Since launching the RED One back in 2007, RED has had a dramatic impact on the world of digital filmmaking. In the last few years, a huge number of feature films, television shows, and commercials have been shot on RED, with the EPIC model in particular becoming a workhorse of the stock footage industry. Many Shutterstock contributors (including Robb Crocker) shoot on RED equipment, and many more are considering making the jump from DSLR filmmaking to cameras of this caliber, so the timing seemed great for us to team up to help communicate what’s behind RED’s products and workflow.
As a result, RED has decided to make one of the seats at an upcoming 3-day REDucation course in Los Angeles available to a member of the Shutterstock community. REDucation is a “fully immersive, hands-on, practical training and teaching of the EPIC (MYSTERIUM-X and DRAGON) and SCARLET camera systems for both on-set practices and post-production practices.” In other words, if you’re thinking about shooting on RED, this is the very best place to start, ensuring that you get the most out of your time with the camera.
Read on for more info on REDucation and to find out how you can sign up for a chance to win a free spot at a course in L.A., valued at $1,500.
RED describes these sessions as “real-world training – taught by working professionals, for working professionals and those looking to work in the field of Digital Cinematography and Ultra High Resolution Post Production.” We spoke with the company’s Erin Anderson about the history of REDucation, and what to expect from the courses.
Shutterstock: How did the REDucation program get its start?
Erin Anderson: REDucation was started in 2009. At the time, digital cinema was a new technology and RED was a brand new system. The program began — and remains focused — on teaching students how to operate the RED system and manage workflow.
How has the program changed over the last few years?
As people have gotten more familiar with our ecosystem, the course has changed from promoting RAW workflow and teaching the basics to an in-depth look not only at the hardware behind our cameras, but also at the science behind RED — how cinematographers and colorists can use that information to create art.
Based on feedback from past attendees, what are some of the most important things people get out of all the hands-on experience with RED cameras and workflow?
While the course has received great reviews, the most beneficial thing to students is the hands-on opportunities. Students work in teams of 5-7 with a camera and instructor. These instructors are highly experienced RED users. This means that they can answer questions and advise students in ways that someone sitting behind a desk wouldn’t be able to. All of our instructors care about the images they create and are wonderful at what they do. Not only are they happy to answer questions and cater the group time to the student’s interests, but they also all have spent lunch/break times helping students with individual concerns.
Can you tell us a little about the two programs you offer that supplement the primary 3-day REDucation course?
“Shoot, Post, Present” is a 2-day holistic look at creation with a RED. Students shoot a short film rotating through positions such as DP, 1st and 2nd AC, sound mixer, electric, and grip. Here, students not only get to put their RED knowledge into practice, but they also get hands-on experience with some of the other newest equipment in the industry. From lenses to LEDs to sound devices, we bring some of the greatest equipment to our mini set experience. Students then cut and color their short and watch it projected in 4K.
“Advanced Post Production” dives into the post process from ingest to 4K delivery. Students further discuss media management, Premier and Final Cut X, basic coloring, and coloring in Resolve. This course does the final color of the SPP script and exports it for our show.
Here’s a complete list of the upcoming REDucation sessions.
Berlin, Germany – March 12-14
New York – March 17-19
Seattle – May 5-7
New York – May 12-14
Los Angeles – June 2-6
New York – July 14-16
Los Angeles – August 4-8
New York – September 22-24
Los Angeles – December 8-12
Learn more about REDucation here.
Tom Spota, Director of Video Acquisition at Shutterstock, will be attending a number of these events in the coming months to discuss shooting on RED cameras for stock as part of one of the sessions, and we plan to facilitate a discussion with RED at our booth at the upcoming NAB. Stay tuned for details on both!
In the meantime, to enter for your chance at a free REDucation course for any of the LA dates above, simply sign up for a free footage browse account via this link between March 4 and March 11 (one entry per person). If you already have an account and would like to enter, just send an email with the subject line “REDucation Contest” to redcontest@shutterstock.com, including your name, address, phone number, and email address in the message.
Complete contest rules are below. Good luck!
Shutterstock REDucation Promotion Official Rules
The Shutterstock REDucation giveaway promotion (the “Promotion”) begins at 12:00 PM EST on March 5, 2014 and ends at 11:59 PM EST on March 11, 2014 (the “Promotion Period”).
The Promotion is open only to legal residents of the United States who are at least eighteen years old. Eligible participants (“Participants”) may enter by one of the following methods: (1) by registering for a free Footage browse account at http://footage.shutterstock.com/register.html during the Promotion Period; (2) current Shutterstock Footage account holders may enter by sending an email with subject line “REDucation” to redcontest@shutterstock.com; or (3) anybody may enter by submitting a card (no greater than 4-1/4 inches high by 6 inches long) by mail to Shutterstock, Inc., Attn: REDucation 2014 Promotion, 350 Fifth Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10118, with participant’s name, address, phone number, and email address (if sent by mail, the card must be postmarked no later than March 7, 2014). Participants may only enter once during the Promotion Period and additional entries will be void.
One (1) prize winner will receive a complimentary attendance at an upcoming Los Angeles-area REDucation course (the “Prize”, valued at $1,500). All travel, lodging and additional expenses associated with attending the REDucation course in Los Angeles, CA are the responsibility of the winner. All taxes in connection with the prize are the responsibility of the winner. Potential winners will be notified within 7 days of the end of the Promotion. Shutterstock shall have the right to use the name and likeness of any Prize Winner for the purposes of trade and to promote Shutterstock.
No purchase necessary. No substitution of Prize. Winner will be randomly selected and notification will be sent to the email address associated with the winning entry. Winner shall complete an “affidavit of eligibility” if requested. In the event a winning entry is discovered to be invalid for any reason whatsoever or the person who submitted the winning entry fails to comply with these rules, the Prize may be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner selected at random from the remaining eligible entries at Shutterstock’s discretion. An alternate Prize winner will be selected at random from the remaining eligible entries until the Prize has been awarded. One entry per person. Odds of winning are dependent on the number of valid entries. Employees of Shutterstock Inc. or its subsidiaries and their immediate family members are not eligible. Void where prohibited.
For a copy of the list of winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: “Shutterstock, Attn: REDucation Promotion Winners List Request, 350 Fith Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10118.” The list of winners will only be available starting fourteen days after the end of the Promotion Period, and for 6 weeks thereafter.
These Promotion rules shall be interpreted in accordance with New York law without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions. Participants agree that the state and federal courts located in New York County, New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from or relating to these Official Rules, this Sweepstakes or participants’ participation in this Promotion, and participants consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue thereof. If for any reason Shutterstock is not capable of running the Promotion as planned, Shutterstock reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion.