Michael Dunn is the founder of FirstLight Laser Productions.

Michael got their start in the laser industry as a second generation laserist in their teen years in the 1980s, mentored by their dad Jack Dunn at the Mueller Planetarium in Lincoln, NE. It was at Mueller that their lifelong love of laser entertainment began. They started out creating laser shows with analog pattern generators and an early graphics system run on an 8088 dos pc computer recorded on open reel tape, advancing and adapting as technology progressed to ADATs and software driven shows.

They won their first ILDA award at the age of 17 while at the planetarium in Lincoln. In the early ‘90s they also started producing laser shows for the Kountze planetarium in Omaha, NE.

With the advent of ILDA standards making it easier to share content among performers of laser light shows, Michael saw the need for content creation in the laser industry and founded FirstLight Laser Productions in 1995. Their goal was to focus less on the technical aspects of laser entertainment and more on the artistry. Their laser shows became a staple of planetariums around the world.

Michael soon expanded from not only planetariums but to creating programming for corporate theater, live touring, sporting events, amusement parks, festivals, education, and tv and movies, for numerous laser show companies. Several of their shows and animations were included with Pangolin’s LD2000 software, and they’ve created hundreds of cues in the current Beyond software default workspace. One of Michael’s goals has always been to make content affordable and available to not just the larger show producers, but to newcomers and hobbyist as well.

Michael has been involved with hosting two ILDA annual conferences and is on the awards committee. They have created programming for 37 winning ILDA awards, two Laserist Choice Brewster awards, and a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Themed Entertainment Association.

Michael Dunn's company, FirstLight Laser Productions, has been an ILDA Corporate Level 3 Member from 2017 through the current year (2026).

Richard Anthony Gonsalves (@Wizard_of_Awes)

The Man Behind the Curtain

Since 1990, Richard Gonsalves has helped shape the laser display industry from behind the scenes. Richard (known in online forums as “Wizard_of_Awes”) much like his namesake from the book and movie The Wizard of Oz, thrives out of the spotlight, focusing instead on creating the tools, standards, and knowledge that empower others to produce dazzling shows. His career spans business development, marketing, production, technical innovation, and global leadership.

Building the Business

Richard founded R.A.G.e. Media (an acronym for Richard Anthony Gonsalves Entertainment Media) in 1990, a consultancy that propelled him into collaborations with nearly every major laser company in Canada, the USA, and many internationally. His work expanded globally during seven+ years with EXP Momentum and GA Productions, where he served as a marketing Technical Director across 22 offices in 20 countries in Africa. His lighting and effects reached billions on shows like ”Idols Africa” (1 billion viewers) and ”Face of Africa” (2.5 billion viewers), while he introduced 3D cinema to the Nigerian market and worked with artists including LL Cool J, Akon, and Kuti.

Upon returning to North America, Richard toured the world for nine years as the Laserist for Grammy- winning artist Zedd, beginning with the artist’s debut album, and has since worked with Beyoncé, Slander, Evanescence, and top K-pop acts such as BTS, BlackPink, and TXT — reviving classic laser effects like bounce mirrors and laser tracing for new generations.

Technical and Artistic Innovation

Richard studied both electronics and computer programming in college; he is both a CET and a Programmer/Analyst. Richard uses his technical knowledge to help the industry with such works as helping develop Pangolin’s LD2K DMX fixture library and contributing original laser art that became industry staples. His artistic achievements span intimate venues to the world’s largest stages, earning multiple ILDA awards for touring and programming work.

Richard loves exploring new technologies and helps in the development of MIDI controllers specifically for laserists, and the ILDA Digital Network (IDN) through ILDA committees. In fact, Richard has been or still is a participating member of many ILDA committees, such as the Awards Committee, Technical Committee, EDI committee, History Committee, Business Committee, and Terminology Standardization Committee.

Industry Leadership and Education

Richard has devoted his career to education and standardization, reaching an estimated 40-70% of the global laser community through his publications, online communities, and direct mentorship. He co-authored the book Laser F/X: The Light Show Handbook and compiled ILDA: The First 35 Years of ILDA Photographic Awards. He pioneered digital newsletters before the Internet era, coining the phrases ”Lase-on” and ”Keep on lasing,” and helped launch the Pangolin User Group.

Since 2011, Richard has managed the 5,500+ member (and growing) "Laserist" Facebook group and moderates several other Laser forums and groups.

Within ILDA, Richard has served as the Awards Committee Chair since 2017, and has modernized judging processes, clarified rules, and applied them equally to all members. He has also sponsored many Awards activities such as ILDA Awards anniversaries, and the Off-Line Awards during COVID.

His commitment to laser safety runs just as deep. As a certified Laser Safety Officer, Richard has shaped regulations through work with Transport Canada (affecting every outdoor laser show in Canada) and Ontario’s laser safety subcommittee. He founded and chairs CLEO, representing Canadian laser professionals to promote reasonable safety standards throughout Canada.

