Follow That Passion (Part 4 of 7)
This is the fourth of seven retrospective blogs exploring how recognizing and honoring one’s passion often creates a rich, satisfying life. Continuing from Part 3…
Career liftoff occurred in 1978 when I founded my own company, LaserDream Productions, enabling the application of real business endeavors with contracts, obligations, responsibilities, and best of all - income. At first I photographed and sold images of laser effects called LaserScenes, purchased by enthusiasts of laser light shows. I learned intricate details of how to manipulate camera shutter speed and exposure timing to capture fine details within the images while getting to know technicians at the local pro photo print shop.
As the years evolved, I was able to open my own studio together with new friend and photographer Nick Nacca. Our creative production relationship was symbiotic as we both created visual media for commercial projects and entertainment.
Geoff with a krypton gas laser, the light engine behind most indoor planetarium light shows, alongside photographer, friend and studio mate Nick Nacca – a fellow follower of passion.
Analog laser effect projection systems, including their custom-made and soldered circuit boards, were built by hand as primitive, monochromatic-screened digital computers were just becoming available to do rudimentary tasks. For perspective, Steve Jobs was bringing Apple Computer up to speed around the same time. It was during this period when I learned materials machining, electronics manufacturing, and basic optical design. My first big show was with the Ice Capades East Company in Atlantic City, NJ. Laser shows were signature to the 1980s, just as discotheques were to the prior decade. Most live shows sought laser effects to augment performers. It was a creative time to be in the brand new laser entertainment industry.
Empowering my fledgling business from a technical angle was to-be mentor, Gary Stadler, who in time, welcomed me into his wizarding world. However, my initial encounter with Gary was a bit rough. After discovering he had been the laserist for the Laserium® show at Balboa Park’s Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater, I approached his locked shop door one afternoon and knocked. A hesitant Gary slowly opened the door part way. We had a brief conversation, he mentioned not needing any help, then closed and locked the door.
Was I discouraged? Yes, for the moment - though I later learned in many classic stories the mentor is often unavailable at first encounter. The reality was… I wasn’t actively seeking a guide then, but I had just talked with a mysterious man holding the key to creating larger, programmable laser shows. My imagination wouldn’t let go.
If your passion is strong enough, your desire deep enough, and your self-understanding true enough, your inner drive will persist to connect with the appropriate person. Within a few weeks, I was visiting Gary’s shop several times a month to hang out and get to know people in his circle, like electronic design partner Ron Quillin, who had ventured south from Los Angeles after collaborating with Magicam on the Paramount Studios lot. With a brilliant talent for custom electronic circuit design, Ron was part of the creation team of 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
On the left, Ron Quillin setting up a multicolor krypton laser projection system. On the right, a custom-designed and built argon laser beam projection ‘table’ sending beams to theater bounce mirrors prior to being covered for show operation.
Gary, Ron and I imagined, experimented, engineered and fabricated the laser projection equipment I toured and performed with to 1986, presenting colorful, dimensional laser effects for everything from raucous bar mitzvahs to my own LaserDreams theatrical shows inside movie theaters at midnight. As my name got around, music concerts materialized such as rockers Cheap Trick and Deep Purple, and even pop singer Paul Anka at Hollywood’s Greek Theater. Gary and I burst high power green laser beams into the dark sky from the iconic Hollywood sign one freezing Los Angeles night in 1983 for the sign’s 60th anniversary. Snow actually flurried while we were up there.
Across several years, Gary forged a relationship with Laser Media in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Monica, CA to enable early laser computer animations to mingle with our analog imagery. Laser Media became a major provider of laser effects to music supergroups like Earth, Wind and Fire, Jeff Lynn’s Electric Light Orchestra, major motion pictures, and live orchestral tours featuring the music of Star Wars. Across several years leading up to 1986, I became enthralled with larger Los Angeles and the entertainment design potential it represented.
All this became reality from passion, perseverance, and a pursuit to explore beyond the horizon. Projects manifested through people, ideas, and action. Overall, my eight years creating laser light shows were some of the best of of my life, yet there was more to come.
An early Laser Media Imagen computer displaying an animated Pegasus, alongside LaserDreams analog show programming in the early 1980s.
Laser light shows continue to be designed and produced around the world. If you’re interested in exploring and getting involved, visit the International Laser Display Association to learn about the new generation of laserists in the digital domain.
Go to Part 5
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