kazzachi 0 Posted June 24, 2003 Report Share Posted June 24, 2003 the best thing about this forum is that professional DJs here are not to arrogant to ask for advice.... most of us will absorb what is said and act upon the advice given. On the thread of childrens discos it has been made very clear that childrens parties are extremely specialised and should you decide to take one on then it is your reputation at risk. Discos for children have become extremely popular over the last few years and demand is greater than ever... Having specialised in childrens parties for donkeys years, charging premuim rates for my services I am still open to taking advice from others. I dont know it all... and never will. I will never whinge about competition.... the best will always shine through and therefore not have any worries about others trying to take away my business. Yes, DJs by definition ARE entertainers and as long as they have common sense in respect of working with children, then why not? Parents ask DJs for discos so if we feel we are capable of entertaining their off-spring then why not! Childrens entertainers entertain children... whether they be a clown, magician or a mobile DJ.... nobody sets the rules as to who should or should not be called a childrens entertainer. Those of us who are any good will not worry about others jumping on the band wagon... as with anything, if you are not very good you wont get the business! WE LOVE KAREN, AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE HER BACK !!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisPointon 0 Posted June 24, 2003 Report Share Posted June 24, 2003 Kevin, most of what you have posted is true...it has also been covered on previous topics - which I am sure is an indicator of how seriously some of our members take the topic. Also covered was the safety aspect, certainly I am in favour of a requirement where everybody who entertains Children is police checked. Like you, I have previously worked, although several years back, as a resident entertainer (for PGL) so I am more than aware of the procedure. Certainly other members have also been Police Checked - abeit on a voluntary basis. However, this is not something that can be implemented on a forum nor by any "union" or organisation such as Equity. This is legislation that needs to be brought in by the Government and is therefore outside of the jurisdiction of this forum http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif Equity is next to useless when it comes to the Mobile D.J - they have far bigger fish to fry. Certainly several full time members have applied and even failed to get a response - as i've pointed out before - this is an organisation that I would not want to be a part of if they can't even be bothered to acknowledge emails from potential members?. I think they see mobile D.J's as the "Embarassing Younger Brother" when it comes to the entertainment industry. If you intend to get them to offer some form of regulation of this industry perhaps your time would be much better employed by getting them to acknowledge our existance in the first place hmmm?. We have a representative from the TVDJA here on the forum (Thames Valley Disc Jockey Association) they offer far more to the Mobile D.J in the form of advice and support than Equity will possibly ever do. So given the choice of TVDJA or Equity, I know where my subscription would be going!. Certainly I can contact Mike by Telephone or email and get unbiased advice at any time - try that with the Faceless Equity http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif . This is the future of any union or body to represent Mobile D.J's - i.e D.J's representing and Advising other D.J's - part of exactly what this forum is currently doing. Lets leave Equity out of the decision making until they are prepared to accept the subscriptions that we are currently waving directly under their noses, shall we?. Any responsible D.J would not be using a bubble machine at a Kids Disco, or any Disco anymore than they would leave a shark in charge of a swimming pool. The list of legislations goes on and on, I bet you don't keep COSHH paperwork for your fog / bubble fluid either Kevin, or even ask your supplier for a copy?. As a chemicle used in public you are required to and this falls directly under the same legislation as PLI and HSE so why do only around 0.1% of D.J's even know about it yet they are keen to wave around the PLI issues like a weapon. See perhaps via this forum you have also learned another area of legislation you were not aware of. Certainly bubble machines are dangerous devices and I for one, have withdrawn them from sale. You were "publically vilified" for attacking the advice given to the general membership rather than for having a point, the two issues are entirely different. You yourself were the first to publically complain when several members jumped on your post http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif . QUOTE I think that this board is wrong to offer you help in becoming an entertainer overnight This bold statement taken from your first post is a direct attack on this forum, and it's members. This is a statement from somebody who had only 6 minutes access to the ENTIRE content of the forum. Part of how seriously we take this industry is also mirrored