Pyros

- Season 1

(2012)

Montreal-based Groupe Fiatlux-Ampleman (GFA) is chosen to put on a fireworks show at the worlds largest winter festival, Carnaval, in Quebec City. But moments before the show starts, Head Pyrotech Philippe struggles to light the warning shell. Later, GFA participates in the festivals closing parade with a custom float that spits fire and launches fireworks. The show, however, is cut short as high winds prove dangerous. Philippe and Sebastien head to Valencia, Spain to learn from the best of the best during the 'Las Fallas Festival'.

GFA puts on not one but two New Years Eve events simultaneously, one in Quebec City, and one in Rio de Janeiro where Sebastien worries about his own safety at the worlds biggest fireworks show. Philippe joins Maude and Eric in Barcelona to shop at a famous fireworks factory and test out some of the worlds best pyro. And Philippe and Sebastien learn from the pros in Valencia and take part in 'La Crema' the burning of huge and elaborate sculptures in the public square.

The team visit Spain to attend a special fire festival in Valencia. While there they spend time with one of the oldest and best fireworks company reviewing new products before setting off twin New Years displays in both Canada and Brazil.

The teams from GFA are hard pressed to build and launch 8 shows across Quebec for local celebrations. They battle a combination of very bad weather and inexperience from some of the technicians.

Maude aims high as she pitches GFA to the client responsible for hiring the pyro company for Canada Day at Parliament Hill. But when circumstances beyond her control push the fireworks choreography out of synch, Maude ends up eating humble pie as her client looks on. Philippe and Sebastien plan to hand-light a large fireworks show but soon realize that its going to put Philippe's life on the line. GFA's last chance at redemption is their fireworks show for the worlds largest jazz festival - but a faulty scissor lift shuts them down only moments before show time.

GFA reaches their breaking point when thunderstorms put a damper on their back-to-back shows on a lake in Ste-Agathe. As the pyros battle wind and water, mishaps quickly multiply and suddenly everyone's safety is at risk. Across the Atlantic at an international competition on the coast of France, Philippe and Benoit quickly realize no one plays by the rules and that their supplier has sent them the wrong products. Outgunned by their competitors, the underdogs find that fate has a way of defying expectations.

The pyros fight their own battle of Britain overseas, then return home only to face an even greater test at the foot of a towering waterfall.

In Campeche, Mexico, Philippe and Sebastien are called on to rig one of the most extraordinary installations of their careers cramming the roof of a historic 16th century cathedral with explosives. Working with one of the country's top pyrotechnic artists, they find out that doing fireworks Mexican style - means breaking all the rules. In Korea, Eric, Philippe, and Benoit take part in one of the most spectacular fireworks events ever staged. Over a million spectators witness an incredible, cutting-edge pyro extravaganza, with shows by Japan, Portugal, and Korea. The ...