Digital Cinematography

Red Ones Out At Work
By Staff
Apr 24, 2008, 13:53

The Red One is a high-resolution digital video camera that records data on little square flash cards like those used on high-end digital still cameras or straight onto a hard drive that can hold about 60 minutes of data. Capable of processing five times more information than an HD camera and matched with a 35mm PL lens mount, this new technology is considered by many to be the closest thing to shooting on film since, well, shooting on film. If all of Red‘s promises prove true and the around $17,000 price tag (without lens) for the camera results in a supply that keeps up with the demand, the Red One could become a favorite of independent filmmakers.

Red Digital Cinema first showed a mock-up of the camera at NAB in 2006 and began shipping its product on August 31, 2007. According to the company, thousands were already presold, and Steven Soderbergh was among the first buyers. Red‘s Web site quotes him as saying, “For me, this is the year zero. I feel I should call up film and say, ‘I‘ve met somebody.‘”

Is this all just hype? And if this technology does rock the indie world, how will key positions be affected? What new jobs might be created? What existing jobs might be lost? What does it mean for film?

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