For their second performance in the Montreal International Firework Competition, entitled "An American Idol", California-based Pyro Spectaculars by Souza presented a show choreographed only to Elvis Presley's hits. "I have wanted to do something different. That was the idea to come with one unique theme" said James Souza, president and designer of this display which had never been performed before.
In 2001, Pyro Spectaculars made a great display in Montreal but it didn't win. As Souza explained to PyroPlanet, some changes were made to increase the chance to go on the podium. "What happened in 2001 is just some unfortunate things with the firework behavior during the show, but the show was very good. But since then I learnt how to manage the show more technically and to work here at this festival... The biggest difference was that we come up with this new idea about Elvis." Compared to the show from 2001, Souza didn't use material with the MagicFire ignition system and the story wasn't told with a long narrative.Like the Chinese team, Pyro Spectaculars by Souza used the PyroDigital firing system. More than 5000 cues fired the display with product from companies around the world. "We manufactured most of the special effects on the front line (ramp 3) and a lot of comets are from our manufacture" added Souza. Other material came from Spain, Portugal, Italy, China and Japan.
Synchronization was flawless throughout the show and it was spectacular in some segments as sequences of mines, orange flames or gerbs danced with the music. Lances which drew the letters ELVIS, wheels and huge fountains on floating platforms in the middle of the lake were added to a setup already well filled. However the base (low frequencies) was often too loud, an uncommon problem since La Ronde's sound system is rightly renowned for his high quality.
The 2007 edition of L'International des Feux Loto-Québecwill continue with Canadian, French and German displays on July 18th, 21th and 25th. An off-competition show will be presented by Panzera on July 28th, following the awards ceremony.
Text and photos : Frédérick Bastien.
The American Consul in Montreal, Rhonda Watson, and the Pyro Spectaculars by Souza crew stood as the national anthem was performed by Julie McCabe. With his disguise, Jim Souza's nephew has been introduced to the audience as "Elvis Presley" by Michel Lacroix, master of ceremony. Once again, we avoided bad weather condition since a light rain miraculously stopped between the ceremony and the start of the display (and resumed right after!).
To make a veiled reference to Elvis' famous clothes, the opening segment was entirely made of white pieces, like this sequence of comets with shells above.
Souza exhibited several "scramblers", that is, mines of huge go-getters which flew lower than the more usual shells of go-getters. The audience was obviously impressed by this special effect.
Shells of smiley faces burst as candles ejected whistling serpents below.
"One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready..." Shells drew numbers 1, 2, and 3 on the music of "Blue Suede Shoes".
The next segment featured a fan of golden mines with blue ending, as the sky became swept by trails from several kamuros which burst above.
On the music "Viva Las Vegas", the audience was carried to the casino with these dice, made of shells of three-dimensional cubes. Who has manufactured them? "This is a top secret!" answered Jim Souza. PyroPlanet learnt from a reliable source that these cubes were from the Chinese firm, Sunny International, which displayed them in Montreal in 2004.
A fan of dense meteor-headed comets erupted from a cake on the fourth ramp, with a well-synchronized sequence of gerbs along the lake.
Souza concluded his show with a patriotic finale, made of white, blue, and red stuff. A voice announced that "Elvis has left the building", leading the audience to a well-deserved standing ovation for the American team.
Following the display, the crew of Pyro Spectacular by Souza was proud of their second show in Montreal. Members appear here with La Ronde's team.
For a comprehensive report, more photos and discussions, please visit Paul Marriott's website, montreal-fireworks.com.
The soundtrack of each firework display is broadcast live on Rythme FM, at 10:00pm Eastern Time. To listen the music on the web, click here and select "Radio en direct" when the firework is scheduled.
