Pyrotechnically Speaking (Getting to know your pyrotechnicians at Archangel Fireworks) Pt.4

So Fridays are probably a bad day to do this update, I mean, we ARE a fireworks company and most fireworks shows happen on the weekend so Fridays are the peak of busy preparations for the shows to come.  So this update will happen sort-of-semi-regularly, probably on Mondays, which make way more sense!

We are getting some great feedback on this ongoing look into the people behind the fireworks, we love hearing your thoughts, so keep them coming.

Do you know anyone interested in getting into the fireworks industry? We would love it if you would share this blog with them, there will be advice about how to get started coming up as well as tons of other inside information!

Question #4: Describe your favorite scene or effect.

James:  I absolutely love the Silver Kamuro Z-Shaped display cake.  It’s a real crowd pleaser with its bright silver fanned effect….it’s even crazier up close!

Leiah:  We did a show once and it had a scene done to Pink Floyd Shine on you crazy Diamond.  The opening section of the song had red lightning shells, silver long throw comets and red falling leaves and it just bathed the entire landscape in this glow that reminded me of sun shining through a stained glass window. I still get goosebumps.  Watch this scene here!

Ross:  My favorite fireworks effect is called ‘Snoring’. Red balls zigging across the sky farting as they go.

Favorite scene – I love loud scenes, not ones that are just salutes pounding the sky, but well developed scenes that have reports and or whistles mixed in with a nice colour pattern or sequence.

Adam:  Deepest Howlers you got.

Candice: Lighting shells are my favorite effect! They run a very close second to a falling leaves shell.

There was a scene in our Diamonds show that we shot at the national competition in Sherbrook that stands out for me. There was just enough smoke left behind from the previous scene it created a menacing cloud effect in the sky. There was a short pause as the tracks changed and when the lighting shells broke in the sky to open the next song, you would have sworn there was a storm coming. All that, combined with the music, was breath taking. I remember thinking to myself, “Is there nothing we can’t create with fireworks?” It was incredible!

Kelly:  Cantarellas – they can encompass so many combinations of effect, colour and as such are very versatile.  With the ability to use up to three different effects in different layers with customized timings, even the salutes (which are always last and highest in the layers) can be made to seem soft.  My favorite way to use them is hard hitting and decisive.

Do you have a question for the crew?  Is there something that you would like to know about what it's like to be a pyrotechnician? Send your questions to info@archangelfireworks.com