Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Moderators: richardh08, Boophoenix, Lloyd
Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Fireworks by Santore, Inc., the company I work for shot the NYE countdown show for Times Square last year, and we got the contract AGAIN!
Last year's was perfect... but it's a HARD shoot. Racks have to be mounted horizontally ALL THE WAY up the outside of the tower, and vertically on nearby rooftops. And NOTHING can come to the ground!
And then, of course, there's the 'regulatory environment' in NYC.
But FBS did it once. We'll do it again!
LLoyd
Last year's was perfect... but it's a HARD shoot. Racks have to be mounted horizontally ALL THE WAY up the outside of the tower, and vertically on nearby rooftops. And NOTHING can come to the ground!
And then, of course, there's the 'regulatory environment' in NYC.
But FBS did it once. We'll do it again!
LLoyd
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"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Well done Lloyd I figure you’re going to be busy
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Kudos, and well deserved!
"If you don't learn anything, what's the point?"
- richardh08
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Happy rigging, Lloyd, but don't look down!
Even when I'm wrong, I'm convincing.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
and brag you should !
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
top man Lloyd
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
I must say, there's something between zero and nothing chance that I'll be on that show.
I'm not certified in NYC, so all I could do is hump guns and be wide-eyed for six days! <grin>
We have a super-qualified NYC-certified lead shooter. I know he'll do the same professional job he did last year.
But I'm still "proud as hell" that we got the show again. It was a long trek between starting out in the close-prox industry, and getting to such a point.
LLoyd
I'm not certified in NYC, so all I could do is hump guns and be wide-eyed for six days! <grin>
We have a super-qualified NYC-certified lead shooter. I know he'll do the same professional job he did last year.
But I'm still "proud as hell" that we got the show again. It was a long trek between starting out in the close-prox industry, and getting to such a point.
LLoyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
- richardh08
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Sometimes my sense of humour gets the better of me. I didn't really think you would be part of the crew, but the thought of you swinging from a skyscraper made me laugh.
All joking aside, that's terrific news and I well understand how proud you must be feeling. Getting that show once is an achievement, winning it again is amazing.
All joking aside, that's terrific news and I well understand how proud you must be feeling. Getting that show once is an achievement, winning it again is amazing.
Even when I'm wrong, I'm convincing.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
congratulations lots of hard work and planing ahead
Pyrotechnician If you see me running TRY and keep UP !!
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Don't forget to watch Times Square tonight, if you're in a time zone that permits you to.
I made about 90% of the base-plates for all the multi-shot effects that will go tonight. It's fun stuff!
Happy New Year, all!
Lloyd
I made about 90% of the base-plates for all the multi-shot effects that will go tonight. It's fun stuff!
Happy New Year, all!
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
- Boophoenix
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Gonna try to check the show out Lloyd.
I kind of committed myself for a possible memorial / anniversary / New Years shoot a few hours ago.
I kind of committed myself for a possible memorial / anniversary / New Years shoot a few hours ago.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Boo,
A show takes precedence over all-else. Be safe, son!
And have a great show!
Lloyd
A show takes precedence over all-else. Be safe, son!
And have a great show!
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
- Boophoenix
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Traveling relatives got delayed in route so we've pushed it back to tomorrow night so I have a little extra prep time. Which will come in handy being able to plan during daylight hours without rain.
Gonna be a busy couple of days. I have a great aunt with a 101st birthday Monday as well.
Gonna be a busy couple of days. I have a great aunt with a 101st birthday Monday as well.
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Uh oh, did I see a bunch of dead cues on the right hand side of the clock? It seemed very left hand heavy in the horizontal from the clock.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Could've been, Boo. They re-did all the cues this year to make the show run longer, but they only showed a total of about six or seven seconds of the whole thing on NBC!
They might've also suppressed some of the cues on that side. They're very picky about wind conditions and fallout (understandably). Like at the 'unnamed water-themed parks', each type of cue has group suppress capability, and very narrowly-defined conditions under which they may fire each sort of cue.
I won't know until tomorrow or the next day.
Lloyd
They might've also suppressed some of the cues on that side. They're very picky about wind conditions and fallout (understandably). Like at the 'unnamed water-themed parks', each type of cue has group suppress capability, and very narrowly-defined conditions under which they may fire each sort of cue.
I won't know until tomorrow or the next day.
