Even if you don't own a RED, there's a good chance you will find your way onto a set with one at some point in the future. The SCARLET and EPIC cameras can be controlled via the 5" touchscreen, but if the camera is high up on a jib or on a stabilizer, it's very helpful being able to change settings and start/stop wirelessly using the REDMOTE. The REDMOTE was in heavy backorder for a long time, but it seems like it's available right now from the RED store. The tutorial below is a great way to get a head-start if you're unfamiliar with RED and their accessories.
If you're interested, RED is also starting to do interviews with pretty significant shooters -- like Greg St. Johns, the Director of Photography on the television show Criminal Minds. This one is very pro-RED (obviously), but there are some nice tidbits and information about their workflow and the way they are lighting their sets:
There are some major changes happening at the high-end in the film industry, and it's interesting to hear working Directors of Photography talk about how much digital has allowed them to do while still maintaining the quality that they had when they were shooting on film. I think it's safe to say that film is on its last legs (one of the reasons it wasn't included in the Zacuto Shootout), and it won't be too much longer before actual film disappears from Hollywood sets altogether. As someone who really loved (and still loves) the look and "magic" of film, I also am realistic and I know that the advancements in digital technology can give us greater quality for less money. It's going to be a strange future where children will grow up without ever having seen a single frame of projected film.
Links: REDMOTE Tutorial & Greg St. Johns Interview
