Flash bang and flash again

[Ricesnaps]

Time for a challenge for everyone. Something to make you think and question what you do.

There was a thread about clients and lighting that sort of branched off into another angle, so I thought maybe it would be good to explore this a little more.

Now I am a firm believer that a successful booking and happy client is about entertainment and has nothing to do with flashy lighting. But I also love my flashy lighting and wouldn't be without it.

So what is it that clients want from a disco. This is actually a very very very hard thing to answer, so please think carefully before you jump in. I can guarantee you that in most cases, what we think the client wants is actually exactly that, what WE think they want and not at all what they really want. We think they want a good light show, when the client couldn't care less. We think they want a DJ in black tie, when they wanted jeans. WE think that our clients want a DJ that doesn't talk, when they actually want one who won't shut up, WE think that light boxes are old hat, but our client thought that was what a disco was all about.... I could go on.

Now I always intend to send out feedback forms to my clients and never do - so maybe those of you who do will have some real answers to this one?

For me, it is painfully difficult not only to recognise what my clients really want, but more so to be bold enough to do it. So not only am I asking what we honestly think our clients want from our disco's, but are you brave enough to do it?

[Paul James Promotions]

We think they want a good light show, when the client couldn't care less.

For the majority of bookings, yes.

However, I have two bookings this month based on the rig I use.

[Ricesnaps]

For the majority of bookings, yes.

However, I have two bookings this month based on the rig I use.

Can you give us more details Jamie - what is it that made them book - is this a large corporate gig or simply someone who likes the lights - keen to know!

[Paul James Promotions]

Can you give us more details Jamie - what is it that made them book - is this a large corporate gig or simply someone who likes the lights - keen to know!

One is a corporate booking, where they want a nice static look for pre disco schedule, the second is a private party where the client that doesn't want an "average" sound and lighting set up.

Regards,

Jamie

[Dragonfly]

the drastcally simplified answer is ..... everyone is different..... lighting wise ive had people call up really after parcans lightscreens etc and others that have said you dont use those rubbish spotlights and boxes do you??

i think what they do expect is to have a good time listening to the music that they like at a level they like it getting what they have asked for from a service.... some like a chatty personality dj some like you to shut up and play the **** music....

unless you actually ask clients "what is it you are after from your evening you are just guessing allbeit an experienced educated guess"

you would be suprised how many venue managers/clients ive spoken too that think bass bins are the most ridiculous invention ever...

[Shaun]

Now I am a firm believer that a successful booking and happy client is about entertainment and has nothing to do with flashy lighting. But I also love my flashy lighting and wouldn't be without it.


Good topic.

I totally agree with you to a point. The exception being youth events where good lighting is expected.

[Dragonfly]

Good topic.

I totally agree with you to a point. The exception being youth events where good lighting is expected.

absolutely but that goes back to my point of finding out exactly what the client expects from their experience. some will say i want a nightclub in my village hall some will say granny hates all those flashing strobe things what can you do?

[CRAZY K]

I think the dreaded paylist is always a good start-however at the last Wedding despite being supplied with a playlist plus Guns n Roses and Metallica music --not my cup of tea-- a little girl said can we have oops up inside yre head---

I got her to ask the bride---- no problem went down well.

So possibly Rice not only we do not know what the client always wants--they dont either!!!

I can only say I think a playlist can help BUT im doing an Xmas Party Thursday and they couldnt be bothered to complete a playlist --they said your quote said Mainstream and Xmas party Music---brilliant just what we want---carry on !

Maybe the answer is to incorporate some questions in your responder form when getting enquiries to see if you can get a better idea.

Next year with the help of Richie im concentrating on using responder forms to hopefully get more quote requests and also as you highlight find out what the preferences MIGHT be.

CRAZY K

[Mossy]

Great topic

After almost 20 years DJing, I honestly do not know the answer to that.

When I take a booking I spend about 10 minutes discussing their expectations, their wants and after listening to what they have said I throw in a few suggestions. I welcome play-lists either by letter or email and if they send one I use it at the event.