in the response to your post on the forum. This forum is moderated for a reason, it is not a "free for all" to abuse other members, purely because they share a different view of things, or because they may have advised somebody differently to ourselves. Part of being an entertainer is also being an individual, and how we respond to people publically is all part of the job and a tribute to our professionalism. Your post set a record for this forum, I had 9 "report this post" responses within 10 minutes from other members who were concerned about your post. This is an advice forum, and if people are too scared to offer advice for fear of being jumped on by a minority then we may as well close the forum and all take up a relatively safe non public occupation such as knitting. Some of your points are very valid, others are a direct criticism aimed at the ADVICE given by members. Had JJ not had received advice from this forum, perhaps the outcome of his gig may have been entirely different?. You mention a regulating body, how do you propose to do this?, there are no courses at University or college to become a Mobile D.J, and no way of receiving the training required. In order to become a recognised member of a guild you need to be able to obtain the requirements needed, I don't exactly see many of these courses springing up around the country, or working D.J's willing to train potential entertainers either, and yes I am old enough to remember the good old apprenticeships that used to be offered in general industry, this is the way the industry need to go in order to remove the cowboy element, and not penalise those who already have 10, 15 or 20 years in the business. As professionals we are not leaving a legacy for those following us, given a few years we'll all end up as bitter and twisted retired D.J's remarking on how bad the industry is since we retired from the scene. Given no alternative or offer of suitable training all we will have to follow us is the cowboy element. How many people have actively turned down the offer of having somebody to train with them, because of the possibility of future "competition" - quite a few I should imagine http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif , so these go on to become the cowboy element without PLI etc - purely because they haven't been shown any other way. The word "Education" figures very highly in this topic. Equally irresponsible are the parents who leave their children in the sole care of the D.J / Entertainer and see it as part of a creche' whilst they disappear to the Red Lion for a few pints. whether police checked or not the D.J is still a stranger and should never be left in a position of the sole responsibility of the Children, of course you cover yourself for this eventuality in your contracts Keven? Link to post Share on other sites
kazzachi 0 Posted June 24, 2003 Report Share Posted June 24, 2003 here here chris! Thankfully this forum is made up of non-egotistical djs who are happy to help and advise any newbies to the business - encouraging to find a site where the djs dont just brag that they have "bigger" or "better" or "know more about dj-ing than anyone else in the world ever!" Attitude goes a long way in this business and it is easy to see why most of us on here are kept fully employed! WE LOVE KAREN, AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE HER BACK !!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Link to post Share on other sites
kazzachi 0 Posted June 24, 2003 Report Share Posted June 24, 2003 QUOTE (KevinHailes @ Jun 23 2003, 10:56 PM) Firstly, it amazes and annoys me that so many DJs think they can all of a sudden be Children's Entertainers?! It's like an electrician offering to do your plumbing for you. Sadly, the DJ industry is infested with people that are 'jack of all trades - master on none'. JJ, with all respect, why on earth are you taking on the job of Children's Entertainer when you are a DJ, it's just not fair on the booker, the kids or profesional children's entertainers who try so hard to raise the the already poor public perception of the industry due to people that think they can just ask a few questions on a forum and, hey presto, they are Kids entertainers in a day! This is just typical naff, unprofessional DJ behaviour and one of the reasons why the art of DJing will never be taken seriously as a profession until the DJs themselves start acting in a more business-like way. Whilst I agree with sharing information with other DJs and Entertainers. I think that this board is wrong to offer you help in becoming an entertainer overnight but is just typical of how DJs work. You need to be told not to go ahead with this at all - you are clearly not an entertainer and don't seem to have a clue about children and their likes and dislikes. ... surely as professional childrens entertainers we dont have to rely on anybody else other than our very satisfied clients to spread the word and endorse our work... I dont advertise in any way shape or form and am fully booked with childrens parties... I dont worry about the cowboys... I only worry that the work I undertake is done to the high standards that I set for myself. No profession will EVER be able to rid themselves of cowboys... and at the end of the day, surely we look better for them! Bad reputations get round equally as quick as good reputations (if not quicker) so it really is not worth worrying about the cowboys who will come and very quickly go. WE LOVE KAREN, AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE HER BACK !!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Link to post Share on other sites
