Selem- 2009

*warn Mo, I found it! For those of you who have attended before you know what you're doing. I need help, information, data and anything else you can think of esp. from those who attended FLEM. :cool: August will be here before even of you know it. Randy gave me a few names of B&B's close to the venue but of course I had nothing to write on. I'm totally loving the fact that this is only 3 hrs. for me and Matthew. So have much patience and earn Brownie points. Thank you all a million times in advance. Many blessings, Cat

Woohoo! The countdown begins! *warn *retardo

It's about time! Might as well reserve my ticket early and get the discount rate :cool:

IIRC, this is going to be August 15-16. Correct? Also, the venue is the same as the last one I hope:
Newton Conover Civic and Performance Place Auditorium

Physical address:
60 West 6th Street
Newton, NC 28658

Google Earth [linky]

Looking forward to all the details *retardo

--DDL

Might be able to fly this time... *retardo

Here's a couple of the close-by B&B's:

Here's the closest one:
http://www.trotthouse.com/

Here's where I stayed last year, about 10 minutes away:
http://www.thepeacockinn-newton.com/

Both are very nice places, with really friendly staff!
Don't wait too long to make reservations!
If you call to make reservations, let them know you're part of the crew attending the SELEM laser gathering at the Auditorium - maybe you can get a price break. :)

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Originally Posted by Stuka

let them know you're part of the crew attending the SELEM laser gathering at the Auditorium - maybe you can get a price break. :)

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This is another situation where Adam's business skills will save us a bunch of money by switching to g... nevermind :cool:

Awaiting the 'group' rate discount anxiously *retardo I think the GF will be taking the trip with me this time *warn

--DDL

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Originally Posted by daedal

This is another situation where Adam's business skills will save us a bunch of money by switching to g... nevermind :cool:

Awaiting the 'group' rate discount anxiously *retardo I think the GF will be taking the trip with me this time *warn

--DDL

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The "boss" will probably be traveling with me on this one, as well!
This will be my opportunity to impress the wife with my "sweet laser skills" without setting off the smoke alarms in our house...:p

Wives and girlfriends coming to SELEM. I think it's great. Allthatwhichis will someone be coming with you? [popcorn]

ouch... :D

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Originally Posted by cat

Wives and girlfriends coming to SELEM. I think it's great. Allthatwhichis will someone be coming with you? [popcorn]

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She avoided the last one like the plauge... I highly doubt it, but since I have a small box, I might be able to drag her on her first plane ride. :cool: [popcorn]

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Originally Posted by Laser Zone

....She thinks this is what the SELEM back stage is going to look like !!

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Hmm.. I recognise Buffo and Stuka (in their working clothes).
Not sure about the others though. :p

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Originally Posted by soforene

Hmm.. I recognise Buffo and Stuka (in their working clothes).
Not sure about the others though. :p

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That's just wrong...:p

Hmm, I wonder what Cat thinks about the detour her thread took! :eek:


So, anyway, there's this SELEM meet in August...*warn :D

I dig these new icons, BTW *retardo [popcorn]

Norman - I don't remember anything like that picture at SELEM last year.!. Maybe I was too busy looking at the lasers...:rolleyes:

In all seriousness though, Daedal is correct. SELEM 2009 is already booked. It will be held at the Newton-Conover Civic and Performance Place Auditorium over the weekend of August 15th and 16th. Also, thanks to Stuka for posting the links to the two most popular Bed and Breakfast Inns in Newton. I suggest you make your reservations now, as they tend to fill up fast.

If you are planning to attend this event and you want to bring equipment, I suggest that you arrive in Newton on Friday around noon. We will have access to the venue from noon until 5 PM to load in equipment.

Also, even if you aren't bringing any equipment, you are still encouraged to arrive on Friday, because at 6 PM Friday evening we all get together for dinner at The Artist's Cafe in downtown Newton. (*Great* food!) After dinner, we typically retire to the upstairs lounge for drinks, cigars, and a lot of laser chatter. This is the famous "Pre-SELEM Dinner Party" that you've no doubt heard about. (And it's a really wonderful time that you absolutely don't want to miss!) Normally we don't leave until the place closes at Midnight.>:)

SELEM officially begins at 10 AM on Saturday, and runs until midnight. We start up again on Sunday at 10 AM, and we run until around 5 PM or so. Then we pack up everything and clean the stage. We're usually out of there by 6:30 PM or so. Some people head home right afterwards, while others stay the night and drive / fly back home on Monday.

