(Reprint of article from TCI about Brainchild F/X)

Pyro To Go

May 1997--Bouquets of multiple pyro bursts explode with vibrant colors and the crowd at the Orlando Arena goes wild. The indoor pyro displays for the Orlando Predators arena football team are the brainchild of Dave Pavilitz of Brainchild FX in Orlando, FL. Pavilitz has taken the spirit of the outdoor pyro show and moved it indoors at the Orlando Arena, where he has been the technical director since 1989, and is responsible for audio/visual and lighting systems.

"I take a different approach to indoor pyro and try to simulate outdoor effects for indoor usage," says Pavilitz, who has been in the outdoor pyro business since 1976. "Of course, we are concerned about safety, and have to make sure there is no fallout. The product has to burn out completely so nothing falls on the crowd." Brainchild FX uses custom-designed pyro manufactured by Russ Nickel of Precision Theatrical Effects in Montana.

Pavilitz uses certain effects shot from the floor, as well as aerial effects that are suspended, fountain effects, and effects mounted on metal frames and pre-hung from the bottom of the catwalks in the arena. Pyro effects shot from the floor are mounted on a steel frame on wheels. The effects are pre-wired with steel clamps that fit the tubing of the frame. "Nothing can tip over," says Pavilitz, "and the effects shoot straight up."

The control for most effects is electro-mechanical, with one control on the floor and another on the catwalk for aerial effects. The fountain effects are mounted on mechanical yokes that Pavilitz acquired from Keny Whitright of Wybron. "These were yokes from Wybron's Lightwiz," Pavilitz explains. "By putting multiple effects on each yoke and firing them at different times, I can choreograph the fountains to dance. These are computer-controlled."

Pavilitz still designs outdoor pyro shows for such special events as the Citrus Bowl and Outback Bowl, and he designed the effects for a Coca-Cola commercial that aired in Japan. "They brought the U2 set into the Citrus Bowl and used Seal as the talent," says Pavilitz. "We had to time the aerial effects to go off as a helicopter flew over to get the shot exactly right."

Success with the Orlando Predators has led to the design of indoor pyro for the West Palm Bobcats and Tampa Bay Storm arena football teams for next season. "We have had a lot of interest, but can only be in one or two places at the same time," says Pavilitz. He is looking into franchises of Brainchild FX in order to provide his style of indoor pyro on a wider scale. "We would get bulk rates on the pyro and a discount on insurance for multiple venues," Pavilitz notes, "and would train pyro technicians to be licensed for each franchise." To combat the problem of indoor pyro causing too much smoke for other sports leagues, such as the NBA, Pavilitz is working on a negative ion generation system to help dissipate the smoke.

"The response to the indoor pyro show is amazing," says Pavilitz. "We have had to go to a visual cue system. We can't hear the sound cues over the roar of the crowd."

--Ellen Lampert-Gréaux

Photos courtesy Brainchild FX.