Just jockeying!

Video jockey (you can call his tribe veejays or VJs) Manish, who hosts Channel [V] Kidnap, is an MBA from Mumbai University. When he realised that a 9-to-5 office job would stifle his effervescent personality and leash his love for talking up a storm, he took the bold decision to switch careers.

A Channel [V] audition put him on a different track altogether and now he is a star of sorts, wowing millions of youngsters catching his TV show every evening.

If you are already in the glamour world — modelling or acting — the journey to a TV studio becomes smoother and faster, but this is not the only route to chase your dream of being a VJ. “I started modelling when I was in college. That really helps but one has to clear the audition anyway. Even if you have no background in TV or films, you can still become a VJ,” says Manish.

With conventional music countdowns gradually fading from TV, aren’t VJs losing their creative freedom on screen? “It’s true that the role of a VJ has undergone a lot of changes, but our opinions are given due weightage at the time of creative decision-making. That’s how VJs also evolve. In the later part of their careers, VJs can also step into the shoes of a creative director,” Manish says.

As a VJ, you can get a fair amount of public attention. “Not in Mumbai, but I have been stopped by people in Delhi and Ahmedabad. Once a couple flew from Delhi to Dehradun just to meet me,” says DJ Andy of Dare2date fame. A trained dancer and choreographer before he started anchoring shows, choreographing music videos and reality shows like Viva and Get gorgeous on Channel [V], Andy studied at the Fusion School of Performing Arts, London.

“VJing shouldn’t be taken as a solo career,” says Andy. “I honed my skills as an actor, dancer and a performer, which eventually made me a VJ.” Like Manish, he also says that continuous evolution is the mantra to be successful as a VJ in the long term. “You can’t give the same stuff to your audience for long. You have to keep growing as a VJ to stay in the industry.”

One of the best things the profession offers is that your qualification, age and intelligence quotient will never impede your chances. You can be of any age and just act yourself to be a good video jockey.

Rhea, the youngest VJ ever on MTV, finds her job ‘super cool’. “I don’t call it a job. I love talking to people, but earlier I could never see me talking on TV, which I can do now. I have my Board exams scheduled in March, but I don’t mind working in the studio for six to eight hours a day,” says the 17-year-old.

In the first one month of her job, Rhea used to catch repeat telecasts of her shows but now she is too busy to do that. She also has to travel often to Pune and Delhi for promotional tours, where people stop her to ask, “Are you Rhea from Wassup?” She is at the moment content with what she does and wants to continue with it even after finishing school.

Though VJs have to spend long hours in studios, outdoor locations and promotional tours, there are some who juggle VJing and another job. Rhea manages her TV job with her studies, and Andy works as a stylist and a choreographer.

Ashish Patil, general manager and senior vice-president, creative and content, MTV Networks India, says, “A VJ can anchor live shows, corporate events and also endorse corporate brands like Bani does for Reebok and Anusha for Lee.”

Author: Vimal Chander Joshi

Date: 13th Jan., 2010

For further details about related courses and colleges please click below:

Related courses and colleges