Video Turntablism is The ability to control, beat match and scratch music video content. Used widely by DJ’s wanting to become VJ’s, video turntable software began replacing DVJ units in late 2007. Made popular in Canada by VJ Tell-X and in the US by DJ Freebird, DJ Santarosa and DJ Mark West to name a few, video turntablism has become a staple in many clubs in Las Vegas where exceptional night life is a must. The main difference between a VJ and a Video Turntablist is the videos they play and the way they manipulate these.
The VJ
A traditional VJ plays video loops, video images and scenes often coordinated with music being played at a themed event or synched with what a separate DJ is playing. This is a truly masterful and tricky art as the VJ needs to interpret the DJ’s music and present it to the audience visually.
The Video Turntablist or Video DJ
The Video Turntablist; however, often uses regular music videos as seen on MTV, music DVDs or Much Music. These are remixed, mashed up, scratched and manipulated in the same way a normal DJ mixes music. When the vinyl or digital turntable is sped up the music video speeds up. When the turntable is scratched, the video too in perfect synch is scratched. A crafty art that complicates the DJ's mixing as he or she now has to mix the audio while blending the video. A truly great jump in video performing technology.
Other well known VJ’s that have mastered the visual art include:
DJ Mag’s Top 20 VJ’s
1 Inside-us-all
2 Addictive tv
3 Roonie g
4 2nd nature
5 4youreye
6 Ne1co
7 Dubassy
8 Marc mcCall
9 Coldcut
10 Shantell Martin
11 RayV
12 Zebbler
13 Eyesupply
14 Vello Virkhaus
15 Ben Sheppee
16 D-Fuse
17 Lottez
18 Zanne
19 Eclectic Method
20 Reach Visuals
It is predicted that VJ shows whether PC controlled or turntable controlled with become mainstreem in club entertainment over the next two years. This will further compliment the installation of infrastructure such as flat screen TV's and high definition projectors.
Sources from websites listed and DJ promotional articles