IKON
Nikhil Chinappa is a DJ, VJ, MC, Music Promoter to Festival Director all rolled in one. He studied Architecture and graduated with a Thesis in Hospital Design. At MTV, Nikhil has hosted almost every show the channel has aired. In 2001, he launched Submerge – India’s first, and now largest Electronic Dance Music (EDM) company. Most of his sets feature frantic foot-stomping and the random flailing of arms – sometimes by him. Nikhil is also a Festival Director at Sunburn, India’s premiere EDM Festival.
What is the job all about?
There are different levels and types of training for DJing . For example if you join the Pro program they will teach you about DJ Equipment & Music setup, they will give you a run down on Music theory, technical know-how Beat science, music & genres. You will get to know about EDM (Electronic Dance Music, Trance, trap, dub-step, hip-hop, Bollywood remix etc.
A Video jockey (VJ) is the person who entertains the audience via TV.
A Disc jockey (DJ) is the person who selects and plays recorded music for party/occasions.
A good DJ can judge the party mood and play music relevant to the need of the group assembled. Some groups enjoy Bollywood music, whereas others enjoy Western music – again there are some groups that want a bit of both. The skill is in knowing both current and retro music, and playing such music that will make the group ask for more of the same. Club DJs select and play music in nightclubs, discothèques; Hip hop disc jockeys select and play music using multiple turntables, often to back up one or more MCs, and they may also do turntable scratching to create percussive sounds.
Can I go for it?
A Video Jockey must have a good presence and a versatile repertoire, so he/she could handle various programs with finesse.
A Disc Jockey must ‘feel’ the mood of the audience and play the kind of Music they will enjoy.
Is there a future in this Job?
Of the three, the RJ / VJ has a good future. The DJ will probably want to change careers after say 5–10 years, as it can get pretty tiresome, due to ability to keep up with latest Music and late nights.
Training:
After 10 + 2 or Graduation.
There is no formal education for these jobs – however there are several training schools spread all over the country, where you could pick up the skills necessary for the job in a 3-month program.
Global Dj : Bombay (Andheri West)& Thane : http://www.globaldj.co.in/dj-training.html
The DJ Institute in Pune offers a three-month training program: www.djraj.co.in
http://www.electronykacademy.com/ New Delhi
In Delhi there is another Institute that offers a similar program called spin gurus.
http://www.spingurus.com/electronic-music-production-fruity-loops.html
Other requirements:
If a DJ is planning to launch on his own, he must bear in mind that the DJ equipment that consists of: Sound recordings, record players, Compact Disc players, computer media players, such as an MP3 player, etc. and additionally:
A multiple Sequencer which can mix MIDI tracks with Digital Audio;
A Sound System
A DJ mixer, which is an electronic (usually 2- or 4-channel) audio mixer usually equipped with a crossfader used to smoothly go from one song to another, using two or more playback devices;
Headphones, used to listen to one recording while the other recording is being played to the audience, or to listen to both recordings simultaneously; and
Optionally, a microphone, so that the DJ can introduce songs and speak to the audiences.
All these can cost over Rs. 2 lakhs. One can get even more sophisticated equipment that could cost even twice the amount indicated. So the initial cost of setting up shop as a DJ is high but the returns are good, if one can keep the party going.
Employment Avenues:
The best way to get a job as an RJ/VJ is to make a demo CD of around 5 minutes, where you can demonstrate your tone of voice and your ability to make an impact on your audience. Once you are selected, based on the CD, you would then have to do a ‘live’ demo. Here they will check your command of the language, your ability to field questions over the telephone – your ability to add humour to the questions, etc.
Monies:
RJ/VJ initially could begin on around Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000/- p.m. and then go on to around 30,000 to 40,000/- p.m.
DJ’s command a better salary/fees based on their performance. In Goa, during the season, a good DJ could command as much as Rs. 20,000 to 50,000/- or more per show.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/