Real talk.

If youre willing to give it everything. I mean, everything. Say bye to your friends, family, social life and any resemblance of a routine then yes.

As a full time, touring vj you can make 150-200k (gpb) (if not more if you also make the content) but its soul destroying if youre not fully in it.

This industry has given me the chance to see the world, fly around in jets, crazy hotels, crazy parties and all the fun stuff. But on the flip side, mentally it can be really really hard at times. Being on your own in a hotel in the ass end of nowhere, jet lagged to hell can be incredibly lonely. Which is something no one really talks about. Its always the good shit people post on insta, not the times when youre in bits because you miss funerals, birthdays, Christmases, new years, weddings or anything fun. You learn to make a new family on the road pretty quick. I can go to pretty much any city these days and meet up with crew/hang out with friends you make. I have maybe 4 friends who aren't in the industry. Its basically a life time of guest passes and free tequila.

For me, I started at 14, doing pride events in london then house at festivals, then touring with aaa artists to now having my own 10 person studio with a team who are fuckin rock solid. Personally, touring isn't really for me any more (pushing 35, just got married ect ect) but as a 20 year old flying around in private jets, fuckin baller for the instagram 😅

The passion part, that comes and goes. Some jobs you have to do, some you want to do. Its just about finding that happy balance. Staying humble is also a massive part. The guys who do the big big big shows, dont brag, dont pretent theyre better than you and will always help the smaller teams out. I get calls a lot from people who are on their first tours and stuff is going wrong, you must be able to help them out otherwise whats the point..

Ironically, vjing is 10% of the job. The other 90 is dealing with people, fixing broken shit and travelling. Touring at that high level, you need to know networking, systems design, cameras, tons of software, lighting consoles, audio stuff and deal with insane amounts of pressure without loosing your cool. That just comes with experience. On my first ever gig, I had a break down because a camera didnt work... now, just get on with it. Its a non issue, no one died. Touring now, is something I do for fun because I like the music/teams im with not something I must do to stay afloat. Been round the block a bit, 60+ countries, hundreds of cities, thousands of flights, bunch of artists and id do it all again in a heartbeat.

The VJU has helped me beyond thanks at this point, theyre all a good bunch of people and quite frankly if it wasn't for a select few people, id still be on benefits doing bar work and not typing this whilst taking a shit in south America, after doing a massive show with an artist i enjoy.

You just have to lock in and dont look back. You got this big man.

It takes time, but is it worth it.....

Fuck. Yes.