7 replies to this topic

[Frozentech]

Well, spent much of the day working ( for free, dammit ) with a well known pyro-pro near my home town. We pulled the local New Year's Eve show from inventory and made up cake boards for it. I learned a lot about the professional display behind the scenes stuff, some history ( the guy's been in the biz over 40 years, and did explosive demolition of buildings before that ). Got invited to shoot shows around the state, and he can sign me off on the 5 class 1.3 shows I need to apply for a State license, while I make a few bucks ( not in it for the money of course

God, I love those big magazines full of bins of 3-8 shells, and the few bigger ones he showed me. ( this show only went up to 8" ) I'd like to have my hands on a few of those 1000 gram cakes too, here in the States 1.4 only allows up to 500 g cakes. Oh well... after I get licensed... But, will this hobby turn into work ? I've ruined a hobby before by making into work.

I just have to quote part of the email he originally sent inviting me to get involved, though :

"Do you really want to quit buying the 1.4G materials from the Fireworks stands?

When a person like yourself gets involved with 1.3G ( display Fireworks) It changes them RADICALLY!!
No longer are you satisfied with the wee pops and fizzes of the "Unprofessional". You open the door to Fireworks Mecca.

Put away your pocket book an enter the realm of 6" Salutes and 12" Golden Kamuros. Where 3" bottle rockets replace those "Tiny" 1/4 " size.

Are you mentally ready?
It changes your entire life,"

Well.... what would *you* reply ?

[Maineiac]

Little do you know but you've already sealed your fate. Being in a mag like that is like being a kid in a candy store. You got all giddy and had a pretty stupid smile on your face didn't you? You may find yourself not completely forsaking 1.4g either. You will however seek out only the finest items in that class and many items that are raved about on the review sites will seem rather mundane.
Work? You will bust your ass setting up shows and then have the joy of tearing them down after the fact. Be it 95 degrees or 15. Consider yourself lucky if you can make a few sheckels while doing it. The love of the game and a dinner is about all I seek out of it. The shear rush of adrenaline that makes your stomach flip in that couple of minutes before the show is worth every bit of dirt and soreness. The peak in awareness as you stand amidst the guns with your fusee, going from rack to rack. It gets truly interesting when, for timings sake, the lead shooter is yelling for you to "Hit the paper!!". No delay...just BLAM! E-fired shows are nice but I'll truly miss the hand firing when the NFPA makes it mandatory to fire electronically. There's just nothing that can compare to those guns barking a couple feet away from you. Dangerous? Hugely! I've had my fair share of frights but if you keep your wits about you all will typically turn out ok. I will say that with e-fired shows you at least get to watch part of it. Rule #1 when amongst the mortars, don't look up! Has he told you what your duties will be during the shoot? Hopefully start you off spotting and go from there. In a matter of a couple shows you'll be calling low breaks just by the sound of the gun.
In closing I'll tell you what a very well known pyro once told me, "Don't let it become an obsession. It will control you day and night". That is the power of pyro.

[adamw]

Give in to the dark side..

Honestly.. you don't get chances like this often. So take it.

Edited by adamw, 20 December 2005 - 07:25 PM.

[RegimentalPyro]

Take the red pill!

[sizzle]

Take the red pill!

Nice play on The Matrix there Regi

[Ben McBen]

Nice play on The Matrix there Regi

Lewis Carroll even (who I suppose Morpheus was quoting)

[sizzle]

Lewis Carroll even (who I suppose Morpheus was quoting)

Well, I was close then.