Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

[Abominable Snowman]

I am interested in joining the Disney Company in the very near furture. I really had my sights on being one of the CMs that sets up for Fantasmic. I eventually want to be one of the guys that sets some of the pyrotechnic elements in Fantasmic and hopefully fireworks.

First question:

1. Do you Fantasmic people enjoy setting up for the show?

2. You pyrotechnician people, do you need a certain degree or certain schooling to become a pyrotechnician? I have always been fascinated with fireworks and I would enjoy nothing more than to not only work for Disney but to set up for their fireworks.

[PirateMickey]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

I'm not a CM (maybe some day), but here are my observations...

The "bumble bee's" mostly look like they enjoy their job, though there have been some instances in which they had to "take action" to stop some goof-ball guest from doing something stupid to get a better view of the show.

They do a GREAT job, BTW!

I believe pyro's need to be certified by the state, but I can't say for sure at DL. I would hope so, though... You can't be too safe!

I would imagine a CM "in the know" will respond with some great info shortly.

Great questions!

[ManaByte]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

The "bumble bees" don't actually set up Fantasmic!, they're just CMs doing what they call a "group shift". Basically the way it works is that new hires aren't guaranteed hours at their trained location, so they have the option of taking a crowd control shift for Fantasmic!, parades, or fireworks.

[Abominable Snowman]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Thanks a lot for your responses! I hope a Fantasmic person will respond soon!

[Mac Daddy]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Thanks a lot for your responses! I hope a Fantasmic person will respond soon!

I could be wrong, but I don't think you'll find many tech guys on the boards. I'm also thinking that Disney contracts out for the sound guys and technicians who put together the fireworks and Fantasmic, so in reality, I don't know if you would refer to them as CMs as such. I know of two guys specifically who either have full time jobs at other locations, or also handle other parks, i.e. one who just left (sound tech) to do the Knotts Scary Farm for the next month.

I'm sure there are others here who would know more specifically, but that's my guess. I don't think there are "pyro" CMs. More like....pyro companies contracted to do the show.

[akfandisney]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

I'm not a CM (maybe some day), but here are my observations...

The "bumble bee's" mostly look like they enjoy their job, though there have been some instances in which they had to "take action" to stop some goof-ball guest from doing something stupid to get a better view of the show.

They do a GREAT job, BTW!

I believe pyro's need to be certified by the state, but I can't say for sure at DL. I would hope so, though... You can't be too safe!

I would imagine a CM "in the know" will respond with some great info shortly.

Great questions!

you must work for a person is certified pyro's technician about two to four year
there is a state test by fire marshal.

[aerinpegadrak]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Fantasmic isn't just for group shifts. While most of the shifts do go to new hires, I've been scheduled for several Fantasmic shifts. Granted, I haven't done it in a while, and it's at the bottom of my preferences (I do like it there, I just like everything else more), but it could still happen. The bumblebees on the island are only concerned with breaking down all the fences and barriers before the show, and putting them back up at the end of the show.

The department you want is Tech Services. They do crew work for Fantasmic and the other stage shows, work on the attraction overlays, and I think they might do some parade stuff as well. They're looking for 2-3 years' experience doing professional stage crew work. If my other career plans don't pan out, I've considered putting in a transfer over there; the pay's pretty decent.

[Abominable Snowman]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Fantasmic isn't just for group shifts. While most of the shifts do go to new hires, I've been scheduled for several Fantasmic shifts. Granted, I haven't done it in a while, and it's at the bottom of my preferences (I do like it there, I just like everything else more), but it could still happen. The bumblebees on the island are only concerned with breaking down all the fences and barriers before the show, and putting them back up at the end of the show.

The department you want is Tech Services. They do crew work for Fantasmic and the other stage shows, work on the attraction overlays, and I think they might do some parade stuff as well. They're looking for 2-3 years' experience doing professional stage crew work. If my other career plans don't pan out, I've considered putting in a transfer over there; the pay's pretty decent.

You dont even know how much that helps. Stage shows, attracion overlays, and parades? That sounds right up my alley! I love all that stuff! Does this group include the people that put up christmas decor up around the park because putting up christmas lights is one of my favorite things to do. Not to brag or anything but I am excellant in this area.

[Extech?]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Warning this is kind of long!!:

I worked in Tech Services for 3 years. And while I loved the work there were a lot of aspects I really didn't like and ultimately I gave up on working for Disney.
If you are interested in Tech you are going to need a strong resume to be considered. When I applied shortly before DCA opened I had 10 years of tech experience and a AA degree backed up with a BA. If you have the experience the interview will be a snap. If not, it will be very obvious very quickly. You will be asked things like can you patch a dimmer? whats DMX and how many channels in a universe? Can you program a HOG? How many source 4's can you plug into a 2k dimmer?

I'm an electrician so these were the type of questions I heard. If your a sound guy you will get sound questions, etc. The interview will be a panel with 4-5 people asking direct questions and maybe someone else hanging out in the back of the room.

After I was hired I went through Disney U (or whatever it's called) sorry but that was brutal. Then I went through department orentation. Than I didn't get my first shift for over 3 months!

Depending on need you may or may not be assigned to a show. Either way you will get calls to do special events. One of my first was the reopening of the Autopia. At these events you will be the bottom of the food chain so you will get very familary with lugging cable and very heavy gearboxes while the senior folks get to hang, focus and program.

After several months I finally groveled in the right direction and was able to get trained on barges for Fan. Expect to start on barges unless you know someone. Barges are extremely hard work (manual labor) I actually lost 10 pounds doing barges my 1st summer. After my first summer I was trained on spots as well. (my favorite was spot 3 on tower B).