This year there has been some talk about organizing a shooting expedition to one of the local gun ranges after SELEM. I haven't set that up yet, and truthfully I'll probably delegate it to someone who will be more involved with it (maybe Stuka or Mixed Gas...) I probably won't have the time to stick around for that part, saddly.

If you stay at the Trotthouse Inn, Ann Steadman will give you a 10% discount on the cost of the room. (She does this for all guests that stay at her Bed and Breakfast, so long as they are involved with an event at the auditorium.) Not sure if the Peacock Inn does this or not though. The Trotthouse is filling up fast, by the way. Last time I checked, they only had 2 rooms left, and one of those was the suite. (The suite is a bit more expensive, but it has a large jaquzzi tub...)

If all the B&B's are full, there is a Holiday Inn Express that is about a 10 minute drive from the auditorium. I haven't stayed there, but it looks very nice, and everyone else that has stayed there has enjoyed it. (It's just off Interstate 85, at exit 130.) Most of the overflow crowd from SELEM ends up staying there, if they can't get a room at a B&B. They offer free Internet, free continental breakfast, and a couple other perks. I think the rooms run around $90 per night or so...

The event itself is just a little bit more structured than the Florida Laser Enthusiast's Meetings, but there is still a lot of time to just let fly with the projectors! We do block out a few hours for some professional lectures / presentations though. Not sure yet who the guest speakers will be for this year, but I'm hoping to have a few special presentations on tap. More details in a month or two.

Spouses, partners, family members, and good friends are all encouraged to attend. If they are not interested in lasers, Charlotte is just under an hour away by car and offers all the entertainment amenities of a large city, including plenty of shopping.

Children are not specifically disallowed, but this event really isn't appropriate for children. If you have an older child (teenager) that is very interested in lasers, you may bring him or her along, but you absolutely *must* take full responsibility for your child. There will be over $100,000 worth of equipment on stage, not to mention dangerous light levels and high voltage, water-cooled equipment. It's not a child-friendly atmosphere by any stretch. You have been warned.

Funding for the event has yet to be determined. I'd like to do the knit-shirt thing again this year, as it worked out quite well last year. But I need to find out what the new rental rate will be. (Last year they said that it would probably be going up for this summer. Might be looking at $650 this time vs. $500...) I need to see if I can talk them down... Details to follow soon.

But no matter what, we're booked for the event already. Details will be hammered out in the next month or two, and by May we'll be promoting it quite actively. The date is set in stone, so you can book your travel arrangements now. (I've had my room reserved at the Trotthouse since mid-February!)

Adam

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Originally Posted by Stuka

That's just wrong...:p

Hmm, I wonder what Cat thinks about the detour her thread took! :eek:


So, anyway, there's this SELEM meet in August...*warn :D

I dig these new icons, BTW *retardo [popcorn]

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Cat was about to not post anymore threads again! Detour nothing it was Twilight Zone.

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Originally Posted by cat

Cat was about to not post anymore threads again! Detour nothing it was Twilight Zone.

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Yep, that happens - all in fun, usually!! :p

Buffo's post pretty well sums up a typical SELEM weekend, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. :)

I'm pretty psyched about this year. So far, the plan is to drive.

Road trip!

-Jonathan

Trotthouse update... The suite is taken. *retardo Esther said I had to get that room if I wanted her to come. That is not an assurance she is coming, but is definatly +1 for my argument to get her to come. :rolleyes:

The Vanity Fair room is still available. That is the room I have stayed in the past two SELEMs. :cool:

Why settle for a room when you can have a suite. I've been fighting Mt. Kenmore (aka washing clothes) and haven't made phone calls about a place to stay. I still need to find out which Holiday Inn Express is correct. I saw 2 listed. :confused:

Here is the link to the Holiday Inn Express that most people stay at. It's very close to the venue for SELEM, and it's also easy to get to. The direct phone line to the hotel is (828) 465-7070.

Google maps does show another Holiday Inn Express very close by, but this is a mistake; it's not actually a Holiday Inn at all. The next-closest Holiday Inn is about 10 miles away in Hickory.

Also, Google maps has the location wrong for the Holiday Inn Express we usually stay at. If you search for "Holiday Inn Express Newton NC" using Google Maps, the one you want is choice "E". But the location is wrong. Switch to satellite view and zoom in on the map and you'll see that someone has added a comment at the intersection of hwy 16 and 10th Street NW showing where the hotel is. (You can also see the parking lot at that resolution.)

