A pyrotechnician is an entertainer who works with fireworks, fire, and explosives. A pyrotechnician can work on film and television productions as well as live events like concerts and firework displays. Pyrotechnics is a term that refers to any controlled fiery or explosive substance that can be seen in rock concerts and action movies.
Many big-budget Hollywood blockbusters feature massive action set pieces, such as battles with alien robots or high-speed car chases through a major city. There was a pyrotechnician behind every fiery explosion or stream of flame shooting from an alien weapon. It takes a special kind of person to handle such volatile work, just like it takes a special kind of person to handle any other dangerous field of entertainment, such as stunt work. Most pyrotechnicians have the calm and steady nerves required to work with explosives and in the high heat of fiery devices.
Many pyrotechnicians work in the live entertainment industry. Typically, these individuals will find a lot of work doing fireworks shows for major holidays and occasions around the world, such as the Fourth of July in the United States (U.S.) or other major holidays and occasions. Particularly prestigious events, such as those broadcast on television or for world leaders, will earn a pyrotechnician more money and respect within the industry. Being a specialized firework technician necessitates a deeper understanding of how chemicals influence the coloration of fireworks. Typically, such a technician must be able to control the brightness of the bursts, the colors of the explosions, and even the flare patterns.
A pyrotechnician can also work as a live show pyrotechnician for popular bands, particularly rock bands. Devices that fire streams of sparks into the air to punctuate certain parts of a song or dance moves are examples of this type of work. Some extreme groups have even incorporated fire displays into their costumes, with large jets of fire shooting from musicians’ sleeves or helmets, allowing them to shoot fire from their hands. While such performances are uncommon, they do necessitate the use of trained and certified pyrotechnicians to ensure the safety of the performers and the audience.
Occasionally, fire departments will collaborate with pyrotechnicians to create demonstrations of how fire burns in order to educate the public about home fire safety. A pyrotechnician is someone who works with fire professionally and is intimately familiar with how fire behaves in different environments. They can use this knowledge to keep others safe. Pyrotechnicians, on the other hand, are professionals with years of experience, not just people who like to play with fire. It is a hazardous profession that should not be attempted by novices.