Hi gordon, yup I think you are right, they might well scorch my eyes out! Ive discovered that you can also get 'grain of rice' bulbs at 100ma, which although I'd have to attach to diodes to get the desired result would be a solution (and would also fit with the analoguey aesthetic of the project).
The diagram is just a simplified drawing of what is effectively happening inside my sequencing machine (IN THE VIDEO).
What the LEDs do: The LEDs are modified into little pegs with one leg up (to form a hook to hook onto the horizontal rods (which represent an octave on the sequencer)) and the other leg hanging down to contacted by the moving vertical rods on the conveyor which pass underneath. A bit like programming a step sequencer on the computer but without steps and the length of a musical phrase dictated by a revolution of the conveyor; an electro-mechanical stepless sequencer.
I know its a bit of a weird project, i hope this helps make it clearer!
Thanks again for your input!