we constantly say what is or what should be professional. Our clients determine what is or isnt. Lack of client feedback might also hold a few answers.
I'm feeling mischevious: Sit Vs. Stand (mwahahaha)
- Thread starter SemiRetired DJ
- Start date
I have also bought just recently the DJ but I have taken the back off. I probably use it about 10-15 minutes over 8-10 hours of standing. It does help especially when my feet and back are killing me. Most the time it sits and waits unlike me. )
Here is part of my initial email to a potential client who contacts me
I could do all these things if I was in a wheel chair. This debate is stupid.
I could do all these things if I was in a wheel chair. This debate is stupid.
..and if you are in a wheel chair because of physical disabilities or limitations, that would be an understandable and unique modification or reasonable accommodation.
Otherwise, sitting is typically and properly perceived as an act counter productive to the required activity of a wedding entertainer.
That would bring along with it, a prerequisite, that you are actually entertaining them...
Playing music, and filling a dance floor, is not necessarily entertaining...
I brought up Elvis earlier, now I'll bring in Frank -- if you saw Live At The Sands (or just heard the album), you would find an entertainer. All eyes are riveted on said entertainer, because they do sight gags, tell stories, sing, play music, etc.
Many folks would have you believe that a wedding DJ, should stand appropriately dressed as a penguin, so as not to be out of place with the other wait staff. Standing, by its very nature, does nothing to infuse more energy into the party, and if you look like the above penguin, somebody will also probably ask you to get them a drink.
Your job is to play music pleasing to the crowd, make trivial announcements, and otherwise stay the heck out of the way (and sight).
Now compare what you do, with what Frank or Elvis does. If you can live up to their standards, then feel free to call yourself an entertainer...
BTW, while yer contemplating your entertainer status, would you kindly get me a beer, and one of them donuts with the sprinkles on them...?
That would bring along with it, a prerequisite, that you are actually entertaining them...
Playing music, and filling a dance floor, is not necessarily entertaining...
I brought up Elvis earlier, now I'll bring in Frank -- if you saw Live At The Sands (or just heard the album), you would find an entertainer. All eyes are riveted on said entertainer, because they do sight gags, tell stories, sing, play music, etc.
Many folks would have you believe that a wedding DJ, should stand appropriately dressed as a penguin, so as not to be out of place with the other wait staff. Standing, by its very nature, does nothing to infuse more energy into the party, and if you look like the above penguin, somebody will also probably ask you to get them a drink.
Your job is to play music pleasing to the crowd, make trivial announcements, and otherwise stay the heck out of the way (and sight).
Now compare what you do, with what Frank or Elvis does. If you can live up to their standards, then feel free to call yourself an entertainer...
BTW, while yer contemplating your entertainer status, would you kindly get me a beer, and one of them donuts with the sprinkles on them...?
You have obviously mistaken the minimal, almost meaningless service you deliver once or twice a year with what others offer.yorofl:
The standards I have chosen to accept as my charge and hopefully exceed are those of my clients and the self imposed ones that satisfy my conscious and ethics.
Saw Chris Deburgh many years ago. If he hadn't walked on and off stage I would have never known he had legs sat through the whole performance.....Same with John Prine...BB King sits much more than he stands but I guess no one told them that's just so unprofessional
There are DJs (play the music, get them dancing, keep your mouth shut), MCs (introductions, announcements, leading agenda with voice), those that combine the two, and entertainers (Rick's definition fits).
Since most of this discussion has been focusing on weddings, I'll keep it there.
When I was doing the MDJ thing, I offered entertainers. I had a few folks working with me that had the stage presence to sing, tell jokes, do some magic tricks while also MCing and DJing. They were true entertainers and, of course, the price was higher. People just didn't want it. Occasionally they did, but not often enough to make a dent.
What people were looking for was the DJ/MC that would play the music with medium to low interaction; mostly, low. In other words, play the music, do the introductions, keep the agenda flowing but otherwise shut up. I gave them what they wanted.
When doing the introductions I was the disembodied voice. I stayed out of sight of cameras and video. The focus was on the people being introduced.
When it came time for the activities (tosses, garter, etc.), I pulled attention to the center of the room for the activity, got it going, and got out of the way.
At dance time I was behind the facade, one cheek on the chair, watching the dance floor, and keeping a stream of conversation going with my assistant as to possibilities for future songs. The client and their guests were busy dancing and not even paying attention to me, if all was going well.
Since most of this discussion has been focusing on weddings, I'll keep it there.
When I was doing the MDJ thing, I offered entertainers. I had a few folks working with me that had the stage presence to sing, tell jokes, do some magic tricks while also MCing and DJing. They were true entertainers and, of course, the price was higher. People just didn't want it. Occasionally they did, but not often enough to make a dent.
What people were looking for was the DJ/MC that would play the music with medium to low interaction; mostly, low. In other words, play the music, do the introductions, keep the agenda flowing but otherwise shut up. I gave them what they wanted.
When doing the introductions I was the disembodied voice. I stayed out of sight of cameras and video. The focus was on the people being introduced.
When it came time for the activities (tosses, garter, etc.), I pulled attention to the center of the room for the activity, got it going, and got out of the way.
At dance time I was behind the facade, one cheek on the chair, watching the dance floor, and keeping a stream of conversation going with my assistant as to possibilities for future songs. The client and their guests were busy dancing and not even paying attention to me, if all was going well.
You are right Rox I am comparing people that don't self impose restrictions on they way they perform to those that do
No, that wasn't it.
[video=youtube;O0EMXhR90M0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0EMXhR90M0[/video]
Any restrictions placed upon you, as a result of forum discussions, are self-imposed. You are free to sit, hell go completely prone, for all I care, at your events.
Damn, don't you chaps already have enough restrictions place upon you by Clients (Telling you what to play), Venues (Telling you where to setup), Other vendors (Bossing you around), etc? Why do you all see the need to also have self imposed restrictions?
Who cares if you sit, stand, kneel, wear a Hawaiian Shirt vs a Tuxedo, have a brew to spice you up? As long as you deliver a stellar performance is all that matters! Sheesh! Go play a song or something!!!!!
Who cares if you sit, stand, kneel, wear a Hawaiian Shirt vs a Tuxedo, have a brew to spice you up? As long as you deliver a stellar performance is all that matters! Sheesh! Go play a song or something!!!!!
The real question is do I have to stand while typing posts or only when working on the server to be a great forum owner? I'm confused here.
Thom I believe this was already mentioned. I provide service which gains my clients needs they determine my professional service most often.
I misplaced my secret decoder ring JT -- any chance you could decipher that for me, in possibly human readable form...?
Technically, to be a great forum owner, you would remote in to the server from your desktop which would be located in the most optimum room for IT and comfortableness.
To be of legendary status, you would have someone else handling the server stuff while you kick back and drink your drinks. Ultimate legendary status would contain a secretary for typing posts for you.