‘Cosmos: A Space Odyssey’ PyroDrone Display at 2024 PGI Convention
It’s not quite boots on the moon, but pyro on drones is still pretty sweet.
‘Cosmos: A Space Odyssey’, shot as the grand public display at the 2024 Pyrotechnics Guild International convention, featured fireworks being launched from drones and was the closest physical integration of fireworks to drone sequences in a US display to date.
On August 9th in Brainerd, Minnesota, we co-presented a massive pyrotechnic + 1800-drone integrated pyromusical display at the 2024 Pyrotechnics Guild International convention.
At 1800 drones, this is the largest drone show in Verge Aero’s network yet. Ninety of the drones were mounted with up to 4 pyro cues.
For this special display, we sourced the finest effects in all of Italy: more than seven hundred ’76 Italia 1.4 single shots and over five hundred 1.3 shells (3″ to 6″) from Giuliani Fireworks.
The best folks in the display business came together to produce this show, and it was no small or easy feat! Show producer Peter Rogoz (VP of ’76 Pro Line) and Verge Aero’s Joel Robinson on-site talk about the vision and unique challenges in our behind the scenes video below.
What’s In Store for Firework + Drone Integrations?
The sky is literally the limit! Our goal with this show was to experiment, test the limits of “pyrodrone”-ing, and provide inspiration for the next *professional* experiment.
Spirit of ’76 and Verge Aero teams hopped on the ’76 podcast to recap lessons learned and muse what’s in store for pyro/drone integrations going forward. Listen below, click here to listen on Spotify, or search for 76 BoomCast on Spotify. Recap chat begins at 16:30.
Key Players & Special Thanks
This show was no small feat and could not have been accomplished without everyone involved. We’d like to thank all our partners–including Verge & their network companies, Astro Magic FX, J&M Displays, Ace Pyro, and the PGI–as well as the volunteers who helped us up until the last possible minute.
From planning to execution, at least a dozen companies and 50+ individuals were involved including:
- Vision, choreography, production & coordination by Spirit of ’76 Fireworks and Verge Aero
- Pyro setup & 1.4 logistics by Astro Magic FX
- 1.3 shells, and 1.4 Italian fireworks (’76 Pro Line Italia), manufactured by Giuliani Fireworks
- 1.3 pyro logistics & setup assistance by J&M Displays
- Firing systems included Cobra, StarFire, FireOne
- Flame units: Galaxis G-flames, Spark Fabrica sf-180 flame units
- Additional firing systems & equipment provided by ACE Pyro
- Drones supplied by additional Verge Aero network companies including but not limited to: Flylight Drone Shows, Northern Lights Drone Shows, Rozzi Fireworks, Fantasy Drone Shows, Open Sky Pro Drone Shows, Fireworks by Grucci
- PGI Volunteers & Staff
In other fireworks news:
2025 Fireworks Photo & Video Contest
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Wednesday, July 19th, 2024.
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