Overview 

This standard is about overseing or directing physical special effects to make sure they are implemented crrectly. You will need to brief people on the elements of the design and the safety requirements and ensure that equipment and materials are fit for purpose and managed appropriately.

It will involve identifying key heads of department with whom you will need to liaise to produce effects in a safe and legally compliant manner.

This standard should be used alongside any of the standards listed below:

  • PSFX04 Create atmospheric effects
  • PSFX05 Create practical fire effects
  • PSFX06 Create miniature effects
  • PSFX08 Create mechanical effects
  • PSFX09 Create physical special effects props
  • PSFX10 Create explosive and pyrotechnic effects

This standard is for those who oversee or direct physical special effects.


Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. make sure that all safety information for physical special effects is communicated to cast and crew
  2. check and confirm that safety guidance is adhered to 
  3. supply pictoral and video test reference to production in line with production requirements
  4. employ crew with the required skills and experience including third party specialists to work collaboratively within a team
  5. communicate scene choreography to relevant people to aid their understanding and safe practice
  6. instruct cast and crew how effects will be achieved in a manner that aids their understanding and promotes safe practice, demonstrating elements when appropriate
  7. make sure all members of the special effects crew understand their role in the implementation of effects
  8. provide equipment and materials for use in physical special effects which are fit for purpose and comply with health and safety legislation and regulations
  9. communicate any budget or schedule changes to all relevant people
  10. ensure effective vehicle management for special effects on set in line with production and safety requirements
  11. document all aspects of risk assessment and risk management 
  12. evaluate the use of physical special effects

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. health and safety regulations and legislation relating to the physical special effects
  2. the importance of liaising with heads of department, cast and crew, insurers and enforcing authorities
  3. how to ensure that the safety of cast and crew is upheld both in a workshop and on set
  4. the importance of cast and crew not changing or adapting equipment to suit a particular purpose without the consent of the special effects department
  5. how to interpret scene choreography, script breakdown in line with safe practices
  6. what is needed in order to facilitate successful and safe delivery of effects
  7. how to test and record results on camera
  8. who to liaise with production, including the location department, about vehicle management on set 
  9. the permissions and approvals from relevant authorities and organisations which must be sought and how to go about doing so
  10. processes for preparing equipment and materials to create effects
  11. how to employ crew with the required skills and experience including third party specialists to work collaboratively within a team
  12. how to respond to budget or schedule changes and why it is important