Overview 

This standard is about producing an atmospheric effect; these include rain, wind, snow, ice, fog and smoke. You will need to possess a thorough understanding of the different materials and equipment used to create atmospherics, which ones are suitable for which locations and have experience in their safe and effective use.

This standard is for those who create create atmospheric special effects.


Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. create atmospheric effects in line with production script breakdown and budget constraints
  2. use equipment and materials appropriate to the atmospheric effects being produced
  3. comply with the health, safety and environmental legislation and regulatory requirements which apply to the effects
  4. maintain health, safety and environmental measures and document adherence to legislation and regulatory requirements
  5. take all aspects of risk assessment into account and provide documentation as required
  6. employ crew with the required skills and experience for the job
  7. liaise with cast and crew to communicate details of effects being used
  8. maintain the safety of the cast and crew minimising exposure and within occupational exposure levels (OEL) for materials being used
  9. liaise with third parties, bodies and organisations to ensure that there is minimal disruption to utility services
  10. provide alternative solutions within budget and schedule when effects cannot be produced to original design or budget
  11. confirm that sets are restored to their required state, providing documentation as required


Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the script breakdown, budget and production requirements for the atmospheric effect required
  2. how to use equipment and materials to create an atmospheric effect
  3. the correct materials used to simulate snow, ice, fog and smoke
  4. the effects of condensate upon sensitive materials in the set
  5. the health, safety and environmental legislation and implications when producing atmospheric effects such as OEL
  6. scale, and how this will look on camera when creating an effect
  7. the impact the atmospheric effects with which you are working will have on the environment location and existing utilities infrastructure
  8. how to minimise disruption to environment and location
  9. how to employ crew or third party specialists with required skills to work collaboratively within a team
  10. crew to liaise with to ensure effects are safe and monitored as required
  11. protocols and legislation to comply with when producing atmospheric effects
  12. how to clean up and dispose of materials used in atmospheric effects
  13. what can be achieved by post production and visual effects
  14. who to liaise with in production to ensure set is restored