Special effects artists draw from numerous fields of art and science to design and construct astonishing illusions that pull audiences into the world of the show.

What Does a Special Effects Artist Do?

Special effects (or SFX) artists draw from disciplines including mechanics, pyrotechnics, chemistry, sculpture, makeup, and puppetry to create astonishing effects and convincing illusions for stage productions, films, music concerts, and live events. Special effects artists can control the weather, build and bring to life gruesome monsters, construct stunning pyrotechnic displays, create convincing wounds, or even manipulate the audience's perception in more fundamental ways—making them believe something small is large, for example. The art of special effects spans multiple industries and a world of approaches, from the practical effects artists of Hollywood to the theatrical effects artists of the stage, the pyrotechnics specialists who commonly work on music tours and concerts, and the many shades of grey between.

Theatrical special effects artists are an integral part of the Broadway and West End ecosystems, and active participants in the collaborative process that is core to these high-profile, big-budget shows. Their work typically begins very early in the production process, when the show's director, technical director, and lead designers meet to discuss the production design, address any major interdepartmental concerns, and coordinate the timeline. From there, special effects artists begin the iterative process of designing, prototyping, and testing effects. Throughout, they liaise with the other design departments to ensure that everyone's on the same page: using pyrotechnics may require fireproofed costumes, for example, while the placement of a rain rig might impact set or lighting design. Finally, special effects artists take into account the particulars of the performance space to create an ultimate version of the effect, test it to ensure a high degree of safety and consistency, and educate crew members on its use.

There are a few differences between special effects for the stage and those used in film, although many SFX companies work on both. For one thing, the medium of film allows practical effects artists to take full advantage of skills like modeling, sculpting, makeup, and facial prosthetics, which really shine in a medium capable of close-ups and perspective manipulation. In addition, contemporary practical effects are almost always used in tandem with copious post-production visual effects, meaning they rarely carry the full weight of the illusion. For example, a recent Jurassic Park film commissioned practical effects artists to build a large mechanical model of a dinosaur's head, which was used for positioning and visualization during shooting, but ultimately replaced with CGI in post-production. Similarly, esteemed practical effects artist Rick Baker made silicone heads for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which were then scanned to create the CGI models.

Work Life Balance

Special effects artists generally work out of an office, which is often located in or near a workshop or warehouse. Although they typically set their own hours, they are beholden to the general production timeline and the needs of the other design departments. Additionally, this is a results-oriented profession, meaning that those who lack the foresight and experience to plan ahead may have to crunch in order to meet deadlines; this can lead to 12-hour days and 7-day work weeks. Once a show has opened, theatrical effects designers can breathe a sigh of relief, as maintaining effects is less time-consuming than building them and may be delegated to a special effects technician or other crew member. Downtime between projects might be spent expanding one's knowledge or experimenting to create new effects.

Community

Special effects artists are innovative experimentalists, inventors and problem-solvers who are self-motivated and curious about everything under the sun. While some effects have tried-and-true methods, on the whole, it's not a paint-by-numbers career; effects designers tend to be people who would rather figure something out on their own than follow an instruction manual. In order to avoid potentially dangerous miscalculations, they must be fastidiously detail-oriented, with safety as a primary concern. Finally, communication and collaboration skills are critical, particularly in a theatrical setting.

Finding Work

Special effects artists are employed by special effects companies, scene shops, and theater companies. Some artists are freelancers, although the need for warehouse or studio space and equipment makes it difficult to go completely solo in this business. Most SFX companies have a specialty of some kind, and may cater to either stage or filmed productions. Still, it's common to take clients from both industries, and some companies even perform contract work for non-performing businesses—creating models for an architecture firm, for example, or lifelike animals for a natural history museum.

Aspiring special effects artists should assemble a portfolio of their work, including a detailed resumé, photos of completed projects, and a video reel of their effects in action. Additionally, completion of a federal or state-certified training course might be required before working with pyrotechnics and explosives.

Professional Skills

Essential skills:

• Mechanical engineering
• Pyrotechnics
• Drafting (AKA technical drawing)
• Prototyping
• Prop and set design
• Sculpture/modeling
• Casting/molding
• Broad knowledge of state and federal safety regulations (esp. concerning pyrotechnics)
• Collaboration
• Time management

Additional or complementary skills:

• Makeup design
• Lighting design
• Costume design
• Puppetry
• Carpentry
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Electrical engineering
• Multimedia

Interpersonal Skills

Special effects artists are innovative experimentalists, inventors and problem-solvers who are self-motivated and curious about everything under the sun. While some effects have tried-and-true methods, on the whole, it's not a paint-by-numbers career; effects designers tend to be people who would rather figure something out on their own than follow an instruction manual. In order to avoid potentially dangerous miscalculations, they must be fastidiously detail-oriented, with safety as a primary concern. Finally, communication and collaboration skills are critical, particularly in a theatrical setting.

Industries

• Film, Video, and Television
• Technology
• Video Games
• Advertising
• Artist Services
• Music and Audio Tools
• Radio and Streaming Music
• Recording Industry
• Health and Wellness
• Theater
• Live Music
• Opera
• Dance
• Orchestra, Chorus, and Band
• Education
• Arts Administration
• Journalism
• Church and Worship

Top US Cities for This Role

• Los Angeles
• San Francisco Bay Area
• New York City
• Boston
• Nashville