PYROMUSICAL DISPLAY vs. TRADITIONAL DISPLAY
In a choreographed display, the timing of the shells is tied to the musical score. It is important to have burst of color that coincide with beats of music. The length of the soundtrack is really more a matter of where a particular piece of music can be started, transitioned to the next piece or ended. It has very little to do with the timing of the shells themselves.
One particular song may best be timed to a slowly-fired series of blue shells that are long-burning strobes, or glittering shells. Another may best be timed to a rapid-firing chain of shells that create a huge, bright flash and loud report. We use a very sophisticated firing system to both script and fire the program.
It is all controlled by computers that send time signals to modules in the field that in turn launch the shells. The computer actually computes the amount of time that it takes to light the shell, for the shell to reach its apex and at what moment the internal timing fuse will break the shell. The goal is to have the color and/or effect appear at the precise moment in the music. This is what a truly choreographed program looks like.
Unfortunately, many providers simply time the length of an electronically fired program to a sound track. Meaning that they attempt to use the “traditional” method of firing and time it to the length of the soundtrack. If they have a 15 minute-soundtrack they fire shells for 15 minutes and adjust the rate of firing to how much longer the music is playing. This is a timed show, not a choreographed show.
It is a very unsophisticated process and one that I believe produces a low-quality program. Providing this type of program doesn’t really add any cost for preparation since no additional man hours are involved and no additional equipment is needed. The method we use requires that a skilled choreographer sits at a computer and applies each shell in the program individually. Typically, this takes about 1 hour of scripting for each minute of music.
Naturally, this is a more costly production. Not only are a considerable amount of studio hours required, but the firing system required to ensure accurate choreography is much more sophisticated and expensive than a hand-fired show or even a simple electronic firing system.
The size of your program is limited only by the size of your site and the program budget. Outdoor programs typically begin at approximately $3,500 for small, private displays, with Pyromusical productions beginning at approximately $15,000.
But the thrill and excitement created by the show is priceless!
Contact Gateway Fireworks and we will assist you in planning for your display.