Pyrostar International

About

PyroStar International firework displays, designs pyrotechnic performances, implement creative, design and display delivery of World Class events.

Story

With international acclaim for artistic design, for the past 32 years Robert McDermott and his team have produced, designed, undertaken and been responsible for a number of the world’s most spectacular, prestigious and memorable pyrotechnic events. Being the first person to fire off Sydney Harbour Bridge, he has since performed in over 20 countries and Kingdoms, and have designed, created and delivered pyrotechnic displays of an internationally recognised standard to include the following events: -

• New Year's Eve Auckland Skytower
• Millennium displays London, Sydney, Melbourne, New Zealand
• Sydney & Atlanta Olympic Games
• Sydney Paralympic Games
• Sydney New Years Eve for over 10 consecutive years
• New Zealand Sky shows for 23 consecutive years
• Petone Winter Festival
• Hutt City Council Highlight
• Rugby World Cup
• Commonwealth Games
• Goodwill Games
• Asian Games
• Hong Kong Handover
• St.Patricks Festival Dublin, Ireland
• Shanghai Festival China
• Jeddah Festivals, Saudi Arabia
• African Cup of Nations Egypt
• Riga 800th Anniversary, Latvia
• National and Liberation Day Ceremonies State of Kuwait
• Montreal World Championships
• Macau Fireworks Competition
• Yokohama Fireworks Festival Japan
• Festival of the River Seine Paris
• Australian Bicentenary
• Australian Airshows
• 25th Anniversary of Singapore National Day
• FA Cup Final Cardiff UK
• Oman World Firework Competition
• Royal Australian Navy Bicentennial Review
• Australian Bicentennial Opening – Celebration of a Nation
• World Expo
• Royal Australian Navy 75th Anniversary Review
• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
• Concerts and Stadium Shows to include – Michael Jackson, Prince, Bon Jovi, MC Hammer, ACDC, Bobby Brown, Kiss, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Jamiraquoi, Peter Allen, Oliver Newton John, INXS, John Farnham, Royal Command Performances, Australian Opera, Dame Joan Sutherland

For eight years Robert lived in the Middle East comprising of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Dubai, commencing in 2005 when he was chosen to design and manage all pyrotechnic elements for the Jeddah Festival and the Jeddah Economic Forum Saudi Arabia.
Designing the pyrotechnics for the Opening of the African Cup of Nations in Egypt, Africa’s version of the FIFA World Cup with all African nations participating, this was the first time the Egyptian Military permitted a foreign company to be involved in such an event. Robert designed the displays for Shanghai Festival China, Egypt Mobile Network at the Giza Pyramids Egypt and was the Firework Conceptual Consultant for the opening of Palm Jumeriah Atlantis Dubai, Special Projects Consultant for the Dubai International Finance Centre followed by other consultancy roles with the Al Ain Ramadan Festival and World Fireworks Championship.
He has continued to produce, design and develop the Wellington Skyshow and Winter Festival New Zealand since its conception in 1995 to now, 22 years on it is still the largest annual pyrotechnics display in New Zealand and has now be contracted to Auckland's most famous landmark Skytower to deliver all pyrotechnic displays and special effects.



SYD HOWARD FIREWORKS INTERNATIONAL
1986 – 2005
Artistic Director / Production Manager- Designer

On the 1st June 1986, Robert commenced his pyrotechnic career working for Australian pyrotechnics company Syd Howard Fireworks International he then soon began designing all displays, which literally wowed the world with many spectacular shows including the millennium displays in Sydney, London and New Zealand as well as the closing ceremonies for the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics.

His continuous pyrotechnic experience has evolved over several years with National and International world recognised events, working with vast Australian and International artists and performers in the fields of theatre, music, movies, television, and sport.

Joining Syd Howard Fireworks International in its inaugural year of 1986 his role was instrumental in the development for the design and choreography of all displays. He attained a specialized level of pyrotechnic choreography, which has now become the industry standard. As part of the team that introduced computer firing to Australia back in 1988 using one of Pyrodigital’s first ever systems, he became a master of pyrotechnic animation and design with the synchronisation of music to product through media controls and digital computer firing systems.

In 1988, Robert became the company’s Artistic Director, commencing with the pyrotechnic design of the Australian Bicentenary on Sydney Harbour and Sydney Harbour Bridge, followed by World Expo in Brisbane with 186 consecutive days of displays. With 14 years designing and delivering pyrotechnic displays on Sydney Harbour including New Year’s Eve, culminating in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games closing ceremony, watched by more than 10 million people around the globe.

In 1997, Robert designed and directed the official Hong Kong handover ceremony. The display which consisted of eight barges and 12 tug boats stretched out over one kilometer along Victoria Harbour. In the year 2000, as the Director of Pyrotechnics, Robert was responsible for the design and management of the London Millennium celebrations, including 16 barges stretched over 12 kilometers on the River Thames. This display was made up of eight of the United Kingdom’s leading pyrotechnic companies. At the same time, Robert was responsible for the design and production of Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra Millennium, Wellington and Dunedin New Zealand Millennium celebrations.

Following the retirement of Syd Howard the company founder and Managing Director, Robert launched PyroStar International, continuing to consult, manage and develop pyrotechnic displays and special effect concepts for a rapidly expanding market.