Create explosive and pyrotechnic effects
Overview
This Standard is about your ability to design and create an explosive or pyrotechnic effect safely. This may relate to firing single or multiple charges and testing circuits. It assumes you already have experience of physical special effects and need to apply this specific area of expertise to your work. You will need to know about the dangers involved with using different explosive materials, the ignition and extinguishing methods and the health and safety management which surrounds this work area. This Standard is for you if you create explosive or pyrotechnic special effects.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
create explosive or pyrotechnic effects in line with production
breakdown and budget constraints
- identify and use pyrotechnic or explosive techniques that are most
appropriate for the job
- source, purchase, store and transport explosive and pyrotechnic
materials in compliance with current legislation
provide and maintain required documentation in expected formats
calculate current, voltage, resistance, power, with parallel and
series circuits using accurate information
- select and use firing systems and ignition sources appropriate for
the job
prepare charges in mortars to boost or reduce explosive effects
design chemical and explosive mixtures that simulate the desired
scale
- document all aspects of risk assessment and risk management in
appropriate formats
ensure safety zones are specified and adhered to by all people
communicate with cast and crew to maintain safety at all times
ensure appropriate Personal Protective Eqiupment (PPE) is used
by all people as required for the job
- stop a shoot with immediate effect when you consider it unsafe to
proceed
- specify all safety requirements with clear firing position and line of
sight to the effect
create effects that satisfy directorial requirements
use reliable information to assess the impact of effects on the
location and its environment
- liaise with enforcing authorities to ensure all legal protocols have
been adhered to
- make sure that all materials used are disposed of in line with legal
and production requirements
make sure that locations are returned to a safe state
make sure that suitable and competent fire cover is present
provide alternative solutions within budget and schedule when
effects cannot be produced to original design or budget
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
script breakdown, budget and schedule for the physical special
effects
- health and safety regulations and legislation relating to explosive
and pyrotechnic materials including: storage, licensing,
transportation, purchasing and manufacture licensing
- enforcing authorities and other relevant bodies you need to liaise
with and the legal protocols with which you need to comply when
using explosives
- how to convert a script idea into reality through using explosives
or pyrotechnics
- the dangers involved with different types of explosive material and
products available commercially and how they can be used
- the general principles of using minimum force to achieve a visual
result
- basic safety relating to using explosives including: means of
initiation, avoidance of inadvertent initiation, suitable storage, safe
handling and working practices
- how to effectively communicate with production and all relevant
departments
- the most appropriate film speeds to use for the effect, particularly
with miniatures and different scales
how to create an impression of a full scale effect with miniatures
the environmental considerations and the effect on a location both
during testing and execution
how to design basic electrical circuits for use with pyrotechnics
how to use mortars to isolate and direct charges, and control
power
how to dress an explosion to add visual impact
bullet hits on people and objects
specialist constructs and materials in pyrotechnic miniature work
how to control and supervise an effect on set
the safe operating positions for special effects crew on set
how to make sets safe post effect
the procedure for dealing with misfires and making safe
the different protective clothing and Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) for cast and crew
how to ensure the camera is appropriately protected
how to act in an emergency or accident
possible alternatives to pyrotechnics and when they can be
implemented, including: air mortars, air line bullet hits and
mechanical rigs
how to liaise with and advise fire service and paramedics
the appropriate levels of special effects staff coverage to ensure
the safety of cast and crew at all times
- what can be achieved by post production and visual effects