Is Lighting, Frontboards, Etc. Superfluous?

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SemiRetired DJ

SemiRetired DJ

Mac Daddy DJ
Nov 22, 2010
1,189
155
67
Abingdon, MD 21009
www.goodknightentertainment.com
I don't ask this to be negative towards this or people that do it.

Since I have stopped DJing I now get the opportunity to go to parties and weddings as a guest and observe (or not) the DJ's operations.

In a few recent parties and weddings the DJ had an impressive fronboard setup and light show. My wife and I were dancing and having a good time with our friends. Honestly, I did not even notice these things until the party/wedding was over and the DJ was taking them down. The music was great and we were dancing; that is all that mattered.

I don't know who the DJs were in these cases. To be honest, I don't care who they were. If I need their services I will go back to my friends and inquire but I doubt that I will need their services.

This all comes from the perspective of a person in attendance.
 
Is anything decorative superfluous or necessary? Table decorations, scrims, ... it sets a mood, it imparts a certain feeling .. You may not have noticed it directly, but maybe it made the whole process nicer somehow. Superfluous things are usually things that have no real effect on emotion. I think lighting does make a difference to a dance floor .. the alternative is dark or some overhead white lighting .. at least if you bring it you can control it. Frontboards are more of a subtractive decoration .. they don't necessarily add, but they do remove visual clutter, which again gets back to the emotional impact most clients are looking for at a wedding or fancier party.
 
SemiRetired DJ said:
I agree Rob but I am still wondering if folks are still placing too much emphasis on such things. There is still much to be said about an event with subdued lighting and good music.
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I built out and used a lighted frontboard last year. I stopped because I felt it created distraction (a couple of planners made mention of it, i.e. might impact the referrals I get from them in the future) and frankly, I just didn't feel the effort and extra junk to haul was worth it. No problem with anyone who views it otherwise, just offering an opinion, as requested.
 
Superfluous or not, my target clientale love it and want it....they even make sure it's what I'm going to use.

I get rave reviews from the other vendors as well. Rick, I've learned over the years, you really have to take what planners say with a grain of salt .... I'd almost bet your weren't in their little world of supremacy (sp?) and they just didn't like you. ;)
 
SemiRetired DJ said:
This all comes from the perspective of a person in attendance.
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Just my thoughts (as an attendee), for what they're worth...

I could give a rats ass about about lighted facades, and light shows. I pay no real attention to the DJ, other than professional curiosity.

I wanna eat good, I want to socialize, hear some good music, and maybe even dance. I don't want to look at a DJ. It's not a Van Halen concert ;)
 
actually these days I wouldn't want to look at Van Halen either ...
 
Randy A said:
I would say it's a safe bet, that your clients and mine are very different. ;)

I don't think it's regional; more generational.
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Generational? Are you suggesting that my clients are old? 95% of my wedding clients are between the ages of 26 and 35. Nobody around here cares about what they "see" from the DJ, only what they "hear".

Our clients ARE very different. That's the way it's supposed to be or we would all be insignificant.


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I love these discussions!
I've thought about purchasing one because I think they look cool & that they hide my multitude of sins.
But, I've always been about not drawing attention to my setup & that it should blend in with the surroundings.
I suppose if I am close enough to the dancefloor it becomes part of my lightshow.
And when I REALLY thing about it - I already drag around enough crap do I reeeeally need any more?
Just sayin':triwink:
 
Having one (a lighted facade) doesn't mean you always have to use it that way. A black frame with a fresnel or frosted plastic front might be a nice break from an all black one. Still hides things but in a more open fashion (you can always tape a cloth behind if necessary). Then when you get to the school parties or company parties .. you go all out with the lights.
 
I do admit that I had a pipe and drape facade but I thought of that more of a "barrier" than a decorative thing. Now, what I mean by barrier is simply designating where my area begins.

Yes, I visibly wanted to separate my area because, simply put, it was my area; I didn't want my clients or their guests there. It's like your space at a day job; do you want everybody roaming into it? When I'm working I want my space so that I can work effectively.
 
The purpose of my Facade is not to keep people out as much as it is to dress up my area and hide unsightly cables. I like to invite guests up and have them pick and load a tune to the active playlist. They get a kick out of that. Last Saturday I had this ten year old boy come up and do just that and play around with the scratching. He ate that up! His Mom came up afterwards and told me it made him very happy. Its just gear folks, be interactive with your guests.
 
Cesar said:
No Thanks....Like I want a bunch of 14 year old kids or those even younger hanging around my booth all night wanting to be interactive with me.
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You can control that

SemiRetired DJ said:
Yup, it is just gear. Gear that can be ruined when somebody spills a drink on it. Gear that can cost an arm and a leg to replace.

Even now that the gear belongs to the Elks lodge I am still protective of it when I use it.
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You can control that too! Don't forget, one is remembered not because they are like the masses but because they are different than the masses. ;)
 
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