Cold Spark/Indoor Sparklers

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jaswrx

DJ Extraordinaire
Feb 15, 2015
595
460
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Who here is offering this service? Highly interested in offering this at my weddings. Not many people out here in CA are doing it, and almost none in the Santa Barbara area.

Who makes these things? Seems there are only a couple of companies.

Taso?
 
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So I've been offering this service since December and it is by far my most popular enhancement being added outside of my core elements of lighting and photo booth, with 17/60 main events (weddings/sweet16s) adding it on in 2 or 4 unit variations. That number will probably rise, as many couples that have booked me for 2019 did not have this option available at the time of booking, and as I present it during the finalization with a special introductory rate, many are adding it then. Currently 8/24 weddings have this added for 2020, and likewise more will add it as we get closer to the date of the event. For NJ couples, many are already exposed to this as most NJ dj's offer it in some form, but for my PA couples who aren't exposed to it, my photos and videos I've accumulated from my initial events have done an amazing job selling this option.

Now as far as who sells it... the most well known and best company for this (although most expensive), is Sparkular. Their units are pricey... at nearly $5000 for your first two units and the controller, and then additional costs for the granule packs. You do need their proprietary controller as thats what monitors the units for heating and error cords, as well as make adjustments to the heights and programming. I believe you can do it through a dmx controller too, but you won't have any monitoring capabilities, and for insurance reasons (which I mention below), you need to be using their controller. I have 2 of these units, and have a friend who also invested in 2 that I rent when I need 4. The spark effect, in my opinion, also look the best from this company and goes highest for tall ballrooms.

The additional benefits of this company are that all units are field tested to ensure product reliability. They also come with liability insurance directly from the manufacturer. Many of the typical dj insurances wouldn't cover this effect... but Sparkular does insure their units should something happen at an event you're using them at. All units sold require the user to take and pass an online certification course. There is a database available of all the people that have been certified in case a venue or fire marshalls calls them. They work directly with fire marshalls all over the country to ensure them that their products are safe and the user is certified. In NJ this isn't so much an issue with the marshalls as these units are used by many all over, but in less familiar areas this may be a big bonus to avoiding conflicts.

There are additional companies out there, mostly all knock offs sold online via ebay or amazon for a fraction of the price. They don't have any monitoring abilities, and typically the units aren't as well made, with many reporting overheating or blowers getting stuck. In America, PROX sells the Blitzz units, which I have 2 units of personally, and bought prior to the Sparkular units. The blitzz are a great build and work very well in my opinion. They don't go nearly as high as the sparkular but still good enough. Brand new, they are about $3000 for 2 units and they come with a remote control and a road case. Granules are extra of course. In my opnion, they're the same as the chinese knock offs, just rebranded... kind of how adj and chauvet often appear to be rebranded chinese made products. However, with prox you get the warranty and support. One of my units had an issue and prox offered to pay for shipping costs to get it fixed (just needed to be updated so the two units shot the granules in the same manner, as one shot lower in volume despite being at the same level). The chinese versions on ebay you essentially get no support nor do you get any legitimate warranty.

Personally... I was totally fine with the prox blitzz units and was ready to purchase two more. However, I was noticing that a handful of the upscale venues I performed at were mentioning that they only allowed the sparkular units since they're tested and they are actually insured. No venues had an issue against the effect in general, and the prox blitzz would've been fine at around 75% of the venues I perform at, but because I aim to provide the best, I couldn't risk letting my clients down at the 25% of the venues that wanted a specific brand. That is why I made the investment into the sparkular units just months after buying the prox units. I knew I'd get my money back because I could already see the demand from the first 2-3 months of advertising it, and it's proven to be a profitable investment for sure.

As far as pricing goes... this will be market based. My area is more saturated and the companies using the cheap units have driven the price down. I list around $600 for 2 units and $1000 for 4... but that often is lowered by 10-25% depending on the package and if they saw it offered for less at a bridal show perhaps. Many companies are offering only 4 for $750 now, and it's an option I may consider doing. I say market drives the cost, as areas where fewer companies offer it, allow the few that do offer it to be able to charge more. In other areas I see dj's charging $500 per unit and sometimes more. I offer it for use during the first dance as well as during the dancing portions. Some companies charge less by only offering it for the first dance only since they're saving on the material use.

Let me know if you have any more specific questions on this effect.
 
THANK YOU so much for the detailed response. I do have a few questions but will ask a few at a time...

