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Laser shows and projects from ILDA Members

Laser displays are widely used: in laser-only shows, as part of larger events, as special effects in movies and TV, and for custom projects. This page details some of the shows and projects recently done by ILDA members. It especially highlights laser shows that you can see in person or in other media.

You may also want to visit the Press releases page and the New products and services page to find additional news from ILDA Members. (Members: If would like to add your release, please send it to ILDA's Executive Director.)
 

Nov 2012

ER Productions powers Muse, including a Matt Bellamy "handheld" laser effect

The 2nd Law Tour by British band Muse, voted the world's No. 1 band, is Muse's eighth concert tour which supports their latest album. ER Productions were asked to join MUSE for their world tour starting in October 2012. ER is supplying eight Coherent Tripan lasers. Six of them are rigged across the back of the stage.

The other two are rigged high on the lighting truss where they project down onto the curved stage where 37 target mirrors are placed. Front man Matt Bellamy requested a special laser effect be used where he holds a diffraction grating in his hand. ER supplied a specially designed line grating which Matt holds in his hand during the intro to Follow Me. Using one of the truss lasers a beam is sent down to the stage and Matt Bellamy directs the laser into the roof.

Other Muse laser songs are Madness and Survival. A YouTube video of Madness's lasers is here.

(Added to this page Nov. 24 2012)

235 watts of laser power in Kuwait, from ER Productions

ER Productions were asked to supply over 235 watts of laser power to Celebrate Kuwait’s 50th Constitutional Day. Within two weeks of confirmation ER shipped over three tons of equipment to the Middle East. This was a world record-breaking show with 75,000 shots of fireworks within an hour.

ER used the beautiful Kuwait Towers as a centerpiece with a full color system rigged high on the largest tower. Twenty large 2 x 2 foot mirrors were also used around the top of the largest tower to send laser break-up effects around the Corniche.

The towers were also used for some elegant laser mapping which could be seen from Green Island, over 4 km away. On Green Island, ER placed  two 24w OPS green systems. Redline wireless Ethernet Solution was used for the control aspect of this.

The show was split into five sections. Each was introduced using five 20 x 20 meter monumental cubes built out at sea. The cubes were 165 meters away from the laser towers so only the beam quality from OPS systems would do. Each section's title was written in Arabic onto the cubes as well as 3D mapping to accompany the headers throughout the hour long show.

ER Productions were proud to be part of this record-breaking show and a big thank you to everyone involved who assisted with our works. (Added to this page Nov. 24 2012)
 

June 2012

LaserNet beams coast-to-coast

On Thursday, June 7, LaserNet projected professional sports logos on both coasts.

West Coast: In Los Angeles, the LaserNet crew from Neptune Productions projected the LA Kings logo and messages promoting the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Several locations on the mountainsides were used during the week-long playoff schedule. The locations that were used took advantage of the close proximity of LA’s heavily used freeways. Projecting up to ½ mile onto a dark colored surface required two of LaserNet’s new Super ScannerPro at 22 watts each that were superimposed onto each other. These full color, RGB lasers worked perfectly to put a legible image on the mountain side for all to see.

East Coast: On the same day in Miami, LaserNet supported the NBA home team by projecting the Miami Heat logo onto a blank wall next to the busy I-95 freeway. A single ScannerPro, 15Watt, full color, RGB laser was used with great success because the projection surface was white. A loop of images projecting; “let’s go Heat” with the logo and a basketball player animation was projected nonstop for three hours.

December 2011

Lasertainment uses six 18-watt RGB systems for Swedish House Mafia concert

Dance group Swedish House Mafia brought their incredulous style with them to the big city, and became the first electronic dance act ever to perform at Madison Square Garden. Tickets for the 20,000 seat arena had sold out in minutes.

To bring even more excitement to the show, and add their own personal flair, Swedish House Mafia contracted Lasertainment Productions International to put on a laser light show that would match the group's high energy performance. To accomplish this, Lasertainment used Pangolin LD2000 systems running LivePRO software to control six Lasertainment Stinger 18 watt RGB laser projectors. The unique setup allowed for a massive aerial beam show synchronized to the group's fast paced musical style, and enthralled the crowd in a spectacle of beautiful white light. The event was broadcast live online, and was featured in publications such as the New York Times, and Rolling Stones Magazine.

LOBO supplies complete show solutions for two major corporate events in Germany

For two of its long-term customers, the multi-awarded show design team of LOBO implemented sensational show concepts.

• For the inauguration ceremony of the world’s largest paper machine for corrugated board of proGroup, the Germany-based multimedia specialist staged the entire plant with impressive dimensions by means of lasers, lighting, building mapping and aerial acrobatics. Above that, LOBO was in charge for the creative and technical master plan of the show program and the overall direction of the event.

