RED EPIC-M: Ideal For Shooting A Much-Read Epic
This stunning footage, courtesy of Tom Lowe and Vimeo, was shot by the new RED EPIC-M at Salton Sea, CA. Watch “Ride of the Valkyries” FULL SCREEN!
Last November, it was reported that Peter Jackson would begin shooting his two-part adaptation of J.R. Tolkein’s “The Hobbit” in 3D using the new RED EPIC-M camera technology. He was reported to have acquired thirty of the machines at $58,000 a piece. This sum includes (non-Geeks beware): a pack of four 128GB SSD’s that slip into the solid state storage module on the RED, four-pack batteries, the uber-cool REDmote, 5″ touchscreen LCD Bomb EVF and titanium PL mount.
It appears the EPIC is simply the greatest digital camera/gadget ever made. It is also extremely small and reatively lightweight, even compared with its industry-changing predecessor the RED ONE, making it ideal for 3D rigs, where cameras are mounted side-by-side. With a 5000 resolution and capable of shooting up to 120 fps (frames per second), it also has a new HDRx™ mode for the highest dynamic range ever.
Having learnt everything they could from the RED ONE, the RED team built and optimised the EPIC from scratch. Owner and founder of RED Jim Jannard, who sold his share in Oakley for £2 billion in 2007, had flown to New Zealand so Jackson could test it.
“Everybody at RED is incredibly proud that Peter has chosen the Epic” says Jannard, “The Hobbit is a major production, and could have chosen any camera system that they wanted. The fact that they went with us is extremely gratifying.”
Jackson’s history with RED dates back to when he directed the short film ‘Crossing the Line‘ in 200 with two RED prototypes.
It is a fantastic tool, the Epic not only has cutting edge technology, incredible resolution and visual quality, but it is also a very practical tool for film makers. Many competing digital systems require the cameras to be tethered to large cumbersome VTR machines. The Epic gives us back the ability to be totally cable free, even when working in stereo.”
The first 5,000 EPIC models were hand assembled and assembly-line production doesn’t begin until next month. So, unless your a professional Film Director lined up to shoot your next feature, or some weird breed of super-rich movie brat, the likelihood is you won’t be getting your hands on the EPIC anytime soon. So the Louisiana post-production company Digital FX has put together this little video for you; shot with the seething, envious RED ONE for good measure. Salivate away..
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