will get some keen offers if it involves taking a trip down to RED HQ to shoot some bling. :D

[Michael Schrengohst]

Maybe Barry Green is working with Jarred on this?

[Blaine Golden]

The advantage of instructional videos over manuals is that

not enough people are willing to read a manual. Too many times I hear, "I don't read manuals, I don't have time. I can figure out what I want." This is generally followed, in a fairly short time, by "Hey, how do you...(fill in the blank)"

[Stuart English]

Its a good idea.

And if we can dump the old model of physical DVD's in favor of peer-to-peer networking downloads of HD image quality instructional videos, then the cost and time involved in creating these would become significantly less.

[Stuart English]

Which is why there will always be a place for a well constructed manual too ..

[Steve Sherrick]

I like the download idea too. Could slap it right onto the iPod and have it right there with me at alll times. Got to love new technology.

Steve

[Alex Boothby]

not enough people are willing to read a manual. Too many times I hear, "I don't read manuals, I don't have time. I can figure out what I want." This is generally followed, in a fairly short time, by "Hey, how do you...(fill in the blank)"

Well said. And this is often follow with rumblings such as "camera X sucks - it's hard to white balance" or "workflow Y is bad - it's too hard to convert dailies". And that's what we call negative industry buzz.

[Alex Boothby]

Its a good idea.

And if we can dump the old model of physical DVD's in favor of peer-to-peer networking downloads of HD image quality instructional videos, then the cost and time involved in creating these would become significantly less.

'HD image quality' may be overkill for this - I'd think speed and convenience would be more important. I like the video I-pod idea as you could have a quick reference on set. As far as cost is concerned, you could recoup by selling DVDs - I'm sure that rental houses would prefer to send out their RED gear with a copy so that renters don't abuse the equipment. I'd certainly buy one (as long as the reservation fee is below $2 :) .)

For peer-to-peer or downloads you will obviously not recoup, except to call it the cost of doing business. Jim could take it out of the marketing budget! :D

I'd think a cheep-cheep-cheep DV production 3-4 weeks before shipping would do the trick. Look at the Genesis setup movie after all - it does what it needs to do.

[Stuart English]

No reason with currently available technology not to do HD resolution... we could work out how to make it pay-to-view if you really wanted us too.... also no reason not to encode an i-POD (or i-Phone) resolution version either, but if you are looking at instructional videos on set you are probably in trouble ;-)

[Gavin Greenwalt]

I don't like the Peer to Peer idea unless there's always a RED official seeder. I don't want to be trying to download it a year from now, and everybody already had their copy, so I'm SOL.