All the news from Pyrovision can be found on this page and in the archives. Be sure to also visit the fireworks & effects photo galleryto see photos of Pyrovision's displays.
February 2009 Brits Awards 2009 : Live TV - Earls Court To start the show we created a suitable 'ending' to Kylie's performance and 'dance routine' with James Corden & Matt Horne who were all this year's presenters. A very visual cue of Jets brought this tongue in cheek opening of a performance of 'Can't get You Out My Head' to an end - YouTube clip.
This year's live TV show was a somewhat different for us as we spent many days of planning and preparation for Take That's spectacular set which had no pyrotechnics but special effects on a large scale.
This involved creating the various effects for their appearance from the roof of Earls Court on the 'UFO', this was then slowly lowered to ground level whilst performing their No 1 hit 'Greatest Day', This was then slowly raised again with the band still on board back to the roof level.
The main effects were simulated CO2 'Jets' to create rocket motors for the descent and then towards the end of the song - the ascent. Coupled with this were further units to simulate 'Dry Ice' covering the platform and cascading over the edge of the circular standing platform The effects were used on cues to further enhance a very different and visual part of the show.
The end result looked - although we say it ourselves truly stunning and after many days of planning and rehearsals - the machines and equipment were quite complex, we were more than pleased with the result! - YouTube clip.
November 2008 QE2 Farewell, Southampton Pyrovision was honoured to send off the QE2 on her final voyage from Southampton with a spectacular fireworks display.
» BBC News coverage » YouTube clip
October 2008 QE2 Fireworks Farewell, Liverpool » YouTube clip (starts at 4.06 until 5.19 min)
September 2008 Music on Fire 2008 It was a great privilege to work for the Army Benevolent Fund on the Music on Fire 2008 series of shows.
» YouTube clip
August 2008 Bank of Scotland Firework Concert 2008 Challenge: The music for this year's concert proved to be very challenging as the there were rapid changes in the tempo and the mood of the pieces. It is difficult to establish a 'flow' to a fireworks show with such marked changes over short periods.
Show: The changing tempo meant that this year there were more cues than ever before, it also meant that there were more than 50 different firing sites all around the castle. It was possible to pick out the individual notes in the music with single shot effects such as mines and comets, with the rapid firing of shells over these effects it was possible to create giant walls of colour all around the castle. The large waterfall was as always one of the highlights of the display, but there were also 15 smaller waterfalls to create a cascade of silver all around the castle hill. A range of exiting new firework cakes were also used on this show such as 'China Silk', 'Arctic Storm' and 'White Horses', these helped to create a depth to the show.
"At times, the firework display aspired to pick out each individual note of Brahms Hungarian Dances, turning the skies above Edinburgh into a colourful, audacious and dynamic piece of sheet music. The dramatic Slavonic Dances by Dvorák began with a column of firework stars rising upwards through the night, and continued, to the delight of the watching crowd, with stunning sequences of Roman Candles rising up to 600 feet in the air in bursts of silver and gold. The Waterfall again drew gasps of appreciation from the audience as cascades of white fire tumbled down the Castle walls, while the climax of the display featured huge bursts of noise and light high above Princes Street Gardens that inspired enthusiastic applause from the assembled crowds." - edinburghfestivals.co.uk
July 2008 Music of the Night 2008 Challenge: To co-ordinate fireworks and effects to a live military band, as well as having a cast of 400 on stage with various effects.
Show: During the spoof recreation of a scene from 'Harry Potter', gerbs were fired on a vehicle as it drove on stage, small and large explosions were created as the magic wands were used. Most effects were close proximity stage effects such as comets, mines, concussion and fuel effects. As the show started during daylight hours in the opening sequences daylight effects such as maroons and titanium flash were used. The fireworks finale was set to 'Carmina Burana', '1812' and 'Britannic Salute', sweeping single shot mines were fired from the roof as well as crackling spider and white crackling palms from behind, left and right of the stage. Having three firing sites meant that the audience were treated to a wide frontage of fireworks.
