Special Effects Technician Job Description - Picture Effects Tutorials Special effects technicians create various types of illusions for television commercials and shows, movies, theater productions and other special projects, according to SchoolsInTheUSA. Their work results in explosions, crashes, monsters, rain and other interesting aspects of shows and films. These professionals must meet a wide range of training and skills requirements to succeed in this field.
Duties
• Special effects technicians first meet with producers and directors in the preproduction phase of a film or show to discuss the vision of the piece. They then might spend hours on digital animation computer programs creating interesting effects and might create artistic samples of their ideas. They also can specialize in genres such as claymation or traditional areas such as makeup and hair design in which they can make an actor look younger or older. In addition, special effects technicians can create rubber or plastic prostheses and add these to an actor to alter his appearance. These professionals additionally work with stunt coordinators to create dangerous scenes such as fires or gun battles in a specialty area known as pyrotechnics. The goal of all special effects technicians is to make sure their special effects look real.
Skills
• Special effects technicians should be artistic and creative. They also should be skilled in areas such as fabrication, construction and welding. In addition, special effects technicians should have a solid knowledge of computers, must be detail oriented and must be quick thinkers. These professionals should have strong verbal communication skills and must be willing to work in a team as well. In addition, special effects technicians who do makeup and hair design should be willing to study characters, period settings and situations. Environment
• Special effects technicians can work on a contract basis for film and video production companies, television studios, recording studios, theater companies, dance/opera companies and modeling agencies. These professionals also might find employment at theme-based restaurants and stores, work at theme parks or even design special effects for haunted houses and rides. Special effects technicians additionally can pursue a career in creating new special effects computer software and technologies. They might work long hours on film sets but typically work regular hours in film studios. They can work both indoors and outdoors depending on the filming site as well.
Education
• Although special effects technicians do not have to meet any official education requirements, most technicians have a diploma or degree in computer science, art or film. Those who do makeup or use stage props might complete an associate's or bachelor's degree in theater with an emphasis on stage makeup or set design, according to Education-Portal. Meanwhile, special effects animators usually complete a bachelor's degree in animation, visual effects or multimedia arts. Pyrotechnicians also complete supervised apprenticeships that typically last one to three years and must get a license to handle firearms as well as an explosives permit. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sets regulations for this industry. Outlook
• Employment of artists, which includes special effects technicians, is expected to grow 12 percent through 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary of special effects technicians in 2010 was $50,000, according to Indeed. Special Effects Technician Job Description - Picture Effects Tutorials Click Here for the Mac