8 replies to this topic

[SoonToBePyro]

Hey everyone! Im really interested in becoming a full time pyrotechnition. I've done some reaserch, and I know that you could go into demolition, movie F/X, or fireworks (obviously). But i've also hard that these jobs are hard to get, and not that good of a job. Is it true? Is really that hard or bad to be a pyrotechnition?

[Frozentech]

Hey everyone! Im really interested in becoming a full time pyrotechnition. I've done some reaserch, and I know that you could go into demolition, movie F/X, or fireworks (obviously). But i've also hard that these jobs are hard to get, and not that good of a job. Is it true? Is really that hard or bad to be a pyrotechnition?

Well, I can't speak for demolition or F/X, but display fireworks is a low paid, scut-work job. You do it for the love of the art. Not to mention, for the most part, unless you are a lead shooter in and area with a lot of shows, it's very intermittent work.

[Arthur Brown]

It's easy to be a pyro! However to make a profit/living legally doing pyro is VERY difficult. About 50% of stateside business is conducted on the 4th. meaning there are a lot of shooters who only work once a year! in the UK about 80% of business is 5th November related but we can spread that over several days. So it is very seasonal and often jobs are mutually exclusive because they are all on the same date.

PS
You are only young! Look around for courses at colleges, apprenticeships, and general gofer employment in pyro or sfx companies. While young people will train you, then continue to employ you. Keep your nose very clean so that all the licence checks are good when you want BATFE licences and storage. "misdemenors" can kill a stateside career.

Edited by Arthur Brown, 10 April 2008 - 06:43 AM.

[marble]

Doing commercial shows sucks, hope you enjoy lugging crap into the middle of no where, digging holes for said crap oh and then after the show, digging up and lugging it all back again.

[rocket]

I haven’t found it to bad doing commercial shows, I quit like it really. Mind you we don’t dig holes or any thing like that, all the mortars a in wooded boxed so we just lug the out to were ever. Even the bigger show I don’t mind. It make it better when you get to hand fire the stuff as well.

[marble]

I think people who crack out the portfires and hand fire a show are nuts

[rocket]

I love it, yes it can be a bit risky but its such a rush. Theres nothing like being amongst the smoke and dragon egg from the lift of a cake oh and having then explode on you

[Arthur Brown]

Doing commercial shows is the ONLY way to get someone to pay yo to fire fireworks! So unless you do it for FUN alone, (And can support yourself elsewise) follow the rules, Join a pro fireworks company and do a lot of training and manual labour while you are young and fit, Then as the young is passing and the fitness is beginning to expand your belt the wisdom and skill you gain should let you be the leader of a shooting team.

This is principally a UK forum Fireworks enthusiasts on your side of the pond will help you more.

Study the US fireworks forums LOTS of members on those will teach you to fire safely then take you on proper jobs. Look out PGI and pyrouniverse.com

[SoonToBePyro]

Well, this may seem crazy, but I'm also thinking of moving to Japan. There will be twice as many companies, and more shows in the year.