To me, pyrotechnics are their own kind of art, combining scientific knowledge, artistic insight — and long hours of work. Fireworks are a 1,000-year-old tradition, and theatre effects are almost as old. Film special effects are rooted in an ancient heritage, and I’m proud to have experience in the field.

I acquired a pyrotechnician’s licence for theatre and then worked in the fireworks and film industry for several years, eventually acquiring a patent for special-effects technology. Traditional effects experience helps me greatly even with today’s digital CGI effects, as the objective is the same: to make a story feel more compelling.