There are so many different routes you can go down within special effects. I work more on set rather than in the workshop, because I don’t know as much about engineering. I did fine art at college, and I put special effects into my artwork quite a lot. I also did environmental studies and computer science. At GCSE level, I did resistant materials, which has come in handy. I was a really big nerd and enjoyed all the Marvel movies and all the creatures growing up.

It just so happened that my friend’s dad owned a special effects company, and he gave me two weeks’ work experience. Once I was on set with the team, I just loved everything about it – the atmosphere, the teamwork and the brains behind it all. I thought that part of the job was more interesting than being in a workshop. They basically adopted me, and I have stayed ever since! I have progressed very quickly, to the point where the company has kept me on full time. I have been here for four years now.

A typical workday involves getting up very early and driving to a location. Access to the site will be limited. I’ll meet the different departments and then get all the kit out and make sure the vans are clean and tidy. We speak to the team about what they want for the day’s filming. Normally I will set up a smoke machine before going to a monitor to work out how to make the scene look as good as possible.

I often work with propane, and mostly gas. I have learnt how to make gas systems safe, so we can get the gas to safely ignite as a bonfire or a car fire, for example. We have different types of smoke machines that are either electrical or they heat up some form of oil. At the end of the day, we start to pack down and make sure the vans are tidy, and then we head home. We do have long, tiring days, but the job is great fun.