Props
- Thread starter barry stamper
- Start date
I don't. I let the props introduce themselves...if you will. Timing is everything. A few examples:
Red White and Blue Stove top hats....I'll start off the dancing with maybe Elvis's Can't help falling in Love with you, I then go into "Proud to be an American" and walk out and anyone dancing gets these hats (well guys anyways).
6' Colored Feathered Boas - I'll play one of "Girly" songs so we have a good contingent of ladies on the floor. I'll then go into Man I feel Like a woman or something like that and walk out with a whole bunch of feathered boas around my neck and place them on the ladies dancing (they love these).
22" umbrellas - One again, have a good contingent of ladies on the dance floor and then go into It's raining men and take out the 22" paper umbrellas.
Stove top Flame hats - When I see the crowd is about ready for a conga line, throw on hot hot hot, and pass out the flame hats as the line is passing by.
YMCA Garb - real easy, self explanitory.
Cowboy hats - to either Cotton Eyed Joe or Thanks God I'm a country boy
20" inflatable dalmations - Who let the Dogs out
The whole key to props is timing and delivery. First thing to do is make sure there is a good dance floor the song BEFORE distributing props. You don't want to get out there with a handload of props and look like a weiner standing there.
Also with props...very important...don't let the props do the work for you. In other words, make sure your DJ skills are great and enhance the event with props. Don't let the props sell you, let your show sell you.
Hope this helps.
Red White and Blue Stove top hats....I'll start off the dancing with maybe Elvis's Can't help falling in Love with you, I then go into "Proud to be an American" and walk out and anyone dancing gets these hats (well guys anyways).
6' Colored Feathered Boas - I'll play one of "Girly" songs so we have a good contingent of ladies on the floor. I'll then go into Man I feel Like a woman or something like that and walk out with a whole bunch of feathered boas around my neck and place them on the ladies dancing (they love these).
22" umbrellas - One again, have a good contingent of ladies on the dance floor and then go into It's raining men and take out the 22" paper umbrellas.
Stove top Flame hats - When I see the crowd is about ready for a conga line, throw on hot hot hot, and pass out the flame hats as the line is passing by.
YMCA Garb - real easy, self explanitory.
Cowboy hats - to either Cotton Eyed Joe or Thanks God I'm a country boy
20" inflatable dalmations - Who let the Dogs out
The whole key to props is timing and delivery. First thing to do is make sure there is a good dance floor the song BEFORE distributing props. You don't want to get out there with a handload of props and look like a weiner standing there.
Also with props...very important...don't let the props do the work for you. In other words, make sure your DJ skills are great and enhance the event with props. Don't let the props sell you, let your show sell you.
Hope this helps.
I have these blow up guitars and Microphones, never sure where to introduce them. Thanks.. However I did miss the chance to introduce the mike's when I played I will survive and noticed all the girls were singing to that song. ( poop missed my chance) I will use your idea's really thanks alot..
OK...Blow Up guitars......Possibly during a song with good giutar riffs or a metal type song...like You shook me all night long. Ya know...the songs everyone plays air guitar to...LOL.
Microphones...yeap...whenever they're all singing. Also if you ever do like a "paradise by the dashboard light". Any of the women's "I hate men" songs will work wonders too.
Just toss them out at the opportunity.
Microphones...yeap...whenever they're all singing. Also if you ever do like a "paradise by the dashboard light". Any of the women's "I hate men" songs will work wonders too.
Just toss them out at the opportunity.
Hey BigTime (et, al)... I know this is an old post but I'm new here so what do you expect?!
Wondering... Do you allow the guests to keep the props? If the girls love the boas, etc, so much, isn't it hard to get them back? And what if you run out and some of the girls do that pouty thing they do and make me feel bad?
(I hate the pouty thing!)
Wondering... Do you allow the guests to keep the props? If the girls love the boas, etc, so much, isn't it hard to get them back? And what if you run out and some of the girls do that pouty thing they do and make me feel bad?
(I hate the pouty thing!)People still do props? Don't most clients find that cheesy, and is really worth keeping an invetory?
G
Guest
Guest
Just say no to cheese
Where's Matt Cohen when you need him?
Honestly, props fall into the cheesey catagory. Will I use them? If my client buys them, sure. But I won't go out of my way.
If they buy them, I like Bigtime's way.
Where's Matt Cohen when you need him?
Honestly, props fall into the cheesey catagory. Will I use them? If my client buys them, sure. But I won't go out of my way.
If they buy them, I like Bigtime's way.