To get to the Holiday Inn Express from Interstate 40, take Exit 130 and head north on state hwy 70A (otherwise known as 1st street West... Not to be confused with 1st Avenue!). Once you're on hwy 70A, you'll take your first right onto 10st Street NW. (Note that this is only a few hundred yards north of the Interstate, so be looking for it!) Stay on 10th street for about a mile, and just before it intersects state hwy 16, you'll see the Holiday Inn Express on your left.

If you look closely at a map, you'll see that 1st Avenue North is also state highway 16. So if you're coming from the venue and trying to find the hotel, you turn left onto 1st Avenue and stay on 1st Avenue (it will become hwy 16) until you pass under the bridge for Interstate 40. Then you take a left on 10th street NW and an immediate right into the parking lot of the Holiday Inn Express. (You can see the hotel as soon as you pass under the I-40 bridge.)

I asked about a group rate, but they said I needed to talk to the general manager, and she won't be available until Monday. So I'll have to call back then. Details to follow soon...

Adam

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Originally Posted by platinum

I'm pretty psyched about this year. So far, the plan is to drive.

Road trip!

-Jonathan

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Need a driving buddy? *retardo*retardo*retardo

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Originally Posted by GooeyGus

Need a driving buddy? *retardo*retardo*retardo

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We'll have to look into that.

-Jonathan

One exit before the Newton Exit / Holiday Inn Express is a Super 8. 1/2 the price, 1/2 the service, clean and quiet. NON SMOKING! I mention this for the budget limited, such as my self. Last time I had horrible problems with tobacco residue at the HIE in the air vents.

Steve

Hi All: ;)

I haven't decided to fly or drive yet. Can't take much on a plane. :mad: I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Anyone interested in car pooling and spliting the cost? I could drive and meet somewhere with someone who wanted to go with me in my car (ford explorer), or I could meet and go in their car. No problem with a group either.

300 Evil, are you going and driving?

Any thoughts? :confused:

Edit: I think I will stay at the Conover Holiday Inn Express, but flexible.


John :):):)

DOCJOHN, I'm in Akron, I dont know if 3 hours saves you that much....

Steve

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Originally Posted by mixedgas

DOCJOHN, I'm in Akron, I dont know if 3 hours saves you that much....

Steve

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Hey Steve: ;)

That sounds very interesting. Are you planning on driving?

John :):):)

Update on group rate for Holiday Inn Express:

Just got off the phone with "Gerry" (female), and she confirmed a rate of $75 (plus tax) for all SELEM attendees. (WOOT!) This rate is good for Friday, August 14th through Sunday, August 16th. You can stay one, two, or all three nights - doesn't matter. The general manager (Cathy Newton) was not in when I called, but she will also know about this rate if you call and Gerry is not in for whatever reason.

Note: They *do* have non-smoking rooms available. So Steve, if you had a problem last time, maybe they put you in a smoking room by accident? Be sure to ask for non-smoking next time; they'll hook you up.

So, if you want to book a hotel room for SELEM, call (828) 465-7070 and tell them you are from PhotonLexicon and you will be attending SELEM. Then give them the dates that you need a room for.

They are holding a block of 10 rooms for us until August 5th. They will give us extra rooms at the group rate *if* they are available (which they probably will be). But after August 5th, you'll have to pay full price. (Something around $90 I think, plus tax.)

If you need to cancel, you can do so without penalty as long as you call them by 6 PM on the day you are supposed to arrive.

Note that if you book on-line, there may be other restrictions, and you won't get the PhotonLexicon rate. To get this rate, you need to call the hotel directly at (828) 465-7070.

Adam

Nice job Adam!!! Looks like this one is moving right along. :cool: Is it too early to ask for the time off. :confused:

FYI there looks like there will be a caravan from akron that will probably meet up with a few east coasters on 95 somewhere...

im assuming that Steve and Lava and James and Dean and Laserguy216 are all coming and im coming and Mark is coming and MarioMaster might come ...

YEA!!! I am starting to get excited... *retardo August is just too far away. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by allthatwhichis

Nice job Adam!!! Looks like this one is moving right along. :cool: Is it too early to ask for the time off. :confused:

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Agreed! Adam, thank you! :D

Also, my PTO request has already been submitted... it is far too early, but I want to make sure that there are no IF's, AND's, or BUT's!

I think I will be driving (probably leaving Friday morning) and the GF is attending this one *retardo (I promised her a road trip... and a subsequent day or two in the area :cool:)

See you all in a few months... damn, I wish it was sooner... :(

--DDL

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Originally Posted by keeperx

FYI there looks like there will be a caravan from akron that will probably meet up with a few east coasters on 95 somewhere...

im assuming that Steve and Lava and James and Dean and Laserguy216 are all coming and im coming and Mark is coming and MarioMaster might come ...

