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About Space, When and Where
Comments from Steve Lawrence, Senior Pyrotechnician, Geelong Fireworks.
When space is sparse, small fireworks can make a big impression.
A lot of people want fireworks for a wedding, but what if your event location doesn't have enough space for large displays. "We have to follow Worksafe Requirements. For example, any shell UP TO 75 mm diameter requires a MINIMUM safety distance of 45 meters in each direction, a 75 mm shell 55 meters and so on", Steve notes.
"When an event site doesn't provide enough space on land, a possible alternative — if there is water nearby — is using a barge as a launch site. However, using a barge is a lot more expensive — a lot of times a bride and groom can afford a land-based show, but not a barge show. There is the cost of the barge system (Geelong Fireworks have their own pontoon set up for small areas, such as lakes, rivers which can reduce costs dramatically) and tugs etc"
Getting creative with the type of fireworks used is another option. "We did a show at a wedding in a very small rural back yard where the couple didn't have a lot of room, but they really wanted fireworks. We picked effects that were one inch or smaller, along with close proximity fireworks. Another popular effect is a “set piece” — a pyrotechnic effect where individual fireworks are glued to a lightweight bamboo or reed frame in the shape of letters or a company logo - we can also use our fire rope for this effect as well." “It's a great effect to start or end a show.”
Fireworks not always at the end of the night. Many people think that using fireworks as a grand finale to an event is their natural place, but this isn't true. The earlier in the event, the better. Why wait until the end, get everyone excited, and send them home?
"Weddings are an example of how to make an impact sooner rather than later. The absolute best time is as the couple are pronounced husband and wife — when they turn to kiss, the sky fires up. When we have done this, the audience has jumped to their feet, cheered and clapped. Then the reception was incredibly energetic." notes Steve.
"The element of surprise also makes a big impact. There are two essential elements to a good show. First, only the key personnel should know the details, and they should be sworn to secrecy. The second is to move the audience to the best viewing area using another {pretext}. Place a lecturer with their back to the fireworks area. Or after dinner, move the audience to the waterfront for dessert. Not knowing when the show will take place adds to the magic of the evening."
Geelong Fireworks have a wireless firing system that will increase levels of safety, reduce cost of firing systems, reduce setup time, ease choreographic setup, and increase show and design flexibility. With the system, we are able to do simultaneous firing of multiple locations at the same time “This is exciting — it means that within a 5-mile radius of our firing system, we could shoot any number of sites at the same time, and each show could have a different theme, timing or music." he notes.
Choose shell quantity over size to get more bang for the buck. Steve says he's seeing a movement in the industry toward reducing the number of large shells being used in fireworks displays. “It's not universal, but it seems that more displays are using greater percentages of medium-sized and smaller fireworks, and not as many of the really big shells,” he explains . Not using the large shells doesn't mean a less impressive show, though. “Because the large shells are proportionally so much more expensive, not using them means we can put a lot more medium-sized ones in the air,” he explains. “It might make the difference between putting up 400 shells in the air and putting up 450 to 500. This results in a longer display or a more intense display with quicker pacing, because you have more shells to use during the show. In a perfect world, it's a combination of longer duration and quicker pacing.”
Whatever size display they choose to go with, Steve notes that planners need to protect themselves by ensuring that the fireworks company they select is properly insured.
Geelong Fireworks have $20,000,000 Liability Insurance which they have NEVER claimed against.