PRODUCT @ STEALTH 17/11 gigREPORT

[makemassair]

Howdy y'all. Taken a while to get round to this, mostly due to memory factor and working last week for a gig on friday (which I'll prob post sometime next week ;) )

Anyways. DVNTvisuals @ PRODUCT @ STEALTH
original info (http://www.vjforums.com/showthread.php?t=18464)
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Makai44/Prod_nott_nov_17_room1.jpg

Right, been working on creating new visuals for this gig for about 2 weeks solid. All my time when not at work/sleeping was working on visuals. I really worked my arse off for this. I was quite looking forward to it. I took a day off from work to sort everything out, check equipment. My mate came round at about 3pm to help out, provide cups of tea. With everything packed up we left Lincoln (my house) at 6 heading into town for the half 6 train to Nottingham. An hour's journey away. The gig wasn't until 10pm but the next train didn't get in until 10pm so we decided on the earlier train. So although I'd had confirmation on the thursday evening about the event, I txt'd ahead as a matter of courtesy letting the organiser know we'd be in town for about 7.30 but would be getting some food and we'd be at the club for 9/9.30.

I then discover that they have no projector :sigh: and after a phonecall discover I was 'suppose' to have been emailed, not called, emailed. Suffice to say I never got 'that' email. Well the train came and went and I went down to the uni to source a projector. The club weren't prepared to pay ?100 for a projector for the whole evening, something about another club having their upstairs one. So anyways I get one and we wait around in town for 2hrs for the next train. Get to nottingham at 10 and then walk across town directly to the club.

Find out that the downstairs VJ isn't showing up and the V4 was stolen last yr, by <edited this bit out - Rovastar> Start setting up. Then find out the missing projector wasn't and was working fine. We pointed it towards the dancefloor and started testing it. Seemed ok. Weren't allowed to have it any brighter thou. (this later got killed by all the smoke they pumped in)

Bit of a bodge job really, only enough space for one laptop, not 2 laptops, dvd player and a trigger finger. Also had to content with the duct tape'd lighting desk falling off so VJ'd one handed for some of the evening. I also had the hot funktion 1 amps right behind with the large fans to cool the DJ booth not being turned on due to the technician (nice guy, when we saw him) unable to find an extension lead.

During the visuals, had good feedback from the DJs and from several punters, didn't really get much in the way of feedback from the promoters. Several of the DJs were interested in the software (resolume2.3) The club seemed quite impressed thou and I hope to meeting the manager for a chat to discuss a more permenant paid arrangement.

The laptop wheezed it way thru, got some weird clip playback, seemed to be due to the bass, so put the laptop on one of the soft padded bags and sorted that, then got some weird triggering from the trigger finger when the usb connection was above the speakers of the second laptop (it was sitting on top of it, as I said space was TIGHT)

I only got ?20 for my trouble thou, was sort of expecting a bit more, considering the ordeal of getting there and sourcing them a projector on my own time.

But I should hopefully get being regular work from the club. So its not all bad. I did end up enjoying some the music too. :lol2:

Big shouts to Kit who helped me with this gig and provided matey support during the evening. Kit took some photos (of which I've still to see) which I'l up as and when. U can at least in one see me with my setup.

Overall, I'm happy I did it and it went well (from a punters POV). Next time I am going to be asking for a fee with an agreement and deposit paid upfront. I did get some free drinks, bottled water and warm red stripe, but hardly worth it.

Bit cynical about the whole thing tbh, but I'm not giving up.

[SteveG]

Sounds pretty crap dvt....I've emailed this club previously making enquiries and recieved no reply:( On their site they make quite a thing about the set up and equipment. Getting paid ?20 is abuse. Too many promoters spend money on lights and visuals then fill the room full of smoke, if it ever gets so bad that you cant see the screens just put up a black screen and visit the bar :)

[ASMD]

Yikes, ?20 for your trouble??? Not counting the two weeks of creating content, running around getting a projector and all the other guff, at the end of the day you would still have been peforming a 7 hour set on top of that!

Did you have to pay for the train? The projector you sourced?

When you have your management meeting, highlight all these technical problems and how to iron them out. Ask them what the visuals budget will stretch to. Give a breakdown of your costs. Then demand 200 quid!

[SteveG]

Totally agree with ASMD, a decent club night can easily afford a ?200 budget for visuals especially when your preparing custom work and branding their night for them.

[makemassair]

thanks mate. yea I don't think the website has been updated for a while. In Stealth's defence it has just been taken on my a new manager (last couple of weeks) and he seemed fairly genuine with sorting out visuals properly. Well in some emails anyways.

I've got a few meetings this week, one for DJing at a dnb nite in lincoln and I hope to get over to notts to have a meeting with the manager. I figure that ?100 a night is fair cop. ?10/hr plus ?20 for travel and drinks during the evening, I hardly drink unless I'm partying and even then I don't drink a lot so they are looking at about 5/6 cans of COLD beer.

I was asked (on friday) if I could VJ for them on saturday evening for Rex the Dog, they said he had his own visuals but would I be able to mix them with my own. I declined as I already had plans. What struck me was how would I do that? I don't own a dvj or v4 and neither do they. Not sure what format I would have been getting them in either.

If Stealth are willing to pay me a fair wage then I'm prepared to work hard establishing a visual for them and me. I'd be quite happy to do friday/saturday nights 2/3 times a month for a fair price.

