Need input: what do you want to see & do at SELEM 2010?

[buffo]

Hey folks;

OK, SELEM 2010 isn't for another 6 months yet, but I want to start planning things now. And the biggest issue that I feel needs to be resolved is "What should SELEM be?" Or more directly, "What do people expect when they come to SELEM?"

In the past we've tried to combine several different activities into a single event. So we had technical presentations, laser repairs, galvo tuning, and multiple-projector synchronized laser shows all happening at one time or another. Frequently we had two or more activities going on at the same time.

Some people have commented that we're trying to do too much, and they may be right. So I'm asking for your input: What activities do you want to see at SELEM? Do you consider SELEM to be a 2-day long laser show extravaganza? Or do you consider it more of a technical laser conference? Should we focus more on laser shows, or try to focus more on creating more of a "seminar" type atmosphere?

One person suggested that we split the event into two parts and add another day into the schedule. His idea was to have nothing but technical presentations (in more of a classroom type environment) on Friday, and then do nothing but run laser shows on Saturday and Sunday. (With the understanding that the backstage area would still be available for laser repair.)

I checked with the venue manager, and it would be easy enough for us to get a room on Friday to use for presentations. And assuming that there is enough interest (and if people were willing to cover the fees), we could schedule a few lectures from some laser safety experts during that time. For example, Laser Compliance Inc. has offered to do a day-long seminar for us at cost. (That is, we pay their travel and lodging expenses only, no speaker fees.)

However, at previous events only around half of the people actually attended the presentations (on average), even though there appeared to be much greater interest in the presentations expressed here in the forums before the event. It seems that once the event gets started, people aren't terribly enthusiastic about shutting down the lasers to listen to a lecture - even if the presentation discusses something interesting related to our hobby.

Also, some people have made it clear that the main reason they come to SELEM (apart from the social aspect of the event) is to see awesome laser shows running in the auditorium. And I can appreciate this, because it's otherwise rare for a hobbyist to get a chance to see 10 or more full-color projectors all running in the same room. Furthermore, I agree that as SELEM has gotten bigger over the past few years, it does seem that we spend less and less time actually running the lasers. So I can see why this could leave some people disappointed.

On a side note, if we decide that the laser shows in the auditorium should be the focus of the event, then I'd like to set up some scaffolding on stage so we can organize the projectors better. (In fact, I'd like to set up scaffolding anyway, just to give it a try this year.) But I'll need some help with that, so if anyone wants to volunteer to be on the "scaffold crew", please let me know!

I am really looking for everyone's input here. If you plan on attending SELEM this year, or even if you only attended one in the past, please give me your feedback about what you liked and what you didn't like. More to the point, I want to know what people expect from the event. What activity do you most want to see/do at SELEM?

Adam

[mixedgas]

Scaffolding, stage left and stage right, with lasers set to "cross over" by inverting the right side lasers X axis.

draw a line down the middle of the stage, left lasers go normal, right lasers go inverted x, and maybe RGB gets interchanged a bit for on centerline...


Manual lasing of some sort

And to borrow a term from my Mentor, L. Michael, A LASEOFF

less of repair, repairs of projectors can be done in the HALL, not in the auditorium.

And we will have a splitter box, or I'm going to ILDA instead...

Steve

[Stuka]

I'm definitely one of those that would prefer the focus to be on the shows!

I would take it a step further and suggest that when a show is actually being displayed, all non-participating projectors go dark.
Folks with new shows generally spend a lot of effort and/or money to get them displayed in a venue like we have at SELEM, and the stray unchoreographed beams, dancing bananas, teddy bears, etc. can definitely be a major distraction and disappointment!!

Scaffolding - yep, I fully agree; we're getting big, we need scaffolding!
I elect Steve as the "Master Scaffolder" - sounds like he's done this a time or two!
I'll certainly help - airlift, perhaps?

I personally would still hope to see the scaffolding setup so we can still use the back screen for displaying graphics as needed, and only depend on a scrim for those shows that were really built around the idea of using scrim.

Concerning networking the compatible projectors -
I would suggest keep it simple as possible, and since QM.net boxes already have assigned IP addresses, let's just go assigned IP all the way around.
Should be simple enough -
Use a sign-in roster that lists the operator, piece of equipment, and the IP address to be used for that piece of equipment.
Stick with "192.168.1.x" for all the computers, and everyone can connect through simple hubs and/or switches.
Not everyone "needs" broadband or remote wireless access across the network, so that is a potential complexity issue that could be dealt with only on the specific computers where it's really needed.

Everyone that even thinks they want to participate in group shows need to show up with plenty of extra cables to support their required connections, whether it's planned to be through Ethernet or ILDA breakout boxes!!

CABLES - general statement:
We ALL need to do a better job of routing extension cords, network cables, speaker cables, etc.!
I am REALLY suprised we inadvertently haven't induced a really expensive stumble in the laser pits!
Everyone needs to bring plenty of LONG cords / cables so they can be safely routed as needed, along with ample supplies of theater-approved tape for tacking it all down!!!

