Hey Cats -
OK, am I just getting to be a cranky-old man(not that there is anything WRONG with cranky-old men, mind you!
or does this shyte piss anybody else off:
http://www.creativelasermedia.com/Lasers.html -what am I talking about?
First, I am NOT picking on this Co exclusively, but we got some 'spam' recently from them, so I go there to check them out - and like, 90% of their 'laser show' shots are RIPPED OFF FROM OTHER COs!!! Examples:
OK, TOP LEFT, taken from here: http://www.ctalasers.com/index.htm
(They also seem to have 'used' most of his 'copy' (text) as their sales pitch...though this is the infamous 'PR's site and he DESERVES to get ripped-off...most of these pix are prolly not even HIS anyway...)
- Second one down, on Left:
(dammit! - can't find the link - but I KNOW I have seen that elsewhere - think it was either on an older LSDI.com page or Laser Spectacles (Tim Walsh)... and I doubt either of them would be cool with these guys putting CLM © on THEIR work...)
- same goes for the next 2 down, Left - Scion: old Lasertainment???
- 6th one down, on Left:
(link changed, but WAS an older Lasertainment shot...)
http://www.lasertainment.com/festivals.htm
(...I'll keep looking for the others on the Left - any ideas / spotters??)
- OK, on Right, Third one down:
http://www.laserfx.com/Gallery/GalleryImage14.html
(I kinda doubt 'Peter Ranson' works for 'CLM'... ON CLMs' 'mySpace' page, he titles this pic: "DPSS YAG Lasers in a large nightclub in Los Angeles" - Hmm, I am kinda more inclined to believe L. Michael Roberts... you??)
- Fourth down, on Right, ALSO from 'CTA' (yeah, whatever...)
http://www.ctalasers.com/images/gallery/laser-ring.jpg
From their HOME PAGE:
- TOP RIGHT - stolen from ??? (Anyone know who originally did this? I forgot)
- ALSO, I KNOW they did NOT do the Avis or VW shots - those were from a Euro Sho-Co, but
I just cannot find the linx I had from a few years back... Anyone know who did em??)
From CONTACT &...
- TOP LEFT
http://www.ctalasers.com/images/gall...fan-effect.jpg
- BOTTOM RIGHT
http://www.ctalasers.com/laser-corporate.htm (and PR stole it from.. Anyone? Anyone?... cause the next page, http://www.ctalasers.com/laser-animation.htm PR stole from Lasertainment http://www.lasertainment.com/festivals.htm )
I mean, have these guys done ANY of their own work???
OK, so you might say, 'Well, perhaps they are JUST a PRODUCTION Co, like a 'Ringmaster', and just collaborate / partner with other laser show Co's" - well, then they should be giving CREDIT to THOSE Co's for THEIR work, or at LEAST, NOT be 'Copywriting' those images with THEIR Name, as their OWN!!! Bad form!!!! - Then, tell the story like it is - if you're just a 'networker', what's so bad about saying "We partner with some of the BEST laser show Co's in the biz, to bring you great discounts, and added-value, 'one-stop-shop' service!" - I just think image 'hi-jacking' is both super-lame AND dishonest... And, like I said, these are one of many 'Co's' I've seen do this crap.
I mean, if I was to participate in something like a 'collaboration', #1, I'd want to be ASKED, #2, if I WAS part of a 'network'-type arrangement, I'd want CREDIT for OUR work, BUT if a potential Client of theirs contacted us directly, and they did not come in from the existing sales-channels we use (so we KNOW where they come from, and therefore, where commission is due, etc) we ALWAYS ask, "Who referred you / How did you find out about us", so if someone DOES deserve a commish (or at least a great big, THANKS, if it was a former Client referral) they would still be able to get their XX% or whatever...
I guess I am 'old-fashioned', but I just HATE image-pirates like this - they deserve to have all thier Clients called and told that the images that SOLD them on working-with (or at least calling/contacting) this Co, were STOLEN from other, hard-working, REAL Sho-Co's.
I mean, it's hard enough trying to make a living in this industry, but I think these types of 'sharks' deserve a real 'spearing' - they are often the same ones that shamelessly cut-throats to get gigs, and then do $#!T work, and then THAT Client never wants to hear the word 'laser' again...
Especially, if in fact, they really ARE a Sho Co. (not just an 'organizer') - look at their EQUIPMENT LIST - if they actually HAVE all that gear, that is a LOT of Profit $$$, that it would appear they've gained off of OTHERS blood, sweat and brewsters, and that just SUX.
Even for a 'newbie' Co - its' not an excuse to steal and call your own - one thing if you get PERMISSION from the creators, but to put YOUR © on it?...Go out in your shop/office and fog it up, and shut the lights off and take some vid or pix... I landed my first install - $17K - with video taken in my garage, and I'm a nobody compared to many of the 'vets', here...
Am I just all 'constipated', here?? Maybe I am all wrong- these guys DO partner with every Co. whose images they've 'hi-jacked' and stamped as their own, maybe they have permission to to that, but I dunno, man...
OK, I'll shut up, now... I think I'll go hit that 'Tequila Xmas Cake' and go to bed!
- J