• For the Wirtgen Technology Days 2011, which took place on the factory site of Company Vögele in Ludwigshafen with the participation of 3.500 guest from more than 100 countries, LOBO’s team of approx. 50 persons created a multi-sensorial overall experience inside the factory, on an exhibition ground, inside an especially developed, 110 x 60 m large membrane roof-tent as well as on the outside area in front of a huge seating gallery with 3.500 seats. Especially outstanding highlights were the spectacular laser and multimedia show inside the tent as well as the so-called “Parade of Innovations”. It staged the most innovative products of the Wirtgen Group in a mystic ambience in combination with fire-artists, pyros, fire effects, light and laser effects.

LOBO's Creative Director Alex Hennig: “We consider our strengths in the synergetic interplay of idea and technology. Often good ideas are born, but without focusing on the technical feasibility. On the other hand, sometimes equipment is applied without any sense or purpose. Poor results and disappointment among the spectators and clients are the results. We, however, consider ourselves as doers and suppliers of ideas; folks who practically experiment with the interaction of different media and means of expression and so create something new.

To turn such projects into reality, LOBO maintains a huge multimedia studio complex in addition to its laser, video and CGI production. Jam-packed with the latest media and effect technology including dozens of projection surfaces, a large water basin with Water Screens and particularly rare equipment, like e.g. a 3D sound system from IOSONO based on wave field synthesis, it is possible to see already during the conception phase of a show whether a new idea will really work in practice. Long before the set-up at the actual venue, clients can evaluate the results and undertake corrective actions.

To download the complete press release from LOBO, with many more details, click here. (Added to this page Jan 15 2012.)

October 2011

Heavy equipment has unique load: Lasertainment laser projector

Lasertainment Productions Inc. performed a laser show for Caterpillar's ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating their new manufacturing plant in North Carolina that will be building skid loaders. Three 18 watt RGB laser systems were used. The graphic system was placed in the bucket of one of the skid loaders. (Added to this page October 11 2011.)

Graphic laser projector in skid loader bucket

Part of the Cat ribbon cutting ceremony. Click on photos for larger version.

Manick Sorcar has many laser projects underway

Manick Sorcar of Laser Light Magic is profiled in an article appearing in the Calcutta Telegraph. He is working on a multimedia and laser show to honor his father, famous Indian magician P.C. Sorcar on the centenary of his father's birth in 1913. The article shows a laser graphic image of P.C., done by Manick who is also overseeing a course on laser animation at Jadavpur University. It also describes Manick's background in animation and lighting.

Laser graphic of P.C. Sorcar

Stamp issued by India in 2010 to commemorate P.C. Sorcar

The October 11, 2011 article about Manick Sorcar. Click to read full article.

LOBO lasers give birth to BMW's Eco Brand "i"

Under the creative direction of the agency Bluescope and contracted by Rockservice, LOBO delivers special effects with 9 sparks laser systems for the world premiere of the new BMW i8 and i3.

All eyes in the room are spellbound by the shadow-like appearance inside the endlessly seeming tunnel of pure light, which finally turns out to be BMW’s new eco-racer i8. Just a few seconds later, BMW’s vision of an urban everyday e-car, called “i3”, becomes reality when breaking though its birth canal of laser light.

Photo credit: BMW Group

This day is a milestone for BMW. With unbelievable efforts, BMW stages the launch of the new sub-brand “i”. Already two months before the actual start of the International Motor Show IAA, BMW already finished all works on its exhibition stand, which covers the entire hall 11.0 of the Exhibition Center in Frankfurt.

Similar to the presentation of the Vision Efficient Dynamics car, the technological predecessor of the i8, BMW again relied on the internationally renowned laser specialist LOBO for staging its pioneering eco product line.

Above that, the creative brains of Bluescope envisaged an especially nifty role for the laser: cleverly placed and gracefully moving laser surfaces cover all those areas of the vast exhibition area, which were not intended for the public at this time.

LOBO’s Creative Director Alexander Hennig: "Presently we experience an unbelievable interest in our lasers at high-profile events like this one. On one hand this is due to the new technical possibilities of our ultra-bright sparks lasers, which not only revolutionized the handling and use of lasers, but which also reduced the power consumption and the carbon footprint of lasers to only 1% at the same brightness. And on the other hand these lasers of the latest generation are the conclusive response to the question of many creative minds and makers, what kind of innovative techniques will be able to present today’s topics in the post-LED era. Here at BMW e.g. it was the task to the combine the aspect “Innovation” with an uncompromising ecologically-oriented product. And for this purpose sparks lasers were the perfect match, as they share the same philosophy and as they can be applied without goggles to create real three-dimensional effects.

