I hope we have enough time to setup tomorrow.

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

We have a sweet 16 to do tomorrow. The father called me today to tell me we can get there at 6pm and should have our gear in the hotel by 6:15 ready to setup.

I was told we have 45 minutes to setup. Now I found out they were planning on starting the party at 7:30. So the way I figure it that will give us 1 hour and 15 minutes to be setup ready to go. Original start time was to be 8 but he changed it to 7:30. This is a big deal for the family since they are coming out of state to have the party here. I'm expecting a nice tip when we finish.

My issue is that we wish we were given 2 hours to setup as this will be our first time using the new truss for the lights. We just want a good clean looking setup. I just hope that will be enough time to get things right. We'll have to rush which is what we both hate.

We'll make it work because they are paying us $500.00 to do the event. It's to be over at midnight. The father said he would call me in the morning that he was going to talk to the person in charge about the setup time table. I just hate to do things in a rush.

 

[SoftJock Rick]

Ahh, the drama continues...


Would you do me a favor, and stop calling everything a "party"?

It is simply an event, that you are contracted to work at. So stick with the word event, and maybe more people will understand what the heck you're talking about -- especially your potential clients.

Anyway, if you split this $500 with you partner and his gal pal -- what is your net?

 

[djmike]

The more I read his posts, the bigger my headache gets.

 

[Jeff Romard]

Why can't you setup earlier in the day. When I book a client I give them the earliest and latest time I can setup and I don't ever recall not being accomodated

 

[DJ J Mac]

Mix, a couple of tips for you to consider. If you have the time, do a dry run with your new truss setup, so you know about any complications that might arise when setting it up. Also this would enable you to know what exactly you'll need, extension cords, velcro straps, etc. Finally, don't go into an event expecting a tip; a tip is something you have to earn by doing a stellar job.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

This is what the hotel said how things are to be. I don't care myself to setup early and then come back. What if someone damages something? Who will you get to pay for the damages? We're doing as we are told. It's not my house to tell the venue how to do things. I'm just there to work with the venue, do the job I'm contracted for and get paid.

 

[drzinc]

I setup 4 subs 2 tops my system on the table and lights in 40- 50 minutes and most of the time I have a few minutes left over. If its a small gig it takes me 30.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

All I can say is we'll see how long it takes. We should be fine since it's two of us. I can concentrate on the gear and my partner can concentrate on the truss and lights.

It's not just about getting setup on time but wanting it to look really good. I'm not expecting tip but it doesn't hurt think we may possibly get one.

 

[DJCC]

I'm expecting a nice tip when we finish.

I'm not expecting tip but it doesn't hurt think we may possibly get one.

OK.

 

[Dj Jimmy D]

So they changed the start times on you but you didnt change the contract and add more money on for the extra time? Why not? Do you even have a contract with them? What Hotel is it at?

 

[ahoustondj]

This is what the hotel said how things are to be. I don't care myself to setup early and then come back. What if someone damages something? Who will you get to pay for the damages? We're doing as we are told. It's not my house to tell the venue how to do things. I'm just there to work with the venue, do the job I'm contracted for and get paid.

If the venue does not know what it will take for you to do your setup how then can they accommodate you? Somebody has to tell/ask them. The Client is spending good money to rent the space so the Venue should be more than willing to accommodate you as being part of the Client's entourage. When I read posts like this it makes me think, here goes another DJ into a Venue like a puppy dog with it's tail between it's legs. Sorry, but that is the way I see it. I won't be surprised if they "make" you set up in a little corner. DJs fail to realize that they too are professionals and they have to articulate their needs in order to properly execute their service.

For the good part: If I were you, I would give the Client this choice. This is what I would say. "I was planning on adding some beautiful lights for you but that would depend on if I have more time to setup. However with the time constraints that the venue has given me, I cannot guarantee that I can include all the lights I want to deploy. Can you give them a call to see if I can have extra time?" Let the Client ask the Venue for the time you need. It is easier for the Venue to refuse you than for them to refuse the Client.

 

[steve149]

I'm expecting a nice tip when we finish.

