Please help. I need to create an illusion of a powerful revolving lighthouse beam for a theatrical production. I have seen videos of blue lasers with tunnel guns, and I think this could work. I imagine using a model lighthouse, replacing the motorized revolving light with an angled mirror, and inserting something like a Wicked Spyder Arctic in the base, pointing up at the mirror.
The beam would be used on a very darkened stage, and we could add a smoke/haze machine to make it more effective. I imagine the beam would need to be about 12" tall at a distance of 10ft.
Not being an expert, I have several questions, and once the design is done, perhaps someone in this community can build a device for our production? We would of course pay you for your time and expertise--but bear in mind it has to be (a) very reliable and robust as it will taken on the road (b) fast to set set up (c) safe, so zero risk of damaging the eyesight of the performers or the audience.
-I've seen the homemade devices on here using PC fans--do those mirrors need to be spinning to create a solid tunnel, or is that just to get additional spirograph effects?
-how do you control the diameter of the tunnel?
-is the risk of burning stuff and damaging eyesight less than with a focused beam?
-what's the minimum power laser I need to make a beam that's visible on stage with no smoke/haze?
-how about with smoke/haze machine--could I get away with a 5mw laser pointer?
-what would happen if I shone a laser through a fresnel lens, such as the kind in the glass of a lantern or boat light?
Thanks a lot for your help!
Thomas Dolby
thomas@floatingcity.com
The beam would be used on a very darkened stage, and we could add a smoke/haze machine to make it more effective. I imagine the beam would need to be about 12" tall at a distance of 10ft.
Not being an expert, I have several questions, and once the design is done, perhaps someone in this community can build a device for our production? We would of course pay you for your time and expertise--but bear in mind it has to be (a) very reliable and robust as it will taken on the road (b) fast to set set up (c) safe, so zero risk of damaging the eyesight of the performers or the audience.
-I've seen the homemade devices on here using PC fans--do those mirrors need to be spinning to create a solid tunnel, or is that just to get additional spirograph effects?
-how do you control the diameter of the tunnel?
-is the risk of burning stuff and damaging eyesight less than with a focused beam?
-what's the minimum power laser I need to make a beam that's visible on stage with no smoke/haze?
-how about with smoke/haze machine--could I get away with a 5mw laser pointer?
-what would happen if I shone a laser through a fresnel lens, such as the kind in the glass of a lantern or boat light?
Thanks a lot for your help!
Thomas Dolby
thomas@floatingcity.com