Creative To book your job adverts contact ads@list.co.uk 0131 550 3060 list.co.uk/ advertising
Jobs * Arts * Media * Creative * Culture * Volunteering PLUS many, many more . . . . .
How did you get that job?
Names Barry Fraser, Andy Ford
Job Titles Visual Artist & VJ Company Funktioncreep.com
When did you start your job? Ford: About three years ago. We were putting together a live performance to promote our new album (both our backgrounds are in the UK dance music scene) and we wanted to do something that hadn’t been seen before in a club environment: a fully immersive set where music and visuals were beat- synched yet completely live - an AV set that could adapt with the crowd.
We wanted clubbers to feel they’d not only heard, but seen a great performance. Fraser: People had experienced the power of AV shows from the likes of the Chems [Chemical Brothers], but that was using a full touring rig. We wanted something that would have the same impact in a club, and with enough flexibility to allow us to do sets lasting for hours if we were DJing. After our sets, people started asking us to create and perform live visuals for them, and things just snowballed.
So what does your job actually involve? Ford: Pretty much every aspect of
visual entertainment. The VJ sets have always been the backbone of Funktioncreep, but we’re like magpies for anything with visual impact. We have a huge array of lasers now, so we’re getting asked to do more work at festivals and larger events such as Tiësto. Best / Worst Aspects? Fraser: Best aspect? The DJs, artists and promoters we’ve worked with since we started. We’ve met some great new people, rekindled old friendships, and Funktioncreep’s CV now reads like a who’s who of the music scene.
Fraser: We’re always adding to what we do – that’s what keeps Funktioncreep fresh and ahead of the game. For instance, we’re currently putting together a lot of architectural projection. It’s something we’ve always been in to, but now that the public are starting to see it used more in music videos and for brand launches such as the Nissan Juke, we’re getting asked to do more of it. Ford: We’ve also just introduced live webcasting from events, where we stream music and visuals live from clubs and festivals to anyone with internet access or a smartphone. That started from an idea we had when we saw a large queue waiting to get in to a gig – we were talking about how cool it would be if the people could watch the DJs live on their mobiles whilst they queued. Now we actually do that.
Ford: Worst aspect? Probably de- rigging at 4am after a 22-hour day.
Looking back, what advice would you give to young Barry and Andy at the start of their careers? Ford: Being a VJ is much more than just having a laptop and VJ software. You have to be original – find your niche in the market and you’ll make an impression. Fraser: Be creative, work hard and prepare to be skint! Do it for the love of the job, not the recognition you think it may bring.
And finally . . . what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Fraser, Ford (laughing): Probably a holiday . . . www.funktioncreep.com
16 Dec 2010–6 Jan 2011 THE LIST 109