Getting a variance as a British national

[Galvonaut]

Are there any British nationals with variances for doing shows in the US on PL?

If I want to study for this, are there any long distance providers and does being a non-resident create any issues?

What are the likely costs involved in the process?

Any advice appreciated

Thanks
Keith

[dsli_jon]

'allo Sir K -

Are there any British nationals with variances for doing shows in the US on PL?

I (think..) that the folks from 'ER Productions' very-well might, as I (again, believe..) they have been here, touring with artists / their own-lasers, in the past. Marc from ER (iirc..) was here in PL one time, awhile-back, hawking some 'surplus' Hungarian RGBs and a Kvant-rig, iirc.. Don't recall his 'PL moniker', but those over there that are 'in tight' with ER, might have a better idea..

If I want to study for this, are there any long distance providers and does being a non-resident create any issues?

If you want to 'study', the best thing is to get some 'coaching' from someone / Co, here, that's already got one.. There are 'specific ways' that questions should be answered, ie: Some, very 'broadly', to give yourself 'max flexibility' for future expansion (w/O having to 'go back and get an amendment', everytime you choose to 'split a hair', etc..

..Being a non-resident should not be an 'issue' at all, unless you are looking to actually build / sell pj's, here in the States, then you will need an 'Importer of Record', who would act as your 'rep' for sales / demos / distro, etc, and 'garaging' the required records, stateside.. They, too, would also need to possess a Variance (for sales / demos, etc..) However.. (see below..)

What are the likely costs involved in the process?

..if you really wanted to 'DIY' all that, you could, via, ie: getting a PO Box and/or 'hiring a registered-agent', w/ a physical US-address, etc, so that, a) It would be easier for the FDA to actually *mail* you the documents (vs just email / fax.. which would likely be their preference vs international-mailing of docs..) and b) which-would also provide a stateside-place to 'house show-report records', etc.

..Logically, this would (perhaps, as-negotiated..) be a / the Co. that agreed to sell or 'cross-rent' you a US-Certified projector, for if/when you came here to-perform - under your Show Variance - as then you would not have to deal with 'dragging your pj on flights' / costly international shipping, etc - it's already here and/or for the times, where, you might need an additional pj(s), or if, say, yours got lost / tied up in shipping / baggage, or damaged, etc..

..But, this (above) is, as an example, of one of those 'broad-answers' you would want to put in on your Var-app... Having listed, *not just* the Certified-projectors you Own, but all those you might / could 'x-rent' from US Sho Co's, 'in a pinch'. In such a-situ - because you've already, now, *got* those several- Cert'd-pj's listed / approved, in your Var - you now do not have to - at some last-minute - go back to the CDRH and request a 'rush-amendment to please add so-and-so p'j, etc.. Going the 'DIY'-route, won't cost you more than 'postage' / time, but.. The example above is the kinds of 'priceless' things that hiring a 'seasoned Variance-vet' will get you, though, and save quite a few-rounds of 'back and forth' / postage / time, etc, with the CDRH.. Make cents?

...'How much would that cost'? Well, I, for example, paid about $1500. oh, way-back in about '91-92, for such 'coaching' - And, the app. was NOT 'done for me', no way - that was the cost of a couple hours-long *phone call* / whilst I asked questions / took copious-notes, etc.. May-sound 'steep' but.. What I 'got' was, again, that 'priceless wisdom' from someone else's having gone thru 'round after round after round' of 'doing it wrong'.. and learning.. Plus, lists / 'introductions' to well-established Co's, from-whom I could negotiate to 'cross-rent', upon an interview / providing 'creds', etc.. 'Back in the day', it wasn't just 'Hi, I'm Jonny Appleseed, I just applied for my Varianthth ..Pppretty-please can I rent your $25,000. Projektor and $55,000. Lazor Head? ..I have a whole Thousand Dollhairs!' No, no, no.. You had to be *qualified* to take those rigs out, and even getting a recommendation was a 'process'...

..Now, sure - $1500. for someone to give you 'Show-Variance Prep' coaching, might be a little steep, these days, BUT.. It shows that, there *is* Value to such assistance, and the 'street-wisdom', underneath.. And, if it was part of a 'package' that also-included more in-depth Laser Safety-training, and/or 'Projector-Variance / Product Report-submission' assistance, well, then that kinda price would be 'quite cheap', actually..

Hope this helps..
cheers..
j

[Galvonaut]

Thanks Jon. That's very helpful and comprehensive advice.

I'm not averse to getting an agent at all - I paid for an advisor to help set up a beekeeping business in Italy - money well spent!

keith