Serato Video General Discussion

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 Serato Video General Discussion
How is VJing received?
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How is VJing received?

ryansupak 6:10 PM - 4 February, 2010
Hi, in a few weeks I start a monthly in a new small club/bar space, and I plan to attempt my first public VJing there.

This isn't a "megaclub" setting where people will be overwhelmed with gigantic screens, smoke machines, deafening sound, etc... -- it's more of a "hipster" lounge setting where an impromptu dance floor sometimes forms.

Because of the venue, I wonder about how VJing will be received and how effective it will be, so I'm asking those with experience in doing it. If people are trying to start dancing, does the video ultimately just serve as a distraction to them? Do people tend to just stare at the screen a lot?

Any constructive responses are welcome. (Anybody with trouble to make, please find another thread.)
rs
Charlie Five 7:12 PM - 4 February, 2010
I've played at a ton of similar 'hipster' style joints. It's all about your content. One thing about that crowd (well at least here in Chicago) they don't like a lot of top 40. One thing about 'MOST' people who do video is that they are limited to top 40 content.

Even though you are going to be doing video, make sure you follow the #1 RULE!That is that MUSIC(audio) rules the night, not video. Make sure you have some cool visuals for the tracks you are going to play that do not have a video.
ryansupak 7:37 PM - 4 February, 2010
Thanks for the tip, I agree 100% about the sound being the main thing. If there's any challenge I'm facing as a newbie, it's being "asleep at the wheel" on either the music or the video at times.

(Also, I in fact don't have any music videos at all, I use "found" visuals for everything. That may change or evolve after first gig, we will see how it goes.)

rs
djchrischip 7:39 PM - 4 February, 2010
basically... here is how it goes....

first night they say Wow!!! n will watch the screens
djchrischip 7:40 PM - 4 February, 2010
after a while it kind of fades into bein expected
DJCheLu 8:23 PM - 4 February, 2010
Only people that stand and watch my videos are the ones who never dance lol. The people who come there to dance are always just dancing occasionally glancing. so at my spot I please both the dancers and non dancers.
ryansupak 8:26 PM - 4 February, 2010
Thinks djchrischip and DJCheLu.

rs
ryansupak 8:27 PM - 4 February, 2010
(thanks, even)
Marky D 8:32 PM - 4 February, 2010
Beleive it or not, I've had club owners who want to dock your pay when you don't play video. I tried to get a little more for the gig because of the video aspect, but I was already working there before I started video, so that raise didn't work. But it seems that once you start, everyone expects it.
djnak 8:35 PM - 4 February, 2010
Quote:
Only people that stand and watch my videos are the ones who never dance lol. The people who come there to dance are always just dancing occasionally glancing. so at my spot I please both the dancers and non dancers.


+1
djnak 8:38 PM - 4 February, 2010
Quote:
Beleive it or not, I've had club owners who want to dock your pay when you don't play video. I tried to get a little more for the gig because of the video aspect, but I was already working there before I started video, so that raise didn't work. But it seems that once you start, everyone expects it.

Wow docked in pay I make sure I let spots know video and audio sets are 2 diffrent prices except when I show up to do video and thier shit isnt workin then I get paid to do video and I only do audio
djnak 8:38 PM - 4 February, 2010
Quote:
Only people that stand and watch my videos are the ones who never dance lol. The people who come there to dance are always just dancing occasionally glancing. so at my spot I please both the dancers and non dancers.


+1
sixxx 9:01 PM - 4 February, 2010
People love video at my spot. Before anyone's dancing, they all stare. Once it gets poppin' people will stare while they dance. It's definitely expected now but the effect of video hasn't really faded and I don't think it will. People do love watching videos especially when you take it back with some classics. Plus, a lot of people never really know the videos to the songs, so it takes them by surprise.
Joshua Carl 11:44 PM - 4 February, 2010
Quote:
People love video at my spot. Before anyone's dancing, they all stare. Once it gets poppin' people will stare while they dance. It's definitely expected now but the effect of video hasn't really faded and I don't think it will. People do love watching videos especially when you take it back with some classics. Plus, a lot of people never really know the videos to the songs, so it takes them by surprise.


what he said.
dj vmb 4:54 PM - 5 February, 2010
I've dj'd at a hipster lounge here in Dallas. Video did not work there. No one really cared for it. I think it’s more of the crowd and club environment. Each one is different so you won’t know in till you try it out.

