Lighting...and clients expectations.

[paulg]

Surely the only people who are concerned with what actual lights you've got are other DJs! 99.9% of the punters couldn't care less, just as long as there's flashing lights... and they're not pointing straight into their eyes!!!

Oh yes they could!

I worked a very nice Hotel in Rotherham on Saturday Night and the deputy manager was most impressed with what he saw as a disco that suited the image his venue wants to project to clients. Specifically, no dotty lights but instead an emphasis on aesthetics (music synchronised slow pan lighting, uplighting etc.)

It's so saddening to see DJ's paying no real attention to their lighting and instead opting for a lot of LED dots. Then again, DJ's with "flashing lights" (especially the dot matrix LED ones) are fast becoming a bit of a no-no in better venues. Using something a bit more subtle is a massive selling point.

[Gonzo.pete]

I had a wedding a couple of weeks ago where the bride and groom wanted no FX/disco lighting at all. They had me put in some dance floor uplighting and fairy lights but wanted nothing in the way of flashing lights, gobos etc. I was very dubious and a couple of guests did actually ask me "where's all yah lights mate". It was still a great party, but for the sake of my own reputation I do prefer to be able to glam it up a bit. But, c'est la vie, the client gets want the client wants.

[yourdj]

Surely the only people who are concerned with what actual lights you've got are other DJs! 99.9% of the punters couldn't care less, just as long as there's flashing lights... and they're not pointing straight into their eyes!!!

Exactly I use dots and uplighting/washes mainly - usually on the cieling and all properly controlled, so its more of a room colouring effect. Never had a bad thing said about them only praise when I ask clients and venue managers as they are not in your face and very passive, but add some dynamics. They do seem impressed that i can put the lighting anywhere as its wireless, but the main comments are about my set up time (15-20 mins) and then the booth (equinox). i think if people are looking its important that the set up fits in to the venue more than the effects. Well this is the only questions i have been asked by brides in almost 700 weddings now anyway. They then ask about the uplighters and have never asked about the effect lighting.

Although some people say that they have DJ'd the best party ever without any lighting, but I just think it because if it ain't there from the start then they wont miss it - bit like a noise limiter. if its loud and then made quiet people will complain as opposed to keeping it at the set level from the start.

On this note I had a very fussy groom the other day who was very specific with everything!
he came up to me half way through the evening and wanted only uplighting to which I agreed.
It was a marquee and looked amazing! I would never have thought it as i have never gone only uplighting before!
Thank god for my battery pars as I could spread them out a bit.

I have seen a very quick transition to minimal kit (smaller more presentable set ups) and lighting set ups and i personally think this will continue and it will move more away from traditional nightclub lighting to more classy/passive effects like uplighting, starlit dance floor's and other wash type lighting? Getting into the trade is becoming easier and easier, but hopefully the role of a DJ will also expand (e.g: hosting/dry hire) to match that.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I have a pre-wired bar for the Ultimax that has 2 effects on it that are dots effects and I haven't had any feedback at all on them, good or bad.
I always say that I can tailor the lighting to meet the customers requirements and that's what I do. Most of them keep it how it is. I can add moving heads or scanners or lasers if I want but that's not very often.

With reference to Cluster lasers, I haven't used mine for a while but when I did I had it up high and pointing down on to the dance floor. No problems whatsoever.

[yourdj]

With reference to Cluster lasers, I haven't used mine for a while but when I did I had it up high and pointing down on to the dance floor.

I love lasers as they are so small but very bright Gary so can see the appeal. people are a bit funny about lasers due to previously health and safety problems. it can also make things a bit too clubby - or naff (like walking ducks etc.)? I have a little blue cluster laser from Chauvet. i really like it tbh as its not too hardcore and adds a nice subtle touch of blue. I have wanted moving heads for ages, but have been waiting for a really bright and not too large/heavy wash effect one.

i was thinking of having two on plynths next to my booth? I did a clubby type wedding the other day and was really missing a set of scanners of some sort, so in that instance then that sort of lighting is invaluable. 95% of my gigs are standard weddings so my normal more passive approach works a treat.

[ukpartydj]

I still use my cluster laser quite often, they look really cool on the Bride's dress - the kids love them and are always asking "where do all the dots come from".
A blue one would be really nice, I've seen them before in nightclubs and they look more stylish than the other colours.

I get booked for quite a few "nightclub weddings" I think this is largely because people have googled my name and it's come up with mashups, remixes and nightclub events.

Most photographers don't care about my lighting, I always ask and they always say - doesn't matter, even when I've pointed the cluster laser at the couple "look good, leave it" ... I'd like to see what the photos came out like.

[Retrodisco]

I use lots of lights, several dotty LED's and several gobo types. I enjoy it when customers regularly say what a great light show, and how it lit up the room. Customers don't care about dots, they still love the colours.

[Shaun]

Customers don't care about dots

My customer this Friday does.

[Retrodisco]

OK, MOST customers don't.

[musicologydisco]

I've had the dot thing mentioned a couple of times disparagingly but haven't managed to get to the bottom of whether this is cluster laser or led projectors they don't like.