Overview 

This standard is about operating or initiating effects equipment to cue during a live production, and carrying out post performance checks. Effects may include the use of smoke, confetti, fog, flash and stage pyrotechnics, and may be operated by any member of the cast.

This standard is for anyone involved with operating effects.


Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. operate effects in line with safety requirements
  2. operate effects according to cue and plot and in a way that supports the artistic performance
  3. carry out operations without disrupting performance
  4. ensure special effects provide consistency throughout performances and with earlier performances
  5. deal with problems during performance so that performances are not disrupted, using backup procedures when possible
  6. when to abort cues
  7. record problems in appropriate formats
  8. make feasible suggestions as to how problems could be avoided in future performances to appropriate people


Knowledge and Understanding

You must know and understand:

  1. current regulations and procedures regarding effects material and equipment, including use, handling, storage and disposal
  2. how to annotate and follow a script or score including cue lines and visual cues.
  3. the meaning of common terms used by others giving cues including ‘Standing By’ and ‘Go’ cues
  4. terminology relating to stage positions including upstage, downstage, stage left and stage right
  5. the importance of operating equipment in a way that supports artistic performance and how to do so
  6. the importance of consistency with effects and how to achieve it
  7. the importance of responding promptly to requested alterations and recording them to existing plot records
  8. safety procedures and agreed backup procedures in the operation of  effects
  9. likely problems that may occur during performance and how to deal with these whilst minimising disruption
  10. situations in which you would abort cues
  11. problems that are likely to occur in achieving plot, who to liaise with over these and the types of solutions
  12. the importance of noting problems that have occurred and of finding ways of avoiding these in future performances
  13. emergency procedures, especially for power cuts or fires