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
If they don't mind you sharing I'd like to know as much as they will allow. The oopsies are very valuable. Like the lightening strike at PGI I was very disappointed with the small amount of information shared from such a valuable nature initiated event.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
I can tell you the sorts of products that were used, because I made most of the plates. But I don't have (or have access to) the script.
What I can describe is how the theme parks set up for such shows.
Right now, babies are banging at the door for their belated Christmas. Later...
Lloyd
What I can describe is how the theme parks set up for such shows.
Right now, babies are banging at the door for their belated Christmas. Later...
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Happy late Christmas to the little ones!!!
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
The show was fantastic - I didn't notice the dead cues. I also managed to squeeze in a little show of my own and the ridiculous thing is I missed the London show so I'll have to catch up on that next...
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
The London show was amazing, unfortunately the BBC has removed it on catch-up TV.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
damn, why have they done that ? I'll have to do some searching and see if I can pick it out.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
They certainly did it up pretty big. It was hard to miss that even from the filmers vantage point.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Sans the actual script, I can give you a sort of 'point-by-point' perspective on the Times Square show -- partly from what I know I made for it, and partly from shooting in other 'restrictive' sites where fallout and/or noise are BIG issues.
Most of the products shot on that show and many theme park shows are 'essentially' fallout-free. Still, there's always the possibility of a slow-burning star or comet, or some piece of detritus that just doesn't burn up completely before it hits the ground, a fabric awning, or a guest's head. So, effects are categorized not only by size, but by their potential to do those bad things.
Shows in touchy venues like that have various whole SETS of cues on individual enable/disable circuits. Should a fire official, show-director, or the lead shooter see a need, those groups of effects can be disabled with the flick of a switch. Of course, that's always with some detriment to the show, but the show layout and sequencing is carefully planned with respect to those group-disables, so that it can continue with little effect on what the average show-goer would know to look for.
Usually, when wind is the issue, high-altitude effects like large comets and paper shells are first to be cut. Lower effects like gerbs and star mines are preserved, with large-diameter mines (and their larger stars) being next in the hierarchy of things to stop. I've only once or twice seen the entire show stopped after it started, even in animal parks.
The 'ocean creature' parks are particularly sensitive. We had a situation in one such park where the prevailing winds every Summer could potentially carry debris from the show site to a VERY nearby facility where large aquatic mammals were kept. Many times, portions of that show had to be suppressed as the wind developed during the show. Yet, we never had any documented injuries to those precious animals.
Sort of as a by-line to that kind of protective posture, I shot several years in a row in a North Eastern US park where adult dray horses and wolves were kept. The horses were peacefully removed to less-disturbing places, but the wolves were 'at home' where they lived, with no place to move them.
We had to shoot on a schedule that included 'calling ready'. Then veterinarians would begin sedating the wolves. And then, on THEIR CUE that the animals were down (not the show-director's), we'd begin firing. We had 26 minutes to finish, no matter what. After that, the tranquilizers would begin to wear off, and
ANY shooting was prohibited.
It's challenging... and very rewarding to shoot successfully in those venues.
What you saw in Times Square was a combination of small shells, star mines, comet mines, single comets, and gerbs. They were grouped as to distance and fallout hazards, and put on group-disables. I have not yet heard back from the maestro about what, if anything might have failed or been suppressed. If I do hear about it, I'll let you know.
Lloyd
Most of the products shot on that show and many theme park shows are 'essentially' fallout-free. Still, there's always the possibility of a slow-burning star or comet, or some piece of detritus that just doesn't burn up completely before it hits the ground, a fabric awning, or a guest's head. So, effects are categorized not only by size, but by their potential to do those bad things.
Shows in touchy venues like that have various whole SETS of cues on individual enable/disable circuits. Should a fire official, show-director, or the lead shooter see a need, those groups of effects can be disabled with the flick of a switch. Of course, that's always with some detriment to the show, but the show layout and sequencing is carefully planned with respect to those group-disables, so that it can continue with little effect on what the average show-goer would know to look for.
Usually, when wind is the issue, high-altitude effects like large comets and paper shells are first to be cut. Lower effects like gerbs and star mines are preserved, with large-diameter mines (and their larger stars) being next in the hierarchy of things to stop. I've only once or twice seen the entire show stopped after it started, even in animal parks.
The 'ocean creature' parks are particularly sensitive. We had a situation in one such park where the prevailing winds every Summer could potentially carry debris from the show site to a VERY nearby facility where large aquatic mammals were kept. Many times, portions of that show had to be suppressed as the wind developed during the show. Yet, we never had any documented injuries to those precious animals.
