If you've been to an extraordinary show, you would agree that the music spun by the DJ is as important as the images and art displayed on the LED screens surrounding the set. VJ Nakaichi has sat down to talk with Andy Godschalk, the man who founded Reach Visuals who specialize in live visuals shows and the making of motion graphics in The Netherlands and abroad.
They are also responsible for the live visuals at Cocoon Club events and you can experience them live at the upcoming Cocoon Heroes show at ageHa 2/9.
Could you tell us about the funny concept behind COCOON HEROES?
What's funny about the Cocoon Heroes concept is that, all the hero portraits projected on the screens in Ibiza and Tokyo were actually of people who came to the party. Everyone was so surprised when they saw their faces displayed on the big screen. These photos were posted on our facebook page.
You've experienced so many parties working as a VJ. How has the party scene (club scene) changed over time? Where do you think it's heading? What's your take on the scene?
Since 1998 I have been doing live visual shows. In my opinion the party scene has changed a lot. The crowd's fashion, they way they dance, and how they communicate with each other (internet and SNS) has changed over time. People want to share every moment (good or bad) right away with their friends, family or the world. People are so focused on taking pictures or videos and forget to enjoy the music or time with the people that they are with. I think it will get worse in the future. I hope that people will notice and take a little step back. Technology must not take over the party and the life of human beings. We can't become robots so...
What do you like about Japan? Please share some memorable experiences you've had in Japan.)
Japan is a great, beautiful, peaceful, loving and hard working country. The Japanese learn in school that that importance of peace, harmony, and respect for other people. Also I love the amazing food in Japan.
What do you think of Japan's party scene?
A lot of people I met in while traveling and partying in Japan were great (SUGOI). They were so friendly and nice to me. I was able to make many friends.
What made you want to become a VJ?
In 1998 it started as a hobby. I was experimenting with filming and editing of material. I also went to house and techno parties during that time like Awakenings in Amsterdam. I was checking out the images of a VJ named Micha Klein and I decided I wanted to do that too. I worked full time as a Dutch government official so in my free time I experimented a lot with making samples of images.
Please tell us about REACH VISUALS.
In 1998 I started as a VJ next to my office job. I came up with the name Reach Visuals. Because I want to share my visuals with all the people and that they would REACH my images with their hands. During that period their were no powerful laptops, vj software and mixers special made for vj's as nowadays. Only a producers video mixer a big size analog Panasonic MX50. I played my samples on video players with my video VHS 10 min tapes. Each tape I recorded 1 sample of 10 min. And I made a complete show with 8 or 10 cases of 10 min VHS tapes. During a live show I mixed all the videotapes with the analog videomixer on the beat rhythm of the records that the dj played. In 2003 I stopped with my fulltime job as a government official and started working as a full professional animator, filmmaker and vj (visual jockey). In the '90 I got my inspiration from old 3D animation images of the X-MIX series of Studio 1K7 and science fiction movies like Starwars. Nowadays I got my inspiration from all the beautiful places I come for my shows and. Also from the beautiful and funny moments I had with all the people I met during my travels.
What do you think of Japanese VJs? Have you seen anything you liked?
The vj's I met VJ Numan and VJ Nakaichi are very professional, enthusiastic, powerful people. I like their way of animation, technical skills and style. VJ Numan can also dance well like me.
Any advice for Japanese VJs who are trying to make it overseas? Do you think they have what it takes to be successful?
To be successful overseas I think that you need a big professional network, big skills on the field of animation, technical skills of LED and or video mapping. Also they have to explore continue on new technology, because the technology evolves so fast.
Anything particular you've been doing to imporve your skills?
I am always learning new technique and skills on the field of animation, led technique, video mapping, software and hardware. I went from the analog to the digital time and I am still learning new things to improve my skills.
Any project you've been working on?