@ryansupak – what spots are you spinning at? My homeboy, dayta, spins at some hipster spots also.
ryansupak 5:50 PM - 5 February, 2010
Thanks to everybody for your thoughts.

vmb: I used to live in Dallas, just off Lower Greenville. My experience with the nightlife there was mixed at best. It seems like there are a lot of good people in Dallas, and a handful of very loud jerks.

This particular place is a new bar in Houston's Chinatown called Khon's. I also do events on the Montrose and Downtown circuits from time to time. I bet I've at least seen your friend around if he's in H...

rs
DJ GRIAL 9:02 AM - 8 March, 2010
How much do you guys charge on top of your regular price to do video, lets say bringing a good quality projector, screen and HD videos?
DJDaveOtt 11:12 AM - 8 March, 2010
I require the venue to provide them...Unless it's a private function, where I start at $100/hr..
Mr. $weetlife 12:02 PM - 8 March, 2010
Quote:
Only people that stand and watch my videos are the ones who never dance lol. The people who come there to dance are always just dancing occasionally glancing. so at my spot I please both the dancers and non dancers.


Good point. Also, the non-dancers will tend to stay longer and have a few more drinks which helps the register at night too.
DJ GRIAL 2:22 PM - 8 March, 2010
Quote:
I require the venue to provide them...Unless it's a private function, where I start at $100/hr..


I been doing it for free for a few months, I am thinking on charging an extra $50/hr on top of what I usually charge.
This DJ 4:52 AM - 11 March, 2010
Quote:
If people are trying to start dancing, does the video ultimately just serve as a distraction to them?


yes....and as a result....i've never seen so much out of sync / off beat dancing on the dancefloor in my 15 years of being a dj. on plus side, it provides quality entertaintment watching them dance off beat.
DJ'Que 5:08 AM - 11 March, 2010
i do a bar thur thru sat and I play Video 2 of the night. they watch it when their not dancing, but when their song is on they go dance and still watch it but not as much. when all the new people come thru their like dam I never seen no one spin music video and they stand by me looking on in amazed till they notice the technic's 1200 and say is those turntables. im like no their tables turn. and video does run the night. I play everything pass top 40 and old school too
Dj-M.Bezzle 5:52 PM - 11 March, 2010
Quote:
they stand by me looking on in amazed till they notice the technic's 1200 and say is those turntables. im like no their tables turn



......speechless at that interaction lol
djpuma_gemini 7:09 PM - 11 March, 2010
Video is definitely a plus and it's accepted and somewhat expected.

It's cool when you drop an old classic and you see people come out from the woodwork and start staring at the screens to see their old favorite joints from back in the day.

I dropped Keith Murray - the most beautifullest thing last night and I saw the security at the door come around and get a nice view of the video.
carter 7:25 PM - 11 March, 2010
I do audio on Friday nights and video on Saturday. Both at the same place. People like the video, especially when you throw in some mashups, breaks, and blends. An occasional funny clip or something too. But yeah...the old skool videos really win out.
Jordan Laws 6:28 PM - 12 March, 2010
there's hipsters in dallas, weird
Joshua Carl 6:52 PM - 12 March, 2010
Quote:
there's hipsters in dallas, weird


Yeah, who do you think buys up all those Paul Frank & Ed Hardy Clan hoods
djpuma_gemini 7:16 PM - 12 March, 2010
Quote:
Quote:
there's hipsters in dallas, weird


Yeah, who do you think buys up all those Paul Frank & Ed Hardy Clan hoods


Jersey Shore cast?
ryansupak 11:09 PM - 15 March, 2010
There are most definitely hipsters in Dallas. The first American Apparel brick-and-mortar store I ever saw was there -- this was back before they sold something other than gold lame' onesies in XS and XXS.

rs
cheeba (the believer) 5:41 AM - 17 March, 2010
In my experience... i would say, ensure the screen and turntables are close enough together for the audience to understand that the two are linked.

did a show in Belgium once where the screen was on the opposite wall. massive fail.
Joshua Carl 3:10 PM - 17 March, 2010
Quote:
In my experience... i would say, ensure the screen and turntables are close enough together for the audience to understand that the two are linked.

did a show in Belgium once where the screen was on the opposite wall. massive fail.


yes, that is HUGE.
at this one room i do, there is so much disconnect we put a computer monitor
on the dj booth.
hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net

the weeks before dropping that little monitor on there, people could see the videos all over the club (3 floors) but, never the booth and a the screen in the same eye shot.

just that tiny monitor, Id get a semi-cricle around the front of the booth
(its pretty much the center of the dancefloor) any time Id do a transition
or do anything interesting...
ryansupak 2:31 PM - 22 March, 2010
That's good advice, thanks!
rs