Never "expect" a tip .. work for it.

 

[SoftJock Rick]

If the venue does not know what it will take for you to do your setup how then can they accommodate you? Somebody has to tell/ask them. The Client is spending good money to rent the space so the Venue should be more than willing to accommodate you as being part of the Client's entourage. When I read posts like this it makes me think, here goes another DJ into a Venue like a puppy dog with it's tail between it's legs. Sorry, but that is the way I see it. I won't be surprised if they "make" you set up in a little corner. DJs fail to realize that they too are professionals and they have to articulate their needs in order to properly execute their service.

One of the problems I see with that, is that the venue may have more than one event per day. The one down the road here, does at least two per day in each room -- it's a very nice place. In order to keep it nice, they have generate enough income.

So if they have a wedding from noon till 4, they have to clean up fast, the DJ or band has to get out of there fast. Then the next one is like 6pm. So you need to get in there and set up fast.

They give you a time schedule -- you deal with it.

 

[DjDennis]

a Venue allows us to setup in the Mornings so they can setup the room for the reception

never been told on or at ANY shows I can only setup 15 mins before start time

if thats the case they can hire some other joker.....

have a nice day

 

[ahoustondj]

One of the problems I see with that, is that the venue may have more than one event per day. The one down the road here, does at least two per day in each room -- it's a very nice place. In order to keep it nice, they have generate enough income.

So if they have a wedding from noon till 4, they have to clean up fast, the DJ or band has to get out of there fast. Then the next one is like 6pm. So you need to get in there and set up fast.

They give you a time schedule -- you deal with it.

That may very well be so but right now this is what you are assuming. It sound to me that he does not know how to ask and let me tell you....there are lots of DJs who do not do site visits to arrange for these sorts of things, there are also those who go in and do exactly what they are told even though it may be unreasonable and yet there are other options......why? Because they are afraid to be blacklisted or to rock the boat. Lots of venues think that all DJs are the same and they take the same time to setup.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Why can't you setup earlier in the day. When I book a client I give them the earliest and latest time I can setup and I don't ever recall not being accomodated

Can't setup earlier in the day due to the hotel booked for an earlier event. That's their greed getting to them. Oh well I was told we can get in to setup at 5:45 instead of 6:15. I'm getting dressed now to get ready.

 

[Kirby Ball]

Can't setup earlier in the day due to the hotel booked for an earlier event. That's their greed getting to them. Oh well I was told we can get in to setup at 5:45 instead of 6:15. I'm getting dressed now to get ready.

Not greed at all. Renting rooms is their business and they'd be foolish not to take the business when it's there, to make up for the slow times. They've got a business to run with many expenses, taxes, upkeep, utilities, payroll, etc.

 

[ittigger]

We have a sweet 16 to do tomorrow. The father called me today to tell me we can get there at 6pm and should have our gear in the hotel by 6:15 ready to setup.

I was told we have 45 minutes to setup. Now I found out they were planning on starting the party at 7:30. So the way I figure it that will give us 1 hour and 15 minutes to be setup ready to go. Original start time was to be 8 but he changed it to 7:30. This is a big deal for the family since they are coming out of state to have the party here. I'm expecting a nice tip when we finish.

My issue is that we wish we were given 2 hours to setup as this will be our first time using the new truss for the lights. We just want a good clean looking setup. I just hope that will be enough time to get things right. We'll have to rush which is what we both hate.

We'll make it work because they are paying us $500.00 to do the event. It's to be over at midnight. The father said he would call me in the morning that he was going to talk to the person in charge about the setup time table. I just hate to do things in a rush.

Never "expect" a tip .. work for it.

Never ever EVER .. expect a tip. It's that much nicer when you get one and you won't be let down when you don't. A tip is a gratuity - it is NOT something anyone HAS to do.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

So they changed the start times on you but you didnt change the contract and add more money on for the extra time? Why not? Do you even have a contract with them? What Hotel is it at?

The time I found out was to be from 7-11 and not 8-12. I emailed a contract. It all worked out for us. We got paid what we were supposed to get and that's it. It actually turned out less time because they were running late.