Monday, March 15, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Professional Fireworks 101
Being a pyrotechnician has always brought excitement and a little anxiety for me days and minutes before the show. Regardless of the size of the show, the thrill of hearing the mortars firing out from the tubes along with the chanting of the crowd is what makes it truly spectacular.
Having had some great opportunities to do shows in a variety of different venues I can say that there are two shows that stand apart from other shows. The first show that I was part of was an Independence Day celebration for the city of Vacaville, California. It took two full back breaking days to set up and the show was choreographed to a compilation of patriotic music. The second most memorable show was another Independence Day show held in the city of Fowler, California. This particular show was doomed from the get go. It too was supposed to be choreographed but due toe a few major problems such as location and electrical problems we had no choice but to hand fire the show.
Being part of a crew is a great experience; it builds trust, camaraderie and teamwork. The pyro crew can range in the number of personnel depending on the size, type and the location of the show. The key to becoming a successful crew member are quite simple. First and foremost safety should be practiced at all times whether transporting, handling or in close proximity. Getting onto a crew can be a difficult at best and depending on where you reside in this vast country will be determined to which pyrotechnic company you ultimately will sub-contract with.
Professional fireworks can be set off by wiring them for an electrical show (digital and analog) or by hand firing (my personal favorite). Shows can also be synchronized to music or left up to the imagination of the licensed shooter. Firework mortars come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. On an average the mortar shell will travel approximately 100 feet per inch of diameter. A 12 inch mortar shell will travel approximately 1,200 feet high before bursting and revealing its colorful center.
A Few American Pyro companies:
http://www.pyrospectaculars.com/
http://www.fireworksbyboomboom.com/
http://www.zambellifireworks.com/
http://www.fivestarfireworks.com/
Pyro clubs and organizations:
http://www.pgi.org/
http://www.americanpyro.com/
http://www.nationalfireworks.org
Fireworks safety council:
http://www.fireworksafety.com/home.htm
Equipment:
http://www.pyromate.com
http://www.kastnerpyrotechnics.com/
Other keys are patience, knowledge of product, showmanship, and hazmat endorsement on your driver license. If you’re looking to becoming a licensed shooter it takes time, documented shows, recommendations from other licensed shooters, passing a test given by the state fire marshals office and the licensing fees.
Having had some great opportunities to do shows in a variety of different venues I can say that there are two shows that stand apart from other shows. The first show that I was part of was an Independence Day celebration for the city of Vacaville, California. It took two full back breaking days to set up and the show was choreographed to a compilation of patriotic music. The second most memorable show was another Independence Day show held in the city of Fowler, California. This particular show was doomed from the get go. It too was supposed to be choreographed but due toe a few major problems such as location and electrical problems we had no choice but to hand fire the show.
Being part of a crew is a great experience; it builds trust, camaraderie and teamwork. The pyro crew can range in the number of personnel depending on the size, type and the location of the show. The key to becoming a successful crew member are quite simple. First and foremost safety should be practiced at all times whether transporting, handling or in close proximity. Getting onto a crew can be a difficult at best and depending on where you reside in this vast country will be determined to which pyrotechnic company you ultimately will sub-contract with.
Professional fireworks can be set off by wiring them for an electrical show (digital and analog) or by hand firing (my personal favorite). Shows can also be synchronized to music or left up to the imagination of the licensed shooter. Firework mortars come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. On an average the mortar shell will travel approximately 100 feet per inch of diameter. A 12 inch mortar shell will travel approximately 1,200 feet high before bursting and revealing its colorful center.
