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Pyrotechnic Choreography
Jul. 5th, 2009 12:11 amSan Francisco runs two identical fireworks shows a little over a mile apart. It's an easy solution to ensuring that lots of people can get a good seaside view.
I have always wondered about the choreography of high-end fireworks shows and how precisely the designers can anticipate the experience. I'm sure the imprecise nature of mortar shells, as well as wind and air resistance, add some inconsistency. Tonight we got to find out. We stood at the top of Coit Tower, one of the few public areas of the city with a sweeping enough view to let you see both shows at once. In addition to seeing everything in stereo, we were able to see how much variation there was between the two shows.
Heights seemed fairly consistent, with about 10% variation. Side-by side launches were also quite consistently spaced horizontally. Either someone down there must precisely setting the angles or the side-by-side fireworks are launched from separate barges. I'm impressed. It seemed like maybe 2-3% of the fireworks didn't fire, and it was usually a whole group missing as opposed to just one.
Orientations on the smiley face fireworks and other "shape" ones seemed fairly random. They had some nice new directional ones this year that looked like strawberries with oversized leaves and stems attached.
So basically, the pyrotechnic choreographers have fairly tight control over their shows, and could be doing some really wild innovative things. If I had a huge budget, I'd ask them to create some intricate 3D abstract art in the sky for me.
On a separate note, unless there's some technical issue I don't know about, it shouldn't be too hard to make some fractal fireworks. Cluster tiny shells into clusters that blow apart when heated, then cluster THOSE shells into clusters that blow apart when heated, then cluster...
I have always wondered about the choreography of high-end fireworks shows and how precisely the designers can anticipate the experience. I'm sure the imprecise nature of mortar shells, as well as wind and air resistance, add some inconsistency. Tonight we got to find out. We stood at the top of Coit Tower, one of the few public areas of the city with a sweeping enough view to let you see both shows at once. In addition to seeing everything in stereo, we were able to see how much variation there was between the two shows.
Heights seemed fairly consistent, with about 10% variation. Side-by side launches were also quite consistently spaced horizontally. Either someone down there must precisely setting the angles or the side-by-side fireworks are launched from separate barges. I'm impressed. It seemed like maybe 2-3% of the fireworks didn't fire, and it was usually a whole group missing as opposed to just one.
Orientations on the smiley face fireworks and other "shape" ones seemed fairly random. They had some nice new directional ones this year that looked like strawberries with oversized leaves and stems attached.
So basically, the pyrotechnic choreographers have fairly tight control over their shows, and could be doing some really wild innovative things. If I had a huge budget, I'd ask them to create some intricate 3D abstract art in the sky for me.
On a separate note, unless there's some technical issue I don't know about, it shouldn't be too hard to make some fractal fireworks. Cluster tiny shells into clusters that blow apart when heated, then cluster THOSE shells into clusters that blow apart when heated, then cluster...
