Pyrotek Special Effects and Laser Design Productions Set the 2011 BET Awards Ablaze

Pyrotek Special Effects and Laser Design Productions were present at the 2011 BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 26, providing multiple acts with pyrotechnics and laser effects. Taking place at the Shrine Auditorium, the telecast was seen by 7.7 million people, rating it as the second highest viewed BET Awards show in the shows history.

Pyrotek Special Effects provided an array of pyrotechnic and smoke effects, including low lying fog for the performance by Trey Songz, and a gerb waterfall for Mary J. Blige during a medley of her greatest hits. Seven foot dragon tails were used for Rick Ross's performance of "Aston Martin Music." Lorenzo Cornacchia, president and designer for Pyrotek Special Effects, along with crew chief Bob Ross and pyro crew Hans Lundberg and Rob Liciso, worked closely with Cossette Productions as well as production designer Brian Stonestreet and show producer Jesse Collins to create the impressive looks for each artist.

Laser Design Productions took on the task of providing extravagant laser effects for a show stopping performance by DJ Khaled, Drake, Lil Wayne, and Rick Ross. Three 25W full color lasers were brought in to fill the auditorium with a full range of effects including morphing scans, fan blades and beam looks, as well as pan and scan effects.

Laser Design Productions' Victor Tomei (operations manager), along with laser operator Eric Taylor, placed the lasers upstage center, as well as stage left and right to ensure full impact of the designed looks. A silhouette effect was used to showcase each artist as they entered the stage, lighting them from behind. Running for the duration of the performance, the laser show provided a dazzling backdrop for the artists, accented the music, and delighted the crowd.