I still like the idea of using the side rooms for swap meets, demonstrations, smaller "niche" classes, etc., and getting a vote from the attendees on the bigger presentations we would run in the auditorium.

My 10 cents worth....

PS -

LASEOFF probably needs to be defined so we all know for sure what we're volunteering for.
Lunch at the venue was really cool!
Y'all keep yer paws off my pointer!!
And we need a shootin' range out back...

[daedal]

Here's what I want to see at SELEM 2010.

1. Steve Roberts doing the homosapien dance with DocJon.
2. Awesome laser shows.

On a more serious note, I don't think that we should divide the crowd by having the meetings/lectures anywhere outside the main auditorium. That could easily be construed as disrespectful to the speakers and, at least for me, makes it very easy to miss something... both of which I'd rather not happen!

I suggest we have all the speakers go on in the mornings, until perhaps noon. Then we have the rest of the day to goof off with lasers and whatnot. This makes it easy for those interested to arrive in the morning and attend the 'seminar' aspect of things, and if not, then they can just as easily sleep in and make it to the 'fun' stuff

I agree that laser repairs should be held outside as was last time, but, in all honesty, we should have a cap on things. We had so many lasers last time, it was practically impossible to be there for all the valuable info Steve was giving away during the event, and still pay attention to the rest of what's going on at SELEM.

I also really liked the swap area, as that was a great way to offload some stuff, and also made it possible to pick up some cool things at the same time

That all being said now... I'm willing to help in any way possible.

--DDL

[buffo]

Great replies so far! Keep 'em coming!

Steve: We will have at least one 10-port buffered ILDA splitter for the event. We may have two. I've been quietly working with DZ on this project for a couple weeks already now. (We had hoped to have a prototype ready in time for FLEM, but we ran into a snag, so it will be another month or so before it's ready.) This splitter will allow us to network all sorts of projectors projectors, not just the one's connected to Pangolin QM-2000 boards. (It will also allow someone with a sound-card DAC to watch one of his home-made shows on 10 projectors instead of just 1.) It will even support X invert and limited color balancing.

Randy: Excellent points! I nominate you for the position of stray laser projector police! But you're right, there should be more organization when these shows are being run. I'll also take you up on your offer to assist with the scaffold. And your comments about cables makes me think I should type up a list of "minimum required equipment" that people should bring with their projector.

Mo: I agree that the presentations should not be done elsewhere while there are laser shows playing in the main auditorium, as this would be disrespectful. One suggestion was to separate them completely from the event... That is, have the presentations on Friday (or even Thursday and Friday) with no laser shows going on at all. Also, some people thought that the auditorium was too large of a venue for the presentations, which is why a classroom was suggested. Your idea of a "morning / afternoon" split might be a workable compromise though. My main concern is that the people who are genuinely interested in the presentations might end up being in the minority.

To the general issue of repairs that several have mentioned: I agree that this needs to be done in moderation. Last time Steve spent two whole days doing nothing but troubleshooting lasers. He had very little time to watch shows or socialize with others (beyond the small crowd that drifted in and out of the backstage area from time to time). I don't think this was fair to Steve.

As far as a lase-off, typically this is a contest of sorts where people display their home-made shows and the crowd votes on which one is the best. It can also be a competition involving "live" control of a laser show to a pre-determined piece of music. While both types of events can be fun, not everyone creates their own laser shows, and not everyone has the hardware & software needed to run a live laser show.

So we'd need to have some sort of commitment from a majority of the people that they'd come to the event with an original show to run for the lase-off. And if we wanted to do a live laser show competition, that creates even more problems, such as: what hardware do we use? Even if we set up a system running LivePro (with a touch screen and several RGB projectors linked to it), it's still only going to be familiar to a handful of attendees. The folks that use Mamba Black wouldn't know where to begin, for example...

Still, I'm open to ideas if anyone has a way to make this both interesting and fair to everyone. But I don't think that it should dominate the event. Lase-off's are common at ILDA meetings, but that's only because everyone there is already bringing a ton of their own shows to enter in the ILDA awards competition. Very few PL members have the time to create multiple shows like that.

Also, one last thing to consider: Clandestiny has offered to bring a large frame Kr/ Ar pair to the event and do an outdoor show (complete with variance and FAA clearance) for SELEM. Obviously this would need to be at night, and there would be considerable setup and tear-down work involved, but for an hour or two of 20 + watts of whitelight in the sky, I think it's worth it. So I'd like to hear people's thoughts on this...

Adam

[mixedgas]

I dont mean to be a whiney witch, but I have been to Laser FX and few times and on the crew for it many times. I've seen the best in low cost conferences, and we can do better!!
Last year, in many ways ,was a disaster.

Also, more graphics shows.
less fumbling with non working hardware.. darnit, we have ILDA / PANGO standards, and we can patch in single ended soundcards.

So If it ain't working when you get there..... Out in the hall. I will help you, but I go to see people and photons.

Also, we need to figure out what the selem standard safety shutter is, for those that have them...

Also, my ears are old, perhaps the volume can go down a bit?

And we do NEED to flip colors on the center projector, the videos look boring...

