Gonna miss my crutch...

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djcrazychris

DJ Extraordinaire
Jun 12, 2018
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Booked for a party this weekend... they just went for my basic package...with sound only....no lighting...

ive only done one other recent event without lights... but it was a wedding for an older couple...and was in a bright sunny room anyways...so it was fine without them...but the upcoming party is a teen dance...and im honestly a bit sad not to have my light show...

Obviously the room loses a bit of energy...but also...any photos taken dont have the same sizzle and selling factor for social media posts...

When you guys are hired without any lights...do u still light your facades? i was thinking of lighting my facade....but it requires me to bring my dmx controller and road case... a case of lights....2nd bag of cords...etc... so it defeats the purpose of a basic package deal...

cc
 
My basic package includes lighting but I don't mind leaving lights at home if they aren't wanted. Makes for an easier set up and tear down. But could it be that the teens don't want lights because they want more opportunities to grind?
 
My basic package includes lighting but I don't mind leaving lights at home if they aren't wanted. Makes for an easier set up and tear down. But could it be that the teens don't want lights because they want more opportunities to grind?

no the parents booked me... i got the impression they were looking for the cheapest option... they booked me... then failed to send in the deposit....so i contacted them and they pretended they forgot to contact me back and tell me the party was canceled...i just laughed and went on with my life... then a few days later...they contacted me again and asked if i still had the date.... so they rebooked and sent the deposit in fast...

cc
 
I don't charge extra for dance lighting so the only time I don't include it is when they specifically say "no lights". As for the facade, I typically will light that but there are times where I'll use the black covering, usually when I want to downplay my presence (either stuck off to the side or I'm stuck in an ugly spot that I don't want to highlight - like this past weekend). Don't let it bother you, Chris.
 
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I don't charge extra for dance lighting so the only time I don't include it is when they specifically say "no lights"..

i may end up switching to something similar ... i basically wanted an option for folks who might not want or need lighys and would like to pay a bit less....and would also require so much less set up on my part...and a whole lot less load in and out for me as well that i wouldnt mind getting less money. So far it had been an option no one with any intention of throwing a great party had even thought about... usually theyve seen my set up on instagram or been told about it by a friend and WANT IT...

cc
 
For Sweet 16s a Basic Light Effect Show is included at no extra charge. I just quote sweet 16s this way. I wont bring lights either if the client specifically says "no lights", but I don't remember that ever happening for a Sweet 16.

For other parties such as 40th birthdays, 50th birthdays, 60th birthdays, 25th anniversaries, holiday parties etc. I have a basic DJ Package. I inquire if they want a light show, and offer my basic light show for an additional $50, or my extended deluxe light show for an additional $200. I also have a middle option for $100 which is basically the basic light show + a ADJ Starburst on a stand.

Sometimes, If I am feeling like I want to add more value, I may throw in 2 up lights set to sound active mode, but have only done that a handful of times, and I don't tell the client I am doing that, it's just a spare of the moment thing.

About 70% of them add in the basic light show. Another 5% upgrade to the middle package, and none of them pay for the $200 package leaving 25% or so with no lights at all.

My brother does a Holiday party every year in November where the client wants no lighting. It's an easy gig for him, and the client likes him a lot. So I rebook it every year.

If they don't add in lighting, you could also set up just 2 up lights in sound active mode neat the dance floor, or DMX them together. At least it get's the dance area some wash lighting, and the kids will appreciate it.
 
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i may end up switching to something similar ... i basically wanted an option for folks who might not want or need lighys and would like to pay a bit less....and would also require so much less set up on my part...and a whole lot less load in and out for me as well that i wouldnt mind getting less money. So far it had been an option no one with any intention of throwing a great party had even thought about... usually theyve seen my set up on instagram or been told about it by a friend and WANT IT...

cc

My opinion, the days that a dance lighting rig could be sold as an add-on are long gone. By the same token, on the rare occasion I've had someone ask "How much discount if I don't need dance lighting?" I just tell them "It makes no difference in the price." Can't say that I've ever had someone not book me because I didn't discount for no lighting. Personally, I believe you're right in that it does help create energy and should be a standard part of any DJ's presentation. Only if it's daytime during dance or they specifically ask me to ditch it will I go without dance lighting.
 
By the way, speaking of dance lighting I haven't reported back about the Chauvet Colorstrip minis that I added a couple of weeks ago. At this point, I've taken them out twice and really like them. I have them perm-mounted to a short t-bar, and hang 2 Chauvet 255 movers underneath. These little dudes put out a lot of light, but it's not over-powering the way the full-size colorstrips can be. Setup is easy. I put the T-bar on a crank stand, bolt on the movers then run a single long power cord to the first fixture then daisy chain to the others. DMX programming doesn't match up to my other 9X18 fixtures, so these colorstrips will run independent of what the rest of the room is doing. I may change out in the future but for now I'm liking the way these things look, especially when paired with the movers. Here's a shot from weekend before last of one of the rigs.