A Few American Pyro companies:
http://www.pyrospectaculars.com/
http://www.fireworksbyboomboom.com/
http://www.zambellifireworks.com/
http://www.fivestarfireworks.com/
Pyro clubs and organizations:
http://www.pgi.org/
http://www.americanpyro.com/
http://www.nationalfireworks.org
Fireworks safety council:
http://www.fireworksafety.com/home.htm
Equipment:
http://www.pyromate.com
http://www.kastnerpyrotechnics.com/
Other keys are patience, knowledge of product, showmanship, and hazmat endorsement on your driver license. If you’re looking to becoming a licensed shooter it takes time, documented shows, recommendations from other licensed shooters, passing a test given by the state fire marshals office and the licensing fees.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Green Men of America
Hardcore Pyro
Green Men of America
Pyrotechnics have played an intricate part in today's society as well as yesteryear. For centuries, society has used fireworks are a form of entertainment, celebration or to elicit fear in rival territories. In the early days of pyrotechnics the individuals shooting off the colorful fireworks would wear large wet leaves draped over their head, shoulders and arms to protect themselves from the hot burning ambers. And from the spectators point of view they would look like little "green men" as they touched off the special effects and fireworks.
In 2001, I began my quest as a beginner crewman not fully aware that I would be making a life long commitment to my new passion of pyrotechnics. I tried to soak up every bit of knowledge from the other seasoned crew members as well as the licensed shooter. I would watch the fire marshal interact with the shooter and observe the fire department check out our equipment, location and wiring and hand firing practices so I could know what they were looking for. It has taken time to learn all of the different forms and techniques to pull off a full fledge show. From choreographed shows to digital to electrical and manual hand fire shows, each procedure is different but the end result is the same. Consumer and spectator satisfaction. It's known as the crowd factor, they are ultimately the ones that will give you their stamp of approval regardless if it's a high school graduation or an all out fourth of July event.
Now that I have eight years in the business I can honestly say that I still have the same enthusiasm as I did when I didn't know the difference between a 3 inch peony or crackling palm. I've been part of the same crew and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow. By the end of 2008 I will be given a chance to break away from this crew and will build my own. It's almost as if King Arthur has Knighted me and has sent me outside of his kingdom to start my own group of pyrotechnic artisans.
Green Men of America , was inspired by myself as a way of paying tribute to the men and women who risk danger in order to bring the night sky to life with vibrant colors and explosions.
Green Men of America
Kenneth Ketterman - Founder and President
Please email at: kenketter3@aol.com
Green Men of America
Pyrotechnics have played an intricate part in today's society as well as yesteryear. For centuries, society has used fireworks are a form of entertainment, celebration or to elicit fear in rival territories. In the early days of pyrotechnics the individuals shooting off the colorful fireworks would wear large wet leaves draped over their head, shoulders and arms to protect themselves from the hot burning ambers. And from the spectators point of view they would look like little "green men" as they touched off the special effects and fireworks.
In 2001, I began my quest as a beginner crewman not fully aware that I would be making a life long commitment to my new passion of pyrotechnics. I tried to soak up every bit of knowledge from the other seasoned crew members as well as the licensed shooter. I would watch the fire marshal interact with the shooter and observe the fire department check out our equipment, location and wiring and hand firing practices so I could know what they were looking for. It has taken time to learn all of the different forms and techniques to pull off a full fledge show. From choreographed shows to digital to electrical and manual hand fire shows, each procedure is different but the end result is the same. Consumer and spectator satisfaction. It's known as the crowd factor, they are ultimately the ones that will give you their stamp of approval regardless if it's a high school graduation or an all out fourth of July event.
Now that I have eight years in the business I can honestly say that I still have the same enthusiasm as I did when I didn't know the difference between a 3 inch peony or crackling palm. I've been part of the same crew and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow. By the end of 2008 I will be given a chance to break away from this crew and will build my own. It's almost as if King Arthur has Knighted me and has sent me outside of his kingdom to start my own group of pyrotechnic artisans.
Green Men of America , was inspired by myself as a way of paying tribute to the men and women who risk danger in order to bring the night sky to life with vibrant colors and explosions.
Green Men of America
Kenneth Ketterman - Founder and President
Please email at: kenketter3@aol.com
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
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Wednesday, July 25, 2007
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