What's A Video Jockey? (Working At Singapore’s Number One Club!): What It's Like

by Faith Joan Chua - January 03, 2020

Many people don't know I have a night job, and it often comes as a surprise when I tell them that I used to work at a club. Is it because I look really small and guai? But I suppose that it is quite rare to be a full-time University student with an intense 10pm-4am part-time job.

Looking back at the one and a half years that I've been working at this particular club (let's call it Club X), the experience really taught me a lot and effed up my body clock. I did have a lot of fun, but unfortunately all good things have to come to an end.

I do get a lot of questions from people regarding my job at Club X, so here are some of the most commonly asked questions to satisfy your curiosity!

1. What is a Video Jockey?

A Video Jockey is someone who specialises in life events and performances with visual media experiences. In layman terms (or in regards to this role specifically at Club X), we do behind the scenes work and mainly control the visuals on the DJ LED screen, and sometimes even the lighting. We are also called VJs or veejays (like vajayjay without the extra "jay", LOL). In even more layman terms, I'm a "lights and visuals DJ".

Many people don't know that the lighting and visuals at many clubs are not automated and requires a physical, human person to operate it. It can be automated, but the quality of the performance won't be as nice.

2. Do you need experience?

I actually didn't have any experience went I went to Club X. I didn't even club that much. My first day in Club X was literally my first day on the job. I did have some musical sense as I grew up learning music, so I suppose that helped a bit.

The job was pretty technical, and there were a lot of things to learn from "opening" the club (setting up), to operating the lighting and visuals board, and even syncing it to the music. The musical part was fun, but I did take about 6 months to really get used to the technical side of it. There were just so many faders and buttons, and the music was really fast paced. Hip Hop was the hardest to play to, especially since the DJs transition very seamlessly and I didn't know when to switch over to the next song.

I learned everything on the job, and relied a lot on my seniors. They were stern, but very helpful. They did scold me when they needed to, but I sucked it up and took note (like, physical notes) of what I needed to do. I think they appreciated that!

3. Why did you choose this job?

I always wanted a night job because I can't wake up in the morning. I also hated F&B because I worked as a waitress before and that was the most depressing time of my life. I also love music. Many people asked why I didn't go into DJ-ing instead; I think it's mainly because I feel uncomfortable being in the limelight. Doing stuff behind the scenes is my comfort zone.

I was entering my first year of Uni in a month while working at Club X, and I knew that most of the day would be taken up by my classes, revisions, and CCAs. I slept around 4 or 5 in the morning on a regular day anyway, so a night job didn't seem very far fetched considering that.

Also, I hate jobs where you have to wear uniforms. Here, I could wear whatever I want, as long as it was stylish.

4. How did you get the job?

I actually Googled "night jobs in Singapore" or "club jobs in Singapore" and it led me to the job opening on Club X's website. Fun fact: before this I was working at another club (which closed down) as a PR girl. I didn't enjoy it so I decided to change jobs.

My friend actually knew this girl who previously worked at Club X as a VJ, but got fired for drinking on the job. I remember hearing this from her and was like, oh nice, that means there's a job opening. LOL.

I emailed Club X with my resume and they asked me to come down for an interview. I was told that I was expected to work 2-3 days a week from 8.30pm/ 11pm to 3am/ 4am, depending on whether it was a weekday or weekend. I remember being super intimidated by my boss the first time I met her, but she ended up being one of the nicest people I've met. She also jokingly told me once that she hired me because I looked "nerdy" and "unproblematic". It was such a compliment that I beamed.

5. How is the working environment?

I loved working at Club X. Everyone was super, super nice, from the VJs to the bouncers, floor staff, bartenders and security guards. There were many different departments and a lot of staff, so we didn't really get to mingle around a lot, but I did get to make some friends here and there.

A lot of the staff were foreigners and students like me, so we had common topics to talk about. Sometimes we studied together at Starbucks before the club opened. I even went to JB with my colleagues! It was the first job where I found myself looking forward to work, and didn't feel so sian when weekends approached.

The people here can be quite direct sometimes, so it's important to not be too sensitive. Drama happens, and it's okay to listen but don't get involved.

