Jim Jannard, founder and lead inventor of Oakley, Inc., one of the world’s top eyewear and sports equipment companies and who was recently named one of the 100 Most Creative People by Fast Company magazine will discuss business, invention and cinema at Loyola Marymount University on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7:15 p.m.
Jannard, who holds more than 650 patents for his inventions, is also the founder of RED Digital Cinema, which manufactures high-resolution video cameras that are considered the gold standard of the film industry.
Jannard founded Oakley in 1975 with only $300. His first product was a handgrip he designed for motorcycles and BMX. For 15 years, Jannard was the sole inventor, designer, photographer and marketer for Oakley, until he sold the company in 2007. What began as one man selling grips out of the trunk of his car turned into one of the most successful corporations in the world, competing against global brands like Nike, Reebok and Adidas.
In 2005, Jannard, who is an avid film enthusiast, founded the cinematography company RED Digital Cinema to produce high quality, reasonably priced video cameras for use in feature film production. Films shot on RED cameras include “The Social Network,” “Contagion,” “District 9,” “Knowing,” “Rabbit Hole,” “Pirates of the Caribbean 4” and many others.
“I wanted to produce a worthy alternative/replacement for film good enough to put in the hands of the best cinematographers in the world and inexpensive enough for the next generation to learn the craft,” said Jannard. “RED is now being used to shoot the biggest budget features and the smallest Indie productions.”
This rare opportunity to hear firsthand from this visionary will take place in the Hilton 100 auditorium at the College of Business Administration. Jannard’s appearance is co-sponsored by LMU’s College of Business Administration, School of Film and Television and LMU Extension.