Noah Winter: The Confetti Maestro of the Super Bowl
Noah Winter, a self-proclaimed Super Bowl veteran, is set to experience his 30th consecutive game this year, but not as a player like Tom Brady, who holds the record for participating in ten Super Bowls. Instead, Winter is the creative force behind the confetti explosion that blankets the field at the end of the event, showcasing his expertise through his company, Artistry in Motion. While the firm also provides confetti for various entertainment venues, including concerts and the Olympics, Winter’s confetti work during the Super Bowl has become particularly iconic.
“It’s become an iconic moment,” he reflects from his Northridge, California office, which houses both his workspace and confetti production facility.
The Joy of Confetti
Photographer Jane Gershovich, who recorded the joyous aftermath during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win in 2014, emphasizes the unparalleled excitement confetti brings, noting that players and their families often turn it into a moment of playful engagement—tossing it in the air and creating confetti angels.
“Seeing players and their kids interact with it in such a wholesome way truly enhances the joy for everyone involved on the field,” she shares.
Logistics of the Grand Confetti Drop
So, what logistics go into orchestrating the grand confetti drop? Winter delves into the specifics:
Confetti for Losing Teams
Artistry in Motion supplies 300 pounds of specially colored confetti for each team, preparing cannons to launch the colorful spectacle as the game comes to a close. The strategic timing ensures that confetti is launched only after the final buzzer, maintaining anticipation and excitement—
“It’s always better to be late than early,” Winter affirms.
The team has meticulously avoided premature launches for three decades, guaranteeing the correct colors are used at the right moment. Experimentation with color ratios is vital because certain colors pop more vibrantly on video.
Ensuring Optimal Flutter
Winter explains that the confetti’s rectangular shape is ideal for the shimmering descent, offering a captivating flutter as it floats down. Interestingly, viewers may not be aware that there are actually two separate confetti drops during the Super Bowl—the initial shower as the game concludes, followed by another release coinciding with the presentation of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, featuring confetti cut in the trophy’s silhouette. There have even been occasions where social media messages were printed on the confetti flags at Twitter’s request.
Eco-Friendly Confetti
Encouragingly, Winter reveals that the confetti is made from 98% post-consumer recycled material, sourced domestically and is biodegradable. Any unused confetti is recycled after the event, contributing to a sustainable practice. Cleanup, however, is not managed by Winter; different stadiums have varying methods, such as using rakes or leaf blowers, to manage the confetti mess without damaging the playing surfaces.
Winter’s Journey into the Confetti Business
Winter’s journey began studying lighting design, followed by work in pyrotechnics across notable venues like the Hollywood Bowl. His big break came when Disney commissioned a project that involved recreating falling leaves for a live Pocahontas performance, eventually leading him to create confetti for Disneyland’s parades. In 1986, after receiving acclaim from Mick Jagger at a concert, Winter found himself producing confetti for various artists, including U2’s Bono, which eventually expanded his portfolio into sports events.
His first Super Bowl experience came in 1997, marking a significant achievement in his career as the Green Bay Packers triumphed over the Patriots. This year’s game, expected to attract over 127 million viewers, highlights Winter’s deep-rooted connection to the celebration and spectacle of the Super Bowl.
Although he refuses to reveal his personal team loyalties, he jokingly notes that he has promised to help his two brothers, die-hard Jets fans, with a confetti cannon if their team ever makes a triumphant return to the Super Bowl, a rare event last witnessed in 1969 under quarterback Joe Namath.
