Anyone know about pyrotechnics jobs ?

[coilback]

Okay, I'm headed over in January for the College Program, so it's already established that I'll have my "foot in the door" so to speak. I'm curious if anyone knows about how often they hire someone for pyrotechnics. The reason I ask is because I've help to run and direct several MAJOR city shows in the Dallas/Ft Worth area (I'm a licensed pyrotechnician in Texas) for 7 years and one of the guys told me that he has a friend that works at Disney as a pyro and that they are always looking for licensed assistants. Now, I already know that the licenses are only state wide, but having it shows that you know a bit more about what you are doing (you have to go through an apprenticeship in Texas in order to even qualify to test). The reason I ask is because I want to stay within the Disney company - eventually trying to become an Imagineer, but I know I'm going to have to work my way up. I'd prefer responses from people who know something (not just those who pretend to know which I've run into a few times on here).

 

[coilback]

Let me add that I'm not talking about doing pyrotechnics FOR the College Program, but applying for it afterwards.

 

[WDW Monorail]

boo52 could answer this question best.

 

[coilback]

boo52 could answer this question best.

Does he work in pyro there ?

 

[coilback]

Does he work in pyro there ?

Anyone know how I can get in touch with someone that might have an idea ?

 

[unkadug]

Anyone know how I can get in touch with someone that might have an idea ?

I wouldn't pretend to know......

 

[ClemsonTigger]

There are some folks on the boards that have involvement. Probably best to wait a little for them to reach out to you. You could also do a search on other pyroT threads for contacts.

 

[coilback]

There are some folks on the boards that have involvement. Probably best to wait a little for them to reach out to you. You could also do a search on other pyroT threads for contacts.

Did searches and read a few, but couldn't find anyone who seemed like they actually worked with pyro at WDW

 

[coilback]

I wouldn't pretend to know......

It's good you'd at least say it. I've seen a couple of users, one specifically, who seem to spout off stuff like it's factual information when most of the time it ends up being the opposite of what they say...

...yet people seem to buy into it each time.

 

[backstagematt]

I am a tech at one of the WDW parks. They hire few people soly for the purpose of doing pyro, but as a tech part of the requirement for employment is for you to get your pyro card. It is built into your training, a two day course, and is all paid for.

Once you are in the swing of things you would get trained at different stages/shows which have pyro as part of their setup/running. So you could be doing "Deck 1" at a stage and part of that would be sorting/loading pyro.

Make sense?

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

 

[coilback]

I am a tech at one of the WDW parks. They hire few people soly for the purpose of doing pyro, but as a tech part of the requirement for employment is for you to get your pyro card. It is built into your training, a two day course, and is all paid for.

Once you are in the swing of things you would get trained at different stages/shows which have pyro as part of their setup/running. So you could be doing "Deck 1" at a stage and part of that would be sorting/loading pyro.

Make sense?

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

Sounds logical. Doesn't sound like anything I haven't done. I've done everything from setting up/fusing (squibbing) to designing and directing a full show (including assistant director for the City of Dallas show in the Cotton Bowl). Actually, I've probably done things the "hard way" since our company did a lot of manual fire (no computers, but still electric) shows and a VERY small amount of handlit (no thank you to those). I'll send a PM your way.

 

[coilback]

I am a tech at one of the WDW parks...

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

Would love to PM you but it says you have PMs blocked or disabled. Here's what I'd like to know (what I had typed on the PM).

Do you know anyone I could contact to maybe try to talk to about the pyro positions ? I've got extensive experience in it (over 7 years and working as "second in command" of the pyro company I worked for) and it'd be something I'd be looking to get into after my CP is over (in May). I go there for my college program in January so I could talk to them face to face then.

 

[backstagematt]

Thats weird... I have PM's enabled... huh... oh well. When you get down here go to the Tech Manager for that park. Now that I say that there is a manager shake up going down so that may not be the best way... If you get down here and still need help I can get ya to the right place. Who knows who will be the right person then.

 

[coilback]

Thats weird... I have PM's enabled... huh... oh well. When you get down here go to the Tech Manager for that park. Now that I say that there is a manager shake up going down so that may not be the best way... If you get down here and still need help I can get ya to the right place. Who knows who will be the right person then.

sounds good. Not sure why the PM wouldn't work

 

[unkadug]

Thats weird... I have PM's enabled... huh... oh well. When you get down here go to the Tech Manager for that park. Now that I say that there is a manager shake up going down so that may not be the best way... If you get down here and still need help I can get ya to the right place. Who knows who will be the right person then.

Actually, it seems that you do NOT have PM's enabled. If you click on your user name, sending a PM is not even an option. :shrug:

You might want to double check your Control Panel. :wave:

 

[coilback]

K, so it wasn't just me trying to PM him with no luck then

 

[coilback]

Thats weird... I have PM's enabled... huh... oh well. When you get down here go to the Tech Manager for that park. Now that I say that there is a manager shake up going down so that may not be the best way... If you get down here and still need help I can get ya to the right place. Who knows who will be the right person then.

Well, I'm here now on my CP, and would love to be able to stay here and if there's some way I could get a job in pyro that would be great. I'll go over my qualifications again in case you need them:

7 years as a show director / technician for a decent size pyrotechnics company in Dallas, TX

Licensed in Texas with a Pyrotechnic Operator's License and Special Effects Operators License

Have worked on large scale fireworks shows such as city sized shows (including the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX for the 4th of July) as well as concert/proximity pyro