Kevin Nichols - How long?

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rickryan.com

rickryan.com

DJ Extraordinaire
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Dec 9, 2009
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I'm calling you out, Kevin. ;)

I'm picking on Kevin but would like to direct this question to any of my fellow DJs who are offering lighting services. I've singled out K as he always demonstrates absolute excellence in his presentations. The question I want to ask is, "How long do you typically take for a lighting setup?"

In my own case, I generally get there about 3-4 hours in advance of the first guest, for gigs where I'm doing a full uplighting setup (20 fixtures). Setting fixtures and wiring usually takes about 45 mins to 1 hour and this seems to hold true whether I'm placing fixtures along a wall (indoors) or hanging fixtures from a tent's roof line.

Just looking to start a discussion with a goal to better my own presentations. In other words, I wanna be like Kevin. :cheers:
 
It varies. My new lights are battery and wireless, so I can drop 12 lights in less than 5 minutes. Before? It would have taken at least 30 -40 minutes to place and lay the wires, then tape it all down. The auditorium in town would take me 2 1/2 rolls of gaffers tape and at least 1 1/2 hours to do 25 lights because of the layout.

The battery powered lights are the way to go. I sold 25 of my other lights to supplement the purchase of the new ones.

All I will say is, if you're going to Vegas, visit the Extreme Event Design room. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

- - - Updated - - -

This wedding, if I had done it by myself, would have taken at least an hour, because of the addition of the Source 4's.

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Kev, I think the thing that bothers me is I feel like I'm getting into a cookie-cutter mentality. Certainly, clients are raving about the results and the reviews are coming in but I'm more at a juncture of stretching, maybe even challenging myself to take it to the next level. I do like your input on the battery units and I do see where they'd be great to fill in those wall gaps where there's no power available but obviously, I have to weigh out how much revenue I'm generating with lighting versus the cash outlay to buy all new fixtures. I'm also really weighing out in my head just how much time and trouble it creates to have to have to unload the fixtures and plug them in, after I've gotten home. Have to un-pack and re-pack for every gig has got to consume a fair amount of time? Also, are the fixtures you're using wireless DMX also? I think if I'm going to make the jump I'm going to have to go full DMX. As of now, I generally sell lighting with static colors (either single or group of colors). My main competitor charges a ton more but they do sometimes win a job because they "change colors for every song". I'd put that at maybe only 15% of the time but still, DMX wireless fixtures could eliminate that objection.

By the way, I really hope you don't mind me picking on you by name. I started to just PM you but thought this might be a good discussion for everyone to be a part of.
 
Good point RR. Kevin seems to have set the standard and "state of the art" in lighting for those choosing to frequent ODJT. Although, there are others on this forum who have also distinguished themselves as "expert" lighting specialists.

I'm at a crossroad, too, not knowing IF the return would be worth the added expense of wireless and battery. Presently, I only do "static" display room up-lighting...not quite ready for DMX and the additional wiring needed to place around the room. Kevin pointed out the amount of time it takes and wire and amount of gaff tape to do a large venue.

I'll ask a "ignorant" question. How long do the batterypacks last (continuous run for a 4-hr. event) before re-charging. And, what duration to recharge each battery/light unit? Can one "piggy" back from light to light from the initial one that is plugged into the wall? Must each light unit find an outlet or several on a power strip?

Now for the biggie question? How much does one unit cost via our NLFX Pro sponsor? I would imagine Mr. Ben will most likely email me personally.;)

At Kevin: What is the style of battery/light unit that you use most? Puck? Strip?
 
TwinSpinDJ said:
Good point RR. Kevin seems to have set the standard and "state of the art" in lighting for those choosing to frequent ODJT. Although, there are others on this forum who have also distinguished themselves as "expert" lighting specialists.

I'm at a crossroad, too, not knowing IF the return would be worth the added expense of wireless and battery. Presently, I only do "static" display room up-lighting...not quite ready for DMX and the additional wiring needed to place around the room. Kevin pointed out the amount of time it takes and wire and amount of gaff tape to do a large venue.

I'll ask a "ignorant" question. How long do the batterypacks last (continuous run for a 4-hr. event) before re-charging. And, what duration to recharge each battery/light unit? Can one "piggy" back from light to light from the initial one that is plugged into the wall? Must each light unit find an outlet or several on a power strip?

