Summer Olympics 2012 – Opening Ceremony

These photos were taken at the 2012 Summer Olympics in Great Britain during the opening ceremony. Ultratec’s Gold Twinkling Waterfalls were used to create this stunning effect on the five olympic rings. These captured moments will live in the hearts, thoughts and minds of athletes, families and friends across the globe forever. This was truly an outstanding creation!

Dragons, Feld Entertainment’s latest show hits the road for a 2 year long tour

Dragons, Feld Entertainment’s latest show hits the road for a 2 year long tour around the USA. This new and exciting show has all the thrills, excitement of the traditional Circus. One big addition is The Dragon, living, breathing and make a bigger than life entrance. Ultratec is proud to have been a part of the 142nd Greatest Show on Earth as the Special Effects Supplier. “Providing special effects to the Greatest Show on Earth has it challenges”, says Adrian Segeren. “147 Person Cast, a tightly controlled schedule, changes, all the animal care and pride, technical concerns and unforeseen issues are just a few of the daily challenges”. It’s always a sight to be seen but even more exciting to be a part of, what appears to be confusion and taking it to a fully working show ready for the 2 year tour is an experience.

This year like many others you will see some new effects, the interesting use of our New Pixie Dust Mines, a Big Angle Fire Mine look at the top of the show, an extremely big finale Look, Dry Ice from the Portal, lots of cool Fog Looks and of course all the neat effects on the Dragon.

This is another Great Show Produced by Nicole Feld and Alana Feld along with a wonderful and talented Creative Team at Feld Entertainment.

It’s been a busy year, 2011 had Feld develop 3 Disney on Ice Shows, 1 Disney Live Show, 2 Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circuses and all the shows at Feld Motor Sports.

It’s been a great year working with Feld Entertainment, we appreciate their commitment and confidence using our products and services and look forward to 2012.

Feld Entertainment produces their 32nd Disney on Ice Production named “Dare to Dream”.

Feld Entertainment proudly produces their 32nd Disney on Ice Production named “Dare to Dream”. Filled with all the wonderful Disney characters, a great story, perfectly choreographed show, excellent music, supported by a great cast and crew. Ultratec Special Effects is proud to be the special effects supplier to Feld Entertainment and wish the product years of success. In the production you will see an array of Pyro Effects that are perfectly timed and designed into the production. Ultratec also supplied the Special Effect Fog Machines used in many of the scenes enhancing the production experience.

Timohovich Productions becomes a Major Special Effects Supplier

Timohovich Productions becomes a Major Special Effects Supplier to some of the most popular TV Productions on the West Coast. Recently, in collaboration with JEM FX inc, Dimitri Timohovich was responsible for Design and Implementation for all the special effects on Dancing with the Stars, Mike Rienatrz offer his expertise for American Idol. Beckie Timohovich, another renowned Special Effects Designer assisted Pyrotek Special Effects Inc with the recent American Billboard Awards.

“Ultratec Special Effects is very proud to be Timohovich Productions Pyrotechnics Supplier”, states John Lathrop, West Coast Account Manager for Ultratec. Seasoned veterans of the Special Effects Industry…………………..are now looking to us to supply them with quality theatrical devices that are made to exacting standards that offer reliability and repeatability, a must for any live performance

Getting the most out of your Pyro System

Ultratec has developed a video called, “Getting the most out of your Pyro System” our goal was to assist in helping people to understand the Various Hardware and Pyrotechnics for making the most of their Pyro System. We offer a lot hardware and Pyrotechnics, it can be a little overwhelming, we hope this video will help in understanding the basic concepts behind our system. Simply click on the You Tube Video Link:

Ultratec Special Effects – PLSN May 2011 Issue

Our industry is very visual.  We use light to help alter the beholder’s perception of what is going on right in front of them.  A single shaft of light and a dark stage, stunning aerials bouncing across the stage — these examples are common practices of capturing the audience’s eye and intensifying their experience.

They wouldn’t be possible without atmospherics such as haze and fog. Ultratec Special Effects has spent the last 25 years providing our industry those types of products and more. Although they did not start with the name Ultratec Special Effects, they still hold strong to the principles they started with. Ultratec is the same people, same products and same service.

Fog, Pyro and More

Ultratec Special Effects as the name implies, is a manufacturer of atmospheric and pyrotechnics for the entertainment industry. Based in London, Ontario, Canada, Ultratec manufactures fog, low-lying fog, haze, bubbles, snow, confetti cannons and simulated flame machines.  Ultratec has been manufacturing atmospherics since the early 1990s in their Ontario plant, and their pyrotechnics are now manufactured in their plant in Huntsville, AL.

After purchasing the pyro facility in 2007, Ultratec took control of the development of pyrotechnics — “something we needed to do to allow for the company to grow and prosper,” says Adrian Segeren, president of Ultratec.

Segeren is focused solely on the pyro business, and Marnie Styles, vice president of Ultratec, is focused solely on the atmospheric business. A year ago, Ultratec partnered with FireOne, a leader in the pyrotechnics control business.

“In the past year, we have introduced 15 significant new products categories with color and effect variations, delivering over 200 new products,” says Segeren, adding that Ultratec plans to continue on this aggressive path of development.

What drives Ultratec is their customers’ needs and expectations.  “Anyone can produce a product, but is it something that the customer is looking for? We design and build our products based on customer responses and requests,” says Styles.

Customer requests and feedback factor into all of Ultratec’s products from the very beginning.  “Users want reliable, working products,” says Styles. With more than 20 years in the business, professionals have noticed.  “We have seen products bought years ago still in the field working strong just as if it came off the shelf.” With the proper care and a regular maintenance schedule, Ultratec’s products are built to last.