Mid-way through the event I always ask the host if everything is OK

At the end of the event I always ask if they got the night they wanted

In my experience I would say that most customers couldn't care less about the lighting (as long as you have some), most will remember if you played a good mix of music, most will remember if it wasn't too loud and most will remember if you 'entertained' them.

Having said that I don't really have a standard light rig, the lights I take to an event are determined by the type of party and the venue (size etc), if it's an 18th I take scanners, lasers, smoke etc if it's a wedding I take Cham 3e's and set the Gobo's to 'Wedding' and 'Congratulations' and have those hitting the walls and use Datamoons for the floor.

I usually try and do something according to how I would want it doing if I was the person hosting the party, but that's difficult in this instance because I am a DJ and I know about lights etc etc, so as long as they are happy at the end of the night then I am happy.

Mossy

[Mossy]

Would it be worth us all posting our 'feedback forms' so we can see what everyone else is asking?????

I'd be happy to do that, because whilst I feel mine is pretty good I am sure that someone is probably asking a question that I am not, or that they are phrasing it better than me.

I'm never too old to learn and I'm never too proud to steal (errrr use with permission) someone else's good idea.

Anyone else up for doing that??????

Mossy

[Shaun]

Would it be worth us all posting our 'feedback forms' so we can see what everyone else is asking?????

I'd be happy to do that, because whilst I feel mine is pretty good I am sure that someone is probably asking a question that I am not, or that they are phrasing it better than me.

I'm never too old to learn and I'm never too proud to steal (errrr use with permission) someone else's good idea.

Anyone else up for doing that??????

Mossy

Why not start a new topic and see if it generates any interest.

[djgordyp]

I hope i'm not going off topic too much here. Referring back to a couple of the earlier posts regarding lighting. Unless the client ask for a particular type of lighting then for the most part thay won't pay much attention to your rig. after all it's the entertainment that counts. A top class light show won't make up for a bad playlist and nobody on the dancefloor.

As for the comment that sometimes the client doesn't always know what they want. whilst it is their day (talking about weddings here) and you try to do what they want, they want their guests to enjoy the day as well. So there is no point playing everything that the b&g ask for if your not getting a (favopurable) reaction from the crowd.

In a nutshell. Ask what they want, then make a few polite suggestions based on your past experiences. They kmow (most of) the people at the party and you know what gets people moving (to the floor or to the door :D )

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

In my experience I would say that most customers couldn't care less about the lighting (as long as you have some), most will remember if you played a good mix of music, most will remember if it wasn't too loud and most will remember if you 'entertained' them.



Spot on, I agree.

Having said that, there is still a certain 'standard' for lighting that I like my DJs to have.

[DMX Will]

Spot on, I agree.

Having said that, there is still a certain 'standard' for lighting that I like my DJs to have.

Exactly. A client may not fully notice the difference between a rig consiting of 4 50w moon flowers, and a full DMX'd rig with moving heads and scanners, they wont think "oh he's got no DMX lights" - obviously, but they will notice the quality to an extent.

Lighting is what makes provide a "disco" instead of just a DJ, without lights, technically we wouldn't be a disco, so they are important.

When I started this post I knew exactly where I was going....and now I don't soooo....

In conclusion, lighting does matter, however only to a certain extent, and because a client doesn't always notice a shiney lighting rig, it doesn't mean you can't have one.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Stop agreeing with me Will.

You're starting to worry me...:D

[Ricesnaps]

Would it be worth us all posting our 'feedback forms' so we can see what everyone else is asking?????

I'd be happy to do that, because whilst I feel mine is pretty good I am sure that someone is probably asking a question that I am not, or that they are phrasing it better than me.

I'm never too old to learn and I'm never too proud to steal (errrr use with permission) someone else's good idea.

Anyone else up for doing that??????

Mossy
I actually am very bad at this. I don't have a standard feedback form and I generally don;t send one out - I would love to see what you do and maybe pinch some ideas?

[Dragonfly]

Exactly. A client may not fully notice the difference between a rig consiting of 4 50w moon flowers, and a full DMX'd rig with moving heads and scanners, they wont think "oh he's got no DMX lights" - obviously, but they will notice the quality to an extent.