Also in another aspect sparks laser could demonstrate their strengths: thanks to their modular system architecture, LOBO was able to comply with the client’s wish to have an extremely strong light output in blue. It was not more than just re-configuring the blue laser module for this job. Finally each of those high-power RGB lasers covering the entire hall 11.0 with a roof of light, counted on up to 60W output power just for the blue color with an entire brightness of 7698 W/m². (Added to this page October 8 2011)

April 2011

Last-minute Inrique Iglesias telecast no problem for LaserNet

Laser Production Network (LaserNet) of Miami was contacted to add lasers to Inrique Iglesias' performance just one week before the live Telemundo broadcast of the Latin Billboard Awards show. They were able to fit nine projectors on stage with the singer. Due to the time, space and safety constraints, the effort was monumental. In the end, LaserNet made a "laser storm" as shown on this video of the broadcast:

LaserNet has details of how they accomplished this on their "Whats new for 2011" page.  (Added to this page August 8 2011.)
 

March 2011

Olesya Kazantseva poses with her laser characters

In 2009, Olesya Kazantseva of Laser Artist Co. in Moscow created the first (as far as we know) full-length laser-animated "movie", The Pirates. She has sent us a photo with characters from the movie, and a note about her work.

 (Added to this page March 22 2011.)

Here's another photo of herself with lasers that Olesya sent us, in August 2011.

(Added to this page August 15 2011.)

2 million visitors see LOBO show at Muscat Festival in Oman

Two million people attended the Muscat Festival, the highlight of the festivities celebrating 40 years of reign of Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. The highlight of the festival was a magical multimedia spectacle created by German company LOBO, which made many headlines and news stories in the Sultanate.

In Qurum Park, at the heart of the capital city Muscat, the park  was illuminated by thousands of sparkling lights. Suddenly massive drum rolls broke the silence and then strong laser beams pierced the darkness. In the next 30 minutes the audience experienced a show, never before seen in the country. Images floating like holograms on the lake visualized in a symbolic, yet understandable way the achievements of the nation in the recent 40 years and also provided a look at the future. Over and over again, the show transformed the lake into different abstract dream worlds, shaped by ever-transforming three-dimensional laser sculptures, lights, water, fire and sound.

Behind the scenes, LOBO made this dream come true. In less than than six weeks, LOBO creative director Alexander Hennig and his multi-awarded team developed the overall show concept and production. Said Hennig, ”The whole video content and most of the laser content has been exclusively produced for this show. It not only included many video recordings, but also uncounted 3D computer animations of existing and future landmarks of the country.” After finishing their work on the production in the LOBO Multimedia Studios, the creative team went on site, where LOBO’s engineers had already spent weeks for the setup of the equipment and the coordination of all works on-site.

The layout of the venue was demanding, requiring that spectators all around the lake should have a perfect view on the show To accomplish this, LOBO used seven ultra-bright laser systems, 24 fog generators with wind machines, many sets of special outdoor laser mirrors, four video systems, three water screens, one of the largest mobile fountain systems consisting of 66 individually controllable water jets with a height of up to 35 meters, 20 fire effects, 90 high-powered searchlight-type light fixtures, as well as fireworks (40 line arrays) all around the lake.

After four nights of adaptation work on-site, Hennig and the LOBO show production team finalized the 30-minute spectacle appealing to all senses and causing a lot of sensation in Oman. In a country with an overall population of not more than 3 million people, it can be considered an extraordinary success having a total estimated attendance of approximately 2 million visitors within 28 show days. (Added to this page March 10 2011.)
 

February 2011

ER Productions puts Muse in laser prison for "The Resistance" tour

ER Productions were asked to design a system that would fit in line with the theme of the Muse album "The Resistance." What better way to do this than place the band in a 75-mirror laser prison measuring 60 x 60 feet?

ER Productions toured 10 high powered laser systems including one system controlled entirely by Muse front man Matt Bellamy. Three 8 watt OPS green lasers were mounted high on the 360-degree circular truss, two 8 watt OPS green Plus systems were rigged far stage left and right, whilst four 8 watt OPS green lasers were placed on the upstage edge.

The tenth laser. a 10 watt whitelight, was mounted in Matt’s hydraulic riser. This produced a beam that Matt then directed into the audience using a diffracted mirror to throw coloured beams around the arenas and stadiums during the track "Uprising."

Seventy-five straight bounce mirrors were used around the 360-degree stage, which were hit by the three 8 watt OPS green lasers. Four rotating burst diffractions were placed on the downstage edge for use during track "Undisclosed Desires" again hit with one of the hung 8 watts. These effects were used in conjunction with the effects inside the PLUS systems stage left and right.

ER Productions were praised for their acute interest in the safety of the audience and investment in using the world's best metering equipment proving the safety of all effects used. All laser were connected to an ER-designed e-stop system ensuring quick shutdown in the event of system failure via a single remote located front of house.