Stay tuned folks. ;)

[makemassair]

I think there is a grey area over whether the club or the outside night covers it tbh.

I didn't pay for the projector but I did have to make calls and walk around town to source one. The ?20 covered mine and my mates train travel.

I do wanna iron out all these issues but I also don't want to come across as an arsehole expecting this that and the other. Fine line I know

[SteveG]

Their web site does state they have a V4 amongst all the other gear...possibly robbed by DJ's and VJ's who were paid like you too many times;) You'd have to get hold of a vision mixer to mix his visuals. PVD, Tiesto etc all do the same and their management insist on seeing your visuals first before allowing you to mix along with their content....it would be well worth the investment dvnt....get a V4;)

As for Stealth let them know I'm looking for a venue to re-start my AV night in 2007, Future....thanks......Oh! and I pay for VJ's :biggrin:

[makemassair]

Totally agree with ASMD, a decent club night can easily afford a ?200 budget for visuals especially when your preparing custom work and branding their night for them.

well for this event I was booked by the night not the club, so it could be that the club figured I'd be getting paid for it from the night.

Any tips for this meeting?

[SteveG]

More than likely it would be down to the promoter as most club nights work like this. Let the venue management know as they may be able to apply some pressure, otherwise the venue ends up getting a bad rep.

[SteveG]

You could also state that if paid a decent fee you are prepared to bring in more equip and so fund the purchase of your V4.

[makemassair]

Their web site does state they have a V4 amongst all the other gear...possibly robbed by DJ's and VJ's who were paid like you too many times;) You'd have to get hold of a vision mixer to mix his visuals. PVD, Tiesto etc all do the same and their management insist on seeing your visuals first before allowing you to mix along with their content....it would be well worth the investment dvnt....get a V4;)

As for Stealth let them know I'm looking for a venue to re-start my AV night in 2007, Future....thanks......Oh! and I pay for VJ's :biggrin:

Will do mate. Email me your details/night details etc... and I'll forward it on.

I do want a V4 but not until after I get a new laptop of some description.

[SteveG]

You've just done a succesful show with the Laptop you have...get a V4 and it opens new doors.....with a ?50 portable DVD player you'll start mixing sources straight away.

[makemassair]

already got a dvd player. ;)

[SteveG]

already got a dvd player. ;)

Get yourself a V4 and your sorted;)....before I email all the details can you confirm the Club equip....is the PA as listed, are the plasma screens etc etc all in place....cheers dvnt.

[ASMD]

Couldn't agree more on the V4. An essential piece of kit and those effects can give a lot of flexiblity if you're creative with them.

Feewise, don't just pull a figure out of your head. Find out what their visuals budget is, then give them a breakdown of your costs. Always stress that more money ultimately will give them better visuals, which adds value to the night etc etc.

[makemassair]

Couldn't agree more on the V4. An essential piece of kit and those effects can give a lot of flexiblity if you're creative with them.

Feewise, don't just pull a figure out of your head. Find out what their visuals budget is, then give them a breakdown of your costs. Always stress that more money ultimately will give them better visuals, which adds value to the night etc etc.

I'm never good with shit like that. Wanna come to the meeting? :biggrin:

But yea ultimately I don't wanna rip them off and I'd HOPE they don't want to rip me off

[SteveG]

Remember business is business...their not in it for a hobby or making friends....their out to make as much as they can and this could mean at your expense if they can save on your fee ;)

[ASMD]

Yeah, when I started I had a helluva time asking for money. But get stuff on paper (preferably with a nice logo and letterhead) and you'll find it helps no end. Nothing means business more than a chunky bit of text saying INVOICE at the top!

Honestly, like everything it takes practice - even getting paid!

[SteveG]

Toooooooo true :nod: ......INVOICE.....:D

[makemassair]

hmm.... time to actually design a proper logo then.

got an idea for one just a matter of doing it. like everything else really.

Hmm... I'll write up some stuff 2nite with my concerns etc and let u lot dissect it.

[Rovastar]

First off don't put people names in posts online about accusing them of theft. I have edited it out of your initial post.

Like I said when I saw you at the weekend I do admire your commitment to doing it for little money and playing to empty rooms. ;) But I didn't realise you got paid sooo little.

I have no problem in people doing gigs for free/cheap for friends, good causes, etc. Even to a degree to "getting your name out". But always get you expenses paid and pin money for the night. And I would argue that you should never do custom content for them for a freebie gig where they charge an entrance fee (esp for a large-ish capacity club what is stealth 800 ppl?)
Remember that this is/can be a job and that in the wise words of Sleepy Tom.

"If you get paid less or the same a toilet cleaner. Expect to be treated like one."

But ?20, a couple of beers and excluding expenses and providing a projector working/tarveling for 12+ hours for a potential door take for them of, what, ?6,000 it is insluting really. Even the Inside-Us-All boys were never that cheap. ;):P:D

[makemassair]

sorry for the namedropping.

good advice john thanks.

also was a pleasure to meet u. email/PM your addy and I'll mail back your convertor. still not found mine. I suspect the cat has eaten it.

friday got rammed after u left, (what does that tell u ;) :love:) but noone gave a rats arse. Repeatly got asked if I was the DJ and if i could play blah blah, then some fat sl*g spilt beer over the laptop (which is fine) and my trigger finger (which isn't so fine on one fader) although the promoter did say that if it was still fucked he would replace it. hmm...