Live Tech Talks

No Upcoming Events Scheduled Right Now
Please Check Back Soon!

Recorded Tech Talks

Seminar TitlePresentersSeminar Description
Modern Spectacle: Design, Technology, Considerations and ManagementEric Tucker, Pyro Pete Cappadocia, Martin HildebergA roundtable discussion, moderated by Peter Rogoz, of show design concepts with some of the most accomplished pyrotechnicians in the world. . . . Discussions include creative inspiration, workflows, technical developments, and the future of fireworks. What mediums outside of pyro, if any, do you seek inspiration from? Are there particular artforms that influence your work? What are the differences in your approach between designing a stand alone fireworks display vs being part of a multimedia production? Is designing as support for a live entertainer different than designing as part of a multi media show without a live entertainer? How does story influence your design work? Does story outweigh technical knowledge/effects when designing? Walk us through how live entertainment workflows have changed with the integration of several multimedia technologies driving a display at once. How does software like Finale3D and tools like timecode help you integrate a show? Given where the pyro performance industry is now ie: Music/video based, Drone integration, multi media effects like Laser, Water, Projections, Fire etc – where do we think we will be and/or want to be in 5 years? What excites you about fireworks/pyrotechnics? Is there any effect, show, venue, or project in particular that gets your juices flowing? Is there a difference in your approach when designing for a competition rather than a client? If you could give one piece of advice to current and future pyros, what would it be?Watch
Chlorate and Colored Flames in 19th Century PyrotechnyBarry SturmanThe addition of potassium chlorate to the pyrotecnist’s stock of ingredients in the early 19th century led to the development of a full range of . . . bright, distinctive colours. The story of that development will be outlined, along with a discussion of some of the early compositions in the light of modern scienceWatch
Western Winter Blast Orientation for first time attendeesDennis Miele, Michelle Joye, Mike GarrettIs this your first time at WWB? We’ll discuss what to expect including your arrival on-site, Registration, Seminars and Workshops, volunteering, open . . . shooting, evening displays, Manufacturing and more. There will be a Q&A session at the end so we can answer your specific questions.Watch
Overview of Pyrotechnics Strobe MechanicsKurt Medlin, Dominykas JuknelevičiusIn this presentation, Kurt and Dominykas describes the burning mechanism behind pyrotechnic strobe light effects. Topics include an explanation of the . . . alternating ‘dark’ and ‘flash’ reactions that create the strobe effect and the roles of the chemical components in strobe compositions that create those two reactions. Examples are given for two families of strobe compositions commonly used in practice: ammonium perchlorate-based strobe compositions and nitrate-based strobe compositions. The discussion focuses primarily on understanding the strobe mechanism itself, but will include special considerations and practical information on using strobe compositions in practice.Watch
Screen Sliced Parlon Bound StarsMike GersonIn this Tech Talk Mike Gerson of Skylighter will be showing us how to make red rubber stars using the screen sliced method. These brilliantly burning . . . stars can be made from scratch and ready to shoot in 3 hours or less. Parlon bound stars, such as these, are made by wetting certain compositions with acetone, massaged into a dough, then pressed through a large mesh screen rendering stars of relative consistent size and shape. You can even test burn these stars before they are dry. No other method for making fireworks stars is this fast. We will also show how to prime these star after they have dried.Watch
Introduction to Black Powder Rockets

This introduction to BP rockets will cover the requirements for building core burning motors and some practical considerations.

Watch
Tom Rebenklau Rockets & Precision Headings – Part 1In this Tech Talk, presented in 2 parts, we will show a special video interview with Tom Rebenklau as he goes through a myriad of custom tooling he . . . has created for making and assembling his precision fireworks components. This includes crossettes, star pumps of every imaginable shape and size, fuse cutters, and jigs for precisely attaching headings to his rockets. Tom will be present to answer questions and further explain certain details. Ned Gorski will join us as a panelists along with Dan Miller who conducted the interview.Watch
Tom Rebenklau Rockets & Precision Headings – Part 2In part II of this Tech Talk we will show the rest of a special video interview with Tom as he goes through a myriad of custom tooling he has created . . . for making and assembling his precision fireworks components. Topics covered in this episode include: • Aligning headers on the rocket using a jig • Homemade star pumps • Detailed discussion of crossettes and crossette headings • Cutting time fuse for precision timings. Tom will be present to answer questions and further explain certain details. Ned Gorski will join us as a panelist along with Dan Miller who conducted the interview.Watch
Senko Hanabi: The World’s Greatest Handheld Firework!Senko Hanabi – Presenters cover the history, chemistry and practical considerations of this beautiful but ephemeral firework. Senko Hanabi has been . . . described as a miniature fireworks show in your hand. We assembled an all-star group of presenters and panelists from around the world to lead this in-depth discussion.Watch
Copper(I) Bromide: An Alternative Emitter for Blue-Colored Flame PyrotechnicsDominykas will present his study done on CuBr, a candidate emitter for blue flames. Spectra, sensitivity, color properties will be discussed. Dr. . . . Dominykas Juknelevicius is a chemist from Lithuania. He has spent 7 years doing research on illuminating pyrotechnics and last year he has defended his PhD on the same topic. Besides scientific work, he shoots firework displays and is also familiar with the craft of making fireworks. Moderated by Joel BaechleWatch
An Introduction and Practical Guide to Using Glitter MixesIn this seminar, Kurt will present an overview of basic glitter effect types, common formulations, and the role of the various components in glitter . . . mixes. Practical considerations for using glitter mixes in stars and comets, as well as static and propulsive devices like fountains, drivers, saxons and tourbillions will be presented.Watch
Practical Tips for Using Ematches and Wires When Planning a ShowWithout aligning with any firing system, there are several considerations for choosing how to wire effects to firing systems and even simple . . . batteries, along with using long runs of shooting wire. Parallel and Series firing have many different factors that affect them. The proper selection of wire, series vs parallel wiring, and the overall field layout can have a big impact on the success of your show. Will cover how ematches work, shunting, simple methods for calculating the number of ematches you can shoot in various series/parallel configurations, why wire gauge of your shooting wire matters, tips when mixing matches from different manufacturers, and situations where some methods may be better than others. Using standard (<= 24V) vs high voltage capacitive discharge firing units in different situation will also be covered.Watch
After the Shutter Clicks

