Lighting...and clients expectations.

[Shaun]

I had a client meeting last night. He asked about the look of the setup and types of lighting I used. We got discussing the overall look and equipment I used. His reply was "thank god you don't use those lights with coloured dots, or those lasers with dots, I had a headache after a recent night out with those laser dots". I assured him that I don't own any effects of that type.
I used to own Impossibled's though, which was coloured dot effects. I've never owned a diffraction laser but quite like the effect they give, and certainly never heard of them causing headaches.

Also, Saturday pasts wedding. Fantastic night, really eclectic playlist that was a lot of fun. However, similar scenario...she asked lots of questions about the lighting. She stated she hated disco lights, but wanted just a nice colour wash. Due to a very quick room turnaround mood lighting was out of the question so I went just with a powerbar pointed up to the high ceiling, on a single colour all evening as per her request. and the moving heads static, single colour. So no movement whatsoever and a single colour all evening. I was a bit dubious in advance as I think the lighting adds to the overall ambiance. The evening was absolutely electric though, and the lack of lighting made no difference at all to the amount of dancing.


Anyone else ever had their client specifically asking for a certain type of lighting effect not to be used?

Or requested limited or no lighting at all?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

In a nutshell pretty much the same experiences here with many of my couples. Funny enough uplighting has been very popular this year yet when it comes to the "disco" lighting most people don't ask nor really care.

Lasers and dots are usually mentioned by photographers who hate them (I can see why) and venue managers. If you're using a cluster laser though it should really be pointed upwards towards the ceiling really so not sure if that would cause headaches.

[mattred]

I only really use wash lighting. My main light in a 4bar flex but I have just purchased 2 Acme micro fusion moving heads which are washes.
Some of the best nights I have had have been on just a couple of uplighters.

Dots look a bit cheap now (IMO)

[Jason]

Shaun,
I've had a few parties where they've asked for very minimal lights. One had a few guests that were sensitive to flashing lights and the Bride wasn't too worried about lighting. We stuck to slow fading wash.

I generally ask if they have any preferences to lighting, we've got options from a few floor-based led Pars to a few Wizards+movers.

I've not really noticed any difference in the success of the party vs the amount or type of lights we thrown in.

I'm not a fan of the dotty lights, if they have some motion (ie Jelly Dome etc), then its much better, but then again I'm not a client... Given a choice, I'd much prefer decent music selection than a wizz bang lightshow.

[surround sounds]

Yes same as you guys really and yes Photography wise Laser clusters is a no no really. Although if you set up your Camera correctly you can get away with it. Yes Uplighters have been very popular this year and next year looks to be the Same

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

It really depends. A few weeks ago I did a civil partnership and one of the partners wanted the full bhoona and was disappointed when I told him i wouldn't be able to use smoke.

On the flipside I had a meeting on Sunday with a client and had to convince her that she'd need at least some lighting or else the dancefloor would be too dark / they'd have to keep the house lights on.

She's quite happy to let me fire a few Mega Go bars onto the dancefloor to wash it and do a bit of moodlighting with the rest. I've got a very similar situation in December though the girl did want lighting, she wanted it to be low key and classy so I'll be doing something similar.

- - - Updated - - -

I don't even see why dots or lasers would be an issue at all, turn them off before the first dance it done and you're golden.

[musicologydisco]

I regularly get very positive comments on my lightshow. The laser show in particular gets a very positive response but the lasers aren't the cluster type and I don't have dotty lights.

[chrisj]

I often get requested to use particular lights and occasionally get asked not to use strobe (I never have) or fast flashing colour changing effects. The only led lights I have are moodlights and moving heads which have gobos So no dots. The laser is a 1500 mw with a divergence safety lens from Pangolin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SG1rkgM29hE

[djeddie]

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!!!

[Shaun]

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!!!

At one time I'd agree with you. My experiences and those of others in this thread are showing a slight shift in that thinking (for some clients anyway).

[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.

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[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.

[Excalibur]

. it can also make things a bit too clubby - or naff (like walking ducks etc.)? )

I want one! Hang the cost, I want one. :D


I still use my cluster laser quite often, they look really cool on the Bride's dress

I point more effects upwards, particularly lasers, and cluster lasers go upwards every single time.


