What I do

I provide special effects for the film and TV industry. This can be anything from creating fire and smoke to snow, rain, explosions and bullet and debris hits.

Hear more about Will's role by watching the video below...

How I became a technician

I studied IT, Design and Technology and Applied Science at A-level and then I got a part-time job because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. A family friend mentioned to me that Real SFX were taking on apprentices, so I looked further into it and reached out to them. I was brought in for a trial day and straight away I thought ‘Yes, this is my cup of tea’. Then I applied for the apprenticeship through Skill-Cymru.

It was a year-long apprenticeship, both in the classroom and on site. I passed my apprenticeship and was then fortunate enough to be offered a full-time job with Real SFX, and now I’ve been here over three years! I really felt like the job was tailored to what I like, I’ve always been more of a practical person and preferred being hands-on, so this is perfect for me.

A typical day in my
working life

I am often based in the workshop, so I go there in the morning to check on the kit, to make sure it’s stored correctly, clean it and make sure it works. We do the special effects for Dr Who and the set is close to us. Sometimes we get calls from the crew to bring over some kit, or if they need a special effect for the following week, we make test videos for the Producers and Directors to check and see whether they like it.

We have to prepare well for all the effects we need, for example, if we are making debris fly, we need to calculate the pressure needed in the pressure vessel to see how far it will throw the debris and how safe it will be. There’s lots of science involved too, like when we are blowing up cars, we need to work out distance the crew and cameras to be, to be safe.

With smoke effects, there are lots of types of smoke - interior, exterior, quick-dispersing smoke, smoke which hangs for longer etc, so we need to work out which is best for each scenario. With the fire, it is propane-based gas fire, so we need to ensure we ventilate correctly and check it’s safe. The blood is safe as it’s a sugary mixture so it’s actually edible!

The best bits about working in a team

When working on set we arrive as a team and unload any relevant kit off the van for the effects we are doing that shoot day – this could be smoke machines, large fans for wind effects, pre-made fire rigs for campfires or stovetops etc. We sometimes will have to set things up before the shoot day starts; gas bottles, for example, need to be set in position and safely connected up to the rigs that require them so that they are ready to be used as soon as they are needed.

As technicians we work together as a team throughout the shoot day and communicate using radios to provide the effects that the production require. The on-set SFX Supervisor liaises with individuals such as the Director and DOP (Director of Photography) and relays relevant information back to us technicians so we can take appropriate action. Being a trustworthy team player is important as a technician when in these on-set situations, especially when the more hazardous effects come out!

On the other hand, when I’m at the workshop I do more independent work. I might be tasked with a fire rig, so I will start making it myself. There are usually two or three other people in the workshop at any one time, so I can always ask for help if I need it. We have some brilliant minds that work at Real SFX and each person has their niche. I learn from everyone around me.

I wish I had known when I was younger that there is more than one route to choose from.

Believe in yourself more!

A little more about
my everyday role

What I love most about my job

I get to travel a lot around the country working on different productions which is great, but I mostly love the variety of my job and figuring out how we can make the effects the production team need - anything from a fire in a fireplace to atmospheric smoke or flying debris.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

I worked on Peaky Blinders - I loved working on that and being on set and meeting some of the actors. I was really interested in the production, there were a lot of fire and smoke effects involved as you can imagine!

What I do to relax

I am into skateboarding and mechanics - I have a project car which I like working on in my spare time, I guess I love making and fixing things!

The advice I’d give to someone younger

Believe in yourself more. Everyone is drawn to the standard route of finishing school and then going to university. Personally, I was very stressed as I didn’t know what to do. I wish I had known when I was younger that there is more than one route to choose from.

Find out more about this role

Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.

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