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WOW! You guys should rent a school bus! >:)

This is very cool... looking forward to seeing everyone there *warn*warn

--DDL

So, who's going to design this years SELEM logo for the shirts? Remember, it needs to be somewhat simple! Maybe this year we can come up with something a bit early so it isn't so much of a rush job to get the shirts embroidered.

Are we going through the same embroiderator... :confused: (is that a word? or a Bushism?)

The first place I went to to get the FLEM shirts made said they were interested in doing an embroydery of that specific design. I just havent set it to them to be digitized this they asked.

You are welcome to take over the shirt thing for FLEM if you like! You wouldn't hurt my feelings at all! I already have plenty on my plate.

By the way, I don't think I ever thanked you for the FLEM shirt, thanks!

The problem is, the place I talked to would charge to make them. I was not sure the place you had the SELEM shirts charged you money. Did they? :confused:

Remember us new people.............
You people keep talking and I'm so glad everyone is excited. :confused: I learned those at FLEM but this is ALL NEW to Matthew (DJMATT) and myself (CAT). Is it too juvenile to dare ask about a name tag or some kind of sign other than "I"ll be the one there with a laser"? It's hard learning given names let alone PL code names. Cat :eek:

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Originally Posted by allthatwhichis

The problem is, the place I talked to would charge to make them. I was not sure the place you had the SELEM shirts charged you money. Did they? :confused:

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Just my unasked for $.2. I have no idea the charge per shirt or anything. When we order our work shirt which are screenprinted on t-shirts, we get a price break when we order 25, 50, etc. This company is out of Iowa. They may or may not do any kind of embroidery. I know this is all new and you guys are pros so tell me at any time.............cat, it's time to be quiet! :o

No names to know. DZ, David, got our SELEM shirts made last year; I don't know the name of who did them, and they are not members, so we don't need to know. I am assuming they did them for free and we... or Adam, buffo, "charged"... $25... $50 a shirt, I forget, and put that money towards the venue charge.

The company I went to to have the FLEM V shirts done could not do them in time but is interested in doing the next embroidery we need. Local shirt company, no membership or need to know their names. I think it is Tim... ;) I am sure this company will want to charge for the shirts, as they are not close friends as I think DZ was with his shirt makers.

So David, ask your shirt makers and I will see how much the company I talked to will charge for the shirts...? Number of shirts needed??? :confused: 30? 50? >:)

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Originally Posted by cat

Remember us new people.............
You people keep talking and I'm so glad everyone is excited. :confused: I learned those at FLEM but this is ALL NEW to Matthew (DJMATT) and myself (CAT). Is it too juvenile to dare ask about a name tag or some kind of sign other than "I"ll be the one there with a laser"? It's hard learning given names let alone PL code names. Cat :eek:

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We tried that at the LAST SELEM -

The name tags read something like "Hello - I don't remember your name either" ... :p

Don't worry -
If you guys make it up for two full days, you'll get to know the names - for one reason or another!! :D

WOW - this is getting big in a hurry!
Come on, August!! :D

The SELEM and FLEM meets are open to anyone & everyone that are into the lasers as art, entertainment, hobby, etc. No rig is to small - or too big, provided it can make it through the loading dock!! :p

Given the fact that the SELEM venue is an auditorium with a stage and two levels of seating, the focus (but certainly not all!) of the event tends to steer towards multiple projectors running simultaneously beam shows, and most people in attendance really get a kick out it! It is definitely a "Pangolin-heavy" environment, but owning Pangolin gear is certainly not a requirement for anyone that wants to attend, mingle, fire up the lasers, and have fun. :D


And now, the disclaimer -

Folks travel from all over the country to attend SELEM, and put a lot of time, effort, and often, money into getting eveything ready for this event. This meet is NOT the place to bring dislikes, hostilities or strongly expressed differences of opinion concerning file formats, companies, company staff, related organizations, etc. Please - leave that at home, or if you can't do that, don't attend the meet! There's already enough of that type of exchange on the various forums - we don't need it thrown in our faces on the rare occasions we get to meet as a group and try to enjoy our mutual interests!

SO - that said and out of the way -

Who's bringin' the biggest laser this year? *retardo

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Originally Posted by platinum

We'll have to look into that.