Sort of as a by-line to that kind of protective posture, I shot several years in a row in a North Eastern US park where adult dray horses and wolves were kept. The horses were peacefully removed to less-disturbing places, but the wolves were 'at home' where they lived, with no place to move them.
We had to shoot on a schedule that included 'calling ready'. Then veterinarians would begin sedating the wolves. And then, on THEIR CUE that the animals were down (not the show-director's), we'd begin firing. We had 26 minutes to finish, no matter what. After that, the tranquilizers would begin to wear off, and
ANY shooting was prohibited.
It's challenging... and very rewarding to shoot successfully in those venues.
What you saw in Times Square was a combination of small shells, star mines, comet mines, single comets, and gerbs. They were grouped as to distance and fallout hazards, and put on group-disables. I have not yet heard back from the maestro about what, if anything might have failed or been suppressed. If I do hear about it, I'll let you know.
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Thank ya for the detailed description Lloyd. Even though I haven't done a lot of commercial shoots I do have a few under my belt. The closest to this setup would just be a rooftop shoot as a school campus. The city of Memphis when I worked it was shot from Mud Island with the Mississippi to one side and a water way between it and the shore on the Memphis site so there was lots of fallout area.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
There ya go Sam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0qPC46McwAsambo wrote:damn, why have they done that ? I'll have to do some searching and see if I can pick it out.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
I'm kind of 'splitting time' on two sites with this, but thought you might find it interesting, in terms of what precautions might be taken for fallout issues. I posted this in response to a person's statement that fallout of any kind might be an issue in 'sensitive' venues:
-----------------
Any kind of fallout can be dangerous to something...
We did one show on the parapets of an "aquatic animals stadium" in a famous theme park. It was a VERY special anniversary celebration -- and the very first time any effects had been fired within 400' of that venue.
In addition to using only 'consumable effects' (comets, mines, and some FULLY-consumable aerial shells [NO paper fallout!!]), we were also required to positively prevent end-plugs and lift plugs from traveling away from the multiple firing locations.
Lift was done with consumable powder/effect separators, and most tubes were 'plugged' with the same fully-consumable material. Those few that required paper plugs had a SS cable 'leash' attached to each plug. No kidding!
The client understood the difficulties, and was willing to pay the extra to ensure they could both protect their animals AND have such a show.
LLoyd
-----------------
Any kind of fallout can be dangerous to something...
We did one show on the parapets of an "aquatic animals stadium" in a famous theme park. It was a VERY special anniversary celebration -- and the very first time any effects had been fired within 400' of that venue.
In addition to using only 'consumable effects' (comets, mines, and some FULLY-consumable aerial shells [NO paper fallout!!]), we were also required to positively prevent end-plugs and lift plugs from traveling away from the multiple firing locations.
Lift was done with consumable powder/effect separators, and most tubes were 'plugged' with the same fully-consumable material. Those few that required paper plugs had a SS cable 'leash' attached to each plug. No kidding!
The client understood the difficulties, and was willing to pay the extra to ensure they could both protect their animals AND have such a show.
LLoyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
cheers buddy, I enjoyed that !Pyro-Gear wrote:There ya go Sam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0qPC46McwAsambo wrote:damn, why have they done that ? I'll have to do some searching and see if I can pick it out.
Lloyd - how do you make a consumable shell ? that sounds pretty clever.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Because the folks for whom I designed it still sell it, I can't give precise details.
However, anyone who's ever seen one would immediately recognize that the entire shell casing and time fuse assembly are made of pyrotechnic composition -- no paper or string anywhere in or on the assembly. No foil tape. In fact, nothing you'd clearly recognize as 'flame proof'.
The whole affair is coated with an engineered polymer we had designed specifically for the purpose. It's JUST enough fire-resistant to allow lifting of the shell (with some precautions I can't divulge), but is capable of being fully consumed by the components to which it's applied.
And they look good in the air! The casing becomes part of the effect in the sky!
Lloyd
However, anyone who's ever seen one would immediately recognize that the entire shell casing and time fuse assembly are made of pyrotechnic composition -- no paper or string anywhere in or on the assembly. No foil tape. In fact, nothing you'd clearly recognize as 'flame proof'.
The whole affair is coated with an engineered polymer we had designed specifically for the purpose. It's JUST enough fire-resistant to allow lifting of the shell (with some precautions I can't divulge), but is capable of being fully consumed by the components to which it's applied.
