Special Effects
"Where there's smoke, there's
a Special Effects person."
In the field of entertainment, the old saying has been adjusted to read,
"Where there's smoke, there's a Special Effects person." Whenever
the production requires that a certain physical, natural or elemental
condition be reproduced in a controlled manner, a qualified Special
Effects person is called in.
The Special Effects Coordinator staffs and supervises the Prop Shop.
The versatile Special Effects/Prop Shop combination is responsible for
handling any mechanical effects, effects-related set dressing and prop
needs required for film production.
Special Effects Definition . For the purposes of this section, a Special
Effect is a filmed sequence of controlled events which produces
through artificial means a visual and/or aural impression of a physical,
natural or elemental condition.
A further differentiation should be made between Special Effects,
which are created by mechanical means, and Visual Effects, which
are computer-generated images. It should be noted, however, that both
Departments often work together to create even better, more seamless
effects than previously considered possible.
The Special Effects/Prop Shop qualified members build and rig stunts
(scenes which require physical daring or involve physical risk to a
character being filmed) and gags (a sequence of controlled mechanical
events which require some type of rigging). A veteran Effects person
made this distinction, "Stunts happen to people, gags happen to
things."
Another Special Effects distinction to be made is between an application
(a particular way of creating an effect), and an appliance (any
effect applied directly to a part of the body).
Special Effects fall into several classification areas: Wind and Air
Effects, Rain, Snow, Fire-Flares-Torches, Smoke-Fog-Artificial Atmospheric-Ambiance,
Steam-Cryogenic Breathable Fog, Water, Cobwebs and Dust (see "Classification"
section).
CREW RESPONSIBILITIES
The Prop Shop is looked upon to construct any mechanical effects or needed
Props, Set Dressing items and rigging, while Special Effects sets up and
supervises rigging, breakaways, creates weather conditions and other gags
and effects, including pyrotechnics, usually for the camera.
The Special Effects/Prop Shop/Propmaker crew breakdown is as follows:
Special Effects Coordinator (classified under contracts as a Foreman)
• Oversees the design of Special Effects and Prop Shop gags required
by the production.
• Ensures safety for stunt persons, actors and crew.
• Staffs the Prop Shop qualified members.
• Breaks down the script.
• Submits a budget for Special Effects and Prop Shop work.
• Attends production meetings.
• Hires personnel proficient or qualified in specific skills.
• Explains to Producer and Director the mechanics of a stunt or gag.
• Obtains necessary safety permits when a stunt or gag is required,
such as with open flame situations: candles, fireplaces, camp fires and
torches.
• Supplies rental boxes, equipment and Special Effects trailer(s).
Special Effects Qualified Assistants (classified under contracts as
Gang Boss or Journeyman, depending on responsibilities).
Usually hired to perform duties requiring a specific skill, or to assist
the Special Effects Coordinator with general tasks. See "Minimum
Professional Standards" for specific skill areas.
Prop Shop Foreman . The Prop Shop Foreman staffs and builds necessary
items required by various departments: for instance, the Art Department
might request the building of a craft from scale drawings or miniatures,
the Set Decorators and Property Masters might need the Prop Shop to build
special set dressing pieces or props, and Special Effects might ask for
rigging, welding or breakaways to be constructed.
The Prop Shop Foreman
• Makes recommendations on manufacturing processes.
• Submits material list to Special Effects Coordinator.
• Oversees the manufacture of requested items.
• Repairs production equipment as needed.
• Handles Prop Shop paperwork and submits to Special Effects Coordinator
for approval.
• Acquires needed permits for crews, such as welding and cutting
permits.
Prop Shop (Gang Boss)
An experienced crew member assigned to oversee a group of Journeymen executing
a specific Prop Shop construction order:
• Builds alongside Journeymen as a "working supervisor."
• Offers crew the benefit of his/her experience. Helps teach the
Journeymen, and serves as a source of information and advice.
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