If you have dabbled in backyard fireworks, you probably already know the thrill and excitement that hosting your own show can bring. Yet you might feel that something is lacking. Pulling together the perfect fireworks show is both an art and a science, and beginners can feel somewhat overwhelmed. Like anything else, though, practice truly makes perfect. If you’re ready to kick it up a notch, here are some fun ways to take your fireworks show to the next level.
Pacing
Think about your favorite movie. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end, right? Along the way, there are some fast-moving action sequences balanced by some slower moments that give you time to take a breath. To keep your audience hooked, try pacing your fireworks show like a movie.
The beginning of your show should be flashy enough to grab your spectators’ attention. But don’t blow your best effects right out of the gate. Start with something small but catchy, and work your way up. Try to divide your show into three acts, each with its own mix of individual effects and groupings, balancing moments of action with short respites.
Thoughtfully Combine Effects
It can be tempting to just throw a bunch of fireworks together on a rack, light them at once, and call it a grouping. Yet this can create visual noise that is jarring and takes away from the show. Instead, think about which effects, colors, and patterns complement each other. Try pairing large, high-altitude cakes that create attention-grabbing patterns with low-altitude stars or strobes. Pair complementary colors together to build a theme. Combinations are your opportunity to show off your creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Just think through your choices rather than making random selections.
Pay Special Attention to the Finale
Your entire show should build to the finale. In a sense, the finale is the final payoff. It should be big and loud, and fill as much of sky as possible. But it should still be balanced and paced. Use a combination of effects that reach different altitudes and have different angled firing patterns. Choose effects of different sizes with patterns that meld well together.
The toughest part of a finale is often the timing. The goal is for all your different effects to end together. Gather as much information as you can about each product’s duration, and stagger the lighting times to match. You may end up with a few stragglers, but the more closely your finale effects are timed, the more professional your fireworks show will appear.
Try to set the total duration of the finale at around one minute. This is actually a fairly lofty goal that requires quite a few fireworks, so you may find that your first few finales are significantly shorter. That’s fine. Learn from each show and keep refining until you are happy with the results.
Research, Research, Research
If you’re hosting your own fireworks shows, you are probably a big fireworks fan. Watch as many professional shows as possible, both in person and online, and try to break them down. Which product types are used? What does the pacing look like? Which combinations work well together? Is there anything you would do differently? Of course, if you are watching professional shows, not all effects will available to you as a consumer. Still, you can gain a deeper understanding of how shows are put together and get some ideas for your own shows.
Also talk to fireworks experts and fellow enthusiasts. A good fireworks shop will have knowledgeable employees and customers who are eager to explain various products and share their own tips and tricks.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to purchase your next fireworks, or you are simply seeking information on using them safely and responsibly, contact Dynamite Fireworks today at (219) 937-4090.
