Creating a theater with live laser, need some advice

[gaspard]

Hi there !

I am creating a theater show and want to have interactive lasers on stage. I am a total newbie and need some advice to get started. Since this show will be a public performance, I find think it is more reasonable to buy a laser projector. Here are my requirements:

1. Good quality RGB projection (Nexxus ?)
2. Linux or Mac compatible DAC (Ether Dream ?)
3. Open source control library (OpenLase ?)
4. Ideal rendering would be done with Ogre3D (3D physics and shapes) => 2D rendering => contour detection / vectorization => [?] => DAC ?

All software will have to play nicely with lubyk (Lua, network based live performance tool) since this will be our main "show engine" (handling interaction, sound, etc).

Many thanks for any pointers,

Gaspard

[Jem]

Hi Gaspard

And welcome to PL

Firstly it would be a good idea to fill out your profile, particularly your approximate location. Different rules apply in different countries, by supplying your location we can be more region specific with our advice.

Just a couple of things to think about until we know whereabouts you are...

Are actors/actresses going to be on stage whilst you're using the lasers?

Will the lasers point towards the audience at all.

The above points are extremely important and will have to be considered when deciding on the power of projectors. I'm assuming that you already know that you'll need haze/fog in the air so you can see the laser beams

Cheers

Jem

[gaspard]

Hi Jem,

Thanks for the reply. I updated my profile: Switzerland.

The lasers will be directed towards the three performers (including me), drawing structures and interactive stuff around us or on us. The drawings are interactive.

The projectors do not have to be too powerful because we are in control of the overall light (it can be quite dim) and we do not need to fill the stage with tons of laser drawn surfaces...

I tried to google for laser protective eye lenses but couldn't find any...

Gaspard






PS: I tried to fix the title to "Creating a theater piece..." but it seems I do not have the rights to do this.

[Jem]

Hi again

Try 'Edit Post', 'Go Advanced' and enter a new title where it says 'Title' , hopefully that should work for you.

Ahh... I see, so you're merely drawing graphics with the lasers and not actually wanting to see the beams?, that should make things a little easier. I take it that you also want the audience to see the graphics as well?

I'm not sure on the safety limits in Switzerland, but I would imagine that they're pretty much as the rest of Europe. However, I guess it all depends on how strictly the rules are enforced. Fortunately it won't take that much laser power to be able to see graphics in a dimly lit theatre. However, if you're firing beams at people you'll need to ensure the beams are within eye safe limits, this isn't particularly straightforward although it's certainly doable

Cheers

Jem

[gaspard]

Yes, we are drawing graphics on the ground and walls, no visible beams. The projector would be standing above the audience, pointing at the stage.

From what I see, we will have to wear safety goggles during rehearsals and have some laser security expert control the show since RGB lasers are class 4... I think I will try to contact the people at EPFL who teach a training course on laser safety and ask them. This is really a go/no-go issue...

G.

PS: swiss laser shows and safety regulations

[White-Light]

Yes, we are drawing graphics on the ground and walls, no visible beams. The projector would be standing above the audience, pointing at the stage.

From what I see, we will have to wear safety goggles during rehearsals and have some laser security expert control the show since RGB lasers are class 4... I think I will try to contact the people at EPFL who teach a training course on laser safety and ask them. This is really a go/no-go issue...

G.

PS: swiss laser shows and safety regulations

It can be done. Kvant often do shows with lasers and performers:



Your biggest visual problem is that safety goggles often don't look very stylish, not sure where Kvant got those from. The biggest safety problem is ensuring they don't fall off or beams don't enter from around the frame. Even then, with glasses you still need to establish that sufficient light is filtered out to keep the performers safe.

I'm just wondering though why you want to use class 4 lasers for graphics? As Jem said above in an evironment where you can control the lighting, low powered lasers could be visible and a whole lot safer.

[gaspard]

Hi White-light,

I do not want to use class 4 lasers at all, it's just that I thought RGB were of this class.

Nice quote in your signature by the way ;-)

[Jem]

You can always turn the power down to low levels even if you're using a class 4 laser. I think the problem here is that at some point, and to ensure safety, you're going to have someone take some measurements of the beam power. For that you'll need to find someone experienced in measuring the maximum permissable exposure (MPE) of the beams when everything is in situ.

You'll possibly present yourself with a problem if you decide to wear protective goggles on stage as they will block the beams so you won't be able to see them yourself whilst performing.

Perhaps you could start a thread entitled 'Help needed in Switzerland', i'm sure we have a couple of members here from your beautiful country. PL members are usually a pretty helpful bunch of folks

Take care

Jem