Pretty good debate here. Lets try to keep it professional though.
In my opinion, Hobbyists pose a VERY important role in this industry to be quite honest. However, where i get pissed and where most "Professional" Laserists get pissed is when the line between "Hobbyist" and "Professional" gets crossed. (and i dont mean "professional" as in quality of skill. I mean it as a Laserist who performs a service for a fee and owns a business).
Lets face it, some of the "hobbysits" here have come up with some brilliant innovative products (DZ- color correction. Gary- Spaghetti.) so, hobbyists are just as brilliant and just as much of a "laserist" as i am or most other "Pros" here.
HOWEVER:
What is happening is the that all of these budget, non compliant, chinese piece of crap projectors are flooding our market and turning many legitimate Pro Laserists into almost non-existent business's.
people going out and doing *PAYING* laser shows for a dime less than $500 (and even that i cringe at) is DRASTICALLY de valuing this profession. The equipment is already de valuing the art form and the value of purchasing/building a well made, compliant or quality made projector. i get at least a call a week on projector quotes. right now i tell them all, if you dont have a budget of at least $8000 you dont want a "PROFESSIONAL" Laser and you arent serious about doing PROFESSIONAL laser shows.
can hobbysits buy $2500 projectors? sure. you betcha. are they decent? yeah, honestly- some of them are. wouldi base a *business* around a pre-made, ebay laser that we *ALL* know is that cheap for a reason? nope.
perhaps its a pride thing. this is supposed to be your business, your "baby." why the hell would you want to run a business based on illegal equipment, faulty equipment, non-spec equipment, equipment that severely devalues the very business you are supposed to be getting into? TRUST ME...karmas a bitch! go into something "half ass" it will come back and bite ya in the ass 10 fold.
hobbyists have a place in our profession. AS HOBBYISTS. when they cross the line and begin undercutting legitimate pro companies and using laser "toys" they bid on against 100 other 17 year olds on their computers, sorry...but that is just pathetic.
Yes, we all agree the laser field is drastically changing. the days of ion systems and charging $5000 for a nightclub show after running 3 phase power and water hoses 3 miles are LONG gone. however, this is STILL a very "high end" and technical business and art form. people doing $250 shows, i dont care how good they are, is RUINING our profession. plain and simple. $250 laser shows do not belong with this profession. $250 should be the charge for rental of 2 strobe lights and a few "double derby" lights.
Many of you here are DJ's also. (as am I). How often do we see (hear) TERRIBLE DJ's at clubs? we have 15, 16, 17 year old "kids" now that have a computer and a few stolen software programs and all of a sudden they are world renowned professional DJ's. LOL. are you kidding me? I have been DJ'ing since i was 15. i have a steady sat night club spot that i have been doing for over 6 years that i get paid *PROPERLY* for. Our WORST attendance on a "dead" night is about 400-500 people. On an average night we do well over 2000. Im not trying to sound conceited or stuck up, but obviously im doing something right. Its called having pride and respect for my profession and chosen art form. No one seems to have that anymore. they are looking for the quick fix for the least amount of effort or investment and expect the outcome to be the same as someone/something that takes "professionalism" seriously.
all of the other clubs/bars and DJ's around CT. get closed down, switch DJ's and are just horrible due to the fact that owners think they are slick by hiring $100 DJ's who show up with a laptop and stolen music/software. There is no prode and no skill anymore. I get calls at least once a week to go do a "Guest spot" at another club and i ALWAYS ask now...if your budget isnt at least $500, go hire a high school kid. and what happens? shittyn ights, go through 20 dj's a year and clubs close. (yes, it really is that bad sometimes around here). The DJ will make or break a nightclub. why owners choose to go the cheap route just boggles my mind. it NEVER works!
Laser shows and laser profession is the exact same.
EF-
You are 100% correct. but those people need to stay in their garages with their friends and families and NOT be out there doing shows for payments! Also, these people (as aijii said also) have NO REASON to purchase a 2.5W RGB projector. lol- whjo needs a 2W, 2.5W RGB projector in their garage?I think some people forget, however, that there is a whole market of people who just want to play around with laser projectors for their own enjoyment
The problem here in my opionion is the line and distinction between "Pro" and "hobbyist" is getting grayer and grayer. A "Pro" has no business buying a $2000 chinese RGB toy off of ebay and represent themselves and this equipment as "Professional." It isnt!
I cant think of too many "Professional" concert production sound companies that use "Gem Sound" for their speakers and amps can you? they sound GREAT in the basement of your fraternity brothers house while your drinkin some beers. But they have no "professional" value. And i guarantee you, if ANY of you showed up at a concert with a speaker array of "Gem Sound." you would laugh yourself out of the venue!
A "Laserist" who shows up at a show with any sort of "ebay toy" represented as "Professional" should be ashamed of themselves. Sorry. there is "PRO" and there is "HOBBYIST." there *IS* a difference. when you try to justify the fact that there isnt a difference, we ALL will suffer the consequences sooner or later.
-Marc