Mentorship and Philosophy

Mentorship is central to Richard’s approach. Inspired by mentors like Michael Roberts and Howard Ungerleider, Richard has mentored others. He strives to pass on not just skills but ”a genuine love for the light form.” Though often behind the curtain, his contributions have earned multiple ILDA Special Achievement Awards and recognitions. He typically avoids submitting his own work for awards due to his leadership roles and a strong desire to avoid conflicts of interest and remaining neutral to the awards process and rules of law — demonstrating his selfless commitment to the field.

Conclusion

Richard Gonsalves exemplifies the ILDA Career Achievement Award’s spirit. His decades of impact span business, technology, and global education. Above all, he believes in collective growth: “The more we all know, the more we all grow.” With every project and every mentee, he has helped the laser display industry shine brighter. In Richard’s words: “Lase-on!”

Richard Gonsalves has either been working for an ILDA Member, or has been an ILDA Member himself (Student or Individual) from 1990 through the current year (2026).

Chris Matthews is the founder and CEO of Laser Creations Ltd.

He formed Laser Creations in an ex-foundry building in Barnes, southwest London, back in the 1970's as a result of his involvement with the team of John Wolff and Gerry Leitch et al, providing lasers for the Who, one of the first UK bands to use lasers in their shows.

Chris saw an opportunity to build a business in laser entertainment. With a degree in Physics and Electronics from London University, he was well able to apply his technical knowledge to the design and construction of lasershow equipment. Plus he had a business acumen that encouraged the commercial exploitation of laser shows for companies and organisations. The income generated supported the development of more lasers and associated hardware. This expanded the business, and not least, encouraged new, young enthusiastic employees to learn the trade.

In the 1980's, Chris took over the business of Lasefx, the company that John Wolff had formed initially to run the Who's lasershows, including several of the Lasefx team who had created those early Who shows, such as Gerry Leitch, John Carr and Neil Irwin, plus their workshop at Shepperton Studios just west of London.

Laser Creations supplied lasers to a huge number of applications throughout the 1980's and 1990's, including a separate development of the LVP (laser video projector) which used high-speed polygon scanning and associated techniques to produce high-quality video projection for theatres and conferences. Special versions of the projector were developed at the company to provide laser video and XY laser graphics simultaneously.

Laser Creations provided lasers for many applications in the 1990's. The "rave" culture in the UK at the time was a big user of lasers for the many shows around the country in fields and circus tents for the thousands of enthusiastic participants. By contrast, the company also provided lasers for many large national exhibitions, such as Expo'92 in Seville, Spain and Expo'93 in Taejun, South Korea. In 1997, Laser Creations installed a laser video projector and graphics scanners in Shenzhen for the Hong Kong handover to China, projecting a live video-feed of the ceremony onto a large water screen. At the same time, a 60-watt YAG laser with a 360-degree scanning beam was permanently installed on the top of the nearby 95-story Di-Wang building, the beam being visible up to 50km away.

Throughout all these applications, under the guidance of Chris, the company grew, attracting many creative talents to make exciting laser shows. Since the Millennium, the company, now renamed LCI Productions Ltd. (LCI is "Laser Creations International") continued and continues to provide combinations of laser effects, video projections, water screens and fountains, for theme parks and events around the world. It has also nurtured employees who moved on to create their own laser companies, such as Marc Weber and Ryan Hagan of ER Productions, currently one of the most successful laser companies in the world.

As part of this, LCI provided, free of charge, its studio and lasers for the initial part of the Thames Valley University’s course “Lasers in Entertainment," where students learned the fundamentals of designing and operating laser shows. This generated a very positive reaction from the students. This encouraged TVU to set up its own laser display system and programming stations, which stimulated a number of students to become involved in the industry.

Over the years, LCI has been given a number of industry awards, such as the IAAPA award in 2001 for the Stone Forest visitor attraction in Yunnan Province, China, a large installation with multiple waterscreens, lasers, moving lights and unique illuminated night-time trails through the natural rock-formations of the site.

Chris continues to be an enthusiastic "laser man", still being "hands-on" designing, promoting and setting up lasers with his team for shows all over the world. He is a very amiable and friendly guy, who still has a great creative talent.

Rockne Krebs is one of the few true Artist laserists — meaning that he was widely recognized in the world of art museums, public art commissions and publications.

His name may not be widely known in the 2020s. But back in the late 1960s and through at least the mid-1990s, he was one of the very few fine artists using laser beams in museums and in city-scale public displays.

He also was a technological pioneer. He created the first 3-D (“aerial”) beam displays in 1968. In 1971 he received a patent in seven countries for using bounce mirrors to create such aerial laser displays — a first in the field.

Among his many exhibitions include lasers at the U.S. Pavilion in Osaka at the Expo ’70 world’s fair, city-scale beam displays in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Atlanta (at the CNN Center), Washington, DC, and in California linking the Mount Wilson Observatory with CalTech.

His first laser artwork, “Sculpture Minus Object”, used an argon laser. It was exhibited at the Washington Gallery of Modern Art in 1968. Laser scientist Paul Haldemann said of this piece:

"To me, this was one of the most beautiful sculptures he created. Today one doesn’t appreciate that this was a brand new thing. Engineers would always play with lasers, and shine them through space. But Rockne was the first to make it into an art form.”

