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Special Effects Technician

Operates and maintains physical SFX elements under the Supervisor — UK Special Effects grade; confirm title on the call sheet and deal memo.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Prep and run SFX gags
• Maintain kit
• Safe set practice
• Strike and store hazardous materials correctly

Reports to

Special Effects Supervisor

Works with

Supervisor, Assistants, Standby departments, Medics when required

Career path

SFX Assistant → SFX Technician → Supervisor

Day to day

Prep gags; operate cues; maintain kit; enforce cordons; reset safely between takes.

Call times

Tests and prep often before unit; fire/pyro cues need clear windows. Wrap includes make-safe and returns — can run after camera wrap.

What to wear

Blacks/PPE as briefed; FR clothing near fire; eye/ear protection; boots; gloves — follow Supervisor rules strictly.

Tools & kit

Trade tools and PPE as Supervisor specifies; never personal pyro without authority.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap and kit fee on the deal memo before accepting. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk ratecards / your branch.

Software

• Cue sheets
• Call sheets
• Risk assessments / RAMS / method statements
• SFX cue sheets
• Excel kit & pyro inventories

Related roles

Special Effects Supervisor, Special Effects Assistant

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