The VJ Book: Inspirations and Practical Advice for Live Visuals Performance (Paperback)

~ Paul Spinrad (Author), Melissa Ulto (Contributor) "WHAT IS VJING?..." (more)
Key Phrases: matrix routers, motion dive, video synthesizer, New York, San Francisco, Win Price (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

VJing is a type of performance that combines the visual possibilities of filmmaking with the improvisational pleasures of jazz. Live visuals now accompany DJs, bands, raves, and dance recitals, and are starting to take center stage as main attractions on their own. Until recently, only deep-pocketed performers could participate, but with prices dropping dramatically on the major components, anyone with an imagination, and a copy of The Joy of VJ, can join in. This book-and-DVD package blends practical information, including hardware and software tips, with cultural context and history, from the 1920s "color concerts" to the '60s psychedelic light shows to the contemporary scene's huge projection screens. Designed for both beginners and veterans, the book is packed with interviews with major players in the international VJ scene that offer intriguing insight. Additional chapters discuss relevant copyright issues and lessons from related fields such as film editing and improvisational theater.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Feral House; Pap/DVD edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932595090
• ISBN-13: 978-1932595093
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #366,991 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad for the first real book on VJing, November 25, 2005

By	Katrina Black "aka Kat Black of Touchstone an... (Perth, Western Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There's been so much discussion online about the development of a VJing book, but this one wins the prize as the first - or at least the first to make it into our letterbox. As a trailblazing tome on such a complex and rapidly growing and changing field, I can certainly forgive it a few errors and omissions.

The DVD is just OK - all the best material on it has already appeared elsewhere, such as the Eyewash Sessions, and there are some inclusions that I can't for the life of me see as VJing in any way. Calling something VJing isn't an excuse for a badly made music video clip. But hey, even without the DVD, the book's good value so just consider it a bonus.

The book is short and covers some complex technical topics a little too flippantly at times - eg, as a PC/Resolume user, my guess is that their criticisms of that program's poor performance were due to use of incompatible codecs with their clips. Perhaps if they'd got user reviews by professional VJs for each of the main packages it would have been more accurate and balanced.

Having said that, this book isn't about technicalities. The writers' and interviewees' passion for what they do is palpable. The main message of the book, at least to my mind, is that it doesn't matter HOW you do what you do, and that there is no right or wrong way to VJ. It's an art, and no instruction-book is going to make you any good at it, if 'it' isn't inside you.

There is a fairly American focus, but that's fair enough. The European, Australasian and other regional cliques can write our own books. This is a great starting point. If we Aussies want to claim credit for modern VJing thanks to the Fairlight CVI, that's another whole book to write.

The most wonderful thing about the book (and the reason I've bought 8 copies to give away already) is the historical contextualisation. I knew there were some early experiments with Colour-Music, but I had no idea they went back to the 1700's, when clavessins were made with precious stones, mirrors, lenses and candles to project coloured light. I want one!

A quote from the book that I think applies equally to anyone considering buying "the VJ Book":

"In writing these pages, I have felt myself to be addressing two classes of readers, namely those who know something of the art of Mobile Color, its past history, its hopes and its aims; and others who have never even heard of the subject...from the latter, I would ask for as open-minded a consideration of the subject as they can give me." AW Rimington, Colour-Music (1912).

Here, here.

VJ kattyb, VJzoo.com

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars book is awesome, DVD is a waste of attention, October 21, 2006

By	schnoggi - See all my reviews

book was very inspiring, really broad introduction, with lots of glimpses into what it really takes.
DVD was a total letdown, but then again not if you knew the useless airhead who compiled it.
would have been five stars without the DVD (although it does include some tasty demos of software)

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but getting dated, July 16, 2008

By	Michael A. Duvernois (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I got this book about 1/2 for curiosity and 1/2 for an interest in multimedia art exhibits (tangentially related to VJing). I'll repeat the other reviews: the DVD is useless. But the book is quite a good introduction to VJing if perhaps a bit dated now as the technologies central to the activity have progressed.