Saturday, July 02, 2016
Playing with Fire: Choreographed Fireworks
www.yourperformancepartners.com: This holiday weekend in the U.S., many of the largest public fireworks displays will feature pyrotechnics choreographed to music – either live or recorded. In Nashville, for example, the Nashville Symphony will perform an original medley of songs in a “perfectly choreographed fireworks spectacular.” We thought that learning about the technology behind these patriotic spectacles might make them even more memorable.
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Like most people, my love of fireworks developed when I was little, and still continues. The article stated that “fireworks are appreciated worldwide”, and I completely agree. Regardless of where we go, fireworks are almost always a sign of celebration. The article explains that the fireworks are operated by buttons, much like the “go” button on a light board. It is a good reminder that not everything can be automated. There needs to be a real person behind the magic, because with live music, nothing is the same each time. The article went on to talk about how beginner choreographers often set the fireworks off simply on the beats of the music, while more advanced choreographers try less to synchronize the fireworks to the beat, and more to create a certain mood that matches the spirit of the music. This is very reminiscent of what a lighting designer does, as they essentially “choreograph” the lights. Could this be the future of lighting design?
With the Fourth of July so close, I think this article is even more relevant. Like everyone else, I’ve always had an interest in fireworks and other pyrotechnics. After discovering a new interest in tech and in symphony style music, I’ve been paying more and more attention to how the music and the fireworks work together, especially in large scale firework shows I’ve seen recently in Disney World and Universal Studios Florida and shows like John Williams opening the new Harry Potter world whose videos are online. As a violin and viola player, it’s interesting how the musicians are affected by the presence of fireworks and how there are steps to prepare for this kind of interference. It also astounds me to learn the level of skill it takes to operate a firework show, as every firework is different and and to manually operate a show like this, one has to be very careful to make sure everything is perfectly timed. With a new appreciation for this art form, I hope to see some really cool fireworks shows tomorrow!
One one hand, as a proponent for practical effects in any kind of film or video, whether it be in movies or, in this case, advertisements, I personally find it horrible just how much CGI has replaced practical effects. On the other hand, I find it amazing just how advanced our technology has become and how that has been causing advances in our technology like the Blackbird. It amazes me that we have the technology to completely remove the need to have each and every individual car to create car commercials, and even more so that many people are unaware of the fact that even before the release of the Blackbird, advertisement makers had been using CGI to reduce the cost it takes to make ads. It makes me wonder where this technology is going and what this means for the industry as a whole, and if this is the first step to removing the actual models of cars from ads and film forever.
While I personally hate fireworks I find amazing the detail and precision that allows shows like this to go on. Most surprising to me are the instantaneous fireworks, as I am used to the hand held or floor ones that are lit and go off that way. The inclusion of technology in this process greatly advances the special effects in a way that allows specialists to come in rather than a dependence on CGI. The only downside I perceive with the greater consumption of fireworks is the danger and damage that can be caused by amateurs. I find the most amazing aspect of these performances to be the musicians, however as they must play "deaf" which takes an amazing amount of skill. The intricacy of the choreographers of the fireworks is praiseworthy, however, especially those who have grown to make a story or have the works go outside of beats to cause emotional responses of the audience.
Growing up in Massachusetts I watch the Boston Pops perform along side fireworks going off every year with my family, (on TV of course). I always thought the way the fireworks were very closely timed with the music was cool, but I never really thought about how it was done. I enjoy fireworks, they are basically tiny controlled explosions, but I am a very clumsy person so operating them was never really an option for me. I was usually relegated to standing far away from the burning metal during family 4th of July parties, so hearing they can be electronically operated is a huge plus for me. I also love classical music and listening to it while watching things happen in time to it, or imaging things happening in time to it, which I realize is just me describing fireworks displays, but I really do like them. I also love the fourth of July, so yay! Happy 4th!
Ever since I can remember I have loved setting off fireworks and lighting fires, to the point where my parents called me pyro-boy for a brief period of time. There was something exciting about them, and although that excitement was most likely caused by the possible dangers associated with fireworks I was enthralled none the less. Due to my interest I did encounter some injuries such as burning my eyebrows off and singeing my hair while trying to make a hot air balloon, as well as countless blisters. To be honest I feel by automated the fireworks it takes away some of the awe and excitement.
This post is super interesting because it reminds me of a job that I had at my TD's theater he works at in the summer. He TD's for concerts in an outdoor venue that has a programmable water fountain, and when I worked a show or two there, I got to control the fountain. However, I didn't have any sheet music to follow and no prior rehearsals, so I had to follow along the music and anticipate what was going to happen in the song. It was super interesting to be a visual going along with music, since it's something so many shows lack. I've always been curious about how people timed fireworks to music; I always assumed it was preprogrammed to recorded music, so it was interesting to learn that sometimes fireworks are done with live music. Seems like a waste, I'm not sure how much the audience can hear the music if the musicians can't even hear themselves.
I find it fascinating how people have found to incorporate art and creative expression into something like fireworks. Your average viewer will notice a cool pairing between the music and the firework’s energy, but the reality is a much more developed process. Also, the difference between matching the fireworks to tempo versus the emotion of the music. It shows how versatile knowledge from working in a theater is. It is an art form that can be introduced in so many unexpected situations, and it can be developed and experimented with in other arenas. It also goes to show that we should look for applications of these skills everywhere. The different sides of a firework production are equally as fascinating. There is the artistic side, but also the logical side. I never even thought that calculating the time between the ignition and break had to happen, let alone that it took quite a bit of skill in combination with trial and error.
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