And they look good in the air! The casing becomes part of the effect in the sky!
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
- Boophoenix
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
I held one in my hand once they are really neat. I was a bit over whelmed on that adventure and have planned a returned trip to see more. Free time for the trip hasn't allowed it though.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Are we <allowed> to see a picture... I've never come across anything like this before, i won't press you guys for any other details but I might glean a bit more from a pic ?
pretty please ....
pretty please ....
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Sambo,
I'm not sure I even HAVE a picture, either of one fully-assembled in-hand or of one firing. I know I have some vids (somewhere) of them being used at Sea World Park in Orlando, Florida, but I'll really have to 'dig' for that stuff. I don't keep memorabilia on my laptop... just 'back it up', then delete it.
If I find some, I'll post it. It's SOMEWHERE... just don't know where.
Lloyd
I'm not sure I even HAVE a picture, either of one fully-assembled in-hand or of one firing. I know I have some vids (somewhere) of them being used at Sea World Park in Orlando, Florida, but I'll really have to 'dig' for that stuff. I don't keep memorabilia on my laptop... just 'back it up', then delete it.
If I find some, I'll post it. It's SOMEWHERE... just don't know where.
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
don't go to any trouble.... digging doesn't sound like fun. It's a while since I perused any of the other forums but I'd imagine there would be quite a few guys interested in these.
I live in close proximity to a lot of cattle and fallout is always a big consideration for me, it's an intriguing concept.
I live in close proximity to a lot of cattle and fallout is always a big consideration for me, it's an intriguing concept.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
AND.....Fireworks by Santore, Inc. got the contract AGAIN for next year!
Boo, you were correct: One module failed (on the right as viewed by the audience). But the client was still thrilled, and signed with FBS for the 2017/18 show!
Lloyd
Boo, you were correct: One module failed (on the right as viewed by the audience). But the client was still thrilled, and signed with FBS for the 2017/18 show!
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
- Boophoenix
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Thank ya for the info Lloyd. I try to pay attention since I'm still deep into learning.
Congrats to to them. That's a very popular show to have in your list for sure.
Congrats to to them. That's a very popular show to have in your list for sure.
- richardh08
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Congratulations to Lloyd and the rest of the team!
And congratulations to Bradley on being more observant than most people I know.
And congratulations to Bradley on being more observant than most people I know.
Even when I'm wrong, I'm convincing.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
sounds really interesting, never heard of anything like it beforeLloyd wrote:Because the folks for whom I designed it still sell it, I can't give precise details.
However, anyone who's ever seen one would immediately recognize that the entire shell casing and time fuse assembly are made of pyrotechnic composition -- no paper or string anywhere in or on the assembly. No foil tape. In fact, nothing you'd clearly recognize as 'flame proof'.
The whole affair is coated with an engineered polymer we had designed specifically for the purpose. It's JUST enough fire-resistant to allow lifting of the shell (with some precautions I can't divulge), but is capable of being fully consumed by the components to which it's applied.
And they look good in the air! The casing becomes part of the effect in the sky!
Lloyd
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Well... I guess I'm braggin' again, but I just received word from the company that shot the Superbowl halftime show (StrictlyFX, Orlando) that ALL of the aerials shot from the rooftops at SB51 were of my "fully-consumable" shell design! WOOH-HAH! < and grins, too! >
Lloyd
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
- richardh08
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Brilliant! I reckon that's something worth bragging about.
Even when I'm wrong, I'm convincing.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
I'm still massively intrigued by your fully consumable shell design Lloyd. Massively intrigued. Nice one.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Thanks, both! It was surely a "tickle" to know!
Lloyd
Lloyd
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Sambo, maybe if a couple of years I'll figure out more of this chemistry stuff and bring this back to mind to ya and we'll figure an option out. It'd be sweet to not have to clean much up after shooting, lol.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
I'm going to hold you to that Brad !
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Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Oh gosh Sambo!!! It took me 2 years to nail down a flame projector formula I liked. Maybe Inshouod start testing ideas now so I might could at least not be a lead weight in the design part later, lol.
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Hmm I reckon Lloyd is using NC hemispheres
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Nope, Ken. That's what Disney tried. They come down in great, ugly, flaming gobbets.
Our casings are part of the effect in the air.
LLoyd
Our casings are part of the effect in the air.
LLoyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Working on it
Re: Bragging, yes. But we GOT it!
Cardboard nitrate works for me. B