Brad Carlile Videos

Building Firework Videos

In the Fall of 2025, at the WPA DoIt event, I learned how to build my first professional-class hand-made shells. They all were six-inch double petals with with rising comets. The last three also included strobes. I had amazing mentors in Vic, Marc, Diane, and Doug of Show Stopper Fireworks. I also learned a lot by chatting with the other builders at DoIt. It was an incredible week with four days of building and four days of shooting.

Below is the fourth shell getting built.

Brad's 4th 6in shell — Brad's fourth 6-inch shell build. Top hemi nearly done, bottom hemi with outer green stars.

All Show Stopper Fireworks from the WPA DoIt 2025

aThis YouTube video features all 42 shells created by the Show Stopper Fireworks team at WPA DoIt.
All are 6" shells and most were at least double-petal designs. Congrats to the whole team - all builds were perfect!

Vic has created flawless rising comet effects. Here is his instructional video:

Vic's Making a Rising Effect Comet Video

Composite of Hand-Crafted Show Stopper Fireworks:

Composite of hand-built 6in shells — Sample Composite of Show Stopper Fireworks Team's 6" shells. Photo by Vic Chaney.

Schematic of Double Petal Shell:

Brad's double petal shell schematic — Double petal shell schematic. Diagram by Brad Carlile.

Brad's Shell 1

Green outer petal
Red inner petal
...and yes, Diane was snickering at "magnificent"

Shell 2

Green outer petal
Brocade inner petal
3 Strobes

Shell 3

Orange outer petal
Green inner petal
3 strobes

Shell 4

Lemon outer petal
Green inner petal
10 brocade
3 strobes - 2.5 burned at burst, which made the burst extra bright