6. How is the pay like?

It's shit.

I loved working there, but honestly the management needs to pay their staff better. I remember dating this bartender at Bang Bang and he told me he got paid $15-$18 per hour. At Club X, we got paid much, much less.

I won't disclose the specific amount cos I don't want them to sue me.

On the bright side, I think the staff privileges made up for the shit pay, as we were entitled to drinks on the job, free transport home after work, staff dinner and supper, and occasionally even free vouchers or tickets to high profile events and festivals.

My boyfriend is a DJ (see the very cute pic below <3), and he was super upset for the longest time over the fact that we got paid so little, with almost no chance of a raise. My colleague who worked a year longer than me at Club X said she once asked for a raise, and guess how much they gave her?

An additional $1 per hour.

L.M.A.O

7. Do you see famous people at your workplace often?

Occasionally we do have influencers, YouTubers, models, or celebrities drop by to party. I've seen some significant people from the likes of Naomi Neo, Preetipls and Tosh Rock. Sometimes we get to VJ for famous DJs as well!

My colleagues tend to get really excited when they see them. But honestly, aside from Tosh, I don't give a fuck.

The rich, beautiful and famous look pretty glamorous whenever they go out to have fun. But once the clock strikes 4 and the club ends, that's when all the ugly shit comes out like the puking and the crying and the fighting, and it's such a joy to watch.

8. Is it dangerous working in a club?

I wouldn't say it's dangerous in the sense where you'll get taken advantage of or sexually violated, but there are times when drunk customers may get really annoying.

I've had a drunk guy fall on me once and knocked me against a sharp edge, and I got bruised from it. Sometimes customers want to take a picture with you or "play" with the equipment. I've had this rich Arabian guy ask for my phone number relentlessly while I was busy operating the lights, and I got really uncomfortable. Thankfully the security guards are always around to send people away if they bug you too much. I do like it when people offer me drinks though.

Some customers are really, ~~fucking~~ annoying but they're rich. In this case, we don't really have a choice but to suck it up especially if there are big spenders or special guests of the big boss. That means I can't call them out even if they are literally smoking a cigarette in front of me IN A CLUB. And yes, that has happened before.

9. Do you make friends with the DJs?

You don't have to, but since we work literally side by side, you do get to talk to them. The DJs at Club X were really nice though. They don't really take the initiative to talk to you at first, but they do warm up to you after a bit.

I do talk cock and gossip with the DJs I'm closer to, and sometimes they offer me drinks that customers give them. Sometimes the VJs meet some of them outside of work as well. After a few months, I got the courage to follow some of the DJs on Instagram and was really happy when they followed back. Haha.

10. How do you cope with school?

Honestly, it's a give and take situation. If work and money is your priority (like in my case), you will have to give up doing very well at school. While working part time at Club X, I also had 2 or 3 more side jobs and freelance assignments on top of classes. It is definitely manageable, but you will be shag as hell (refer to pic below of hungry me eating curry png after work and toh-ing on the cab back).

What I did was schedule my classes around work. I worked Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, so I arranged all my classes on Mondays and Tuesdays. To be frank, the busier you are, the more time you will squeeze out to focus on things that are important to you. My grades aren't really the best in school, but I'm not failing or anything, so I'm cool with that.

I think not being able to club on weekends because of work was a bigger UGH compared to doing badly in school.

11. Can you give Guest Lists as a VJ?

By right, no. But if you know the club promoters or the door girls well, you can act as a middle man between them and your friends. I can't count the number of times people asked me for GL, even people I didn't know who heard from someone who heard from someone that I worked there. I don't mind, but I do feel paiseh because ultimately I'm doing my friends a favour and troubling the promoters.

MOVING ON TO BETTER THINGS...

I left Club X because the pay just wasn't justified and I got a better job offer at another club. However, I really miss working there and I do get nostalgic when it's featured on my friends' Instagram stories.

So yes, that's my experience working as a VJ at the most popular club in Singapore! Hope that it answers some of your questions and if you are interested in working there as a VJ do drop me a message because they are definitely in need of people.

Most importantly, stop asking me for GL ok!

BYE!