Tom Calderwood goes over his process of what happens after he takes a fireworks picture. Recommended to see the Pyrotography seminar first.

Watch
Collecting Firecrackers and Vintage Fireworks

Preserving the history of vintage crackers and fireworks through collecting. Tom and Rob will share their passion for collecting vintage fireworks.

Watch
The Evolution of Pyrotechnic Digital Scripting, Firing and 3D Simulation“Visual Show Director” is a the first computer software program intended for scripting with 3D simulation of professional fireworks displays and . . . pyrotechnic effects in real time. The software originally allowed the user to capture and record time cues to create a script where the effects descriptions are inserted in order to program the Pyrodigital firing system or others, and later integrated and introduced 3D visualization giving the user the option to add it to the pyro design experience. This seminar will go over the development of such a system over the last few decades.Watch
Torpedo CanesInnovation in a technological, economic, and social milieu. Warren will discuss the history of a pyrotechnic device from a bygone era. Implications . . . for both history buffs and the fireworks industry are discussed in addition to the technical problems associated with these devices.Watch
Builders Showcase >> Virtual Winter Blast30 minutes of the best fireworks made by members of the WPA and other outstanding fireworks builders in the USA. Each device or set of devices are . . . shown in detail for construction and then shot showing their spectacular performance.Watch
Shoot Fire Like a Girl >> Virtual Winter BlastFour members of the Flaming Lotus Girls discuss the combustible fuels we know and love, and the colorants and chemistry behind their prettiest . . . effects. They cover their philosophy around buttons and crowd interaction, the anatomy of a poofer, how our control systems work, and how we incorporate our extremely popular blowdown shooters into our shows. Then they talk about how we design overall show flow, and incorporate special features like fireworks… plus, how do we get away with this insanity, and why do we even do this? The answer is rooted in the importance of inclusion, which is core to our mission and our very existence.Watch
Round Ball Shells from Zero to Hero >> Virtual Winter BlastRound ball shells are a staple of American display fireworks and a point of rich pride and tradition in Japan. With perfectly spherical breaks, the . . . basic shape of a flower is created. Adding additional stars and effects give multiple petals, and even elaborate color changes as the display unfolds in the sky. This seminar takes the participant on a journey from simple single petal designs through ever larger and far more elaborate effects. We begin with the basic anatomy of a round ball shell, and work up from there. We discuss star rolling using the Toro method, star sizing, how to make burst charge and calculations for lift / timing. We use traditional Japanese construction techniques including total isolation of components with tissue paper, and the use of forms to create a negative cavity directly inside the burst charge for more even and symmetrical breaks. This is not a demo, but rather a series of visuals while we discuss construction technique, design philosophy, and walk you through our decision making process as we plan and execute a project. By the end of this seminar, the participant should have a solid understanding of Japanese round shell construction and be able to make effective decisions around lift, burst and timing.Watch
Finale 3D Live Choreography Showdown >> Virtual Winter BlastThis seminar features both an informative Finale 3D demo and the live choreography showdown. To kick things off, we’ll begin with an overview of the . . . scenery features in Finale 3D Pro. Watch as a virtual shoot site is transformed through the use of background images, 3D models and landscape features. To set the stage for our main event, we’ll take it a step farther by showing how to work with music and arrange firing positions. Finally, we’ll unleash our guest designers, putting their skills to the test in a head to head live pyromusical design showdown!Watch

Software Requirements

View Recorded Seminar

  • To view recorded videos, you must be using a browser newer than 2009. A full list is at the bottom of this page.
  • Click the play button in the video frame.
  • For the best experience, select full screen in the video window. (The icon and location varies depending on your browser and device).