Profession pyrotechnic designer
Pyrotechnic designers develop a pyrotechnical design concept for a performance and supervise the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the pyrotechnic designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. During rehearsals and performance they coach the operators to obtain optimal timing and manipulation. Pyrotechnic designers develop plans, cue lists and other documentation to support the operators and production crew. Pyrotechnic designers sometimes also work as autonomous artists, creating pyrotechnical art outside a performance context.
Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.
Personality Type
- Conventional / Realistic
Skills
- Research new ideas
Thorough research for information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production based.
- Communicate during show
Efficient communication during live performance, anticipate any possible malfunctioning.
- Monitor developments in technology used for design
Identify and explore recent developments in technology and materials used in the live performance industry, in order to create an up-to-date technical background for one’s personal design work.
- Analyse a script
Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
- Work ergonomically
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
- Adapt to artists' creative demands
Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
- Coach staff for running the performance
Give instructions to all team members about how they should run the performance.
- Safeguard artistic quality of performance
Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.
- Work safely with pyrotechnical materials in a performance environment
Take necessary precautions while preparing, transporting, storing, installing and operating with pyrotechnical materials and explosives of class T1 and T2.
- Meet deadlines
Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
- Understand artistic concepts
Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
- Analyse the scenography
Analyse the selection and distribution of material elements on a stage.
- Propose improvements to artistic production
Assess past artistic activities with a view to improving future projects.
- Use communication equipment
Set up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.
- Analyse score
Analysing the score, form, themes and structure of a piece of music.
- Prevent fire in a performance environment
Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are aware of fire prevention measures.
- Present detailed design proposals
Prepare and present detailed design suggestions for a specific production to a mixed group of people, including technical, artistic and management staff.
- Perform quality control of design during a run
Control and ensure the quality of design results during a run.
- Develop design concept
Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.
- Develop design ideas cooperatively
Share and develop design ideas with the artistic team. Conceptualise new ideas independently and with others. Present your idea, gain feedback and take it into account. Make sure the design fits with the work of other designers.
- Update design results during rehearsals
Updating the design results based on observation of the stage image during the rehearsals, especially where the different designs and the action are integrated.
- Analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions
Analyse the artistic concept, form and structure of a live performance based on observation during rehearsals or improvisation. Create a structured base for the design process of a specific production.
- Monitor sociological trends
Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.
- Adapt existing designs to changed circumstances
Adapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.
- Translate artistic concepts to technical designs
Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
- Work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.
Optional knowledge and skills
follow environmentally-sustainable work practices write risk assessment on performing arts production work safely with machines keep personal administration update budget organise resources for artistic production lead a team perform first fire intervention contribute to a safe working environment copyright legislation analyse the need for technical resources use personal protection equipment labour legislation work with respect for own safety document your own practice draw up artistic production provide documentationCommon job titles
- Project manager
- Entertainment technician- pyro & special effects
- Motion graphic designer
- Manufacturing engineer 5