With integrated diffraction effects, truss mounted systems, diffracted mirror effects, systems controlled by the band, and numerous others, Muse's "Resistance World Tour" was never going to be a standard laser show. So many different looks were capable offering so much more than the conventional show.

Once again with a keen eye on the finer details ER Productions supplied 6 Viper smoke machines with AF1 DMX fans all controlled from front of house for that all-important atmosphere filling arena within seconds. (Added to this page March 2 2011.)

January 2011

LaserNet is busy with local and national New Years projects

From a press release dated Jan. 12 2011, sent by Laser Production Network (LaserNet).

On January 3^rd, 2011 LaserNet was proud to be a part of the annual Orange Bowl Halftime show.  This year’s show featured the music of the Goo Goo Dolls. Watched by over 20 million viewers on Nationwide television, this live event featured 5 lasers; two 25W Verde Beam Raiders, two 8W RGB ScannerPro’s and a new 3W RGBB for scanned images on the white scrim behind the band.  All worked perfectly. You can see part of the show here:

 In addition to the live performance shows, LaserNet also helped clubs in Key West, FL;  Aspen, CO;  and Montego Bay Jamaica celebrate New Year's with new laser installations. For more information, please contact Tom Harman or Christine Jenkin at LaserNet. (Added to this page Jan. 13 2011.)
 

April 2010

Lasers extensively used for London installation

(From the United Visual Artists press release: "Speed of Light uses over 148 lasers across four floors and six rooms of the Bargehouse, a raw and industrial warehouse on the South Bank. The installation will be open to the public from 9-19 April 2010.")

For the "Speed of Light" installation, ILDA member ER Productions were brought on board by United Visual Artists to supply and install eight automated full colour laser systems, and incorporate a 140 red diode artistic display.

Created for VIRGIN Media to celebrate ten years of fibre optic broadband, United Visual Artists created an amazing interactive light installation using the very source behind the information super highway.

ER Productions installed eight of their newly designed COM4 lasers, the world’s most compact high power whitelights weighing just 9 kg. The lasers were used to fill the Bargehouse warehouse space at OXO Tower wharf guiding the public through a interactive journey of light. Split across four floors, each individual display interacted with the public. Questions are displayed in red laser and as the answers are given a fibre optic cable is lit up encouraging the user to follow the signal.

ER Productions were asked to make the systems fully automated for use without an engineer on site. The largest hurdle was ensuring health and safety standards were met and local authorities were happy, without the use of man-power and hideous barriers.

For the first time ever ER Productions developed a 2-beam infra-red curtain which if crossed shuts the laser down with a response time of less than 20 millieconds. The curtains were placed 1 meter inside of the barriers and the lasers a further 2 meters away. Panic buttons were also installed, for venue staff, if they thought that someone was about to misbehave.

The Pangolin control system and infra-red safety curtains are kept on live power for the entire duration whilst the lasers and 10 smoke machines are electrically timed.

Although this project is automated it also pushes the boundaries on safety. Using high-end safety solutions, United Visual Artists were able to use their creative genius to awesome effect.

(Additional information and links regarding this exhibition are in the ILDABlog article "London art installation uses 148 lasers."  Added to this page April 23, 2010. Photo supplied by ER Productions.)

February 2010

Lasers light up Miami for the Super Bowl XLIV halftime show

Lasers featured prominently in one of the most-watched events of the year, Super Bowl XLIV in Miami. On February 7, 106.5 million U.S. television viewers saw The Who perform at halftime, backed by over 400 watts of laser beams from 16 sources on the field and in the stage. The lasers were produced by Laser Design Productions of Markham, Ontario and Las Vegas, who had only 8 minutes to set up their equipment.

Fourteen Pangolin laser control cards were networked under the main stage. Eight full-color lasers were positioned on the field. Eight additional lasers including four 50-watt YAGs and four full-color air-cooled lasers were located upstage of the New Orleans Saints' bench.

The show was programmed by Doug Adams and Jason McEachern at LDP's Markham, Ontario office using Light Converse previsualization software. The initial laser effects were designed as a "classic green laser look" reminiscent of The Who's pioneering 1970's laser shows. Later, full color lasers transitioned into purple, red, white, blue and amber/brown, choreographed with the standard stage lighting.

For much more detailed information, download Laser Design Productions' Super Bowl press release. A larger version of the photo is here. (Added to this page March 3, 2010. Photo credit: Touchdown Entertainment Inc./Brad Duns.)

March 2009

Laser and pyro effects for Metallica's "Death Magnetic" world tour

Doug Adams of Laser Design Productions and Pyrotek (Toronto) sat down for an interview focused on Metallica's "Death Magnetic" world tour. He discusses how recent small, easy-to-use diode lasers have improved touring situations. Metallica's lighting designer wanted to open the show with a 7-minute song using primarily lasers; Adams talks how he accomplished this. He did pyro as well, which is covered in the interview. Finally, he talks about future laser technology advancements.