Now for the biggie question? How much does one unit cost via our NLFX Pro sponsor? I would imagine Mr. Ben will most likely email me personally.;)

At Kevin: What is the style of battery/light unit that you use most? Puck? Strip?
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Art, there is also wireless DMX. Kevin mentioned that before wireless....... "It would have taken at least 30 -40 minutes to place and lay the wires, then tape it all down. The auditorium in town would take me 2 1/2 rolls of gaffers tape and at least 1 1/2 hours to do 25 lights because of the layout."
 
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TwinSpinDJ said:
Now for the biggie question? How much does one unit cost via our NLFX Pro sponsor?
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Kevin mentioned he got them from Steve Lynch I think in another post. On another board I recall the price being around $250 a fixture compared to the eternal and blizzard models costing twice as much at other retailers. My #'s may be off a little but Steve's were at least half the cost of all other models.
 
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shanefrom302 said:
Kevin mentioned he got them from Steve Lynch I think in another post. On another board I recall the price being around $250 a fixture compared to the eternal and blizzard models costing twice as much at other retailers. My #'s may be off a little but Steve's were at least half the cost of all other models.
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Ouch. Last time I ordered my Chauvet Slimpar 56s ran $80/each and I have 40 of them now. I do offer clients the option of DMX wiring but have yet to have anyone bite on it. Of the jobs my competitor does (where he always sells DMX wiring) they probably burn through a few spools of gaff and their setup jobs are all-day events, with setup often being done during the week prior. I want to keep my setup minimal (as possible) but the part I'm probably wrestling with is how much time I should commit to the creative aspect of trying to make each job more unique-looking. Wireless boxes with wireless DMX would open a whole new world of possibilities no doubt. Kev, you da man.
 
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BTW, for those who aren't sure whether you'd sell enough lighting to justify it, about 1/3 of my events include lighting. I have had a (very) few lighting-only jobs but as of now, it's definitely worth it. Just not sure if it's $5k worth it right now, with cash flow low and the wife quitting her job this year.
 
Question for everyone, with all the up lighting you do, you say 1 to 1.5 hours to set up and I'm sure about the same amount of time to tear down, do you run into any problems with the venues as in taking to much time tearing down and getting out. Some of the venues Ive played at they either have another wedding coming in or the manger says how much longer you gonna be
 
redhotdj said:
Question for everyone, with all the up lighting you do, you say 1 to 1.5 hours to set up and I'm sure about the same amount of time to tear down, do you run into any problems with the venues as in taking to much time tearing down and getting out. Some of the venues Ive played at they either have another wedding coming in or the manger says how much longer you gonna be
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Can't say that I've run into any venues where they're stacking multiple weddings and need me gone. I do have one venue that is a stickler that vendors are gone within 1 hour of the party ending (and they're sticklers that the party ends as scheduled). In this case I simply make certain I have enough help to get the job done as required and hustle, hustle, hustle. No probs, so far.
 
redhotdj said:
Question for everyone, with all the up lighting you do, you say 1 to 1.5 hours to set up and I'm sure about the same amount of time to tear down, do you run into any problems with the venues as in taking to much time tearing down and getting out. Some of the venues Ive played at they either have another wedding coming in or the manger says how much longer you gonna be
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These are questions one should ask during the site visit.
What is the earliest that I can setup?
Is Overtime allowed?
How much time do I have to take down and load up after the event?
With these questions answered its up to the DJ to know whether or not they can conform with the time allowances. If it takes you 1.5 hours to tear down and the contract stop time is 12.00 midnight but the venue wants you out by 1.00am then you have a couple of options. Have the Client change the stop time to 11.30pm, hire a roadie so you can decrease the tear down time, or have the Client pay for the extra time needed for the venue to accommodate you. Don't wait until after the event is over to find out that you only have 15minutes to be out of there.
 
ahoustondj said:
These are questions one should ask during the site visit.
What is the earliest that I can setup?
Is Overtime allowed?
How much time do I have to take down and load up after the event?
With these questions answered its up to the DJ to know whether or not they can conform with the time allowances. If it takes you 1.5 hours to tear down and the contract stop time is 12.00 midnight but the venue wants you out by 1.00am then you have a couple of options. Have the Client change the stop time to 11.30pm, hire a roadie so you can decrease the tear down time, or have the Client pay for the extra time needed for the venue to accommodate you. Don't wait until after the event is over to find out that you only have 15minutes to be out of there.
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Canute this not my first rodeo, I do pre visits. I'm in touch with the venues manager and the head hostess and even the day of the event i get with the head hostess to make sure everything is still on track and i ask them about overtime. I don't do up lighting and i know what it takes my wife and i to get packed up and out the door. Now you fellows that do up lighting it has got to add quite of few minutes to your set down time. Ive been to the one venue numerous times and we have 30 minutes to get out because they have another wedding starting in 1 hour, so it makes it very hard when you got to say good buy to the bride and groom and parents that takes 10 minutes and you got a venue manager pushing you out the door. My asking this question was do any of you have a problem with doing the up lighting knowing it will take a longer time for set down compared to no up lighting with venues
 