Of course, things break from time to time.  Ultratec kept serviceability in mind when designing each of their products. “We want our products to be able to be fixed quickly and easily, either by the user or by the factory.  Downtime in our industry can make or break a show — we don’t want to be the reason it doesn’t succeed.”  To help keep their products up and running, Ultratec has not only made their product repairable by users, but the company offers manuals, tutorials, drawings and videos through their website to help guide users on repairing their equipment.

Some users faced with busy production schedules or lack of experience opt for an experienced repair tech to fix products. “In addition to offering replacement parts on our website, users can request repair tickets online to have our factory repair their product, find one of our many authorized dealers around the country, or call our support line for help,” says Styles.  No matter the comfort level in fixing or repairing a product, Ultratec offers numerous options to get their gear back up and running.

Looking Ahead…

Ultratec products are already available across the country and around the world. With the demand increasing, Ultratec is expanding their operations across the Atlantic. Plans call for a new office in Europe within the year.

The company’s research and development team is also moving forward. Ultratec listened to their customers and released their latest fogger at USITT 2011 in Charlotte, NC, and also at Prolight+Sound 2011 in Frankfurt, Germany — the Ultra Handy Fogger. This hand-held fogger with manual pump is built inside a stainless steel chassis that holds1.5 liters of fluid. The fogger also features a microprocessor temperature control with a 1,000W heater with a detachable cord. The unit maintains heated temperature for up to 45 minutes. It is also equipped with a heat exchanger tube that is replaceable, using the company’s rapid change technology. By detaching the electrical cord when the machine is heated up, it allows individuals to walk anywhere and fog.

The Ultra Handy Fogger’s new features are just some of many product developments that Ultratec’s R&D department has been working on. Future plans for the atmospheric line include a pencil fogger, new snow machines and fan products. All are designed to meet the needs of customers while maintaining Ultratec’s philosophy of building durable, efficient and reliable high quality products.

Ultratec products can be seen around the world in concerts ranging from Nickelback to the halftime shows for the NFL to theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Many other shows include Disney on Ice, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, WWE, live theatrical stage shows, motion pictures, TV series, corporate events and more — wherever special effects are needed

Airburst Packaging Improvements

We continue to listen to our customers to try to meet and exceed your expectations. One of your suggests was to improve our Airburst packaging. We listened and have responded, check it out:

• easy to package for shipping
• takes less room in your shipping box
• easy to identify
• the label is easier to read
• NO more caps to fool with
  …and VERY easy to use

It’s not always easy to make these adjustments due to all the regulatory restraints. We continue to challenge our creative thinking, while working within the parameters set out by our regulators.

You may continue to get some products in the tubes depending on style, the Airburst on a 3 per Drop are the first products we have decided to transition to our new packaging. Soon everything will be shipping in this new packaging design.

We hope you like this new packaging design, if you have any suggestions for improving our packaging, products or services, pease feel free to contact us anytime.

Announcing New Starbursts

Ultratec is very pleased to announce the introduction of the New Starbursts, this is the begining of a series of New Starburst products that have been recently developed.

• Silver Wave
• Gold Strobe
• Silver Strobe
• Red

All available in 3 Diameter Sizes,

• Small 4 – 7ft
• Medium 8 – 12ft
• Large 14 – 18ft

This range in size, color and effect is sure to fit your design criteria, attached is video for your viewing pleasure. It is also available on our Web Site & the Ultratec You Tube Channel. We have created a specific Tab for our Starbursts for your convenience. We will continue to add more colors and effects to the Starburst Category so check the site often.

We understand that what is shown in video is not always a good depiction of the product performance. If you would like to receive a sample of any of these new products or any existing products, please contact me. Our goal is to gain your confidence, seeing is believing!

We are always looking for feedback, let us know your needs on these new products or any product. Chances are it might already be in development or it needs to be, we want your feedback!

Keep your eye out for other newly developed products to be introduced in the coming weeks. Our R & D department has been very busy working on new products.

Featured Product: Prism Flame Projector

Prism Flame Projector

The Prism Flame Projector is a DMX controlled device that, when used with our Firestorm Flame Fluid, is capable of producing columns of colored flame up to 15′ in height. Up to four different colors can be used in the unit at one time for endless possibilities.

Made of Stainless Steel, the Prism uses compressed air to elevate and aerate the Firestorm Fluid into the propane pilot flame for ignition. The units may be daisy chained together and fired in sync or grouped into different zones for added flexibility and creativity.

Strategic Partnership Announcement

Ultratec Special Effects Inc., a leading Special Effects and Pyrotechnics manufacturer and Pyrotechnics Management Inc., manufacturers of the Fire One Pyrotechnics Control System are pleased to jointly announce their strategic alliance.

Adrian Segeren, President of Ultratec Special Effects, is very enthusiastic to be partnering with such a great group of people who truly understand the Pyrotechnics Control Business. We have been in the manufacturing business for more than 20 years and have manufactured our own Pyro systems. To better serve our customers we decided to partner up with another leading company who specializes in Pyrotechnics Control and work together to improve our product offerings.

Dan Barker, founder and President of Pyrotechnics Management, has been involved with the design, manufacturing and support of FireOne products since 1989 and is one of the most knowledgeable people in the business. “We see the alliance of Ultratec and FireOne as a powerful combination that will offer new levels of capability for both Ultratec and FireOne clients. We are pleased to work with Adrian and his highly knowledgeable, capable staff. It is our goal to complement each other with respect to Product Development, Marketing and Distribution”.

We will work closely with each other in the development process to ensure we are delivering what our clients need. Ultratec will continue to support all existing clients with both the Pyropak & Surefire Systems. Moving forward we will be selling the Fire One brand as our premier Pyro Control System. Fire One products will be displayed on the Ultratec website, including pricing. Existing clients are encouraged to continue their respective relationships and to leverage both organizations to advance their needs.