Here is an excerpt where Adams discusses laser safety:

"With the lasers, I terminate everything. I hit the down stage edges where I have the mirrors, I terminate around Lars [Ulrich] and his drum kit and on the amp-line which is in the center. Nothing actually physically beam-wise or anything with intensity hits the band. That said, the laser part was actually easy, the hard part was the pyro end of it as always."

The full interview with Doug Adams is here, in a PDF format. (Added to this page March 17 2009. Metallica laser photo credit: Jeff Yeager)

September 2008

Lasers shine at the Maroon 5 tour

Las Vegas, NV - Laser Design Productions of Toronto incorporated a number of distinctive looks into the set design of Grammy Award winning group Maroon 5 for their latest North American Tour. The co-headlining tour includes Maroon 5 and the Counting Crows who rotate as the headlining act from city to city.
     With a desire to include lasers into a number of songs throughout the set list, Lighting Designer Bill Sheldon discussed the initial proposals with Lorenzo Cornacchia, (Vice President of Laser Design Productions). The equipment list includes one 10-watt white light diode laser system positioned upstage center and two 40-watt high-powered YAG laser systems, each with its own 12 position laser projector located stage left and right. Additionally the set design includes 32 bounce mirrors and two fiber optic-fed remote scanners located in the upper stage right and left trussing.
     Prior to rehearsals at the Culver Studios in Culver City, CA, Sheldon met with Laser programmer Jason McEachern and touring laser Crew Chief Al Domanski at Laser Design Productions’ Las Vegas studio facility. With a clear vision of where to incorporate the laser effects, Sheldon worked with McEachern to program the lasers to pre-selected areas and courses of Maroon tracks such as Won’t Go Home, Without You, Wake Up Call, She Will Be Loved and Sweetest Goodbye. The designs incorporated a variety of beam chases, scans and diffraction looks.
     The summer tour kicked off in early July and will continue through October playing in amphitheaters across North America. For the complete Laser Design press release, click here. (Added to this page December 10 2008.)

Lasers & pyro for Jonas Brothers tour, from Laser Design Productions

For the Jonas Brothers' summer 2008 tour Burning Up, Laser Design Productions of Toronto added lasers into a series of songs, including “Hold on”, “Tonight”, “SOS” and “Can’t Have You”. Given carte blanche on the design of the lasers, VP Lorenzo Cornacchia worked with programmer Jason McEachern.
     The tour consists of one 10-watt white-light diode laser system positioned upstage center, two 4-watt white-light diode laser systems located on stage left and right of the drum risers and an additional two 40-watt green YAG laser systems located off-stage left and right. Each of the 40- watt YAG laser systems include a 12-position laser projector with two fiber-fed remote scanners, while a total of 40 bounce mirrors are positioned on the down stage truss and stage floor. Creating an array of atmospheric scans and beam effects throughout a sequence of songs, the lasers are managed by Gordon Hum (Laser Crew Chief) and Brian Van Trigt (Laser Technician).
      In addition, Laser Design Productions' sister company Pyrotek Special Effects provided a 64-foot custom fire screen, used for propane fire chases, plus gerbs, airbursts, fireballs and other special pyro effects.
     For the complete Laser Design/Pyrotek press release, click here. (Added to this page September 2 2008.)

November 2007

60-watt white-light laser highlights Mediam techno party

At the Mayday - New Euphoria show November 10th, in the 10,000-seat Spodek arena in Katowice, Poland, Mediam Ltd. provided one of the most powerful full-color lasers in the world. Mediam used a 60-watt RGB laser from Kvant to provide colorful beams and patterns. This was flanked by eight 8-watt green lasers, plus two 5-watt green lasers on the stage.
     To see more photos from this event, click here. (Added to this page November 25 2007.)
 

Justin Timberlake adds even more lasers to his tour

Laser Design Productions, Inc. has added three more lasers to Justin Timberlake's Future Sex Love Show tour. (See May 2007 item below.) This was initially done at the request of HBO, who wanted a "heavier laser look" for a documentary filmed at Madison Square Garden. Timberlake liked the new look and requested that the additional lasers remain for the rest of the tour.
     Doug Adams, president of Laser Design Productions, also produced the lasers for the 2007 MTV Music Awards segment with Timberlake, Timbaland and Nelly Furtado. Adams designed an array of machida, beam and scanning effects using six 3-watt DPSS YAG lasers.
     To read the full press release, click here.  (Added to this page November 25 2007.)
   

