Epic Fireworks Blog

Everybody loves a great 4th July fireworks show, but we have compiled some useful tips to ensure that your fourth July fireworks show is as safe as possible:

1. Keep fireworks in a closed box and out of reach of children.

2. Never buy illegal fireworks, always buy fireworks from a reputable retailer.

3. Never try to make your own fireworks!

4. Never handle fireworks if you have consumed alcohol or drugs.

5. Follow the instructions on each firework carefully, use a torch if required, but never use a naked flame such as a lighter!

6. Light only one firework at a time.

7. Light the fireworks at arm’s length using a portfire/taper and stand well back.

8. Never go back to a lit firework, even if the firework fails to go off.

9. Don’t hold lit fireworks in your hand.

10. Never put fireworks in your pocket, as the friction could cause the fireworks to set off.

11. Never throw fireworks.

12. Always point rockets away from spectators.

13. Point fireworks away from homes, tress and any other easily flammable materials.

14. Wear safety goggles when lighting fireworks.

15. If possible wear a high visibility jacket and a hard hat.

16. Light only one sparkler at a time and please handle sparklers carefully as temperatures can reach up to 2,000ºC.

17. Children must be supervised by an adult when handling sparklers and please ensure children wear gloves when using sparklers.

18. Dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water.

19. Always keep a first aid kit to hand in case of any injuries.

20. Animals can get very distressed when fireworks go off. Please keep animals indoors for their own protection.

The Epic Fireworks team have seen plenty of firework time-lapse videos over the years but this has to be the best by far.

The video above was produced by world-class photographer Robert Whitworth.

Robert was given the opportunity to show off his special talent at the DaNang International Fireworks Competition 2013 held in Vietnam.

On the second night of the competition Robert was given preferential access (commissioned by the event organisers, Global2000) to a newly built Novotel skyscraper right next to the launch site, that meant he was standing 100m horizontal away from the large exploding shells. Here’s a shaky iPhone video Robert took (I must stress that it’s a shaky iPhone footage and not pro footage) to give you a feel for the competition. I don’t think you could get any closer to the action without attaching yourself directly to the firework itself!

The time-lapse video was achieved by skilled camera movement and a combination of in camera and post-production techniques. Epic Fireworks had exclusive access to an interview with Robert and we had a few questions for him, check out what was said:

Were you at the event by ‘accident’ or was it for work?

It would be a stretch to call it work… but yes I was commissioned by Global 2000, the event organisers to time-lapse the competition. They have been running it for the last six years. They had come across my previous videos and decided to give me a shot at capturing it. They were great getting me access to pretty much any location I asked.

How many photographs were used to make the time-lapse video?

15091 Raw Images.

How long did it take you to produce the video from start to finish?

The images were shot over five pretty busy days that were blessed with amazing sunsets, not typical for central Vietnam.

The initial crunching of the images took around three 12-14 hour days. And finally the assembly of the video was over a further five 12-14 hour days. So something like 180 hours all in… with some coffee breaks and the odd tin of Larue (local beer).

If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently?

Drink less Larue (local beer). The flight back to Singapore (home) wasn’t much fun first thing the morning after!

Below you can view some exclusive pictures that Robert used in his amazing time-lapse video – truly awesome work.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Robert for his time and wish him all the very best for the future. Keep up the great work Robert

Awesome fireworks kaleidoscope video above by Stan Skrzyzanowski.

One of the best things in life is doing a job you love as all the epic fireworks crew know.

Stan is a professor in the Sculpture and Installation program and he also teaches in Fabrication Studios – both at OCAD University in Toronto, Canada and he must really love his job.

Stan assembled the video clips into a kaleidoscope using video editing software on a firework show he filmed at Hill Crest park in Toronto to celebrate Canada’s Victoria Day.

Amazing work Stan, if you’re reading this, can you make a cool video using sparklers and your fancy techniques? The following link might offer some inspiration sparkler art :)