Lighting is what makes provide a "disco" instead of just a DJ, without lights, technically we wouldn't be a disco, so they are important.

When I started this post I knew exactly where I was going....and now I don't soooo....

In conclusion, lighting does matter, however only to a certain extent, and because a client doesn't always notice a shiney lighting rig, it doesn't mean you can't have one.

crikey were all agreeing with each other on this thread.... i have to confess i got my dmx lighting as i think it gives the impression of a better quality more up market show imho rater than just loads of colour all over the place just get that "oooooooooh look his lights are all doing the same thing / opposite as each other magic" that as ive said is my opinion.....

all the feedback ive got have commented on the "great mix of music" "my commitment to getting people up and dancing" "you played great music" etc yeah ive had one or 2 that have said "maybe a touch more x music" as people will know i dont profess in any way to be perfect but the key is to act on these comments after all that is what feedback is really for not to say hey look how brilliant i am but to help you improve what you do and make it an even better experience for those paying you.

only 2 people have commented directly on my lighting one a 10 year old girl who thought my lasers were the most amazing thing shes ever seen and on the other side a school i do regularly when i first started with 8 spots 2 screens and 2 twister asked if they could possibly have a touch more lighting as it was a big hall they used and the teachers were struggling to spot snoggers....

[Corabar Entertainment]

I started taking an interest in this industry probably rather older than the rest of you, and had many many years of attending parties, weddings, etc where mobile discos and DJs were employed - even booked a couple myself, so I have probably seen hundreds in my time, but as a punter rather than someone involved in the business...... and I can honestly say that I cannot remember the lighting from a single one; nor can I recall any other guest ever mentioning it.

What I remember was whether they played the right music to get everybody dancing, and that is when everybody says it was a great night.

I also remember a couple of rigs looking 'tatty' and comments being made about that (doesn't go down too well when everything else has been decorated beautifully)

[TonyB]

I agree with you about not noticing the lighting at the numerous functions I have attended over the years. It all used to be low level light boxes and sequencers so unless you were at the front, you couldn't see it anyway! Its also strange how you become totally oblivious to the lighting after the alcohol takes effect but you can still appreciate the music :) I probably dance with my eyes closed after a few drinks!

[Dragonfly]

having done some market research this weekend with friends families they have all said music is most important both right music and right level .... the only comments on lighting was if people have been to functions with no stands people seem to remember the lights when they are just perched on tables / chairs / speakers ...... although this may have come to mind because they know what i take out.

[Ricesnaps]

having done some market research this weekend with friends families they have all said music is most important both right music and right level .... the only comments on lighting was if people have been to functions with no stands people seem to remember the lights when they are just perched on tables / chairs / speakers ...... although this may have come to mind because they know what i take out.
It's a really interesting subject this. As I said at the start of the thread, it is SO hard for us as DJ's to be completely objective about our shows - we love the lighting and the gear, but when you actually listen closely th the clients the story is very different.

We did a 13th birthday on Saturday and while there was a little "wow" from the mother when we wheeled the kit in, the main praise afterwards was how enjoyable it had been, how the kids had been dancing all night and how thrilled the birthday girl was. The mother even commented on how right I was that sometimes you have to pay for things to get something great!

[Dragonfly]

what started to make me really think about this was i had a couple of gigs about 2 years ago now where the room looked alot bigger when it was empty than when it was full at the actual event and i couldnt set up the lighting that i usually like to put up....... managed 2 moonflowers and 2 scanners (abstract ninja stars) i think (bear in mind i cant rememeber yesterday never mind details of that long ago just remember being disapointed because it wouldnt fit)

anyway after, both the client and the venue said wow youve got loads of kit didnt realise it was going to be that size ????? thought woah thats about quarter of it. it really made me start to revamp everything i did .... 2 years and 2 forums later and some sound advice which i was never able to access before and im now happy with everything (although my back knees and ankles keep telling me theyd like me to go digital) i usually take out 6/7 effects plus uvs as i dont class them as effects lol and still sometimes sit out front for 10 mins before start and think i dont know if its too much.

i know one disco that takes out 2 lights and have seen another that was a 4ftx4ft box a mirrorball and 2 spots on a goalpost frame.