IMG_1104.JPG
And here's a shot from the VFW this past weekend.
IMG_1128[1].JPG
 
My opinion, the days that a dance lighting rig could be sold as an add-on are long gone. By the same token, on the rare occasion I've had someone ask "How much discount if I don't need dance lighting?" I just tell them "It makes no difference in the price." Can't say that I've ever had someone not book me because I didn't discount for no lighting. Personally, I believe you're right in that it does help create energy and should be a standard part of any DJ's presentation. Only if it's daytime during dance or they specifically ask me to ditch it will I go without dance lighting.

I agree. Nobody adds in my $200 light show any more. Most brides will mark yes to a complimentary Basic LED Light show for weddings.

The majority of my small parties I do will add in the basic light show at $50. I guess those clients want lights, and don't mind paying $50 for it, but won't cough up $200 for a larger show.

I am not bothering hauling all the extra lights, and setting up/tearing down without more money either. ...And if I add $200 to every quote, and just include the larger light show, I will lose many of those clients over price. So I just quote without any lights at all when it comes to those types of parties. ...Then there are some clients who simply don't want lights at all, so it does not make sense to quote from the get go with a nice light show included. ...At least for me.

...Then there are venues where I don't have enough set up room for the larger light show any way.
 
Rule of sales #18: Give them something extra.

If you're disappointed that you won't have any lighting, bring some lighting.

What if they don't want it and you just set it up anyways? You're taking a risk IMHO.

To add to this, in my early days of uplighting, I wanted to have some promo pics so I setup uplighting without the bride's knowledge. In looking back, I did a crappy job. I had the fixtures running color-change and independently of each other. It looked like a friggin circus (just being honest here). While the bride was kind enough to not take my head off it was a hard lesson learned. The lesson learned.........don't do stuff at your client's event that they don't know about. I have to admit, I'm terribly embarrassed whenever I run across those pics.
 
I'm probably on the verge of needing glasses .. I thought the title said "Gonna miss my CROTCH" and I'm like "What the?"
 
What if they don't want it and you just set it up anyways? You're taking a risk IMHO.

First, your clients hire you because they like you... there shouldn't be much of a risk, if any. Second, it's a Sweet 16 party... he'll know as soon as he gets there if they either a) were cheap or b) hired a company just to provide the lighting. If the answer is b, just leave the lights in the car. Regardless, you don't need to keep it a surprise. It's very simple to say "Hey, I've got some lighting from last night's event in my van... mind if I bring it in?" as you're setting up. 99 times out of 100, they won't mind.

I admit, your uplighting story is a good example of what NOT to do, especially at a wedding.
 
When you guys are hired without any lights...do u still light your facades? i was thinking of lighting my facade....but it requires me to bring my dmx controller and road case... a case of lights....2nd bag of cords...etc... so it defeats the purpose of a basic package deal...

My light show is "included" with every gig, so the only time I don't bring it is when the gig does not require it...for whatever reason.
Actually, it's all in the trailer, so I do bring it...I just don't bring it inside.
If you want to take the easy route for this one....
bring in ONE fixture for your facade, and put it on Sound Active.
 
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My basic thrown in lighting is similar to the Chauvet 4 bar so it's very easy to bring in and set up. I used to throw in twice as many fixtures. I had to attached each fixture one at a time, connect all the dmx cables and spend more time cleaning up the wires. Doing everything in reverse at tear down time it was too much work without the pay off. Also, charging extra for "club lighting" was an option that hardly anyone went for.

At my age and physical condition I'd rather not set up more lights for more $. As for lighting my facade, I don't use a facade that would look any better with lights. My set up looks better with the table topper I use, but I'm thinking of going sans facade from now on. Dancers like seeing me dance behind my rig so why hide?
 
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bring in ONE fixture for your facade, and put it on Sound Active.

lol... personally id rather either bring in no lights or bring them all in...

i dont want a potential client thinking thats my show... :nod:

cc
 
thanks for all the advice and opinions everyone!

I would be delighted if i showed up and they had hired out a lighting company...but i have serious doubts that would happen...lol... they are giving me a very narrow set up time that i agreed to only because it was sound only....so i am tempted to just stick with that approach for this particular event and then change my packages for future events

They are also doing a weird thing for the hourly rate... instead of using one of their hours for dinner/cocktail music... theyve asked us not to start til after dinner... so the dinner will be silent.... i agreed to it... but the more i thought about it the more i am concerned how my company will look....all set up ...but seemingly refusing to play "complimentary" dinner music....

normally i utilize the dinner portion to gain the trust of older ones in the crowd by dazzling them with a few classics sprinkled in... but at this event...i will have a COLD OPENING straight to loud music... i will be the most hated man in the room by the blue hairs im sure...lol....

just a clarification...its not a sweet 16... its a fall graduation party...for some reason ive been booked for many "late" grad parties...and i dont know why they are all happening in the fall....very odd...

cc
 
They are also doing a weird thing for the hourly rate... instead of using one of their hours for dinner/cocktail music... theyve asked us not to start til after dinner... so the dinner will be silent.... i agreed to it... but the more i thought about it the more i am concerned how my company will look....all set up ...but seemingly refusing to play "complimentary" dinner music....

I don't charge my rate based on performance time, and this is a pretty classic example of why. If you're already on site, and not charging them extra to be there... why not play music during this portion of the event?

It's a tiny bit more work, but the risk of not doing it is actually much higher I think.
 
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