October 2007

LaserNet at the Met

On October 8, 2007 LaserNet delivered to New York’s Metropolitan Opera, an 8-watt 532 ScannerPro laser projector to be used in the Met's latest production of Shakespeare's Macbeth.
     The genesis of adding the special effect to this famous production was to create a background for the scene with “the Trees.” The daring, ominous trees are such a focal point that a green sheet of laser light emminating upstage, behind the forest, will silhouette the foreboding scene even more.
     Several lasers were tested before deciding on LaserNet’s new 8W compact projector. Measuring just 22” x 12” x 8” and weighing 48 lbs, the 532 ScannerPro is the latest from the design bench of Horacio Pugliese. Horacio utilized the state-of-the-art German “thin disk” technology 532 laser system. This solid state lime green laser is totally air-cooled and runs on 110VAC.
     In addition to the laser, the ScannerPro uses the best scanners from Cambridge Technologies. In fact, one critical option required for the production was a wide scan angle. By using Cambridge Technology scanners, LaserNet was able to give the Met a 60 degree scan angle required for the scene.
     Another critical part of the deal was availability of the projector. From receipt of deposit to delivery, the total time to build the system from scratch was two weeks. “The stars aligned for this installation”, states LaserNet president Tom Harman. “The MET needed the system for their load-in on Monday, Oct. 8th. I personally flew to New York on the 8th with the laser as checked baggage; this has to be the cheapest freight bill ever!"
     Tom concluded, "LaserNet is proud to add yet another use of our Liquid Sky effect to the Metropolitan Opera." (Added to this page October 23 2007.)

September 2007

Lasers used on promo for NBC's new show "Chuck"

ILDA Member RPI Entertainment and Media Group used real lasers to recreate a famous Tom Cruise scene, for the new NBC television show "Chuck". Series stars Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski hang from a harness, inches above laser beams used for security in a secure vault. RPI quickly developed and set up the beam grid, using "custom-made optics that widened the laser beam while keeping the size and brightness consistent throughout the pattern."
     RPI has a press release webpage, with more details and eight stills from the shoot. (The RPI page also has links to video versions, but these have been removed from NBC's website; other videos play instead.) (Added to this page April 14 2008.)

August 2007

"Great Parade of Dragons" showcases great groups of green beams

Mediam Ltd. continued its busy 2007 schedule with a laser show for the Groteska Theater in Krakow. For the seventh year, the Theater has organized the "Great Parade of Dragons". The event coincided with Krakow's 750th anniversary celebration, and Mediam Ltd. was there providing outstanding laser effects.
     To see more photos from the "Great Parade of Dragons", click here. (Added to this page October 23 2007.)

July 2007

Mediam entertains with "Lasers from the Lake"

The Loch Ness monster -- is it true? Was it ever true? What if in every lake there is something?
     In July, Krispinow Lake near Krakow, Poland came alive with "Lasers from the Lake", created by Mediam Ltd.  It began with smoke machines (including two on water bikes in the middle of the lake), then three lasers illuminated 500 meters of shoreline. Two lasers came from the water towards the audience, while a third was used to write on trees on the shore opposite the crowd.
     To see more photos from "Lasers from the Lake", click here. (Added to this page October 23 2007.)
 

World volleyball championship features lasers by Mediam

The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) World League championship was held in mid-July, in Katowice, Poland. The main attraction during the closing ceremony was a laser show by Mediam Ltd. featuring almost 60 watts of total power.
     Seven modern air-cooled semi-conductory YAG systems manufactured by Kvant were used: six 8-watt lasers, and one 10-watt. Such power was needed for the Spodek arena, the largest indoor venue in Poland. Spodek holds up to 11,500 people and has a useful area over 15,000 square meters. The resulting laser show was spectacular and memorable.
     To see more photos from the FIVB World League, click here. (Added to this page October 23 2007.)

 

June 2007

Mediam supplies laser systems for televised Eska Music Awards

Mediam Ltd. delivered an impressive laser display for the sixth annual Eska Music Awards in Poland. Mediam filled the sport hall in Lodz with 8 large, powerful lasers. More then 4500 people in person and millions of people in front of TVs viewed the show, broadcast by Polsat television.
     Since 2002 when the awards were handed out for the first time, the event has grown widely. In this year's edition, over 300 performers and 160 journalists took part. Besides Polish performers, on the stage appeared world stars Jean-Michel Jarre, Jamelia, Razorlight, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Manrose, September, Infernal, and ATB.
     To see more photos from the Eska event, click here.  (Added to this page June 22 2007.)