June 2008 Independence Concert, Kiev, Ukraine Pyrotechnics for 'Live and Let Die'
Liverpool Sound 08 Challenge: To reproduce the pyrotechnic spectacle for 'Live and Let Die' that wowed the audience at the Brit Awards on a much larger stage without the loss of intensity.
Show: The larger frontage of the stage required a careful set up of effects as well as 200 extra larger effects such as mines and comets which were placed on the roof of the stage. There was also a fireworks finale at the end of the concert which was a colourful and intense display using a lot of 'special effects' shells such as crossettes and bees.
Territorial Army Centenary Celebrations at Horse Guard Parade Challenge: To incorporate special effects into a show with close proximity to the actors, audience and personnel.
Show: The mock battle sequences were staged as realistic as possible with the use of specifically made muzzle shot effects for the armoured vehicles, gerbs on infantry vehicles and giant flash pots to re-create artillery fire. Rapid firing during the battle scenes was re-created using flashes and bullet hits.
May 2008 Royal Windsor Horse Show Military Tattoo Challenge: To incorporate special effects into a show with close proximity to the actors, audience and personnel.
Show: The mock battle sequences were staged as realistic as possible with the use of specifically made muzzle shot effects for the armoured vehicles, gerbs on infantry vehicles and giant flash pots to re-create artillery fire. The finale also incorporated a waterfall and comets and mines for the roof of the stage.
Classical Brit Awards Challenge: To produce chilled fog on one of the hottest days of the summer.
Show: To achieve the illusion that Sarah Brightman together with a choir was walking on clouds, a hole was cut into the stage floor and dense, chilled fog released to cover the stage floor. For the finale streamers were fired over the audience, the angles were agreed on with camera crew in advance, to achieve the best camera shots.
April 2008 Ventura Naming Ceremony & Sail Away Pyrovision put on two spectacular firework displays in Southampton for the naming of the Ventura cruise ship and then as she set sail on her maiden cruise. YouTube coverage: Maiden Voyage
February 2008 Brit Awards 2008 Challenge: To fit a large amount of pyrotechnics into a very limited space and adapting to last minute changes for live performances and television crews.
Display: Our very experienced pyrotechnicians embraced a flexible approach to the set up - mounting effects on boards so that these could be moved quickly and liasing very closely with production to be able to react promptly.
Mika opened the evening with a 'wall' of Silver Jets, The Osbourne Family as presenters had a very dramatic entrance accompanied by nearly 50 Flame projectors on various levels as well as 80 Silver Jets and Concussion. During the performance of Kylie and her song 'Wow' atmosphere was added with two dry ice simulators, the 'wow' factor was enhanced with two Aerocannons distributing coloured Glitter over the stage and the audience. The aerocannons were also used for Leona Lewis' performance of 'Bleeding Love', this time purple leaves (the same colour as Leona's gown) were gentle blown over the performers, lending a magical feel to the finale of the song. Sir Paul McCartney received his well deserved Lifetime Achievement award and finished the event with an amazing set including 'Live and Let Die' during which 340 (yes, really) effects - Mines, Comets, Jets, Flash, Flame Projectors, Preloads, Airbursts and Concussion - were used in exact choreography to the music. In addition to the pyrotechnic effects, a coloured flame system was used again choreographed to the music. At the end of 'Hey Jude' the Aero Cannons were employed to cover the stage and the audience with multi coloured FlutterFetti as well as metallic silver and gold Fetti. A truly spectacular ending that had the audience in raptures.
January 2008 QE2 final world cruise/Queen Victoria 1st world cruise Challenge: To provide a fitting send off for both cruise liners.
Display: A barge based display including many colour and effect sequences featuring some of our new shell effects such as saturns, waterfall and falling leaves. The reaction immediately after the show proved we had more than accomplished our brief.
December 2007 Queen Victoria Sail Away, Southampton Challenge: To create a stunning display for a very knowledgeable audience.
Display: Layers of multicoloured effects were used; material was varied to create a flow of different patterns and noise. Our client's comment summed it up with 'superb sail away fireworks'.
