Laser technology has long been a staple at concerts and dance clubs, usually meant to help engage the audience.
But what’s even more captivating? When the performer himself is wearing the laser technology.
David Santo, a native Michigander, an award-winning screenwriter, and a performer joined us at Broadcast House Wednesday morning to talk about his upcoming rock 'n' roll show that incorporates wearable lasers.
“I have worked with lasers and videos before, and I knew I wanted to do it again but in a completely new and exciting way,” said Santo.
So, Santo talked to an expert in the field to see what was possible.
"I said jokingly, 'I want to shoot green lasers off of my hand and my head and I want to glow Kermit-the-Frog green the whole time I’m doing it,'" he said.
And to his surprise, what he thought was an impossible request was actually possible thanks to a high-tech suit. Santo wears up to 18 lasers at a time.
But, while the lasers are enjoyable and safe for the audience, keeping them on his body is a challenge.
“The laser beams themselves are safe, but come to find out, it’s the heat the capacitors produce and the battery technology," said Santo.
Santo has to shut the lasers off for 10 seconds every 40 seconds he leaves them on or the result could be painful.
"As you’re performing... you lose track of that metric. So pretty soon, the lasers go, ‘I’m warm to oh my God, I’m being burned alive,'" he said.
Santo will be performing his laser rock 'n' roll show on Friday, December 23 at Penelope's Venue in Southgate. Admission is free and doors open at 7 p.m. with a 8 p.m. show time.