My customer this Friday does.

More power to his/her elbow. I've just come back from working with Andy Neen, and he's just replaced a couple of Impossibleds with moonflowers, what a stunning transformation. Superb. Absolutely superb.

[paulg]

Customers don't care about dots.

Mine on Saturday does too!

There's a place for the dots - I used mine at a children's party yesterday evening and, along with sound to light activated uplighters they were fine. But at a wedding? No, absolutely not because there are better and more subtle lighting effects for such things.

[Excalibur]

Mine on Saturday does too!

There's a place for the dots - I used mine at a children's party .

From speaking to other folk, I believe that this is where these effects excel. One or two lightweight units, which fill a room with light and movement, unbeatable.

Wedding? I won't say never, but certainly hardly ever.

[DazzyD]

After reading this thread, I'm considering un-retiring my 4-head ACME Smart Gobo system for my gig on Saturday. Two heads either side of the overhead with the QuadScan in the middle and a par can at either end for a bit of depth. Think I'll have to check that setup before hand as it may not even fit on the bar!!

[lazersounds]

Intresting posts about dot effect lighting. Ive personally had no clients asking about my lighting, but my rig now is 4 30w LED moving heads and 2 par56 LED. I have 2 Orbitors I use for kids partys only so I don't have any "dot effects" on my usual wedding/birthday rig. I have 2 Acme Magic Gobos which I sometimes use for very small function rooms.

Personally I did like the effects when they first came out but now you see them just about everywhere, Ive kinda gone off them, Seems from others experience clients also sometimes feel the same.

Still if we could still use smoke everywhere then maybe it would not be so much of a issue as lights look 20 times better with fog/haze :)

[paulg]

From speaking to other folk, I believe that this is where these effects excel. One or two lightweight units, which fill a room with light and movement, unbeatable.

Wedding? I won't say never, but certainly hardly ever.

They really are good for kids parties for quite a few reasons. The plethora of dots keep children happy enough and you can floor mount them or pop them on top of a floor mounted speaker because they run cool. I tend to do this lately because on balance it's safer than having pole mounted speaker. Here's a tip though if you do that with things like impossibled: The front lens is held in by some very flimsy metal lugs that are bent over to hold it in place. A child can easily push the lens inwards which exposes the LED's and circuitry. Lots of buzzing and screaming could be the next logical step! It's an easy fix - run some clear mastic around where the lens sits and this will stick in place.

[DazzyD]

They really are good for kids parties for quite a few reasons. The plethora of dots keep children happy enough and you can floor mount them or pop them on top of a floor mounted speaker because they run cool. I tend to do this lately because on balance it's safer than having pole mounted speaker. Here's a tip though if you do that with things like impossibled: The front lens is held in by some very flimsy metal lugs that are bent over to hold it in place. A child can easily push the lens inwards which exposes the LED's and circuitry. Lots of buzzing and screaming could be the next logical step! It's an easy fix - run some clear mastic around where the lens sits and this will stick in place.

Isn't that a fact!!!

[leelive]

I have just been booked to DJ with "static" lighting for a wedding next March. The client has requested no disco lights.
Will be using 3 strip lights and 4 mood lights and the colour will be fixed for the entire night!
Maybe this is a new trend!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I have a couple of things to mention on this subject.

Firstly, the Groom at the wedding I did on Saturday said that he used to do the whole mobile disco thing and stopped doing it a couple of years ago.
He said that in his opinion (and some of his customers), the lighting wasn't that important. It was the music that mattered and I agree. Yes, it's nice to have some decent effects and I think some people go over the top but the lighting is generally decoration isn't it?

I have had a couple of bookings this year where the customer has requested just uplighting and it's been a bit different. I personally think a bit of movement on the dancefloor is required too but at the end of the day, the customer gets what they want.

Secondly, I spoke to a customer over the phone last night regarding their birthday party this Friday. I am at the same venue all weekend this week and on Saturday the customer is having Uplighting as an add on. I thought I'd email my Friday customer and ask if they'd be interested in the Uplighting at a discounted price (all I'd need to do is install it once and leave it there for the following day). I sent some photos etc and got a call last night from her saying that she loved the look of it and would prefer it to Disco lighting.

