It all starts with an afternoon picnic in the park. Everyone gathering around the BBQ for burgers and hot dogs. Potato salad, Macaroni salad, and chips in abundance. Softball in the field. It ends with everyone gathering on blankets while the children run around with sparklers waiting for the local fire department to set off the first boom signalling the magic of exploding stars in the sky. Welcome to the tradition of the USA's small town 4th of July Celebration. Many particle fireworks exist in an attempt to bring that atmosphere to Second Life, but one man, Henri Decuir, has taken virtual fireworks to a new level. Through the magic of his computer science degree the end results is DeCuire Fireworks, located on the Celebrations Sim. Join us as we sit down for a conversation with the virtual magician of exploding stars.
DeMerick and I smile as Henri approaches us. "Hello Henri, wonderful to meet you. What an aptly named Sim, Celebration, for the magician of the stars." He greets us in return with a smile on his own face. "Hello Brittainy. Hello DeMerick. Thank you for coming. Welcome to Celebration. Are you ready for an experience to WOW you like no other? One to share with your friends?" We both chuckle as he gestures to the boardwalk. As many readers know there are a large amount of wows to be had in this virtual world of ours. What could this magician possibly offer us which would be any different then what we have seen as of yet? I turn towards the steps and proceed up, fascinated by this promise of WOW.
A voice suddenly fills the virtual air, startling us a bit, "DeCuir Creations Fireworks Demo Launcher shouts: Please wait... preparing launchers for new show for Brittainy Collins!" I glance around, searching for the location of the voice, when I hear the voice shout once more directing my gaze to the space above the water just off the boardwalk., "DeCuir Creations Fireworks Demo Launcher: Launchers are ready! Now playing show for Brittainy Collins!" I watch as the first explosion in fact sets off a series of words welcoming me to my own personal show. With a grin of childish excitement I look up at the sky as the rocket show begins. Henri explains "The first effect you'll see are a few of our firework fountains. They're meant to capture the magic of the Bellagio's dancing fountains, mixed with pyrotechnics."
I gasp with delight as white shooting stars explode from the river before me, cascading into fountains of lights. "I feel like i am out on the Hudson River in New York again on the 4Th of July! This is truly amazing." I can now understand why he declares everyone will be left with a WOW. I continue to watch the show before me, listening as Henri explains how this creation he has brought from the real world into Second life in fact functions. He smiles at my obvious delight before me as he continues. "There are 19 different effects that you're seeing of fireworks, and 9 different pyrotechnic fountains. I try to make it easy for most of my users. They can simply load pre-made shows that will perform choreographed pyrotechnic displays or just click my "one click trigger" to watch a stunning two minute show. Alternatively, those users with a creative edge can use the built-in controls to queue up their own firework shows. You have full control over the timing, the altitude, the effect, and from which launcher the effects will fire out from."
DeMerick and I notice that the fireworks show also has explosions that state "Your Logo Here." Henri explains to us how this feature would allow various businesses to use the fireworks as promotional advertisement. "It would be a wonderful way to propose to someone." I laughingly mention. Henri smiles at my bit of humor responding "Funny you say that. I have an ad campaign on that very prospect. Or proposal?" We continue to watch the sky as the fireworks show is about to begin once again, only this time announcing DeMerick as the Guest of Honor. As the show continues he mentions we might want to turn our sound on, his eyes twinkling, for we are about to receive a treat. Not only has this Magician brought us the stars, but he has set them to Beethoven's Symphony #5! I listen with delight as the strains of this beautiful piece surround me, the stars exploding in time, and Henri continues with our conversation. Henri explains how many wedding and event planners currently provide the DeCuir Fireworks as a part of their various packages. His choreographed displays are sure to add a perfect touch to any fairytale event.
Having experienced two of DeCuir's so far, I witnessed the detail and realism of his fireworks. I ask Henri with fascination where he gains his inspiration for the various designs. "I watch a lot of YouTube videos of real firework shows, and I try to capture in Second Life what real life physics and gravity do with gunpowder. Whenever I see something new in real life, though, I often make a new firework. Current firework customers get any new fireworks I make for free." He explains as we continue down the boardwalk. As we slowly make our way around he points out different areas of interest on the Celebration Sim, such as park benches and gazebos. "We offer Residents of Second Life a unique experience. The ability to relax upon a park bench or dance within a gazebo while the sky explodes with color and stars. Fireworks are meant to be fun and memorable. An event you walk away from laughing and filled with nostalgia and tradition. Let us not forget the other important holiday." Henri looks to us as we all answer simultaneously "New Years!" We all laugh as we approach, what is in fact, the top of the empire state building with the New Years Ball. Standing back we watch as he begins the New Years countdown with a grin. He continues with his explanation as we watch the countdown "and at all events that can play in...at a wedding we're preparing for family...New Years, we're celebrating a year of wonder and family and friends." Upon reaching zero fireworks explode everywhere with "Happy New Year 2009" lighting up the sky. Henri laughs explaining that he just could not bring himself to put away the New Years Ball after last year's celebration passed.
With the dying embers falling from the sky, it's time to head home. Like all those fantastic 4Th of July Celebrations of old, the day must come to an end with the knowledge that there is always next time. The memory shall linger. We turn and thank Henri DeCuir for a wonderful afternoon. Truly a Magician, Henri is someone who has captured the magic of our childhood memories, bringing it to Second Life for all to enjoy. As we were departing Henri DeCuir left us with these final words, "When I was looking for some fireworks to use for the 4th of July, I was pretty disappointed by what was already available. All I could find were boring particle fireworks that look like particles, not fireworks, with awkward control interfaces and very slow response times. I realized I wasn't going to find a unique, elegant system that would be able to do beautiful fireworks that would legitimately make my friends go "WOW". So, I decided to make some for myself, and this is what I came up with. My friends and I like them so much that I decided to share them with the rest of SL!"
Remember, whether you're looking for a wedding that's sure to sparkle or you're in the States and want to celebrate a Second Life 4th of July that is sure to bring back memories of picnics, softball and sparklers in the park, DeCuir Fireworks is sure to add WOW to your event.
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