Pyrotechnics Outline
1) What are Pyrotechnics?
a. Explain how they are moderately controlled chemical reactions that produce light, heat, smoke, gas and sound. (Not only fireworks, but special effects.)
2) History
a. 200 B.C. (Believed Chinese accidently threw chunks of bamboo into a fire and they exploded.)
b. 600-900 A.D. (Gunpowder fireworks invented in China.)
c. 1400-1500 (Italians develop aerial shells and bursts of gold and silver sparks)
d. 1600 (Fireworks are brought to America by settlers.)
e. 1730 (Firework shows in England are available to the public as opposed to only being available to the wealthy.)
f. 1777 (First Independence Day celebration with fireworks. One year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.)
g. 1830 (Colorful fireworks invented by Italy by pyro technicians, red, green, blue and yellow can be used.)
3) Different Types of Pyrotechnics
a. Airburst - Hanging charges designed to burst into spheres of sparks.
b. Binary Kits - Powders divided into oxidizer and fuel intended to be mixed before use.
c. Comets - Rising shots resembling shooting stars.
d. Preloaded Comet
e. Preloaded Mine - Tubes containing a lift charge intended to project stars, sparks, confetti or streamers.
f. Preloaded Smoke Pot - Cartridges designed to release a mushroom cloud of smoke.
g. Preloaded Report (concussion tube) - Tubes designed to create a loud report.
h. Falls - Devices intended to drop like falling stars.
i. Fireballs/Mortar Hits - Containers creating mushroom clouds of flame.
j. Flame Projector- Columns shooting pillars of flame.
k. Flare (Torch) - Short, high intensity flames or various colours.
l. Flash Cotton (Sparkle String) - Cotton string impregnated with nitrocellulose
m. Flashpaper - Sheets of nitrocellulose resembling tissue paper.
n. Flash Pot - A container for creating a bright flash and smoke.
o. Flash Tray (split mine) - A long tube creating a wide, bright flash.
p. Gerb - A fountain of sparks.
q. Lance - A small brightly colored fountaĉin that produces few sparks.
r. Line Rockets - Whistling gerbs traveling across wires.
s. Multi-Tube Article(multi-shot plate, multiple shot repeater boards and bombardo boards; designed to function in sequence) - Multiple effects chained together.
t. Pre-Mixed Powder - Powders intended to create various effects. (Concussions, flashes, etc.)
u. Squib - A small, pre-matched device typically used to replicate bullet hits.
v. Strobe - A device intended to create bright repetitive flashes.
w. Wheel (Saxon) - Tubes that create a spinning wheel of sparks.
4) VisFX and Pyrotechnics
a. Movies(?) Concerts (?)
b. (Show short Video?)
5) 10 Most awesome Movie Explosions of All Time Ever (show site).
a. http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/10-most-awesome-movie-explosions-of-all-time-ever.php