May 2007

Laser Design Productions continues tour with Justin Timberlake

Laser Design Productions, Inc. is excited to once again team up with Justin Timberlake to create a laser design for the Future Sex Love Show tour.  Designer Doug Adams, president of Laser Design Productions, created a club feel effect for three of Justin Timberlake’s hit songs: Rock Your Body, Love Stoned, and Sexy Back.
     Using the newest laser to be introduced into the entertainment industry, the design includes four 4-watt full color ("white-light") air-cooled diode laser systems. These produce beam and atmospheric effects, plus there is one fiberoptic-fed remote scanner off each system. These lasers are characterized by brilliant colors and high visibility. Long gone of the days of water and huge power consumption with gas lasers. The full color performance diode laser is ultra compact, light weight, air-cooled and can plug into standard 110VAC service.
     A total of 12 different laser sources are used to create atmospheric scan effects: the four 4-watt white-light diode lasers, plus two 12-watt red DPSS systems and six LDP10 laser projectors. Furthermore, over 60 bounce mirrors are positioned to create multiple beam effects, which are all controlled by Pangolin Laser Software.
     Currently, the Future Sex Love Show tour will continue across Europe through July 2007. In August, the tour will return to North America for a second occasion.
     For further information contact Jim Schorer, Marketing Manager, Laser Design Productions, phone: (+1) 905-479-9991, fax (+1) 905-479-3515, email jims@laserdesignproductions.com. For additional photos from the tour, click on the picture above. (Added to this page June 20 2007.)

April 2007

LiveDesign article describes current laser technology

An article in LiveDesign magazine gives a good overview of current lasershow technology and applications. The article is subtitled "Advances in Lasers: New Light Sources, New Control, And Audience Scanning." More details, plus links to the complete article, are here.

LaserNet Provides Lasers to Four Stages at Ultra Music Festival

LaserNet provided complete laser systems for four stages at the recent Ultra Music Festival in downtown Miami. The 9th annual music festival ran two nights on March 23 - 24 and saw nearly 50,000 people fight the rain and jam the venue for the love of music.
     LaserNet provided all the lasers at the event which featured names like; The Cure, Tiesto, Carl Cox, Rabbit in the Moon, Erick Morillo, Josh Wink, Paul Van Dyk, Fat Boy Slim and many, many more.
     At the main stage, LaserNet provided a 15 Watt White light Coherent Sabre and a 40Watt YAG with 4 fiber optic remote scanners. Bounce mirrors from the White light LaserPro projector created beam grids over the screaming audience.
     At the Carl Cox tent, a Spectra Physics Chroma 10 white light laser with LaserPro projector was set up on each side of the stage. Both full color lasers were controlled by Pangolin Pro laser software for aerial projections. 40 bounce mirrors were used to create the amazing beam grids from the stage, out over the audience.
     An 8 Watt aerial scanning air-cooled Copper Bromide laser was set-up at the Techno stage and our 25 Watt air-cooled YAG Beam Raider system was rocking at the House stage.

     The full press release with additional details are here at LaserNet's website. (Added to this page April 17 2007.)

March 2007

LaserNet chosen to assist Décor Design Team for 2007 Super Bowl

Miami’s own LaserNet was chosen by the NFL’s Creative Team to enhance the look of Miami’s skyline by adding six (6) lasers to the rooftops of the downtown skyscrapers for Super Bowl XLI.
     The NFL’s Décor Design team, responsible for the total look of the Host City, integrated four (4), 20Watt Argon LaserNet systems into the visual experience of the exciting Miami skyline.  The Argon laser beam was specifically chosen due to its blue/green color which closely matched the theme colors used throughout the tri-county area of South Florida.
     The LaserNet systems shot beams to rooftops throughout the Downtown Bayfront Park, the Port of Miami buildings, and projected aerial displays toward the East for four days, February 1-4, 2007.  Working closely with the FAA, LaserNet was even able to place the aerial displays over the building of South Beach, miles away.
     In addition to the Argon LaserNet systems, LaserNet installed two (2), 30 Watt 532 Beam Raider YAG projectors on the North and South ends of the Downtown Miami.  The Lime green YAG laser systems ran the same programs as the Argons and were also visible for miles.
     According to LaserNet’s President, Tom Harman, "Miami has never seen this many lasers in one place at one time.  I’m proud of our production team and we even ran in the rain of Super Sunday"
     LaserNet travels the world installing and performing their laser systems and is very proud to have been a part of this exciting event in their home town. For more information and pictures, call 305 690 6885, or, www.lasernet.com. (Added to this page April 17 2007.)
     Click for photos: #1, #2, #3

