03 11 05
EJ Turntable brings Techno Vision Detroit to top of heap in VJ BattleThe event was called SHOWDOWN and brought together the best of Detroit's local VJ talent in an audiovisual extravaganza "as much of a showcase as a showdown... ending in an awards ceremony and all-out jam-session."
Leading up to the event, Jon Hudson (performing as Techno Vision Detroit) knew that to claim victory, he would have to step his game up to the max.
The visuals contest took place on a Friday night at Sync '05, held in the University of Michigan Duderstat Center.
Justin Kent got a chance to sit with the VJ for a little post-show recap:
- How long have you been VJing? What are some career highlights?
I've been VJing for 8 years now.
Resident VJ at the Royal Oak Music Theatre 98-2001
Paul Oakenfold @ Clutch Cargo's 2 shows, Bad Boy Bill @ Sevin, Sasha @ Space, Richie Hawtin @ St Andrews, Keoki @ Studio 95, Kill Memory Crash @ St Andrews, Mathew Dear @ St. Andrews and Alvins, Kero @ Detroit Artist Market and Forans, Tiesto @ Bleu, AViT North America @ Forans
Detroit Electronic Music Festival 01*,02*,03*,04-05, (Under Darrick May 03-04 Called the Movement festival). *On the Underground stage, 04 Pyramid stage, 05 Main stage, all three days (full 12hr days) for each festival.
John Aquaviva @ Majestic, Derek Plastaiko @ Majestic, DJ T-1000 @ Motor, Carl Cox @ Motor, Dj Minx @ Motor, Joey Beltram @ Radar(got busted by the cops the club never had a chance... 2 events and shut down permanently) DJ Magda @Motor
Guest Speaker For Edirol at the Remix Hotel NYC @ SAE
- VJ name?
Stage name: Techno Vision Detroit or Jon Hudson
- What made you choose the EJ Turntable?
I was looking for a secret wepon that could help me stay in time with the music better. It has an interface that I am familiar with from a past life as a DJ. It creates a huge performance aspect to the show. The incredible software for Mac and the ease of integration with my Edirol DV-7 were great factors in my decision. I enjoy the flexibility of carrying a wide variety of source clips on a hard drives vs. carrying a ton of DVDs. Also the customer service and tech support from EJ Enterprises was out of this world!
- Deescribe the VJ Battle
The battle consisted of two different types of visualists: Standard VJ along with DJ and Impromtu audio and video creation. (basically competitors were given subjects and then judged upon how closely it represented the subject)
I was in the standard VJ group consisting of three VJs. We were given three by fifteen minute sets and one five minute show off round. The performances were all side by side at a video studio in Anne Arbor, MI. Each set had a different style of music such as "Down Tempo" or "Trance". The first round was to show off what we could do and the three following rounds were judged. I was able to win the first set and tied for the third set. It was a tough decision for the judges and was won by over all performance. The second set I had a crash on one of my main source units - it crippled the amount of source material available, but did not stop my show. I was using 6 sources including one live camera to show cause and effect with the EJ tables. (Basically framing together my hand on the table next to the clip it was effecting)
- What do you think made you win the battle?
Fortunately, I had a chance to speak to one of the judges some time after the event at a club while watching Thinkbox Collective. Judge told me that my self-made footage made a big difference to my show: both combining abstact animations and very personal/human interest footage that presented a "Clear Vision to the Art."
The Second thing that put me over the top was the new technology they had never seen before (EJ Turntables) that added a tactile physical performance just like a DJ! Yes, bouncing with the music really does help to stay in time... people truly enjoyed watching me work my elaborate set-up!
See video here:
Detroit VJ Battle, Sync '05