Queen Victoria Naming Ceremony, Southampton Challenge: There was only a very limited area that could be seen by the audience due to the restrictions of the staging.
Display: The Unveiling of the Queen Victoria to the audience was accompanied by Katherine Jenkins, during the last 20 seconds of the song low level single shot effects were used in chasing sequences around the stage set leaving the ships name visible to the audience. Another pyro cue accompanied the break of the bottle on the ship while the audience was covered with FlutterFetti. To close the show snow machines created a winter scene whilst the last carol was performed.
November 2007 St. Andrews Day, Edinburgh Challenge: To impress the audience with a display which was added to the celebrations for the first time this year.
Display: To create Scotland 'Solitaire' Cross, blue mines were fired with 30 and 40mm silver comet candles going across the front of these at an angle we were at first told could not be done, but was achieved with a stunning result.
City of London Lord Mayor's Display Challenge: To create a display that is even better than the one the year before for a very knowledgeable client.
Display: The design was approached very different this time, with the fireworks creating defined pictures for 45-60 seconds, each starting with lower level material, building up into layers and finishing with a mini finale, but still keeping the flow by not allowing any gaps in the firing and then ending the show on a large gold and silver sequence with a wide range of materials. The sponsors of the display - Black Cat Fireworks - called it the best display they had seen so far and the Lord Mayor called the crew after the display to congratulate them on 'the best firework display I have ever seen'.
Various Shows Challenge: To co-ordinate a variety of shows from small school displays to large corporate celebrations.
Displays: Although this year was our busiest year so far during this period we managed to wow our audiences with our new range of Black Cat Category 4 fireworks. As most of these have already been re-booked 2008 looks set to be just as busy!
'It certainly could not have happened without your help and hard work in preparation and setting up, as well as during the party and also after the event.' Gillian Anderson, dtw 'Many thanks for yet another excellent display' Andrea Harrison, Knockholt Carnival Committee 'As usual it was a superb firework display and I think the spontaneous applause spoke volumes.' Linda Butcher, Town Clerk 'A month on, and people in our village still talk about the amazing display you orchestrated for us. It was truly spectacular - on behalf of the whole firework steering committee... I thank you and your team for the professionalism, enthusiasm, care and vision that you brought to the event.' Nick Rickett, Baston B-Active
October 2007 Swarovski 'Fashion Rocks', Royal Albert Hall Challenge: To create effects for a live, televised show on a very busy stage, with the audience seated very close to the stage.
Display: For Nicole Scherzinger's first UK appearance as a solo artist gerbs were employed during a slow sequence in the song, The Gossip used ice fountains punctuated with silver jets during their performance, the finale act was Sugar Babes with silver jets and mines, finishing with glitter cascading over the audience.
Spalding Pumpkin Festival Challenge: To create a rooftop display surrounded by the audience on all sides.
Display: All material had to be chosen very carefully as debris had to be kept to the bare minimum. Our new range of firework cakes enabled us to not only minimise fall-out but also to lengthen the time of the display with new and stunning effects sustaining the level of intensity throughout.
MTV Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards Challenge: To provide stage effects during a live performance as well as an intense visual finale.
Display: Flames, Silver Jets and Flash Effects were used during the opening song performed by McFly live on stage. The finale incorporated two large CO2 Blowers covering the audience with FlutterFetti - 12 kilos were used in 30 seconds!
Light Fantastic, Milton Keynes Challenge: To choreograph pyrotechnic effects to enhance the Son et Lumiere style show, all material was on a rooftop with the audience below.
Display: All material had to be debris free, flares, single and multishot comets, high output gerbs and mines were employed to punctuate the laser, light and projection show which was set to music.
'I am writing to thank you and your colleagues for the tremendous support that was given to the inaugural Light Fantastic weekend.' Mark Harrison, Light Fantastic
September 2007 Promotional Display for the M.V. Deutschland Cruise Liner on the River Thames Challenge: To create a stunning display for 10 minutes on a restricted budget, with the fireworks having to be positioned on a narrow barge.