Guys, I dont have the timing flexibility I had at the university, Its 4 more hours to drive, and I lost all my Seniority perks coming over here. I'm back down to the grunt level, which means I only have 7 days of vacation plus xmas. I'd need to see a lot more organization, others doing the work, and a lot of more of Buffo having fun, before I give up a shot at a ILDA cruise, just a few weeks away.

The army guys here know what a table of organization and equipment is. The entertainment pros know what a show rider is. Pilots here know the meaning of CHECKLIST.. If you have a projector on stage, submit one or the other,....

I know for a few of you, this is the only time of the year you get to play with your gear at the hardware level, and I know some new folks will show up and need help getting standards compliant, but we need to be lean and mean this year.

Adam, I'm driving a full day each way. Presentations being a on Friday I can't get to, sucks.. I need to "borrow" a aircraft to get there.. While I can navigate very well and hold one quite steady in all sorts of chop, nobody will teach me how to land... So it could be a very expensive one way ticket . Its 3 hours to the nearest airport i could fly out of that has direct flights.. So Like I say, I want to see less of Captain Buffo running by the seat of his pants, and more of department heads, executive officers, assistant scountmasters, and volunteerism.

I do welcome the idea of Clandestiny showing up, and maybe this year we could do a freebie for the kids in town...

Typical LFX:
I get there on Thursday afternoon and with the other minions, help set up, prestanging things off site. But we're setting up a massive theatre, in hotel ballroom, not a simple auditorium..

Friday, arrival dinner, and some wine/popcorn/beer/lasing. Lasing is OFF venue, one small system

Saturday, breakfast, trade show in morning, some time off, lunch as a GROUP, safety lectures,, some time off, DINNER and official lasers, then beer and Lasers till 3 AM.

Sunday, Breakfast as a group, more trade show, lunch as a group, pangolin users meeting = MORE LASERS plus Bill droning on and on and Pangolin Prize..., Then awards ceremony with lasers. dont get me wrong, Bill droning on and on can be a good thing, as are timed presentations.

from midnight till say 4 AM, teardown. Then I'd crash for say 4 hours and drive 5 hours back home.. Usually after droping Karl (laserwizardry) off at the airport.

All this organized by one guy, and a crew of maybe 5-6-7...

Of course LMR was a organizational genius, for organized chaos... And we were basically loading in two local show companies standard gear... And two 55 gallon drums of beer... The Ontario State Store is a drive in freezer/vault... complete with loaner coats for walking around browsing..

But it shows what planning can do.. Oh and yes, the infamous tool kit would be out all night... So we can do a lot, lot , better...

Steve

[mixedgas]

[QUOTE=daedal;136055]Here's what I want to see at SELEM 2010.

1. Steve Roberts doing the homosapien dance with DocJon.
end quote

Gnot gonna ghappen.. stutter. rage...

Doc John is a good act, but its a solo one..

Steve

[mophead]

I like the ideas so far.

IMO, speakers and seminar should be in the mornings to early afternoon and shows in late afternoon/evening. Mystrys was kinda disappointed she didn't get to see more shows. Just like her, there are people that don't want to geek-out all day. LEMs are the only events where we can have craploads of gear and shows (of our own design especially). Most normal people don't get to see what can be done with the vast ammount of equipment we all have collectivly.

We will cook again if everyone wants the slop we provide . If we do, I'll make some changes and have it pretty much ready to eat instead of what we did last year. I might take a couple days extra off work where we can prep everything here instead of spending all the time in the kitchen-- an extra day cooking at home, an extra day at selem.

I'm all for an outdoor show and will help with setup, teardown or whatever is needed.

Repair and stuff out in the hall but limited. I agree it was not fair to Steve. Even if the Lexel i brought never made it to the table, I would still feel the this way.

I'm willing to help in whatever way is needed, both here before hand and once we get there.

[DZ]

Also, my ears are old, perhaps the volume can go down a bit?

NO! .

[Stuka]

....On a more serious note, I don't think that we should divide the crowd by having the meetings/lectures anywhere outside the main auditorium. That could easily be construed as disrespectful to the speakers and, at least for me, makes it very easy to miss something... both of which I'd rather not happen!

I suggest we have all the speakers go on in the mornings, until perhaps noon. Then we have the rest of the day to goof off with lasers and whatnot. This makes it easy for those interested to arrive in the morning and attend the 'seminar' aspect of things, and if not, then they can just as easily sleep in and make it to the 'fun' stuff

...
--DDL

I'll agree with Mo on this one -
Get all the lectures together in the morning, so the lasing can continue uninterrupted once it starts!!

...
We will cook again if everyone wants the slop we provide . If we do, I'll make some changes and have it pretty much ready to eat instead of what we did last year. I might take a couple days extra off work where we can prep everything here instead of spending all the time in the kitchen-- an extra day cooking at home, an extra day at selem.
....

Another Mophead BBQ would be awesome!!
Only this year, I think we should help at least reimburse for some of the expenses!!

NO! .

I'll have a spare set of noise-cancelling headphones for rent!!
I feel your pain, Steve - too many years of turbine engines!!
Ouch...