KevinHailes 0 Posted June 24, 2003 Report Share Posted June 24, 2003 Thanks Chris and Kazzachi for the time spent in your interesting replies. I sincerely apologise if any member has taken offence to any of my posts - this was not intended. As a goodwill gesture I would like to buy you all a drink http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/pepsi.gif and try to re-build a better relationship with you on the forum in future. I did not approach the subject in the right way and I am sorry. Link to post Share on other sites
KevinHailes 0 Posted June 24, 2003 Report Share Posted June 24, 2003 Kazzachi - I am loving your posts by the way. Like you, I get lots of my work via recomendations. Do you change your show contents often as I find that the more recommendations I get the more I see the same kids therefore the more I have to come up with new ideas. Link to post Share on other sites
kazzachi 0 Posted June 24, 2003 Report Share Posted June 24, 2003 hello kev... yes, I do change my shows but must admit that I am of the opinion "if it aint broke!". Like you I get to see the same faces time after time so try to keep things different and fresh.... I invent most of my games myself and try them out on a "such it and see" basis!. You may have felt "jumped" on earlier, but I think that we are quite a close bunch in here and have built our relationships on a very mutual respect. We all have our opinions and that doesnt mean to say that they are right or wrong... they are our OWN opinions. I am sure that after a bit of a shakey start you will be welcome to contribute to the forum... we are all a friendly bunch and would welcome your input. You wont agree with everyone...... (especially me at times!) but as long as you respect the forum rules then I am sure we will all make you welcome! WE LOVE KAREN, AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE HER BACK !!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Link to post Share on other sites
The Spindoctor 0 Posted June 24, 2003 Report Share Posted June 24, 2003 QUOTE I did not approach the subject in the right way and I am sorry. That for me goes a long way to repairing the heat from last night! As a full time professional DJ who is also a Registered Childminder (and checked annually) I feel quite confident to deal with hordes of kids, and offer advice to others through this forum. We are all entertainers it is only the ages that vary. Welcome Kevin at least you arrived with a bang, I'm glad you decided to stay despite the comments (mine included) this forum needs its 'characters' as much as it needs sound advice. Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Smith 0 Posted June 24, 2003 Report Share Posted June 24, 2003 The icon shows this as a 'hot topic' and I can just picture the smoking keyboards across the land http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif Kevin, you certainly hit the forum with all guns blazing and in hindsight have perhaps realised that this was not maybe the best way to get your point across. It wasn't until a post or 2 later that you gave us your credentials for passing comment on this subject. Everyone needs advice sometime beit on new equipment, music, a specialised gig etc. and what better place than here. Asking for advice shows that the person takes the matter seriously, and those that give it do so to help and to raise the standards of the profession. The worst thing that could happen to this forum would be if someone asked for help and didn't get it for fear of reprisals or ridicule. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif Fortunately I don't see this happening because there is in place a strong admin & moderating team to keep us all heading in the same direction of assisting each other and raising standards. That's not to say that we all have to agree with all the advice so freely given, but at least when it's there we can pick the bits that we want. I would also hazzard a guess that most DJs when they start out choose an audience of their peers or younger (I did) because they feel more comfortable with these age groups. Advice in this area is always going to be sought because everyone has to start somewhere. Maybe, Kevin, if you stick around you can also add your bits to help the next generation of DJs with your choosen specialist subject. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif That's my 2ds worth (anyone under 30 about one 'new penny') QUOTE Bad reputations get round equally as quick as good reputations (if not quicker) so it really is not worth worrying about the cowboys who will come and very quickly go. I couldn't have put it better - Yee Haa http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif PaulS Link to post Share on other sites
KevinHailes 0 Posted June 24, 2003 Report Share Posted June 24, 2003 (edited) 5Star Paul - thanks, points taken. Kevin Hailes Edited June 24, 2003 by KevinHailes Link to post Share on other sites
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