Video Jockey - How to become a Video Jockey

Importance and Responsibilities attached with the job of a Video Jockey
With the opening up of this most widely used mass media for the private players in the mid ninety’s and starting of a host of new 24 hour music channels by various private players that too with a huge success. Video jockeying is becoming an exciting career option for the music crazy generation. During the earlier years of its advent the main job of a VJ used to be only to introduce new videos and host some music related programmes. But with the increase in the competition among the channels to top in the rating so many new innovative shows have been incorporated by them every now and then thus increasing the demand of these professional to a greater extent. In last couple of year their domain of work has spread to many fold. Now they are not involved only in introducing some music videos or hosting some music programmes. Apart from introducing videos; they are also hosting game to travel shows to youth forums, chatting with the public, doing interviews with artists and music celebrities etc. They are also involved in behind the camera work like deciding on the theme of the programme and choosing the songs and video that suit the theme of the show, participating in promotional programmes like road shows, attending theme parties and with experience, even writing script for the show they are going to host. In short one can say a lot of opportunities to these professional in the field
Though seems to be an easy task to handle but in reality it is a profession which requires a lot of hard work and presence of mind as they must constantly keep up-to-date on the latest trends in music, all the latest videos and information about music stars etc. They also should have a considerably good knowledge of all types of music besides being informed of a bit of everything from films to politics to travel, whatever the theme the show demands. They must be able to answer any queries about music and other related arts.
It is the performance of these Video Jockeys that makes or mars the importance and popularity of a channel. Video jockeys are always expected with new ideas, concepts along with a lot of enthusiasm.
To be a successful Video Jockey one should have his own style of communicating and presenting him/herself before the viewers. Apart from good voice and pleasing personality an efficient VJ should be warm, friendly, spontaneous, and dynamic and must possess good communication skills so that he could leave an everlasting impression of his personality on his viewer.

How to be a Video Jockey

Eligibility
Video Jockeying is a totally talent based field. Basically there is no need of any kind of formal education to be a VJ but to learn the tricks of the trade at fast pace the aspirants should be at least plus two or graduates preferably in the field of mass communication.

To be a successful VJ one can undergo short term course offered by some former VJ’s in their institutes in some of the Metro cities of the India

Certificate course in VJ

Eligibility

1. Educational Qualification
To be eligible to join this short term course of 3 to 6 months one should be 10+2 in any stream

Step 1
Interested candidate has to approach these institutions for short terms certificate course. Candidates are admitted in this course on the basis of screening test

Step 2
After completing this 3 -6 months course in which one has to go through all the major aspects of the field of study one can join some channel to start his/career at high note.

Job Prospects and Career Options:
The job of a Video Jockey has now become of diversifying nature. They are not supposed to work for any number of fixed hours a day. Infect they work according to the assignments given to them from time to time. They can be asked to anchor a show anytime of the day or night. A Video Jockey should also be able to write scripts for a show and should be aware about the latest movies and songs. Beside he should also be able to deal with sound equipment and computers.
There is a lot of scope for good VJ on channels like MTV, Channel V, B4U music, MCM Asia etc, and other regional music channels. One can enter into this field by giving audition to various channels or by taking part and winning the contests running especially for these jobs like talent hunt etc.

Scope and Remuneration
With the opening up of the air time for the private sectors Vidoe Jockey’s are in much demand now a days. The beginners can earn between Rs. 15,000 to Rs20,000 per month. For sponsored programs after some success one can earn on the part time or the assignment basis and can demand as high as Rs.1,00,000 per assignment. Though a short term career because of high competition but it open up a lot of other area in the same field once the career as a VJ is on the negative slope. Thus all in all a career in hunt for present generation youths with enthusiasm.