A question for all....

[Makingcoin]

I am not sure where i should put this post so here goes nothing.

I think it would be very helpful for newbies if experieced Vj's could make a condensed list of events that take place for them at any given show. Like what visuals they are putting out and up on the 'wall' or 'screen'. Are you putting out visuals that are in sync with the beat then to live video capture of the crowd or dj?

Or maybe it would be easier for you to estimate an percentage of visuals that you are doing. for example. 20% live feed. 5% recorded material.. etc....

I just want to get a general feel of what goes into a show and how it flows.

I understand that all shows are different and that everyone has there own style, but i just want to get a feel for what everyone does at their shows.

Thank you!

[unjulation]

hay if we did that we'd show how shalow and superficial we are

[HuoLong]

i'm VERY HAPPY when ever i can help some1...

[unjulation]

sory mate for being so flipent, i gess it was a morph moment :p i've talked about this before, but i dont know if i've repeted myself after the big hack, ( weired after that hapend it feels hard to repeat my self but oh-well) anyway i see two ways of runing it initialy
1) straight full on visualies no messing about work with the music but basicly your eye and brain candy which is not to say it is not as imortant as anything else there ( in fact what you seam to be doing as a vj is being reactive).
2) try to make some consciance desision upon the reaction that you can create within your audiance with what you do, proactive.
to me that seems to be a good starting point, mind the best of all is just throwing your self in at the deep end and just get out there and do it make mistakes, leave you mouse pointer on the screen for two hours ( you wont do it again) experiment with your visuals try some thing new each time dont be scared to fuck up and make a total fool of your self if you can do that you soon find what works and dosent work and the jorney is a good one
hope it helps

[vjklik]

Call this the V.J. starter's kit. Assuming you're bringing your own projector, or are plugging into the club's projector you're going to need the basics.

Before you even get to the club you should make sure you have the following:
*A 25 foot orange extension cord (or 2) and a power strip.
*Gaff tape if you can afford it, Duct tape if not. (works almost as well.)
*Barrel connectors. If you're sending Composite RCA you might need to couple two cables together. Ideally you would be using S-Video cables to any projector. Radio Shack has them.
*Zip ties for fastening your cables to beams and trusses (also need to cut the ties at the end of the night so a mini swiss army knife or something similar)
*Flashlight. I like the mini mag-lite on the lanyard personally.
*Bungee cords are good to have but not always needed.
*Don't forget your projector's remote and make sure the batteries are good!


My default setting if nobody tells me where to set up is: Tape everything down, fasten cables to walls, don't block any exits. Look for high ground.

Additional items to consider:
*Distribution Amp... extra adapters of all kinds like RCA to BNC. Whatever your computer outputs to whatever the projector accepts. Again Radio Shack
*Earplugs
*A Sharpie felt pen
*If you bring a video camera bring blank media (mini DV 8mm) so you can document your show. Also bring blank VHS.
*Find out if you can get the audio feed from the sound system, if so, what will you need to get it hooked into your system so you can record the audio or use it for triggers
------
If you're asked to bring the screen, I reccomend disposable painters drop cloths. They come in 9x12 and they're very light and easy to install.

Also consider where you get your power from and know how many amps your system pulls, because if you have the sound and your projector and your compter and mixer all on the same breaker, you could suffer a serious blow if the circuit pops.

Finally make sure your extension cords, video cables and power strip all have your name or something to distinguish them like colored tape so there's no confusion at the end of the night who brought what and what belongs to the club and keep an eye on your duct tape. Everybody, it seems starts running around looking for the tape, if you let someone use it keep track of it or remember to replace it before your next gig because by the end of the night it could be lost.

Business Cards are always good to have handy.
Best to be prepared for anything, even if the club has a station to work from. You may need the power strip. The flashlight for sure and make sure you have all the proper connectors to go from your source to the projector.
Cheers
-klik-

[MoRpH]

Originally posted by unjulation
sory mate for being so flipent, i gess it was a morph moment :p I represent that :p

My percentages of live footage to visuals changes depending on that stage presence of the performer and how I think its working. As for pre-recorded material I always mix off of 1-2 laptops only cutting to a backup VCD when I get a PC crash or something.

[wellREDman]

its a good idea to get enough power extensions to be able to power the projector from the same source as your kit, then try and make sure yr on the same ring as the audio stuff
both because it avoids mains hum if you take an audio feed and because a some lighting controllers turn power on and off to different plugs so it's very easy for the lampey to accidentally
turn u off,
NEVER power your computer from a lighting mains ring
i dont know whethter surge protector power strips actually work but for an extra few quid it's gotta be a worthwile idea

try buying white gaff tape, for some reason decor/lighting/noise boys prefer silver or black and since we switched color its been way easier to keep track of it (we still keep some black to attach blacking/banner to the front of the rig and that keeps vanishing)

try and have a spare of any lead/connector that is essential to the set up

to quote Ford Prefect
"always know where your towel is"
a towel is an essential part of your armory when taking expensive electronics into an a room full of drunk/drugged people and a large volume of liquid
make sure it is large enough to mop up at least a pint

NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING UNATTENDED

if it is the first time that a promoter and /or venue has had visuals
make sure they will probably not be aware of how much longer a video derig takes
make sure that you give them an accurate estimation of the time you will need at the end of the night and that the security staff are briefed about this in advance

paul