1. Where do you buy the granule packs (universal)? Different price per vendor/company?

2. How many packs do you need to use throughout the wedding? How much do you use at a time? With that said, how long does each pack last in minutes/seconds? Want to make sure I plan for a short or long session depending on how much the client wants to use them for.

3. How long can you spark for continually?
 
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THANK YOU so much for the detailed response. I do have a few questions but will ask a few at a time...

1. Where do you buy the granule packs (universal)? Different price per vendor/company?

2. How many packs do you need to use throughout the wedding? How much do you use at a time? With that said, how long does each pack last in minutes/seconds? Want to make sure I plan for a short or long session depending on how much the client wants to use them for.

3. How long can you spark for continually?
1. Typically from the vendor... sparkular is designed to use theirs... ProX uses their own... and genetics can use generic packs on eBay. They each have their own pricing... typically around $60 per pack for blitz and $80-$100ish for sparkular depending on how many you buy. You can’t really stray away from the manufacturers granules as they each come with their own ID card to scan prior to refilling to ensure you’re using authentic granules (You scan a card after 10 minutes of actual shooting time).

2. For 4 units, I’d say I’d need around 1/3-1/2 a pack... and that’s using it multiple times throughout the night... say 6-10x. If I was doing it for just the first dance then one pack would last me quite a long time. When I calculated it, the material cost was around $10-$20 an event depending on how much I really needed. My case always has extra packs just in case I didn’t put it in enough or I got trigger happy during that event.

3. Sparkular suggests no more than 30 seconds continuously. Other brands say up to 45 seconds. Personally I never go for longer than a chorus in a song.
 
I'm gonna chime in on what Tase said and your inquiry. Being from western Kentucky this effect was not present that I knew of until I added it. I did not purchase them, but instead had rented them from a nearby A/V company. They are the Chinese brand. They worked for my first dance but after that they kept overheating as they were just controlled via DMX. They went through a lot of granules as well. The effect was awesome and the bride loved it, however, it was a headache. Therefore, if you can afford it, I do recommend a name brand unit.
 
So based on your math, your maximum per event is typically 5 minutes total of "spark time" (30 seconds x 10 times)
And that is 1/3-1/2 of a pack for 4 units...

I guess it all depends on how wide and high the spark is too.

I had a quick conversation with Sparkular and they were really underselling themselves saying I need a pack per fixture per gig, and to expect it to last 10 minutes total of use (10 minutes per pack)!
 
So how do you sell this service in terms of actual use throughout the night?

As in, do you tell them at what points it will "go off," do they decide, do you tell them how many times it will go off, etc.
 
So based on your math, your maximum per event is typically 5 minutes total of "spark time" (30 seconds x 10 times)
And that is 1/3-1/2 of a pack for 4 units...

I guess it all depends on how wide and high the spark is too.

I had a quick conversation with Sparkular and they were really underselling themselves saying I need a pack per fixture per gig, and to expect it to last 10 minutes total of use (10 minutes per pack)!
SO to clarify... while I said the max is 30 seconds... the reality is that my blasts during the open dancing segments are typically no more than 10-15 seconds long... if that at times... just more so for that extra dose of visual energy. The first dance is where I use the most... I always run it for the length of the 1st and last chorus so 15-30 seconds. Also before the event starts I run it a couple of times for 15-30 seconds each for photographers to get staged shots. In reality, the TOTAL time usage per event is anywhere from 2-4 minutes. Likewise it also depends on how high the spark effect is and how much "density" your spark effect has. I have mine set to 60% density... so I use almost half the granules that the machine is capable of outputing at 100% density, and I also usually have it set to 3/5 or 4/5 on the height setting as most venues don't have really tall ceilings (over 14ft). So yes... I suppose based on how I utilize them, I do maximize my granule packs a little bit better than what Sparkular suggests to expect.

As far as selling them... besides the first dance, I tell them we utilize them randomly throughout the night to add bursts of visual energy during the dance segments. Of course, this is based on the dancing atmosphere that they choose to have... if they have more edm or high energy styled selections... I'll use it more often. The only thing that is coordinated is before the reception starts, with staged photos... the first dance... and sometimes the intros if they want them as they walk in. Once in a while we coordinate with the photographer to get a candid dancefloor shot while all the guests are dancing with the bride and groom. Not posed... but more action style... and all I do is give the photog a 1 song warning that it's about to happen (assuming the bride and groom don't randomly get off the floor... but usually I pick one of their requests to ensure they're out there). Of course if they want something specifically coordinated, that's fine... but haven't come across that. I tell them that the effect is not a 1 or 2 time thing... but more like 6-10x based on the styles of music they want and the energy on the dancefloor.
 
do you typically move them throughout the night or do they stay in the same place?

