I met with Liang Zhong and Yong Wang (designer), representing Dancing Fireworks Group. Liang was the only team member fluent in both English and Mandarin and so acted as the main interpreter for Yong Wang, the designer of the display.
Dancing Group is a large manufacturer based in China with an impressive 1400 displays, both locally (in China) and internationally, under their belts. The company produced the fireworks for the opening and closing Ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as for the national celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of the Republic of China in 2009. The company also shot the fireworks at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, at the 2010 Central China Expo Changsha, and in 2014 at APEC in Beijing. In Canada, they won the Public Appreciation award at their 2012 participation in the Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light competition, with their display entitled “The Story of Butterfly Lovers”.
Liang explained that their display designed for Montreal is somewhat based on their “The Story of Butterfly Lovers” display, but adapted for the La Ronde site as well as the thirty minute requirement. He explained that the story is familiar to everyone in China and is a similar concept to “Romeo and Juliette”. The music is a single piece that, although based on traditional Chinese themes, has elements of Western music that the audience will appreciate. The main design of the display took around two weeks using the software that is part of their “FirePioneer” firing system. The display will use around 100 of the FirePioneer 32-cue firing modules.
Dancing Group is a very large manufacturer of fireworks and so 100% of the material in their display is from their own factory. Some special watercakes and large calibre shells were produced, including special hearts to fit with the theme. There will be thirty 250mm shells and sixty 200mm as well as hundreds of slice cakes and approximately 1,400 one-shots. All ramps will be used except ramp 4 and ramp 3 will feature 13 firing positions.
The entire team enthusiastically climbed up to where their flag was flying in order to make it more visible and said that they invite the public to come to La Ronde to enjoy the pyromusical interpretation of this famous love story.