If you are, there might just be a job waiting – next year. Channel [V] Thailand and MTV (Thailand) have just held their hunts for new VJs, but suggest you start preparing for the next round.

Jane Sriprayul, a 21-year-old Thai who grew up in New York, and John Del Castillo, an 18-year-old with Thai, Filipino and Spanish roots, beat more than 6,000 contestants to win this year’s MTV challenge – the “MTV Presents Samsung Asia VJ Hunt 2005”.

The winners of Channel [V]’s “VJ Search Take 4” contest will be announced next month. More than 3,000 youths competed in the VJ hunt, which marked the channel’s ninth anniversary. (MTV is the world’s oldest music channel, recently celebrating its 20th birthday.)

With the ever-increasing popularity of this cool career, Smartlife spoke to MTV (Thailand)’s general manager Hunsa Thanomsing and Channel [V] Thailand’s general manager Smitthi Bhiraleus to find out just what it takes to become a VJ:

1. You need personality, not a pretty face.

“See our VJ Phoom (Phoomjai Tangsa-nga)? Can we call him handsome?” Hunsa asks with a laugh. “It’s all about personality.”

Consider well-known MTV VJ Cyrus Brocha. “Cyrus isn’t a heartthrob. He even dresses shabbily,” Hunsa notes. “But he was once assigned a 10-minute interview with Richard Gere and he did a good job. Veejaying is about confidence and communication ability.”

Smitthi agrees, saying you don’t have to be a showstopper to be its host. “Sure, TV people are expected to look good, but sometimes it’s more about personality – that tends to deliver results.”

2. Don’t be obsessed with music.

Video jockeys were once like radio disc jockeys. They would select their music and script their shows, and that required an encyclopaedic knowledge of both current hits and oldies. These days, stations play music according to a playlist. So VJs are no longer chosen for their insight into music – although it’s always an advantage to have some knowledge.

“Nobody wants to listen to VJs talking about music all day long! That would be really boring,” Smitthi says. “So, our VJs are better at relating music to other topics.”

Knowledge of music is acquired over time, Hunsa says. “At MTV, we’ve got a team of music specialists who can give all the information about music to the VJs.”

3. You need to be a know-it-all guru.

Instead of being well-versed in music, Smitthi and Hunsa say you need to know about everything that’s happening around you.

“Since VJs communicate with teens, who are always chasing trends and innovations, our VJs have to be up to date on all sorts of things. They should be able to express their thoughts on any subject,” says Smitthi.

4. You must know how to speak English.

Because international music occupies a huge percentage of the airtime, VJs are expected – at the very least – to be able to pronounce English titles correctly.

“English-language proficiency enhances a VJ’s personality,” Smitthi says. “And it’s important to speak clearly because we don’t want young viewers copying the wrong accents or pronunciation.”

MTV wants its VJs to speak English fluently. “The language is essential. The winners of the latest VJ Hunt will be based in Singapore, where English is one of the official languages,” says Hunsa.

VJs are also diplomats for their countries. “When people see a Thai VJ speaking English fluently, they’ll consider Thailand a friendly tourist destination,” Hunsa says.

5. You’ve gotta be cool.

While some VJs are chosen over dinner and others from their portfolios and demo tapes, the VJ hunts serve as a shortcut for finding contestants who are cool under pressure.

This year, MTV dumped its talent show-style auditions, so contestants no longer had to dance, sing or act.

They were on a real mission – veejaying on various MTV programmes on stage.

“VJs aren’t actors or singers. So the old approach didn’t really help the selection process,” Hunsa says. Next year’s competition will even be tougher because it will be a regional challenge rather than a national contest.

6. You’re expected to demonstrate that you’re cool off screen as well as on.

Viewers only see part of a VJ’s job. The VJ’s smooth delivery and the show’s seamless production values require plenty of interaction between the on-air talent and the technical crew. So judges from MTV and Channel [V] look for people who interact well with others.

“Veejaying isn’t a one-man show. You’ve got to work with the production crew,” Smitthi observes.

Hunsa notes that, in the past, there were VJs who were talented on air but irresponsible when it came to working as a team. “So we keep our eyes on candidates even when they’re not on stage,” Hunsa says. “Friendliness to co-workers and patience – these things count.”

7. You’ve must be able to project the channel’s personality.

In addition to a winning personality, great communication skills, social awareness and an ability to work with a team, you’re expected to exude the music channel’s persona.

“VJs represent our brand. They should project its personality. For MTV, we look for vibrant, fun, edgy, creative, innovative people,” Hunsa says.

“You may notice that Channel [V]’s VJs share something in common in their appearance,” Smitthi says. “You can always identify a VJ from our channel.”

8. You’re expected to live up to high standards.

“Lots of teens are watching you. You’re their idol. So you must always be aware and responsible for what you tell them,” Smitthi says.

Being a VJ is a 24/7 job.

“You can’t just wear a VJ hat when you’re on the air and take it off when you’re off the air,” Hunsa says. “Everywhere you go, you’re not only the brand icon, you also represent the Thai youth.”

9. Be prepared for a short career.

Veejaying is a young person’s job and it’s lucrative. On top of a monthly salary, VJs get per-shoot pay (wages based on how often they’re on air) and income from sideline work in advertising, movies and promotions. The job also requires lots of off-air socialising with young people.

“Being a VJ, you need to mingle with young people. So when you’re too old to hang out or get an insight on teen trends, that spells the end of your career,” Hunsa says.

It’s all about your hipness factor. “You have to ask yourself whether you’re happy hanging around Siam [Square] and knowing what’s on at Playground,” Smitthi says. “You can still have a career like VJ B (Bundhit Sao-Kaew). He is close to 30, but still enjoys himself.”

One advantage that Thai VJs have over their Western counterparts is their looks. “We usually look younger than our actual age. That helps,” Hunsa says.

10. You’ve got to love your job.

Sure, it takes talent to be VJ. But it also takes love. You have to love veejaying to be successful.

“Just like other careers, you must have a passion for your work. You must love what you do,” Husa says.

VJs must enjoy making viewers happy. “You have to want to be more than just a VJ – you have to want to be a great VJ. It’s all about your love of making people happy when they are in front of their TVs,” Smitthi says.

Worawan Thanamongkol

The Nation