February 2007

LOBO Lasers at the Asian Games

With an enormous display of cutting-edge technology, LOBO lasers created an unforgettable highlight of the opening ceremony at the 15th Olympic Asian Games in Doha.
     Three billion people watching the live broadcast or sitting in the sold out Khalifa Stadium are holding their breath: a magnificent 14-metre tower of shimmering metal rises from a mysterious cloud of mist at the centre of the stadium, a small boy perching on its very tip. As he raises his hands, he is instantly surrounded by thousands of bright, gleaming laser beams. Just seconds later, laser effects shoot out of the platform he is standing on in every direction. Then the stadium seems to transform into a pool of glistening water.
     This gigantic dream sequence was the start of the opening ceremony of the 15th Asian Games on December 1 2006 in Doha, the capital of the Arab Emirate of Qatar. For the world's second-biggest sports event with more than 10,000 athletes from 45 participating nations, huge sports venues were constructed in the desert.
     LOBO's Managing Director Bopp commented: “It is without a doubt one of the most interesting show laser projects of the past years.”
     The 3-minute sequence involved 6 laser projectors connected via special high-performance glass fibers to a multi-colour laser system under the arena that needed 300,000 watts of electricity and 200 litres of coolant per minute to produce a total light output of about 100 watts. It took seven months of top-secret preparations. Special projectors were developed for the event, to be integrated almost invisibly into the tower. Installing and protecting the highly sensitive glass fibres inside the slim, hydraulic tower was a scientific feat.

To read the full press release from LOBO, with additional details, click here. (Added April 18 2007)

November 2006

LaserNet returns beam to Monterrey, Mexico

ILDA Founding Member LaserNet successfully repaired the green laser beam that rotates over the City of Monterrey restoring a long held tradition. The 240-foot tall “Light House of Commerce” had been idle for 2 years due to various attempts to repair the system by others. The beam over the city was restored just in time for the September 15th Independence Day Celebration.
     In addition to restoration, LaserNet also upgraded the installation with the addition of a LaserPro beam table designed to target specific monuments around the city. The beams bouncing throughout the city made their first appearance on September 20, the 410th Anniversary of the founding of the City of Monterrey.
     Monterrey Mayor Edgar Olays said, “After many failed attempts, it was a pleasure to work with someone that told me exactly what the problems were and then delivered exactly what he promised. We are very proud to have the laser beam, once again, rotating over the City. LaserNet's technical expert Horacio Pugliese did an excellent job.”
     The nightly laser display can be seen for miles as this unique feature of the city of Monterrey once again fills the sky with laser beams.

To read the complete press release from LaserNet, click here.  (Added Nov 3 2006)

August 2006

LaserNet Verde Beam Raider laser projector on tour with Poison

Summer began with a bang as ILDA Founding Member LaserNet was selected to join the 20th Anniversary Tour of the legendary rock band, Poison.
     LaserNet’s 20-watt Verde Beam Raider made its tour debut in flying color. This air-cooled, green-only laser system targeted bounce mirrors and blasted aerial patterns into the air to the driving beat of Poison. The rigorous schedule -- 55 cities in 65 days -- proved to be no problem for the rugged Verde projector.
     According to Poison tour manager, Mark Hogue, “We were very pleased with the reliability of the LaserNet system, it never missed a beat. Plus, never having to mess with water hoses made it a dream come true.”

To read the complete press release from LaserNet, click here.  (Added August 16 2006)
 

July 2006

Lasers and Pink Floyd are a natural

Famed guitarist David Gilmour is using lasers by ILDA Member StrictlyFX for three Pink Floyd songs at the climax of his recent concert tour. As reported in an article by MondoDR magazine, the show features elaborate beams from a 50W YAG and a 10W copper-vapor laser.
     A concert review by the New York Post said the song "Echoes" was "accompanied by a smoke 'n' mirrors laser light show worthy of the 'Dark Side of the Moon'-era Floyd".

Additional photos are available at StrictlyFX's website. Go to the "what's new" section and scroll down to the 04-12-06 listing.  (Added July 12 2006)
 

June 2006

Baltimore Ravens video intro features lasers

The NFL Baltimore Ravens football team shot their 2006 intro video using lasers, haze, pyro and other special effects from ILDA Member Image Engineering. The video, "I Am A Raven," will run before each game on the stadium's giant screen TV. "It should be incredibly energetic and really juice people up for the game," said the Ravens' senior director of broadcasting Larry Rosen.
     A behind-the-scenes video shows some of the two-night shoot. To view it, click on the large Playbook Media Center which opens a new window. Select the Exclusives tab, then the "Behind the Scenes" tab. Scroll down to the "2006 SmartVision Team Intro Video Shoot" clip. The lasers appear just after the start, and also at 1:30 into the video. (Added July 17 2006)

April 2006

Image Engineering brings disco lasers to Heineken Light

An ad for new Heineken Premium Light beer uses laser beams from ILDA Member Image Engineering to give excitement and a disco feel to the beverage. The beams are set to the Pussycat Dolls' hit song "Don't cha (wish your girlfriend was hot like me)".

The ad can be viewed at www.heinekenlight.com. After the Flash intro loads, click on "The Latest" tab, then on "The Ads", then on "TV Campaign". (Added April 25 2006)