Later that year I was trained on believe! as a spot operator. This was fun you had a 4 hour shift and worked for about 20 min. I really loved this shift. I was Tink's spot op. until they killed Believe! I also ran Marlyn for believe. Marlyn was the "small Tink" that flew around over the castle at the start of the show.

In the Fall I was able to get on the Small World Christmas install crew. This lasted 6 weeks for install and 2 to strike. These shifts were in the middle of the night. I came in at 8pm or 10pm depending on park hours and worked 8 hours. Talk about Christmas lights!! I loved this shift I got to drive a 60 or 80 foot Boom lift down the railroad tracks and hang lights all night. We called this "Zen Work".

The reason I left is after 3 years I was still "CT" and the hours were very unpredictable. I could go weeks or months without a shift. I tried for 3 years to get a fulltime position and was unsuccessful. I found this very frustrating. There was way too much political BS involved. It's very hard to make an impression here as you are always working for a different lead and it's hard to advance.

If I would have been offered a fulltime position I would have retired there no doubt. I loved the work (when I could get it) but you can't live if you don't get a shift for weeks at a time. I was literally calling and begging for work! I had a full time job during this time and was the only way I survived.

Pay was ok, I guess, I was CT so I only got a cost of living increase each year. When I left I think I was making $19.00 a hour. I make a lot more now that I have left Disney.

It's really too bad. Disney makes it so hard to work for them, for so many reasons. If they would pay better and change a policy or two nobody would ever leave because it's so much fun.

Well there you go some insight into Tech. Services.

Oh, by the way Pyro is a seperate department. I worked with them on Believe! This is a very small department and very, very difficult to get into. I actually got to call a couple of Pyro cues on Fan! If you happen to be barge three you will be under the Mickey platform on the Twain and are responsible for calling the "Pyro 1 and Pyro 2" cues because the Pyro Tech dosen't have a headset or commtech and can't hear the SM. After you call Pyro 2 you pulled Mickey's (steamboat)wheel up and dove under the platform because the flash pans would go off and if you weren't fast enough the pyro would go down the back of your shirt!

[mrfantasmic]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Warning this is kind of long!!:

You will be asked things like can you patch a dimmer? whats DMX and how many channels in a universe? Can you program a HOG? How many source 4's can you plug into a 2k dimmer?

Yes.
512?
I'd LIKE to get my hands on a HOG!
At MOST 2 (unless they're 575s)

That was a great post! Thanks for the info, even if I never aspired to that, it's great to know!

[Abominable Snowman]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Extech thanks a lot for the info. I wish i wasnt so hard to get into that kind of business.

[mainstreetcm]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

I think you may take some interest in the March podcast by the Disneyland guys. They actually tell you all about getting into the pyro department and discuss some interesting stuff. Check it out!

[Mac Daddy]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

I could be wrong, but I don't think you'll find many tech guys on the boards. I'm also thinking that Disney contracts out for the sound guys and technicians who put together the fireworks and Fantasmic, so in reality, I don't know if you would refer to them as CMs as such. I know of two guys specifically who either have full time jobs at other locations, or also handle other parks, i.e. one who just left (sound tech) to do the Knotts Scary Farm for the next month.

I'm sure there are others here who would know more specifically, but that's my guess. I don't think there are "pyro" CMs. More like....pyro companies contracted to do the show.

OK....let's keep in mind I started with "I COULD be wrong." :blush:

Extech - thanks for your great post. It was good to hear that Disney has their own full time crews, but a bummer that it's so difficult to work your way up to that status. $19.00 an hour sounds like a great part time salary, but I guess that's pretty low if you want that to eventually be your full time job. Also...very interesting about the small pyro crew that handles the castle fireworks and fantasmic. It seems that job should pay pretty well as it would involve some safety issues.

[aerinpegadrak]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

The pyro crew also supplies the Jungle Cruise with our ammunition. It's probably the least complicated thing they have to do, but since it's handling explodey stuff, it belongs to them.

[mycroft16]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Stook over by the Canoe loading area around sunset this summer and watched them close of TSI and bring around the barges, line up the Columbian and MT. Bring out big black plastic sheets to block views of the "backstage" areas for F!. Saw them bring Kaa out. Ferry over all the performers to the island. Watched the security sweep the island and bring out some teenagers who had been hiding out. Was kind of cool to watch the show get prepped. Amazing how much work goes into it. They all looked like they were having fun. Doing serious work but still laughing and joking while doing it.

[Abominable Snowman]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Who sets up all the cables and lighting for the Columbian?

[Extech?]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

There are 16 tech's on Fan! (or at least there were last time I ran it. The crew is broken down into different areas. Since AbominableSnowman1 asked about the Columbia here you go. I'm very familary with this as I was on "Boats" most nights. The Columbia deck is set up by the 3 barge tech's. They pull the gear out of the hold (except the actual lighting fixtures which are pulled by spots. They set up the lighting, audio, diving board (pan's plank), crash matts, etc. etc. (you can watch this set up if you are really interested - It starts around 5:15ish each night and happens in Fouler's harbor) There are also 2 riggers onboard that go up in the air and do that set up. After barges finish the Columbia they go to the Twain and set up the Mickey platform that Steamboat Mickey and a few other things preset some props, etc. After the Twain Barge tech's go to the inlet and set up their assigned barge for the monkey pass. (Ie: jungle banner & torches and on barge 3 the back/top rock for Louie. After everything is set up we would go to dinner at the deck than head back to the Columbia to hang out or do some small maintenance until 15min is called.

[Abominable Snowman]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Thanks a lot again. This info will come very handy

[butterflylark]

Re: Fantasmic! and Fireworks Setter Upper People

Thank you. This answers so many of my questions about Tech Services.
I've been trying to find out what and experience I should have before applying.
I will just keep building my resume and finish my degree.