Working with a TV crew

[DJ Jules]

I might have just got a gig providing the mobile disco for a "fake" Xmas office party in a reasonably mainstream TV show. Brief so far is to "provide Speakers, lights, DJ Console and DJ to play the part of a DJ for a Xmas party. DJ and Equipment will be in camera view" and that's it.

I'm a bit nervous about this because a) I don't consider myself particularly photogenic (most photos of me make me look lanky - which in fairness, I am) and b) I'm not sure what is going to be required of me.

The production crew are going to call me closer to the time with the full details, but I'd assume that I'd be there more for effect than anything and that they'll dub the music on afterwards because they're not going to be able to film dialogue with music playing in the background and unless they give me a specific playlist or a CD with pre-pre-release music on it whatever I play is either going to give them licensing headaches or if I play anything current now, it'll be waaaay out of date by Nov/Dec.

Has anyone else ever worked on this kind of Gig before or had any experience of "performing" for a camera crew? I'm interested to understand more about what is going to be required before I talk to them again!

Julian

[simonp]

Make sure when you sign the small contract your required to sign - that you tick the box relating to repeat and repeats payment. I failed to do this with both Ibiza Uncovered and Greece Uncovered, which are still being repeated 10+ years later!!!!!!
I did remember to do so when I filmed a pilot called 'fasten your seatbelt' with Kate Humble, but that never got commisioned :lol:

In all seriousness you'll be fine, they'll tell you what they want and it'll just be like starting the tunes on cue I would imagine - from the sounds of it your role will be to just be yourself (almost fly on the wall style). It'll be a mostly boring day (especially the tech rehearsal), they'll film loads and you'll end up with 5 seconds of screentime :(

[simon1969]

Sounds good but don't panic too much mate!!
I'm sure T.V company will tell you everything you need to know.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

If its for a xmas party then surely you will be asked to play festive music.The xmas favourites never seem outdated after all its mostly the same tunes on now christmas every year.

[rob1963]

It'll be a mostly boring day (especially the tech rehearsal), they'll film loads and you'll end up with 5 seconds of screentime :(

Sad, but very true.

[Booche]

I once did a spot of extra work on a Film called HEARTLANDS after being at Matlock on a sunday (bikers day) and got passed a leaflet saying want to be in a film lol so after a good giggle i decided to call the number (curiosity) and was told to turn up at this certain point, well it was earlly hours and in the moors of a place called lady bower damn, browny type fileds,sheep and loads of low hanging mist (like a horror film) turned up and there was about another 6 bikers.

We all had a laugh expecting beadle to jump out lol untill 9 big hgv's turned up with equipment.

Anyway lon story short they asked us to do a load of things and the filming went on for 3 days doing this and doing that at various places but all thats in the film is the very first place they filmed :(

So basically dont expect alot and just act normal think of it as a normal gig just with someone telling you were and when :)

Hope it turns out well mate and dont forget to let us know ;)

Cheers Dave :)

[JDB Entertainment]

Want any advice feel free to drop me a call.

I am a proffesional actor and will advise you of anything you want to know.

James :)

[DJ Jules]

I am a proffesional actor and will advise you of anything you want to know.

Hmm, how to act without looking like a Plum? :D I'll play it by ear, I don't think I'm going to feature too heavily as they just told me they could put an extra in my place if I didn't want to do it (it's nice to know I'm replaceable ;) )

Julian

[notroubleclubber]

You might have to dress up with the big medallion and open shirt Peter Kay Style!

[Paul The Party Dj]

I did seven hours with the BBC on the first series of Bergerac. I had to play the same track (Hard Times by the Human League) over and over and over and ...
The scene was included, but I was never in shot.
Happy days!

[robbiedj]

Want any advice feel free to drop me a call.

I am a proffesional actor and will advise you of anything you want to know.

James :)

Like "How to be a DJ"?

I think he might be able to play that part as long as he remembers not to be intimidated by the cameras. Playing to the cast, he should be fine. :D

[CRAZY K]

Hmm, how to act without looking like a Plum? :D I'll play it by ear, I don't think I'm going to feature too heavily as they just told me they could put an extra in my place if I didn't want to do it (it's nice to know I'm replaceable ;) )

Julian

I hope your getting paid a decent whack for all this aggro;)

[womble]

Often in dancing scenes on TV there is no music being played at the time of recording and it is dubbed on afterwards. Hence why it looks like no-one on TV can dance, it's always out of sync with the music.