Special Effects Technician
Lenny is a trainee technician at Real SFX
As an SFX (special effects) trainee, I help create the effects that you see in film and TV.
Some days I’m on set making sure everything goes off at the right time, and other days I’m helping rig locations so it’s all ready before filming starts.
Rigging is basically setting up the kit that makes an effect happen, making sure it’s safe and works properly.
I’m still learning, but it’s really hands-on and it’s great knowing I’m helping bring scenes to life on screen.
I love going out to set and seeing all the different places we go to, with all the crew there.
It’s great seeing how films and TV shows get made, and how everybody works together as a team to pull it off.
I also enjoy the challenge of the big, exciting effects, though I take them very seriously.
If I’m doing explosions, I’ve got to plan things really carefully, because if things go wrong people could get hurt.
You definitely need to be good with your hands for this job. I do lots of practical work, like building things in the workshop, checking equipment, fixing stuff and loading kit.
I also need to be good at problem solving and thinking on the spot. Effects don’t always work perfectly first time, so I’ve got to stay calm, tweak things and find a solution quickly.
Communication matters too, especially on set. I often need to coordinate with other departments, like the costume department, so we’re setting things up in the right place, at the right time, in the safest way.
On set, you’re working with loads of different departments, so you really do have to work as a team. I love being part of something where everyone is working together to make every scene happen.
And when we’re doing bigger effects, it helps knowing we’re all watching out for each other and doing it safely.
My favourite things to work on are bullet hits and making it look like someone’s been shot. We use foam pads and a steel plate that holds the pyrotechnic (a tiny, controlled explosion). There’s a groove cut out, and we tape on a small bag of fake blood which bursts when we want the shot to happen.
The plate helps protect the actor, and it aims the effect so the blood bursts out in the right direction. I like it because the end result looks really good, and they’re fun to make too.
I like exploring nature, going out for long walks and being outside.
At school, I preferred practical subjects, especially design and technology – product design.
I loved making things – I remember making a doorbell for my bedroom and wiring it all up!
I’ve worked on so many productions now, that I’ve lost count. I’ve worked on things like Under Salt Marsh, reshoots for Havoc (a Tom Hardy film) and Doctor Who.
It’s exciting to work on such a range of productions. One stand-out was SAS Rogue Heroes, where we had to rig up loads of explosions – that was fun.
I think people would be surprised by how much planning and testing we do before you even get to set.
We can get scripts weeks in advance, so we’ll spend time in the workshop working out how to create the effect, testing it and making sure we get it just right, and that it’s safe.
For example, if a window has to shatter, we test the pressure so glass doesn’t get blown further than it should.
Go with your instincts and follow what you’re interested in. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.
And don’t be scared to try things – if someone offers you an opportunity, give it a go. It might lead you somewhere you didn’t expect.
Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.