-Jonathan

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I'm down for a super awesome laser road-trip *retardo*retardo*retardo

[quote=Stuka;89638]WOW - this is getting big in a hurry!
Come on, August!! :D

"Who's bringin' the biggest laser this year? "

*warn I AM.................*warn

[quote=cat;89643]

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Originally Posted by Stuka

WOW - this is getting big in a hurry!
Come on, August!! :D

"Who's bringin' the biggest laser this year? "

*warn I AM.................*warn

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:eek:

Uh-oh.... :D

The one that worries me is DocJohn, he's driving, which means he's got something. One day when all of you least expect it, I will have learned something by reading all the threads and watching Matthew. When that time comes, I promise I will have built it by MYSELF. Cat :cool:

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Originally Posted by Stuka

Who's bringin' the biggest laser this year? *retardo

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I like to thnk I will be bringing the smallest projector... ;)

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Originally Posted by allthatwhichis

I like to thnk I will be bringing the smallest projector... ;)

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ALLTHATWHICHIS.......there is a Proverb about being meek and humble................

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Originally Posted by cat

ALLTHATWHICHIS.......there is a Proverb about being meek and humble................

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Yea but the screen name kinda blows humble out of the water. :eek:

Not to mention the fact that AllThat's "smallest" projector puts out nearly a full watt of white light! It's a heck of a lot brighter than my box, that's for sure, and mine is 3 times the size of his! As the old saying goes - size isn't everything! >:)

As for the most powerful laser that will be at the event - who knows? We've had several 3 watt DPSS green lasers in the past, and one 4 watt Lexel 95 (Imagelight's). I don't think we can go much above 4 watts though, without running into a serious risk of setting something on fire. (The curtains are all black, remember?) Mark's Lexel 95 would have set them on fire in seconds if he had pointed it at the stage. As it was, he left divots in a painted steel door! :eek: Also, the stage floor and part of the backstage walls are covered in particle board that is also painted black. Wouldn't take much to set that on fire either. And the real kicker? The fire alarm is disabled. :eek::eek: So we do need to be careful...

Rather than a total power contest, I'd rather see how many synchronized projectors we can get running. Last year we had 6 RGB rigs and 1 RGY rig all running the same show. Can we top that this year? I think so! Also, I'd like to be more deliberate about the projector positioning so we can maximize the use of the stage area and get a wider coverage of the audience area.

As before, I think the lower audience seating area should be a safe zone, and the balcony will be where the beams will terminate. And yeah, enter the balcony area at your own peril, as *nothing* up there will be guaranteed to be eye-safe.:eek:

Wow - a little over 4 months away and already we're talking as if this event is just a couple weeks away! Should be a good one, I think! ;) Keep the ideas coming people...

Adam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuka

Given the fact that the SELEM venue is an auditorium with a stage and two levels of seating, the focus (but certainly not all!) of the event tends to steer towards multiple projectors running simultaneously beam shows, and most people in attendance really get a kick out it!

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This might change slightly this year... We can have some nice scrim setups... I tried these and they work REAL WELL! ;)

--DDL

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Originally Posted by buffo

...
Rather than a total power contest, I'd rather see how many synchronized projectors we can get running. Last year we had 6 RGB rigs and 1 RGY rig all running the same show. Can we top that this year? I think so! Also, I'd like to be more deliberate about the projector positioning so we can maximize the use of the stage area and get a wider coverage of the audience area.
...
Adam

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I definitely agree!

I think it would be cool to see some of the single-color rigs placed left and right of the RGB rigs to "frame" the action, and set up some of the the RGB rigs with "mirrored" beam outputs (gotta' love that X-axis invert toggle switch!). We probably have enough scrim rigs that we could set up multiple scrims for graphics, and drop them as as needed when we get ready to shoot beams with all projectors on line. :cool:

I think several us now have pretty decent smoke machines we could add for a nice, thick, even-distribution of the smoke coverage. :p
(That's me coughing with joy...I need an emoticon sporting an inhaler...)

Plus, since a few attendees now dabble with DMX, I could the the possibility of additional lights being available for the display...

Check that - I'm SURE there will be additional lights available for the display! (Think multiple LED RGB PAR cans and strobes, arranged to form a DMX-controlled 2D pyramid beneath the lasers...and that's without even talking to DJMatt about what he might be bringing...:eek: >:))

I think we're going to need more power...*retardo

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Originally Posted by Stuka

. . .I think we're going to need more power...*retardo

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Officially speaking, how much power is available at the venue? Just curious..>:)

-Jonathan