If you move them, can you do so right after using them or do they need to cool down?
 
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do you typically move them throughout the night or do they stay in the same place?

If you move them, can you do so right after using them or do they need to cool down?
I don’t move em as I haven’t been in a situation that required them to. But if you do, they do need to be “cleared” first and then cooled down before moving them around. Takes about a 5 or so minutes to do.
 
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ok, so you are just leaving them in place on the dance floor? Do you have any cool pictures and videos you could share?
 
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They are loud... but definitely are not anything that gets noticed once music gets playing. Snow machines are definitely louder. I also have the newer spark one units which are a little smaller, and also slightly quieter in my opinion from the original larger models. As far as videos goes...


As far as pics go:
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1565647387087.png1565647470628.png
 
Great stuff Taso! Much appreciated. I am going to offer one of my upcoming weddings a HUGE discount so I can make some promo videos.

Maybe just do the first dance which should be enough to capture pics and videos for my business.
 
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I have a question I am in Dallas I have the pro x blitzz units. However, some venues have asked licenses on this. Also others have not allowed us to use them even though they don’t have a fire hazard I am just trying to see has anyone experience this sort of issue and how do you overcome it.

thank you,
Asad M
 
I have a question I am in Dallas I have the pro x blitzz units. However, some venues have asked licenses on this. Also others have not allowed us to use them even though they don’t have a fire hazard I am just trying to see has anyone experience this sort of issue and how do you overcome it.

thank you,
Asad M
Hey Asad,
What licenses are they asking for? This is why I quickly moved away from the Pro x units and paid the higher price for Sparkular units. I still have 2 pro x units that I'd be happy to sell to anyone actually. The pro x units don't have any certifications that Sparkular units are known for and many venues have been educated to ask for this to prove that you have the higher quality units. Sparkular units are also insured of any issues as a result of a defect. They also require you to take a course to purchase the units.

So as to your issue specific issue. A license could mean a pyro license that would be required if you shoot someting like fireworks. ALso, every local fire marshal classifies these effects as something different. In NJ/NYC we really don't have these issues, but in more remote areas where there isn't as much demand or they're not familiar with it, they think it's a pyrotechnic and inform the venues that anyone using it needs a shooters license, and possibly a fire marshal on site as well as a permit for the usage of it for that event. I like Sparkular because they'll get involved on your behalf to talk to the venue and/or local fire marshall... it doesn't always work, but they'll make the effort.

Personally, to venues that are not familair with this, I show them photos and videos of the effect in use and also explain that it comes out at around 50-60 degrees and is safe to touch and will not cause a fire or anything of that sort. Yes the units do heat up, but there is no spark, but rather a reaction with the material and the oxygen. Once in a while that's enough to justify it, but if it is a venue that has been told by fire marshalls to not allow it, that's when I reach out to Sparkular to possibly get involved.

One thing I noticed is if more and more brides are demanding this locally, venues tend to have to give in and allow it or risk losing out on bookings. This happened here locally, where at first you'd see many venues being uneasy and flat out refusing this effect, until many were telling their venues we want this or we will go to xyz venue that allows this, or were complaining that they weren't told at the time of booking it's not allowed and were going to leave negative reviews. Now it's use has become a non issue.
 
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Thank you Taso
I am not familiar with the sparkler unit. But yes seems like in Dallas the Marshall are really cracking down on this. The venues are being quite strict with the use of these so yes it’s probably a state license for the operator of the unit.
 
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Taso, how do you deal with the powder on the dance floor and powder on your equipment? I have 12 units and they are like volcano. Especially when the first dance is after dinner and everybody is rushing to the dance floor...I have insurance and certification but still...
 
Thank you Taso
I am not familiar with the sparkler unit. But yes seems like in Dallas the Marshall are really cracking down on this. The venues are being quite strict with the use of these so yes it’s probably a state license for the operator of the unit.
Taso, how do you deal with the powder on the dance floor and powder on your equipment? I have 12 units and they are like volcano. Especially when the first dance is after dinner and everybody is rushing to the dance floor...I have insurance and certification but still...
i don’t see much of the powder on the dancefloor other than in the very immediate area of where the sparklers are, and usually that’s far enough from where the main dancing is happening. I never saw it as an issue. Have u seen people slip or something as a result?
As far as my equipment goes... canned air. I have one with me and blow the dust off after I shoot em if the sparklers are near me.

Dan, with fire marshals your best bet is to call them and see what requirements they have. It may simple be as easy as getting a permit for the day.