Lasers

Compared to the simple colour-changing parcans of the time, those intense beams of light cutting through the night were nothing short of sensational.
 

With the development of moving head lighting in the decades that followed, lasers gradually became sidelined; for the cost of punctuating a gig with an occasional laser-burst, show producers could bring in several moving heads that were able to provide an array of effects throughout the entire set.

Over the last two or three years, however, great advances in technology have led to a renaissance in laser shows. The days of cumbersome water-cooled systems requiring 440V, 3-phase power are gone. Those bulky units of old are being replaced by smaller, lower cost, easier-to-use, solid-state laser solutions, and as a result, lasers have been brought back into the lighting fold.

Patrick Murphy, Executive Director of ILDA (International Laser Display Association), believes this new technology has already resulted in some impressive applications.  “What we’re seeing now is shows that ordinarily would have been done with four to six lasers, now taking 25, maybe 50 units and blasting them everywhere in the venue. They have become a more integrated element in the arsenal of a lighting designer or show producer.”

Units can now be added to regular lighting rigs to create many more options than just conventional fan and cone effects. This was exemplified by one performance at this year’s Brit Award where singer Rihanna was not only encased in a laser-pyramid, but, as the song reached its climax, the entire stage erupted in a blaze of laser effects.

With this new proliferation of laser technology, it is more important than ever that users educate themselves on proper use before they install and turn on“A word of advice for your readers,” Murphy tells mondo*dr. “If they are going to install laser equipment or use it, they should consult with a laser safety company or at the very least read up on it so that they have an indication of what the implications are.

Whilst there are universally accepted standards for safe laser use, different countries enforce those standards to differing extents.

The majority of laser companies, however, take their responsibility very seriously – it is after all not in their interests for laser shows to get bad press should anything go wrong. An important focus for ILDA is helping consumers make the right choice when purchasing laser technology.

“One of the biggest challenges we have as an industry is poorly produced laser equipment, often coming from countries where they don’t perhaps have the same tradition of good solid building,” Murphy says. “When the system fails after just six months the user gets turned off to lasers – they think they have to replace them ever six months whereas really they should last for years and years.”

If users are looking for added reassurance, ILDA is a good place to turn. The organisation recently enacted a Code of Business Practice that requires all members to deal fairly with customers and abide by safety standards.

With lasers set to get smaller and smarter, it seems the new laser revolution has only just begun.

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