(so maybe they already understand how to put together commercials, demo reels, and the like . . . but the comments on youtube make it clear that there are thousands of amateurs who want to learn)

take care guys,
LP

Thanks for the response — we read your message some time ago but didn’t respond b/c felt a little embarrassed to learn that the “trial period” for RED_GIANT’s watermarked software is NOT limited (unlike Adobe).

(i hadn’t even bothered to try the software past 30 days b/c i assumed it wouldn’t work)

(now that i understand, we agree that RED_GIANT’s method is by far the better option)

As far as communicating customer “needs” to the “The Powers-That-Be,” here are a few thoughts…

1. DEMO REELS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHGwji3GlTY

I would LOVE to know how you professional_users go about creating a demo reel — set to music and everything.

Your creativecow.net tutorial about setting markers to audio has been one of the GREATEST LIFE_SAVERS . . . however, almost every “professional” user with a demo_reel out there on youtube strongly advises AGAINST messing with audio in AE.

See for example the user/Reel_Creator’s comments at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQqtlBW7drY

The guy who created that awesome reel specifically mentions that he AVOIDs audio in AE and works instead with Final Cut.

You guys at RED_GIANT have made it clear through many of the various tutorials that RED_GIANT works with all the big players: Premiere Pro; Final Cut; etc…

Why not teach us amateurs how to put it all together? (some of us might even be willing to pay a . . . reasonable . . . subscription/portal fee if tutorials were released on a set schedule and guaranteed to be from guys like you and Steve Holmes, and John Dickinson, and Alan Shisko.

There are LOTS of non_professional users out there who (from my perspective) WANT to learn this stuff.

The problem is finding good teachers — see e.g., the following reel by Jeremy Casper — who claims to be “teaching” cinematography, editing, and production design at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD1mBDg3M6k&feature=related

That dude hasn’t revealed anything about his reel.

2. YOUTUBE.com — If you guys really want to boost sales, why not saturate youtube with your demos, tutorials, and such?

Some of those reels have been viewed by over 100,000 ppl.

3. FREEBIES — (and this point undoubtedly will annoy RED_GIANT’s “Powers-that-Be” to no end) . . . but i constantly have to visit and re-visit Kramer and his team at videocopilot.net b/c those guys give away little freebies — plug-ins and such.

Just a suggestion, but it would be nice if you guys maybe gave away a lens_flare from the Knoll Light Factory Package every once in awhile (or something similar)

(hey you’re the one who encouraged us to voice our “needs” to RED_GIANT)

Such marketing strategies would likely strengthen customer loyalty, goodwill; other users might get “hooked” (like Tim . . . Comment #16 above).

In any event, we’ll stay tuned to see what you guys come up with next.

oh! And thank you for the kind words! I’ll make sure the powers-that-be hear all that nice stuff you said about me

Anyway, one long post deserves another…

As far as the products not being intuitive for all people- well – that’s true. some of this stuff can be quite complex. I even posted about how the first time I tried Trapcode Form I was completely overwhelmed by it.

But there’s a good reason for the complexity: When it comes to creating complex effects, it’s hard to do them with very simple controls, unless it’s all canned stuff that looks the same as what everyone else is doing. The whole point of all those options you see is to allow you to be creative and not bound by only a few choices. There are presets that ship with many of the products, but I think of them as a good starting point.

But we realize that for many, it may also seem like an end point because they don’t know what to do next. It’s for that reason we created Red Giant TV – to help people understand – and get the most out of – our products so that they can use them creatively.

Regarding trial software – I guess there are 3 schools of thought, when it comes to trial software:

1. Full use for X amount of time (Ex. Adobe AE)
2. Limited functionality with or without an end date (Ex. PFhoe, SynthEyes)
3. Unlimited testing use with a watermark (Ex. Most Red Giant stuff)

Each has strengths and weaknesses, although I am not a big fan of #2. That option never let’s me fully test the product. There are reasons to do it this way, but it doesn’t make me want to buy what might be an amazing product. On the other hand, I personally have always been a big fan of option #3 for a couple of reasons:

A. I’m a real Type A personality – Time is important to me. I hate to feel the pressure of an expiring trial.
B. More importantly, when I’m using trial software, I tend to get sidetracked by a project and run out of time. I maybe get a day or two of good use, and then that’s it.
C. Allows me to learn the product over as much time as I need, and to buy it when I finally need it.

So #3 makes a lot of sense to me. Hey, but that’s me. Everyone works differently. I’ll make sure the powers-that-be hear your thoughts. Again, that’s the point of this blog.

And, FWIW, check out Red Gaint Planespace, a new product here – it uses a time-based trail system.

Thanks for all the GREAT_AE LESSONS!!! You rock (my wife & i even enjoy your jokes from time to time).

: )

In contrast to Kramer, however, you seem to understand “customers” better; this may explain why RED_GIANT is courting you.

This is also why — at the end of the day — many (if not most) AE_users will likely invest more $$$ in ventures that you endorse.

You’re personable and aren’t above contacting customers directly if necessary (which i cannot say of Kramer).

******RED_GIANT PLEASE BE ADVISED*****

Your products — indeed these types of products in general — are NOT intuitive for people like me (AE itself has been extremely complicated and without Rabinowitz, Eran Stern, and Kramer, i wouldn’t be spending money on these toys).

NOTE: Why haven’t i purchased Zaxwerks Invigorator? <— B/c i haven’t been able to find enough helpful — free — tutorials. Why would anyone throw down $400 for the program + another $200 to buy a disc of tutorials from someone they’ve never heard of?

The point is that if Aharon and other similar expert-level users post the tutorials — explaining HOW to make the most of these products — people like me won’t balk at the . . . not-inexpensive . . . price tag.

(otherwise much of your Amateur/Personal-Use Market will consider “Red_Giant” synonymous with “Zaxwerks”)

(which means losing out on a growing market share)

And what is up with the “Trial Version”? Adobe allows unfettered access for 1 month (which has caused me to spend thousands and thousands with them over the years).

While “trying” PARTICULAR, i became so frustrated with that “X” that i still have a headache (such measures do not make a good impression on prospective users).

(The “trial” version of “Zaxwerks” is even worse) (hopefully you get the drift).

In closing (to Aharon), thanks for the tutorials! Please continue publishing them as you’re able. One day i hope to be really good like you guys! : )

LP

So cool to see you here again Aharon.
This seems to be a good thing!

hang in there!