I know a few people commented a while back that the whole Uplighting thing maybe dying a death but it has always been popular with my bookings.
I have always pushed the static side of it but that may change in the very near future thanks to some funds I have coming so I may go the wireless route soon and really push it.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I've certainly had more enquiries for uplighting and less in the way of flashy flashy lighting.

Not quite sure I like the sound of static lighting.

OK most people aren't THAT bothered about exactly what lights you've got but subconsciously I'm sure there's a little trigger in people that will go - "hmmm the lights aren't changing colour, wtf is that about?" I'd at least suggest some sort of programme where colours fade through a cycle to mix things up a bit but that's just me. It might work a treat in certain circumstances.

In fact I've got a small wedding in February where I'm singing and playing guitar with the odd bit of background music. It's essentially an acoustic gig with some DJing involved so I might try it out then and see how it works.

[funkymook]

Well one venue manager noticed, just received an email from a wedding last week:

'Thank you Martin,

The clip looks great!

Those lights made a difference.

I will keep you in mind for bookings that need a DJ or that type of additional lighting.

Brilliant!

Best - John'

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Well one venue manager noticed, just received an email from a wedding last week:

'Thank you Martin,

The clip looks great!

Those lights made a difference.

I will keep you in mind for bookings that need a DJ or that type of additional lighting.

Brilliant!

Best - John'

It's good to have different options. On Saturday I had the low key lighting one.

I went with some up lights, 2 Mega Go Bars washing the dancefloor and a love heart gobo. It looked great and both of the clients mentioned throughout the evening how happy they were with the lighting. If I'm honest, I really like it and it was a nice change. I might get some "classy" leds - trying to think which though, and rejig my set up so that it's much more understated light wise.

Fast forward to this Saturday and they want the full bhoona set up with the gobo laser, flashy dotty stuff and mood lights.

We do our best to accommodate client's musical wishes so the set up and lighting should also be something we try to cater for.

[Shaun]

We do our best to accommodate client's musical wishes so the set up and lighting should also be something we try to cater for.

Precisely. :beer1:

[yourdj]

Precisely. :beer1:

I am contemplating adding options next year after one client just asked for uplighting only.
It was a nice effect and I realised that being a DJ had made me think I need lots of flashing effects.

1: my usual disco lighting - LED & Lasers all on good control.
2: just uplighting & synced in colour floods for the floor. Controlled.
3: More clubby lighting (not sure about this yet?) - controlled.
3: Nothing - no control LOL

Lets see who goes for nothing as lighting does not matter ;)

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

My main apprehension about that Toby is that the lighting then comes across as an extra cost to the client whereas already including it they think "well that's something I don't need to pay extra for" Nobody likes being told that its another 20p if they want a sachet of sauce with their fish supper...It might spin a negative connotation onto your prices from a buyers point of view as in you're luring them in then trying to pump them for more dough with add ons.

It also might mean that you'll have a bunch of people going - oh we'll save some money there and then your set up isn't as nice, venues and guests think you're scrimping on the gear and to top it off, you've gone out and done it for less money.

[yourdj]

My main apprehension about that Toby is that the lighting then comes across as an extra cost to the client whereas already including it they think "well that's something I don't need to pay extra for" Nobody likes being told that its another 20p if they want a sachet of sauce with their fish supper...It might spin a negative connotation onto your prices from a buyers point of view as in you're luring them in then trying to pump them for more dough with add ons.

It also might mean that you'll have a bunch of people going - oh we'll save some money there and then your set up isn't as nice, venues and guests think you're scrimping on the gear and to top it off, you've gone out and done it for less money.

Its all included for free - just different options. :)

personalised gobos / moving heads will be extra though.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Ah. My bad. Had assumed (a bad idea at the best of times) that you meant going down the route of the guys who's price is X and if you want lights that'll be an extra Y that to me see it as a bit of a rip off.

WHen responding to enquiries I do mention that my lighting is modular so can be anything from laid back, elegant and understated to the full on nightclub type experience but I might make a bigger point of differentiating between them and see how people respond.

I'll need to get some photos up from Saturday. I REALLY liked the way it looked.