John,
I admit that my son is blessed with the fact that his father owns a Red, but that is beyond the point I am trying to convey here. :rolleyes: You can make great things with less-than-perfect equipment. You know that if you build a good network, resources are going to show up, just as it happened to my son's friends: all of them build a great network around their group and beyond, and who of them would have known that KO's father had a RED? They did not know!
He just was asked to co-direct a movie due to his exhibited skills, and it is when he asked me for help, and after having the crew organized, they knew that they will be shooting the movie with a Red. So the motivation was not on the tool, but on the fact that as a group they got organized around an idea, and where determined to make it happen without knowing what equipment they will be using...
Some people, an I am am sure you are not one of them in that demographics, do not understand that aside of having the passion needed to be a filmmaker, networking is MANDATORY to be successful at FS, or at any other Film school. E-mail me and I can give you his name, and contact information (however, I think he is the only one with Otero as his last name). He is also a third way through, and even with highs and lows (including lack of sleep), he is fulfilling his dream. And yes, with a hefty loan on his back as well as you!
Good luck!
Luis