Celesta’s expertise
Celesta designs effects which serve the narrative.
Flames, cold sparks, fog, confetti and lasers. Celesta designs and activates its stage special effects on a timed schedule, both indoors and outdoors, without going through a hire company.
- T2-certified pyrotechnicians
- Own equipment fleet
- Indoors and outdoors
The definition
What is a stage special effects
This is not a scaled-down fireworks display. The items used fall under categories T1 and T2 of the decree of 4 May 2010, designed for stage use: short range, controlled fallout, and time-code-triggered ignition. Category T2 requires a qualification which Celesta holds in-house.
- Theatre items T1 and T2 – never diverted outdoor shooting products
- Timecode-triggered, accurate to the second on the tape
- Category T2 requires a certificate of competence or prefectural approval
The palette
Four families, four distinct uses
You don’t choose an effect because it looks good, but because it does what the scene calls for at that moment.
Flames and stage pyrotechnics
Jets, plumes, comets and low-smoke effects. These create volume and warmth, when the stage can accommodate them.
Cold Sparks
Low-temperature light beams with no incandescent fallout. The only range that fits anywhere, including under low ceilings.
Fog and thick smoke
Low-lying layers of light, columns and veils. This is not an effect in itself: it is what makes light visible and creates a sense of depth.
Confetti, lasers and sound and light
Punctuation. A finale, a revelation, an entrance: these effects mark a precise moment and do not tolerate any approximation in timing.
Key points
What you need to know before you ring us
T1 et T2
the two categories of theatre articles used
25 June 1980
the regulation governing fire safety in premises open to the public
500 and over
Performances by the Celesta teams
48 hours
to receive a detailed quotation
The interior
At the cinema, Everything changes
A venue open to the public has its own set of rules: the Order of 25 June 1980 sets out the framework for fire safety, and the site manager must approve each item before it is installed. Ceiling height, ventilation and fire detection systems determine what is feasible.
- Preliminary assessment and approval by the site’s safety manager
- Smoke density set according to actual ventilation conditions, not according to a product data sheet
- Fire detection systems are disabled in agreement with the operator, never without their knowledge
- Celesta announces what won’t be included in the quote, not the day before
The park and the people
Why Celesta? never lends out his belongings
Hiring involves finding out what equipment is available on the day of set-up and adjusting the smoke density by eye. The equipment belongs to Celesta; the products come from its licensed storage facility; and the operators who set them up are the same people who wrote the sequence.
- Equipment that is known, serviced and maintained by those who operate it
- Products tracked from the ICPE-licensed storage facility at Aigremont
- Operators holding the T2 qualification, employed by the company
Related disciplines
What are the special effects? often calls
A single effect serves as a highlight. When combined, it gives structure to an entire evening, provided that a single theme holds it all together.
Pyrotechnic show
When the stage has the sky above it, the staging becomes the prologue to a scripted performance.
Video mapping
The fog makes the beam visible: this is often the special effect that gives the projection its depth.
Sound and light show
Discipline lasts over time, whereas special effects last for a moment. Both are governed by the same clock.
Multimedia production
As soon as an actor takes to the stage, the effect ceases to be mere decoration and becomes a line of dialogue.
Drone light show
The exact opposite of a theatrical effect: quiet, high-pitched, planned well in advance.
Your scene
Describe the room, we’ll let you know what’s going on
Ceiling height, capacity, ventilation and the occasion you wish to celebrate. Within 48 hours, you will receive a detailed quotation, setting out what will be excluded and why.
- Indoor and outdoor venues
- Aigremont and Normandy
- We’ll get back to you within 48 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
What is expected of us on special effects
Are cold sparks dangerous?
They produce a low-temperature beam of light with no incandescent fallout: this is what sets them apart from a conventional pyrotechnic display. When operated by a qualified operator, within a defined area and using a well-maintained machine, they are suitable for enclosed spaces and stage entrances. They are the only ones that can pass under low ceilings.
Is it possible to create special effects in a venue open to the public?
Yes, under the provisions of the Order of 25 June 1980 on fire safety. A preliminary assessment determines what the venue can accommodate, and the venue’s safety officer must approve this before installation. Cold sparks, smoke and confetti are permitted almost everywhere; jets of flame, rarely.
What is the difference between special effects and fireworks displays?
The product category, and therefore the regulations. The theatrical display uses T1 and T2 theatre fireworks, which are short-range and have controlled fallout, designed to be set off close to the audience. Fireworks displays are subject to a different set of regulations, different distances and a different classification.
Does Celesta hire out its equipment to other service providers?
No. The equipment is used for our own productions, which ensures that each machine arrives fully set up and familiar to the operator. This also enables us to assess the feasibility of an effect before we have even seen the venue.
How long does it take to set up a sequence of effects?
The set-up itself takes place during rehearsals, on site, once the tape has stopped. The time-consuming part comes beforehand: surveying the venue, obtaining the operator’s approval and sourcing the items. Allow several weeks if the venue is a public access venue.
Which clients do you work for?
Local authorities for their ceremonies and celebrations, businesses for their product launches and conferences, agencies and producers for their branded events, and festivals and clubs for live performances. The same teams handle all four, based in Aigremont and Normandy.