Pyrotechnics Certification?

[coilback]

international license

Hi,
I was wondering, could I obtain a pyro-technician license if I hold a China passport?

Not unless you have U.S. identification as well. Otherwise, you won't pass the ATF check.

 

[Awesomesmom]

Coilback, I was hoping you could tell me whether there is an age requirement for pyrotechnics training? My son has made it past phone interview and has in person interview next week for full time tech position. He has two Associate degrees, one in technical theater and a lot of theater experience in lighting and audio, is currently seasonal. Other castmembers have discouraged him because he is 20 not 21 years old. Thanks for any info or advise you can offer.

 

[coilback]

Well, as far as I know, the ATF check needs you to be over 18. Now I'm not sure if Disney has a different age requirement since I was well over 21 when I was there. The only cast members who can give him a true explanation is someone who actually HAS a pyro card. If they don't, then they don't know what they are talking about. Even if he isn't "of age" yet, you don't need a pyro card until you hit the point where you are physically handling product (pyro) yourself. If you are just on shows with pyro, you don't need it, so if he's just a hair under, they could still use him and just not do his certification until he turns 21 (if that's the case). I didn't get pyro training till several weeks into my position and they pushed me through a bit quicker because I came in with 10 years of pyro experience to start with and they were putting me on the fast track to get on the Wishes crew. I would tell him to at least learn a few things about pyro. Can't remember what all they asked in the interview, I know one of the questions was pyro grades, so here's a tip - 1.4G - Consumer or "stage" pyro - stuff that can be fired close to performers or crowds, 1.3G - professional grade "big stuff" - mainly shells that go in the air. That's the stuff people are used to see during a "fireworks show", 1.2G - demolition grade, 1.1G - military grade - basically the smaller the number, the more heavy duty the explosive.

 

[Awesomesmom]

Thank you SO much for the speedy reply! I have passed the info on to my son, hoping he is successful in his interview. He has been so well accepted and fortunate so far, truely fitting the Disney mold!

 

[AJay]

Well, as far as I know, the ATF check needs you to be over 18. Now I'm not sure if Disney has a different age requirement since I was well over 21 when I was there. The only cast members who can give him a true explanation is someone who actually HAS a pyro card. If they don't, then they don't know what they are talking about. Even if he isn't "of age" yet, you don't need a pyro card until you hit the point where you are physically handling product (pyro) yourself. If you are just on shows with pyro, you don't need it, so if he's just a hair under, they could still use him and just not do his certification until he turns 21 (if that's the case). I didn't get pyro training till several weeks into my position and they pushed me through a bit quicker because I came in with 10 years of pyro experience to start with and they were putting me on the fast track to get on the Wishes crew. I would tell him to at least learn a few things about pyro. Can't remember what all they asked in the interview, I know one of the questions was pyro grades, so here's a tip - 1.4G - Consumer or "stage" pyro - stuff that can be fired close to performers or crowds, 1.3G - professional grade "big stuff" - mainly shells that go in the air. That's the stuff people are used to see during a "fireworks show", 1.2G - demolition grade, 1.1G - military grade - basically the smaller the number, the more heavy duty the explosive.

Coilback

I have a few questions I recently graduated Full Sail with a Recording Arts degree. I have a couple years of audio experience for my church and no pyro or lighting experience. I am scheduled for my second interview in person in two weeks for the Entertainment tech position. What type of lighting and audio basic things should I know?

 

[AJay]

Thank you SO much for the speedy reply! I have passed the info on to my son, hoping he is successful in his interview. He has been so well accepted and fortunate so far, truely fitting the Disney mold!

Awesomesmom

Did your son get they job? How did the interview go?

 

[mickeysbrother]

If it's about QOL, why not search for a job with a foreign carrier that would likely treat you better than any US carrier ever will?

It won't be the same in Canada they treat us like garbage also. Industry wise qol would have to be Lufthansa and British airways! But really hard to get in to both company's

 

[coilback]

Coilback

I have a few questions I recently graduated Full Sail with a Recording Arts degree. I have a couple years of audio experience for my church and no pyro or lighting experience. I am scheduled for my second interview in person in two weeks for the Entertainment tech position. What type of lighting and audio basic things should I know?

Sorry, it took me awhile to answer this. Study up on things such as basic sound running (controls on a board, what "phantom power" is used for), lighting - mainly study up on terminology - show you know the different types of lights, what a gobo is, etc.