ER Productions - Typoon

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ER PRODUCTIONS TYPHOON

ER Productions’ David Holmes, Technical Manager, talks to TPi’s Jacob Waite about the company’s Typhoon.

When did the development for the Typhoon begin? We started developing Typhoon in October 2018, when we were commissioned to deliver lasers and SFX for Ozzy Osbourne’s New Years Eve show at The LA Forum. Lighting Designer, Terry Cook, wanted to include an indoor snow blizzard into the show design, and it was down to ER to step up and make it happen. With the stage already being occupied by the tour rig we didn’t have any more room to place confetti cannons. We had a square audience truss to work with, so whatever happened, our solution had to fly, and we had to deliver lots of confetti from above, in less than two months.

What were the original goals in its development? Since we started the SFX side of our business at the beginning of 2017, we have found some creative and third-party reliability issues in using CO 2

. It’s also very expensive, heavy, awkward, and environmentally unfriendly. For ER, the Ozzy gig felt like the perfect opportunity to create a new product that could achieve what we wanted and more. Building a product that could hold a lot of confetti with controllable output was important to us. It also needed to work in different continents without having to use

transformers, ultimately with the aim to be the ‘go-to’ solution for any size event or World Tour. It was important to us that adjustable fan speed worked alongside an adjustable flow of product, meaning the machine could offer a small amount of product quickly, or a lot of product slowly.

CO 2 also generates a lot of noise so for the subtler confetti hits we wanted silent fans. Taking into consideration the trucking aspect, we required it to be stackable and manoeuvrable, making it easier for techs to get equipment on and off-site. Alongside all of these features, we wanted it to be wrapped into a frame that could roll on and off stage, fly both above and under trusses, and could go from a flutter to a blizzard in seconds, making Typhoon the most versatile confetti blower on the market.

What are the mechanics of the product? How does it allow for great control of confetti distribution? A rotary paddle delivery system controls the quantity of the confetti delivered into the air stream. The air stream is controlled by 4 high volume fans that deliver air movement of 3200cmh (cubic metres per hour) to 3560cmh.

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ER PRODUCTIONS TYPHOON

Within the hopper, a rotating agitator works in conjunction with the rotary paddle, to keep the confetti loose allowing it to remain in the air for longer. The hopper can hold up to 10-15kg of product, depending on the confetti type. The system gives the ability to direct the output horizontally from 0 to 45° upwards.

Can you talk through the Typhoon’s ability not only be rigged on top of truss but also flown. How can this help show designers? Typhoon can be set up on floor space, and specially designed bolted rigging points enable underhanging. We have included a small frame that attaches to the underneath for rigging on top of truss.

Depending on trim heights and budget, you can either rig the Typhoons underhung and fly them out on their own independent truss, or rig on top of existing truss locations, out of view from an audience perspective, and not interfering with the stage design aesthetics.

In terms of confetti distribution, how does the product work? Powerful but silent fan, which push confetti out through a specially-designed tunnel, and a controllable-hopper distributes the confetti evenly.

“Typhoon can be set up on floor space, and specially designed bolted rigging points enable underhanging. We have included a small frame that attaches to the underneath for rigging on top of truss.”

ER Productions’ David Holmes.

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How does the Typhoon compliment live production? Being self-contained is a huge improvement with ‘on the day’ planning. Not having to rely on a Co 2 delivery company to deliver the large heavy bottles means we can be load in quickly on the day. From a Health and Safety point of view, we are no longer moving heavy high-pressure cylinders and running high-pressure hose all over the place. It just makes everything more streamlined and efficient.

What were some of the challenges in its creation? The most straight forward part was the fan and creating the air tunnel. The challenge was creating a delivery system capable of delivering all types of confetti efficiently and under control.

We began by creating a screw feed distribution hopper with a 150mm diameter output, which was partially successful, but only worked well on certain types of confetti. As we moved forwards the vertical screw feed design was replaced with a horizontal paddle design. The horizontal feeder almost worked too well and could empty the hopper in seconds which could cause the confetti to clump on occasion.

The next step was introducing the 360° agitator which keeps the confetti fluffy inside the hopper and controls the feed into the horizontal paddles. These 2 mechanical designs have been the perfect

ER PRODUCTIONS TYPHOON

solution for the Typhoon delivery system.

What sets the Typhoon apart from other confetti blowers in the market? It’s more compact, it doesn’t require CO 2 so no heavy bottles to move around, it’s user-friendly and easy to control. It can be rigged above an audience, so it’s versatile, it doesn’t have to be placed on the ground, the confetti hits can come from above.

When using CO 2

, you also have to consider the health and safety issue, the gas containers are heavy, high pressure and can cause whipping injuries from hoses and cold burns from the CO 2 gas.

Why is the Typhoon considered a ‘greener’ alternative to other products? It’s run using electricity instead of CO 2

. As we know,

CO 2 is a harmful greenhouse gas, so using less as an industry will help preserve the ozone layer. We all need to do our bit.

The product holds 10kg confetti. What looks can be achieved with this feature? Full control on how the confetti is delivered means it can go from a soft flurry to a blizzard very quickly. It’s versatile so you can choose to have lots of product moving quickly, or a small amount falling slowly.

What makes the Typhoon ideal for the live touring market?

“It’s run using electricity instead of CO 2

. As we know,

CO 2 is a harmful greenhouse gas, so using less as an industry will help preserve the ozone layer. We all need to do our bit.”

ER Productions’ David Holmes.

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It’s stackable, and easy to move around, making load-ins and load outs quicker.

What has the reception been like? Has it already been used for any live events? As we hoped it would, Typhoon made its successful debut at Ozzy Osbourne’s NYE Ozzfest show, 25 units were positioned on a U-shaped truss, over the audience, which delivered a 200kg hit of white confetti, creating a snow blizzard effect during carefully-planned cues for tracks Mr Crowley and Mama.

Lighting Designer Terry Cook commented: “The snow effect was spectacular and looked truly special. I was really surprised at how quick the system came together in LA. We didn’t have long and the ER team worked really hard to deliver what was required.”

And in general, we are getting a very good response with new enquiries. Shows are getting bigger and better, but people are now more educated about being greener and seeking environmentally-friendly alternatives, and if you choose to use biodegradable confetti with the Typhoon, then you have the ultimate green machine! TPi Photos: ER Productions, Dina Douglass, Andrena Photography www.er-productions.com