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Basics: Secret Glossary |
The Lighter Side:
The Unofficial Guide to Laser Terminology
By
David Lytle, Editor, The Laserist
Dot
Monkey:
A laser artist who spends his waking hours tediously adjusting
individual points of a laser graphic so that the projected images
looks good. Because a laser graphic can contain hundreds of points
linked together in a connect-the-dots style, dot monkeys spend
a lot of time fine-tuning computer-generated graphics. The term
was coined by the folks at Australia's Laservision Macro-Media
as a follow up to pixel pusher. The process is more officially
know as hand digitizing-the idea being that digital X-Y laser
coordinates are moved around by hand until the desired result
is achieved.
Frappe: A milky film
on the flashlamp bulb that pumps a YAG laser. Frappes cause degradation
in power and efficiency are caused when contaminated particles
(known technically as "crap") get "fried"
on the bulb.
LaseOff:
An
informal performance of laser works by laserists from different
companies-similar to a musical jam session. The term originated
at the 1990 ILDA meeting in Bradenton, Florida, and has since
been used at subsequent ILDA meetings where LaseOffs have become
more formalized.
Lase-on: An informal
parting expression, similar to "good-bye" or "party
on."
Nuclear
Flamingo:
A hot pink laser color created by Laser Fantasy International
employees during an after-hours work session. Paul Torgeson,
who coined the term, said they were attempting to create the
wildest colors possible, and Nuclear Flamingo was the winner.
The saturated electric magenta color is created by combing laser
red with a deep blue.
Pangolin: A scaly anteater
found in Africa and Asia, and also the name of Pangolin Laser
Systems, which produces the popular Lasershow Designer system
for creating and displaying laser shows. Pangolin founder Patrick
Murphy says he is somewhat dismayed at how the name caught on,
with customers saying "I've got a Pangolin" instead
of "I've got a Lasershow Designer system."
Photon
Fix:
Most laserists truly love laser light, and have a strong craving
to see a show or a beam. "I got a good photon fix at that
show," said one laserist after leaving a scorchathon.
Scorchathon: An audience
scanning show done strictly for laserists, with the general public
not invited. International safety standards set conservative
limits on eye exposure to laser light, and some laserist feel
comfortable exposing themselves (but not the public) to more
exciting power levels. Remember: these people are professionals-don't
try this at home!
Spaz
and Flail:
When a laser projector (or other lighting instrument) repeats
the same effect over and over again until it becomes boring.
A inexpensive laser system used by a club DJ might have just
16 effects that are repeated endlessly. Also used as a derogatory
term when a laser show operator does not make good use of his
manual laser effects controller.
Splooge: Mirrors that
are not clean will distort, or splooge, an otherwise good-looking
laser beam, forcing you to reach for the cleaning kit and get
to work.
Stupidabeam: A derogatory
term used by some laserists to refer to intelligent lighting
fixtures. Laserist Steven Roberts said he coined the term because
intelligent lights usually lack the processor power, memory and
timing capabilities of even low-end laser controllers.
Sync: Short for
synchronization, the fine art of hitting the effect keys on a
laser control console so that the audience of a rave or disco
"sees" as well as hears the music. The opposite of
spaz and flail, if done properly. To use the terms together,
laserist Steven Roberts gives this example: "The stupidabeams
did the same boring spaz and flail all night, and the lighting
op never bothered to even try to beat sync."
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