Display: To create larger frontage in this restricted area, angle plates were mounted onto the barge to fan fireworks, layering of material with similar effects and colours helped to create a flow, i.e. small silver spinning planet cakes were used, then 14mm silver candles leading into 3" silver spinning shells. Tower Bridge acted as a 'frame' surrounding the display, which gave the display a more theatrical feel. The finale also incorporated a large lancework spelling M.V. Deutschland.
August 2007 Bank of Scotland Firework Concert Challenge: To choreograph one of the largest firework displays set to live music on the historic site of Edinburgh castle.
Display: Rousing sequences, including the overtures to Bernstein's Candide and Gershwin's Strike Up The Band, were interspersed with lyrical and gentle passages of music such as Barber's Adagio for Strings. Various Candle sequences were used starting off from one side of the castle moving across to mimic the waltz movements. The concert concluded in boisterous style as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performed Sousa's The Liberty Bell - known to many across the world as the theme tune to Monty Python's Flying Circus. The humorous mood of the piece was reflected in the use of whistles, hummers - the famous 'raspberry' was created with a mass volley of screecher mines.
"The Scottish Chamber Orchestra has played a prominent role in the Edinburgh International Festival and the concert brought things to a spectacular close." Linda Fabiani, Culture Minister "My first festival as director has been a tremendous thrill and one of the highlights has to be this most remarkable and inclusive of finales."
Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival director
July 2007 Summer Ball Firework Display at the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth Challenge: To better last year's event with a choreographed display to a custom edited soundtrack set in front of this historic building.
Display: The setting meant that calibre size was restricted to 5" shells, to achieve an intense frontage smaller calibre items were positioned close to the parade ground including special effects such as flame/fire projectors.
June 2007 Naming Ceremony of the 'Herodote' Challenge: To add colour to the naming ceremony of one of the largest container ships during daylight hours.
Display: By using several large CO2 Blowers we accomplished the client's brief to cover the dockside and guests in red, white and blue FlutterFetti. At the same time Aero Cannons were set off from the ship sending giant crepe streamers cascading down the side of the ship.
May 2007 Truckfest Firework Display Challenge: To create a low level display set to music within the confines of an arena with the audience surrounding the firing site.
Display: To stay with the atmosphere at Truckfest the fireworks were choreographed to the theme music from 'Rocky' and 'Bat out of Hell' by Meatloaf. Our new range of smaller calibre firework cakes allowed us to use a wide range of effects and noise punctuated by flame and fire effects.
Royal Windsor Horse Show Challenge: To create a display worthy of the Queen's 60th Wedding Anniversary during appaling weather conditions.
Display: A set piece commemorating this special event was fired during the finale of the display inside the castle so that the Queen could enjoy a close view of this. The finale was set fittingly to 'Rule Britannia' which erupted with 300 shells, candles and large calibre cakes to the delight of the audience.
April 2007 Ocean Village Ceremonies Challenge: To create a daylight show with minimum fall out with a carnival feel.
Display: To reduce the fall out zone we worked on warehouse roofs requiring cranes to lift all equipment and material into place. The show was based on certain colours and effects that could be seen in the daylight, as well as noise such as whistles, hummers, screechers and of course bangs. The whole display lasted 5 minutes and ended with an intense finale.
February 2007 Brit Awards Challenge: To provide gold glitter during Corinne Bailey Rae live performance at this prestigious awards ceremony.
Display: Gold glitter was released on cue during this performance.
January 2007 QE2 Silver Anniversary Cruise Celebrations Challenge: To create a firework display worthy the 25th world cruise of the worlds most famous cruise liner.
Display: We created a visual portfolio of the continents she is going to visit on this cruise, i.e. coloured palms/golden chrysanthemum for the Caribbean's, pastel peonies and glitter for the Pacific Islands, swirling tourbillions, Chinese crackers and hanging lanterns for the Far East. The finale was a giant array of crackling silver spider and silver palms as a fitting tribute for her silver anniversary cruise.