G
Guest
Guest
I used to. Now I have YMCA stuff, microphones, and all that other junk collecting dust in storage. Fortunately it is free storage.
I tell my clients now that if they want props, no problem. Buy what you want at my party store and bring them to the party.
Geez, man! Am I behind the times?! I'm new in the biz and the first book I read towards a DJ career is Stacy Zemon's "The Mobile DJ Handbook" which talks about being a party motivator and using props and how to be a wedge of cheese. This is one argument for attending the DJ conferences on a regular basis. How 'bout it?!
Dang! I'm glad I ran into this post!
Dang! I'm glad I ran into this post!
Hey BigTime (et, al)... I know this is an old post but I'm new here so what do you expect?!
Wondering... Do you allow the guests to keep the props? If the girls love the boas, etc, so much, isn't it hard to get them back? And what if you run out and some of the girls do that pouty thing they do and make me feel bad?
I let the guests keep the props. I have enough crap to load up at the end of the night I don't need to load that stuff up also...LOL.
Seriously, I do let the guests keep the props. I'll go around and gather up the stuff that was left at the end of the night. Now, please understand that my clients pay for these props as an add on. And guess what.....My clients do pay. I have 3 events left in my DJ career and 2 of the last 3 events, the clients paid for props....I must have cheesey clients.....Amazing. Especially the cheesey client that is having their reception in one of the best reception facilities (and most expensive) in the area and hired me specifically because they were at a wedding reception that I had the props and they insisted that they have the props.
As for all the cheese comments, don't let that bother you. I did 14 events this year that the customers wanted and paid for props. One man's cheese is another mans treasure. I digress to one of my original posts in this thread where I said that you still have to be a good DJ and you let the props enhance the fun. Don't expect the props to make the fun. Next week I have a props wedding, maybe I'll throw some pics up on a site.
In any case, I'm not going to knock anyone that does not use props. I use them, they work for me, they've got me some extra business over the years, and I think I used them successfully. I ran my business the way I wanted. I let the other guys do what is successful for them.
G
Guest
Guest
I use props all the time, haven't at a wedding yet, but I would if they asked me.
Mostly I use them at birthday parties, anniversary parties and graduation parties.
I agree with Bigtime. May not work for everyone but it works for me.
Mostly I use them at birthday parties, anniversary parties and graduation parties.
I agree with Bigtime. May not work for everyone but it works for me.
For kid parties they work great,,, haven't used them much at weddings. Just like everything else, you have to do what the job requires.
Depending on the crowd, and especially if kids are there, I will throw out some beads and glow stuff.
Usually, I don't. I have been thinking of making it an option. I really haven't had any "requests" for such.
A lot of the "tacky and cheese" in using props is in the presentation.
Usually, I don't. I have been thinking of making it an option. I really haven't had any "requests" for such.
A lot of the "tacky and cheese" in using props is in the presentation.
At Bar Mitzvahs my company is always using props, blow up guitars, mics, pianos, horns, clarinets, they are all always a huge hit. Other things we always do is hand out props depending on the theme of the party, like we've given out little soccer balls before. And the given hand out/prop that we always use at events, are glow sticks and hats of all sorts.
DJ PAUL
Director of Entertainment Fulfillment
I use props all the time! weddings, parties, and corp events.
:sqconfused:I don't understand. To label props or interactives, cheesy or tacky. Why do you post in this forum? :sqconfused:
I have made a living from them!
Paul
:sqconfused:I don't understand. To label props or interactives, cheesy or tacky. Why do you post in this forum? :sqconfused:
I have made a living from them!
Paul
everyone uses the tools that work for them and males them stand out to prospective clients there is no need to call one or another Cheesy tacky or anything. I dont use props and my clients dont call for them they call for me to do what I do how I do it. If they want props I can accomodate if needed I dont offer them however.
all the props we use are actually give aways supplied by sponsors or things we find super cheap or free...examples: one sponsor gives us mis-print hats...we do joe cockers YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON for our "regulars" which now expect it!!...we tell them just keep the hat on!!!...or, we wear cowboy hats during SAVE A HORSE, RIDE A COWBOY and do a little dance together....during COURTESY OF THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE(toby keith) we wave a small american flag, perhaps 2"x4" and hand them out to who wants them...we'll even bring out percussion instuments--bongos, tamberines,maracas to play during some of the "hippie songs" possibly a headband to inhance the atmosphere...i guess you could say, we are also the props...very interactive...we have a personal party during our shows which, we believe, gets the crowd in the mood to party...we won't mention the availablity of a strippers pole...