The Novice Pyro

07/16/2025

Finale 3D vs. reality comparison of our July 4th show.

A fascinating point… the “bombs bursting in air” had a pretty decent CATO with the 3” multiple reports. The comparison shows that a white strobe shell fired when it wasn’t supposed to just after this CATO occurred. Seems the cato actually might have fired this neighboring shell somehow?? What y’all think?

As always, here is the Finale 3D vs. reality comparison of our small lake show. And yet again, it’s almost flawless. A few interesting points… the “bombs bur...

07/07/2025

Our 2025 4th of July lake show. It can’t compare to some of the bigger shows I’ve done recently, but I will always love that this is where it all started - on our little backyard lake. Enjoy!

Our 4th of July lake show. It can’t compare to some of the bigger shows I’ve done recently, but I will always love that this is where it all started. Enjoy!S...

07/05/2025

UPDATE:

It seems theres some confusion on the items in this rack. These are 1.4 pro shells - they come pre-loaded in cardboard tubes with quickmatch leaders. The CATO blew off the factory label on all of them, so it’s hard to tell.

ORIGINAL POST:

Show went off great. First time experiencing a legit CATO though. Rack did its job and everything went smooth after that. 5 - 3” multiple reports. They all went up 200ms apart using a sequencer. The second one in just decided it was going to blow. 🤷🏻‍♂️💥s

07/04/2025

First year using the sequencers. Will let ya know how it works out. 2 x 12 = 24 multiple reports @ .20 interval. Only 2 COBRA cues used.

07/04/2025

Let’s goooo!!!!

07/03/2025

Who’s getting pumped for Friday? I am! 💥🇺🇸

06/03/2025

Me: “Describe me based on all our chats”
ChatGPT:

05/09/2025

Awards are home! Thank you COBRA Firing Systems for the beautiful symbols of achievement and the amazing opportunity that was given to me to receive them. ❤️💥

04/25/2025

My daughter just came to me and said “look this was made for you!” Thought I’d share this moment with y’all. IYKYK.

04/23/2025

I will remember that moment for a long time! 😎💥

04/18/2025

Getting back from CC25, I’ve finally got a moment after the extended clean up, family time, and catching up on work obligations (and sleep!!)… to truly reflect on COBRA-Con 2025.

If you haven’t attended, you’re truly missing out on one of THE best pyro events out there. This was my second year. Last year I attended the bootcamp and this year I was selected as a finalist to compete in the inaugural class C championship against two other very talented designers. To showcase my passion in front of hundreds of my peers… wow, what an honor that was!

The event this year was incredible and so well organized. They’ve really nailed this thing down well and every year when you think it can’t get better… it does by magnitudes!

My show was called “Unstoppable” and won both People’s Choice and the Judge’s Grand Champion Awards. Another HUGE honor and could not be achieved without the support of so many. I hope everyone knows how grateful I am and that I’ve expressed it enough.

Please join me in giving these amazing companies/people some much deserved love.

- COBRA Firing Systems

- American Fireworks Company

- FINALE Fireworks

- CraigCo, LLC

- muuxBRD

- Great Lakes Mortar Racks LLC.

- AMS Displays

And my incredible show crew:

- Kyle Essenmacher
- Joseph Oliver
- Joe Moore
- Iolaus Lee
- Goran Ristev