Krebs, who earned a 1961 Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Kansas, wanted to learn more. In late 1968 he was invited to be a part of the LA County Museum of Art’s legendary “Art and Technology” program, which paired artists with high-tech companies, scientists, and engineers.

He worked with Hewlett-Packard to develop an optical system with hundreds of parts for the Expo ’70 world’s fair. Krebs said “No one had ever thought about doing something like that. It ran for seven days a week for six months and never failed. What we did with that was the prototype of what would eventually become the laser light show.”

Krebs considered doing entertainment lasers, but decided against it. He said:

“In the early 1970s I made a decision after I realized the commercial potential of what I was working on. I did some soul searching and realized I never wanted to be anything but an artist. There wasn’t any way I could be an artist and pursue the business of a light show company. I never regret that decision.”

He received commissions for his work, fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation, and was a fellow at MIT's Center for Advanced Visual Studies under György Kepes.

He died in October 2011, at the age of 72. Unfortunately, his laser artworks were temporary installations — often site-specific ephemeral works of art. It is not possible today to experience a Rockne Krebs laser artwork. But his art made a strong impact on those who experienced them.

For example, in 1980, Patrick Murphy saw “The Source” in Washington D.C. He still remembers standing at the top of a hill on 16th Street, looking down towards the National Mall towards an argon-green beam shimmering after traveling 3 miles from the Jefferson Memorial, past the Washington Monument, and over the White House. He said:

“The light was beautiful. And only lasers could link these three landmarks plus the Lincoln Memorial. Rockne saw the power, simplicity, and majesty of these immense, ephemeral light sculptures. Along with seeing Laserium and a 1978 laser work by Otto Piene, this helped set me off on my laser light career.”

More detailed information on Rockne Krebs' artistic career, including photos of his work, can be seen at the Rockne Krebs Art Trust website.

Rockne Krebs was an ILDA Individual member in 1996 and 1997.

I am the Principal Director for EFFECT Laser Systems, a leading laser light show company located in Antalya, Turkey. We have been involved with the laser display industry since 2006. We have made a very large impact on the laser show industry here in Turkey, becoming the country’s leading provider of laser display solutions.

Turkey is a very small country as many of you may know. In our first decade we completely changed the laser business in this country. Through strong marketing, an emphasis on product quality and customer service, and by putting safety and education first, we have grown into the premier laser display organization for this area.

I have been a strong supporter of ILDA. I served on the Board of Directors from Nov. 2012 to Nov. 2022. I helped to bring new members into our organization, to market ILDA and to further promote the need for safe laser display.

I have put a heavy focus on laser safety, and on ensuring that only compliant laser products are sold to consumers in our area, and abroad. I believe this is a vital element that needs to be addressed to ensure the longevity of our industry. Because as our industry continues to grow, the importance of safe laser display applications becomes ever more relevant.

My company is a member of Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a member of West Mediterranean Exporters Association. Personally, I’m a member of Women Entrepreneurs Council of Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, member of KADEM – Women and Democracy Association (Istanbul) and the KADEM Foreign Affairs Committee, and a member of NGO Committee on the Status of Women.

In March 2023 I was interviewed by MondoDR as part of Women’s History Month, about my work in lasers. The interview is here.

More information is in this document: Effect & ILDA.pdf

Thank you for your time, and for considering me for the Career Achievement Award.

Olga Eser's company, EFFECT Laser Systems Ltd., has been an ILDA Corporate Level 3 Member since 2011. She was elected to five terms on the ILDA Board of Directors, serving from Nov. 2011 to Nov. 2022.

Dick Sandhaus made a long career out of opening up new markets for laser displays by creating new applications for laser technology. For example, Dick introduced large scale outdoor laser displays to world's fairs and expos, he installed major laser installations in discos world-wide, he developed a 360 degree scanning system, and he innovated the Laser One traveling display in a custom outfitted vehicle. All of these efforts resulted in an expansion of ways that lasers could be utilized in the marketplace.

Sandhaus founded Science Faction in 1978, where he specialized in the creation of large-scale, outdoor laser performances and installations. He created the first long-running outdoor laser graphic and beam show, at Expo '82, as well as nightly programs at Expo '86 and the 1998 Winter Olympics. In 1984, he created the "Laser, Son et Lumiere" at the Quebec Parliament building -- the first and only laser work to receive the "Lumen Award" of the Illuminating Engineering Society. In 1992, Science Faction was selected to represent the U.S. in the "Mondial du Laser", the first international laser competition. Sandhaus's work was awarded the Gold Medal and has subsequently been seen by more than ten million people. The “Mondial” show and other works have also won ILDA Awards, including the "Tower of Light" in Miami, a collaboration with sculptor Isamu Noguchi.

He was an industry representative/consultant to both the BRH (FDA Bureau of Radiological Health - predecessor to the current Center for Devices and Radiological Health) and the Federal Aviation Administration during their revisions of regulatory code elements.

Additional information on his achievements and history are at a 2017 article about Dick Sandhaus and Science Faction.

Sandhaus was one of the founding members of ILDA in 1986. He served on the ILDA Board of Directors for its first five years and was elected ILDA President in 1989.