Why More Is Not Always Appropriate

[McCardle 1]

I've always believed that the size of the rig should be dictated by the DJ and not the client, after all it is our professional experience and expertese that they are paying for, and so allowing them the choice of booking our 400 watt rig in a room full of 750 people would perhaps save them some money, it wouldn't actually do us or them any favours on the night :scared: . Therefore I have always tended to provide a small rig in small venues and tailor the size upwards accordingly, depending on number of guests and size of the venue, to a point.

 

Usually lighting has been treated as linear as sound, with a huge stage requiring a large rig full of lights by default, and the smaller venue reduced to just two or three effects. I am sure that I am not alone in doing this.

 

Whilst this assumption may be the correct one in the vast majority of cases, it can also catch us out in other situations. Let me give a real example of where less was considered more.

 

I was once asked to do some work for one corporate client who is heavily involved with a trust and also provides sponsorship / funding for a community. Several 'key' people, as well as staff and trustees from these entities were invited and would be present, which meant that quite a percentage of attending guests would be suffering from various forms of epilepsy. I wasn't told this in advance, I only found out just before the gig when I caught up with the client and asked further questions.

 

The disabilities act doesn't just apply to venues and access, but we have a duty, as do all service providers to make whatever adjustments are realistically possible to ensure that ALL of those using or attending the same events as us are able to enjoy the services that we provide:-

 

Duty of providers of services to make adjustments (1) Where a provider of services has a practice, policy or procedure which makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled persons to make use of a service which he provides, or is prepared to provide, to other members of the public, it is his duty to take such steps as it is reasonable, in all the circumstances of the case, for him to have to take in order to change that practice, policy or procedure so that it no longer has that effect.

 

Source:- http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1995/ukpga_19950050_en_4

 

This of course could apply to all functions and all guests, and the last thing we want to do is make our service an encroachment into their comfort and enjoyment or to make them ill. Which is one reason why I now always ask the question. In this example, I changed my policies on lighting the venue to one which was more subtle and didn't contain any form of DMX Shutter lights which may be enough to trigger a fit or migraine in those sensitive individuals. In this case it paid off and yes the sound system was more than adequate for the task in hand but the lighting was reduced significantly to subtle colour fade types and restricted to the dancefloor. Result = happy clients and happy and comfortable guests, which is the most important aspect?.

 

Of course I accept that this is perhaps and exception rather than the rule but it still pays to research and ask the relevant questions in case you should be asked to provide entertainment at such an event.

 

On the flip side of the coin, I have also been asked to supply discos to other functions where more than half the members of the audience were deaf. In my young and naïve days I could never figure out how deaf people could enjoy music, until I actually did one such function, and found that deaf people can enjoy themselves at discos just as much as hearing guests and younger members will go close to or 'hug' speakers in order to feel the viberations of the music, an inspiration to us all. Now I carry extra bass speakers at such events, even to functions where the size of venue and numbers attending would not normally warrant it.

 

Its not just about the equipment and how much you have or it cost, its having the knowledge to use / not use it as appropriate. smile icon

Edited February 9, 2009 by McCardle

[BigBen 0]

Excellent.

 

I was forewarned about some deaf people attending a party. So, I ran a sub off the stage and onto the floor, close to where they would be sitting. During the party, as I played each track, I flashed up the CD case so they had an idea of the type of song I would be playing. If they didn't care for my choice they gave me good natured abuse!

 

Charming!

[Award Entertainment 0]

What? That's ALL you did for them? You didn't sign the lyrics while the song was playing? Where's your dedication man?

 

 

:D

[deejaymitch 0]

Great post McC.

 

I've had functions where I've had to re-think my lighting due to a number of epileptic guests. I've also been lucky enough to have a lot of my presumptions corrected, from people in wheelchairs dancing to blind people doing karaoke.

[Dream Catchers 0]

Great post McC.

 

I've had functions where I've had to re-think my lighting due to a number of epileptic guests. I've also been lucky enough to have a lot of my presumptions corrected, from people in wheelchairs dancing to blind people doing karaoke.

I regularly used to get people who couldn't sing doing karaoke.

 

Jim

[deejaymitch 0]

I regularly used to get people who couldn't sing doing karaoke.

 

Jim

 

:bouncy: I still do

[supersound dj 0]

Great post McC.

 

I've had functions where I've had to re-think my lighting due to a number of epileptic guests. I've also been lucky enough to have a lot of my presumptions corrected, from people in wheelchairs dancing to blind people doing karaoke.

 

 

Hes on about that barmaid again :bouncy: