Uh oh, PYRO!

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T

Travis B

DJ
Jul 27, 2006
4,048
16
38
Lone Star State!
www.bouncemultimedia.com
Okay Guy's, talk me outta this...

A long long time ago, when I first got started in this business, the company I worked for did pyro, this was during the time before the delaware club caught fire and burned down, much after the orlando WWE incident.

But when I get interested in something, I just GOTTA learn it and know all the ins & outs about it. I saw some UFC fights and rihanna's umbrella video. I am kinda stoked lol.

Those who know me, know Safety is #1 concern, Ben and I have shared a safety conversation once, and it was good to know I have a vendor in my arsenal who is prob more safety conscious than I. (Strive to be safety conscious all the time).

Anywho, where I worked, my boss purchased some Le Maitre pods and gerbs no more than 4 meters, and colored dyes. I figured (after doing some research) that getting the license is not expensive, nor that difficult to obtain. Being in Texas helps...

I figured It would be nice to get the materials, blast them outside the city limits on private property, and hone my skills, working with commercial grade pyro. Thoughts? Cool? Travis, WTH are you thinking?

Those with this type of experience please chime in :)
 
You rang ???? :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
 
DJ SVO said:
You rang ???? :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
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Who What???

From what I see, they actually have some pyro groups that get together in the Houston area, considered checking it out. You can pretty much find anything you want in Houston. That's where I found this chick downtown on a poll and....
 
Me+gun powder=ton's of fun and amazing hmmmm... fire crackers, yes that's what they are :D:D:D:D
 
Have a bit of experience in that area, although most was not for public consumption.


Lots of work involved, unless you want to wing it -- and then you may still wing it (if ya get my drift) ;)


Gunpowder is fairly easy to work with, just don't drop yer smoke in it, or near it. The heavy stuff, has a mind of it's own, and I don't recommend playing with it, unless you have somebody with a bunch of experience, and all their limbs intact... :sqwink:
 
mac washes are expensive!!! Brian, when I was in my youth (not to long ago) I wanted to do it all (sound, lights, video) I have seen firsthand how cut-throat this biz is, and am just sticking to video, anything else I subcontract out. I have made great contacts with those in the industry in my area (some of the best) and choose to let them do the work, they are more qualified and mature in their business (gots all the gear) than me. Why rock the boat and become a competitor when you can work together with another company, I found that you can still gain credibility and respect either way :)
 
Travis B said:
.... and am just sticking to video, anything else I subcontract out. I have made great contacts with those in the industry in my area (some of the best) and choose to let them do the work, they are more qualified and mature in their business (gots all the gear) than me. Why rock the boat and become a competitor when you can work together with another company, I found that you can still gain credibility and respect either way :)
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couldn't the same be said for a good pyro tech?
 
Valerie Ruste said:
couldn't the same be said for a good pyro tech?
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Very True...

1) Nobody here between Houston & New Orleans does Pyro, Lake Charles included.
2) I AM NOT going to do pyro publicly until all legalities and insurance coverage exists.

From my research today Gerbs (or fountains, sparks) are by far one of the safest effects, which can be used within close proximity of talent. 20' is what is recommended to keep general audience safe. What happened in the Delaware club was due to the lack of following safety protocol, the pyro was way to close to a highly flammable source (backdrop).

What we would do is provide colored smoke which provides no flame.

In Texas Here is the Documentation you need to fill out:
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/forms/sfmfireindustry/SF238fwksguide.pdf
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/forms/sfmfireindustry/SF045fwkindapp.pdf

The Law in Texas:
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=28&pt=1&ch=34&rl=811

Plus the units I am getting come with everything pre-made no mixing of the flammable products, so no missing limbs. everything is pretty self contained, just wire and flip the switch, instant pyro. In fact you don't need any special license to get these, pretty much any consumer can purchase them. These are really safer than typical fireworks you pickup at a fireworks stand during 4th of July.
 
Travis B said:
mac washes are expensive!!! Brian, when I was in my youth (not to long ago) I wanted to do it all (sound, lights, video) I have seen firsthand how cut-throat this biz is, and am just sticking to video, anything else I subcontract out. I have made great contacts with those in the industry in my area (some of the best) and choose to let them do the work, they are more qualified and mature in their business (gots all the gear) than me. Why rock the boat and become a competitor when you can work together with another company, I found that you can still gain credibility and respect either way :)
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Hah yeah they are, my point was that putting all your money into a kickass lightshow (not saying you don't have one) in my mind would be a better investment than pyrotechnics. All it takes is one error and you've got lawsuit on top of lawsuit to deal with. In my mind, it makes it easier for you to be sunk due to a small error. If your set on it, for large venues and safe areas I think it a really cool effect, just be careful.
 
Travis B said:
Very True...

1) Nobody here between Houston & New Orleans does Pyro, Lake Charles included.
2) I AM NOT going to do pyro publicly until all legalities and insurance coverage exists.

From my research today Gerbs (or fountains, sparks) are by far one of the safest effects, which can be used within close proximity of talent. 20' is what is recommended to keep general audience safe. What happened in the Delaware club was due to the lack of following safety protocol, the pyro was way to close to a highly flammable source (backdrop).

What we would do is provide colored smoke which provides no flame.

In Texas Here is the Documentation you need to fill out:
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/forms/sfmfireindustry/SF238fwksguide.pdf
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/forms/sfmfireindustry/SF045fwkindapp.pdf

The Law in Texas:
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=28&pt=1&ch=34&rl=811

Plus the units I am getting come with everything pre-made no mixing of the flammable products, so no missing limbs. everything is pretty self contained, just wire and flip the switch, instant pyro. In fact you don't need any special license to get these, pretty much any consumer can purchase them. These are really safer than typical fireworks you pickup at a fireworks stand during 4th of July.
Click to expand...

Is there a protocol to control pyro, like DMX is the protocol for lights? It'd be cool if you could wire up a combined show.
 
Brian, I imagine that these computer controlled units prob rely on Serial RS232 or their own internal protocol. Since it is relatively low power 12v DC to ignite the match, one could speculate they could build their own (not recommending this btw) that contains relays to execute on command.

In theory, one could program one in DMX, BUT using lighting software or a controller to execute pyro is not safe.
1) There are no continuity tests
2) The software cannot detect ground loops.
3) No Safety Key! Imagine accidentally hitting a scene button triggering the show.

Here is a quick google search result:
http://www.pyrosystems2000.com/start_en.htm

Edit:
Even "motors" (chain hoists) that are used to raise/lower truss use a key or a special trigger to execute control. Other than a pickle.
 
Trav,

The major pyro folks, do a major fireworks display on the river just down the road from my place every summer. It is all computer controlled.

All 3 of the things you mentioned, are built into the software, and easy enough to do.
 
Have you looked into joining the PGI?? This is the place you should be looking for getting started as a pro and help with all PROFESSIONAL pyro related info. If you arent a PGI member, I dont think you would be considered a very credible pyro artist or a PRO at all. They throw a KICK A$$ week long convention (with instructional classes and world class displays/shows) every year too! http://www.pgi.org/
 
I believe it was Bernie who used to do Pyro, a few years ago he posted a pic from one of his weddings on the S**t Board. It was a pic of the Bride on fire!

Yeah I want that to happen at a gig I am doing!
 
Again, pyro when used properly and safely is okay. It is when somebody does not respect the dangers when stuff can go wrong.

Gerbs and other pyro effects can cause scorching to flammable materials even causing them to ignite.
 
Yes but Bernie was licensed, highly trained and a long time user. Still his bride caught fire!

It simply isn't something that anyone needs to be using at a DJ show to begin with and in view of the deaths that have ocurred in recent years I am willing to bet it would be next to immpossible to get and insurance to begin with and completely impossible to get a venue to agree to let them be used even if you were an insured pyro expert.
 
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