Weddings Booked 1st ever lighting only.

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DJ Cam

New DJ
Oct 20, 2006
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Pittsburgh, PA
www.djcamonline.com
Today I booked my 1st ever lighting only job. I'm quite excited. I didn't ask who the DJ company was for the event but they lacked providing the client with wat they wanted.

I will be providing the client with 16 Chauvet par 38's. Non-dmx. They wanted a certain color of purple so I will be meeting once I pick up a sample of the gel.

I have 10 led fixtures but I feel with the color request it will be much easier to just use regular par's.

I charged $400 for the 16 fixtures, and once the deposit comes I will order another 8 from Ben.

Comments? Advice? I'm open.
 
great to hear brother its little surprises like these which boost our confidence. Take this and run with it get lots of pictures and maybe use other gels on setup to give Brides variety to show you dont only use one color. Perhaps take some of your LED ones ahead of time and test em out and pics of them for more options.
 
great to hear brother its little surprises like these which boost our confidence. Take this and run with it get lots of pictures and maybe use other gels on setup to give Brides variety to show you don't only use one color. Perhaps take some of your LED ones ahead of time and test em out and pics of them for more options.

Thanks Good Idea,

I have done tons of lighting but when I need to do everything, I'm always rushed. This will be perfect opportunity to spend some time and really put together the up-lighting portfolio.

Now that I think about it I hope to be able to color match the customers selection and either my color pallets or venue LED's and maybe shoot even some video of color changes. Then I can just reset before people arrive.
 
exactly

thats what I meant you might even get some time in the room ahead of the date just request it atleast you can survey the room in advance if nothing more.:sqwink:
Thanks Good Idea,

I have done tons of lighting but when I need to do everything, I'm always rushed. This will be perfect opportunity to spend some time and really put together the up-lighting portfolio.

Now that I think about it I hope to be able to color match the customers selection and either my color pallets or venue LED's and maybe shoot even some video of color changes. Then I can just reset before people arrive.
 
That's great....

I think though you'll have better luck matching the color with LED fixtures, useing DMX to program them. Depending on the fixture as long as power remains so will the color.

Problem all my led are not the same.

I currently have 4 Chauvet Collor Pallets and 6 Venue LED Par 56

I need 16 fixtues for the job. I have 8 Par 38's. I can buy 8 more for about $120. It would cost me much more than that to go all LED.

The Venue's I can get about any color, the color pallets won't do crap for me.
 
Thats great that you can provide another stand alone service.
A few words of caution, be careful with fabrics that are too close to your lights (It does not matter if you are using LEDs, short circuits can cause fires just as heat can)
Buy yourself a small Fire Extinguisher (Electrical Fires).
Reduce all trip hazards the best you can.
 
I'm surprised no one has ever thought of buying white LED pars than using gels....may be the best of both worlds...

I have... but what a PITB to change colors during an event.
 
Congrats on the first time booking, a couple things:

1.) Take as much photo and video as possible, this will help you book future events. If you have to pay for a videographer DO IT!

2.) Get there early to tape down wires and cords. If you are using gels, buy a couple sheets to swap out colors fast and get vid/photo of what it looks like. Another tip, pre-cut your gel sheets the night before, it will save you time.

3.) Buy gaft tape for when you do lighting. This prevents paint from being chipped off the wall, and also prevents sticky residue on marble floors. Banquets hall will b!@#$ you out if you don't use this tape. If you are using it when they complain, then you can school them and earn their respect.

4.) Be careful not to trip circuit breakers. Since you are using gels, I would put an electrical stipulation in your contract ensure you get the proper amount of power you need for 16 fixtures.

5.) Start charging a technician fee ($40 per hour might work for you). Lighting designers in my area average between $1,000 to $2,300.

6.) Get into LEDs! It becomes REALLY fun to sit down and mix the lighting :sqwink:
 
"Them thar are the breaks..." Sorry, man. Maybe next time. Perhaps you may want to do a "on-site survey" the "day-of" and see why it could be done for $300 less.
 
Well that failed. Oh well, It's never booked til you have the contract returned.

I sent the contract last night and I just got an email that she is going with another company that will do it for $100.

Wow! $100! I bet they will be using high quality, $2 LED flash lights.
 

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