Yes I am working on new projects but at this moment they are secret(smiley). I would like to thank Mr Shuichiro Iwanami of Cocoon Japan and Mr Yasuhiro Araki of Ageha to bring me to Japan. Arigato gozaimasu and always SUGOI and KANPAI (smiley)
They are also responsible for the live visuals at Cocoon Club events and you can experience them live at the upcoming Cocoon Heroes show at ageHa 2/9.
Could you tell us about the funny concept behind COCOON HEROES?
What's funny about the Cocoon Heroes concept is that, all the hero portraits projected on the screens in Ibiza and Tokyo were actually of people who came to the party. Everyone was so surprised when they saw their faces displayed on the big screen. These photos were posted on our facebook page.
You've experienced so many parties working as a VJ. How has the party scene (club scene) changed over time? Where do you think it's heading? What's your take on the scene?
Since 1998 I have been doing live visual shows. In my opinion the party scene has changed a lot. The crowd's fashion, they way they dance, and how they communicate with each other (internet and SNS) has changed over time. People want to share every moment (good or bad) right away with their friends, family or the world. People are so focused on taking pictures or videos and forget to enjoy the music or time with the people that they are with. I think it will get worse in the future. I hope that people will notice and take a little step back. Technology must not take over the party and the life of human beings. We can't become robots so...
What do you like about Japan? Please share some memorable experiences you've had in Japan.)
Japan is a great, beautiful, peaceful, loving and hard working country. The Japanese learn in school that that importance of peace, harmony, and respect for other people. Also I love the amazing food in Japan.
What do you think of Japan's party scene?
A lot of people I met in while traveling and partying in Japan were great (SUGOI). They were so friendly and nice to me. I was able to make many friends.
What made you want to become a VJ?
In 1998 it started as a hobby. I was experimenting with filming and editing of material. I also went to house and techno parties during that time like Awakenings in Amsterdam. I was checking out the images of a VJ named Micha Klein and I decided I wanted to do that too. I worked full time as a Dutch government official so in my free time I experimented a lot with making samples of images.
Please tell us about REACH VISUALS.
In 1998 I started as a VJ next to my office job. I came up with the name Reach Visuals. Because I want to share my visuals with all the people and that they would REACH my images with their hands. During that period their were no powerful laptops, vj software and mixers special made for vj's as nowadays. Only a producers video mixer a big size analog Panasonic MX50. I played my samples on video players with my video VHS 10 min tapes. Each tape I recorded 1 sample of 10 min. And I made a complete show with 8 or 10 cases of 10 min VHS tapes. During a live show I mixed all the videotapes with the analog videomixer on the beat rhythm of the records that the dj played. In 2003 I stopped with my fulltime job as a government official and started working as a full professional animator, filmmaker and vj (visual jockey). In the '90 I got my inspiration from old 3D animation images of the X-MIX series of Studio 1K7 and science fiction movies like Starwars. Nowadays I got my inspiration from all the beautiful places I come for my shows and. Also from the beautiful and funny moments I had with all the people I met during my travels.
What do you think of Japanese VJs? Have you seen anything you liked?
The vj's I met VJ Numan and VJ Nakaichi are very professional, enthusiastic, powerful people. I like their way of animation, technical skills and style. VJ Numan can also dance well like me.
Any advice for Japanese VJs who are trying to make it overseas? Do you think they have what it takes to be successful?
To be successful overseas I think that you need a big professional network, big skills on the field of animation, technical skills of LED and or video mapping. Also they have to explore continue on new technology, because the technology evolves so fast.
Anything particular you've been doing to imporve your skills?
I am always learning new technique and skills on the field of animation, led technique, video mapping, software and hardware. I went from the analog to the digital time and I am still learning new things to improve my skills.
Any project you've been working on?
Yes I am working on new projects but at this moment they are secret(smiley). I would like to thank Mr Shuichiro Iwanami of Cocoon Japan and Mr Yasuhiro Araki of Ageha to bring me to Japan. Arigato gozaimasu and always SUGOI and KANPAI (smiley)
