Creative VJ
At the crossroads between DJing, live cinema and the visual arts, VJing is a truly 21st century art form. A creative industry originating in club culture, we can nowadays see VJs in a wide range of venues, from art exhibitions to box office theatres and music events. VJs most often create live performances using video to create a heightened experience of music. This course is for people seeking to capture a comprehensive first glance at the art of VJing, from its history, its technical tools, to managing VJ specific projects and budgets.
The two-day intensive course is led by Ed Shaw (Movement), Co-Director of Ne1co with Oli Sorenson (VJ Anyone). He has gained his experience from touring with Godskitchen & Global Gathering for the past nine years, and has performed alongside most of the worlds top Djs, including; Carl Cox, Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Above & Beyond, Sasha & Digweed, Deadmou5 & Sander Kleinenberg. Ed is currently VJ & Show Director for Godskitchen’s Boombox World Tour.
Introducing the skills involved with VJing, Ed will clarify the process of working with VJ specific hardware and software to produce content, and use it in a spontaneous and dynamic way. Learners on this course will look at the basic techniques of VJing, as well as tips and tricks to quickly become self sufficient at creating, experimenting and performing with visuals.
In addition, organisation methods and codes of practice will be suggested to give learners a head start for when interacting with musicians, promoters and venue managers. A big part of being a successful VJ is about working as a team with other players in the clubbing and live arts industries.
Ed in action
Ed Shaw Links
Ed Shaw’s company showreel (NE1CO)
NE1CO 2011 showreel from Ne1co on Vimeo.
No particular experience is required to join the course, although a working knowledge of computers is essential, as well as a genuine enthusiasm for working with moving images in a musical context.
Spring
Dates: Thursday & Friday 18th & 19th October 2012 (11 am – 6 pm)
Cost
£135 (includes10 per cent early booking discount if booked by 4th October 2012 - EU citizens)
£150 Subsidised rate for EU citizens
£200 Full price for non-EU citizens. (Non-Eu citizens with indefinite leave to remain can pay subsidised rate – proof required.)
£75 – includes 50% discount for people on active benefits, proof required, (income support, JSA, Housing Benefit, Council tax benefit, pension credit (guarantee), asylum seeker, unwaged dependent of someone on these benefits
Note
Students can bring their favourite digital music & photos for building a personal VJ set on the second day’s course. They will also be provided with a large collection of moving images to work with. They will also have the opportunity to import their own video material, but they must be in specific formats and codecs (Ed will give you guidance on this on the first day).
Ed Shaw
Course Outline:
DAY 1:
1) Discussion with learners on what they aim to achieve with this course
2) Introduction to VJing
- Its origins
- The historical figures
- Today’s most prominent VJs
- VJ communities / networks
- The VJ industry
3) The VJs technical tools
- Electronic hardware (performance and content production)
- Software (performance and content production)
- Display technologies (projectors, LED screen, etc)
- Non-electronic VJ equipment
4) Knowing the different VJ genres
- Original vs found footage
- Graphic vs lens based footage
- Band and DJ collaborations vs AV performances
- Scratching and beat matching
- Film remixes and installations
- Art vs entertainment
5) Hands-on experience of VJ technical tools
- Players and mixers
- Performance software
- Content production software*
- Cameras and projectors
6) Storyboarding a VJ performance
- Ideas and methods
- Choosing styles and effects
- Which equipment to bring to a performance
- Putting a budget together
DAY 2
1) Preparing your own performance
- Learners gather the material of their choice for a personal performance*
- Learners select which equipment to use for this performance
2) Your own performance
- Each learner performs individually or in teams, to the music of their choice.
3) Tutor and learner feedback / discussions on performances
4) Next Step
- Tutor suggestions on future development for each learner
- How to use VJ skills in your own practice
- Further course suggestions
Comments
Natasha – I gained a good insight in vjing and just need to practice with my own clips
Grey – Very competent and completed my project. Fantastic equipment
Anna – The tutor was clear, calm, positive and knowledgeable
Kate – Wonderful two days. Really informative and a great relaxed and productive atmosphere
Martin – This course was brilliant, helpful and fun
Ed performing