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That is a tough spot. About the thing you can do is a couple of kids to help u break down and get ur stuff out the door. I can't see it as a valid reason to not offer uplighting. I would estimate lighting added $15k to my pocket last year.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
rickryan.com said:
Kev, I think the thing that bothers me is I feel like I'm getting into a cookie-cutter mentality. Certainly, clients are raving about the results and the reviews are coming in but I'm more at a juncture of stretching, maybe even challenging myself to take it to the next level. I do like your input on the battery units and I do see where they'd be great to fill in those wall gaps where there's no power available but obviously, I have to weigh out how much revenue I'm generating with lighting versus the cash outlay to buy all new fixtures. I'm also really weighing out in my head just how much time and trouble it creates to have to have to unload the fixtures and plug them in, after I've gotten home. Have to un-pack and re-pack for every gig has got to consume a fair amount of time? Also, are the fixtures you're using wireless DMX also? I think if I'm going to make the jump I'm going to have to go full DMX. As of now, I generally sell lighting with static colors (either single or group of colors). My main competitor charges a ton more but they do sometimes win a job because they "change colors for every song". I'd put that at maybe only 15% of the time but still, DMX wireless fixtures could eliminate that objection.

By the way, I really hope you don't mind me picking on you by name. I started to just PM you but thought this might be a good discussion for everyone to be a part of.
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I saved up and bought 10. I then sold all my 10mm lights and had enough to buy 10 more. The battery's last 7+ hours. I carry them, right now, in big storage totes (gonna get road cases) and I have 5 per box. A power strip with 5 cables, pop the lids and plug them in. I can charge 10 and they are charged, from dead, in about 4 or 5 hours. I typically will just charge them overnight. They are 3 watt RGB. Yes, they are wireless DMX. I use a Blizzard Kontrol5 I purchased from NLFXPro to control them. The cool thing is how quick they are to setup and tear down. That in itself was enough for me to warrant the cost!
 
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Kevin, out of curiousity, which lights are you using?
 
Glad you asked, RedHotDJ. There is a venue in town that allows...now get this...only 2 hours to setup AND only 1 hour to tear down and be OFF the property. Now that sucks! But you know, it does force one to be very, very organized and have an army of help at the end of the night. I'm a preferred Vendor at this venue and I can't even gain an exception to policy! :urgh: So, I explain to the B&G to make sure they understand 'cause they sometimes don't move out smartly. I've come to the conclusion that the CLIENT must pay for and additional 1/2 hour for cleanup or end the reception 1/2 hour earlier.

Just returned from a lighting consultation demo at the venue this evening. I learned that they had purchased another hour of time to the contract because they didn't believe they had enought time to setup for wedding and reception. Only problem is the extra time was front-loaded, but I'm not complaining because I will have an additional hour to setup for DJ and lighting services.

Added Clarification: The venue described above is very elegent and the Staff are more than accommodating. The Events Coordinator is one of the nicest that I've worked with in many years. However, rules are rules and at least everyone is treated the same when it comes to Load-in and Load-out. A downside for some DJ would be no opportunity for Overtime at the end of the regular contract period.
 
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rickryan.com said:
I'm calling you out, Kevin. ;)
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rickryan.com said:
Certainly, clients are raving about the results and the reviews are coming in but I'm more at a juncture of stretching, maybe even challenging myself to take it to the next level.
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TwinSpinDJ said:
I'm at a crossroad, to... How long do the batterypacks last
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rickryan.com said:
Ouch. I do offer clients the option of DMX wiring but have yet to have anyone bite on it. Kev, you da man.
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rickryan.com said:
That is a tough spot. About the thing you can do is a couple of kids to help u break down and get ur stuff out the door.
Click to expand...

TwinSpinDJ said:
Now that sucks! But you know, it does force one to be very, very organized and have an army of help at the end of the night... CLIENT must pay for and additional 1/2 hour for cleanup
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Gee, I hate to hijack this thread temporarily, but you GUYS made it too easy -- please go back in the closet, and lock the door behind you... :laugh:
 
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