11 replies to this topic

[bltcd1-ct2ect]

I am currently a student at the University Of Bolton, studying a B Des Special Effects Development course. I have been interested in pyrotechnics for all my life, I am 19. I will get to study a weeks worth of pyro's later next month, and will get some sort of qualification out of it. I would like to know what are my best steps/plan to get more into the pyrotechnics scene, and gain further knowledge in this area. I have another year at uni with the chance of doing a pyro piece for my final projects. I would really like a job in the industry and want to know what to do?



Thanks Christopher Thomson

Edited by bltcd1-ct2ect, 17 April 2008 - 05:04 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

The transition from enthusiast to professional is hard! Some serious effort NOW to find thousands of contacts who might provide SFX employment - even temporary. will help tremendously.

Many people are individuals in business but there are some significant companies. Search KFTV.com... for SFX companies. Search the ASP for members with a LOT of experience, search here for the odd post that identifies someone as a professional rather than a hobbyist.

Be sociable, pleasant and helpful with folk and they will be more receptive.

Remember that pyro is only a small part of SFX you may need a range of skills to maintain yourself in work.

[David]

I will get to study a weeks worth of pyro's later next month

Whats a weeks worth of pyro's?

[adamw]

A 3 year course and only a week's worth of pyro?! Is the other 2 51/52 years taken up with CGI?

My advice would be to go on a proper training course (they are out there) and put out some feelers and get yourself known.
Also, if you feel you are experienced enough; create a showreel of effects that you can do and send copies to the major studios (TV & Film) and FX houses.

[bltcd1-ct2ect]

The transition from enthusiast to professional is hard! Some serious effort NOW to find thousands of contacts who might provide SFX employment - even temporary. will help tremendously.

Many people are individuals in business but there are some significant companies. Search KFTV.com... for SFX companies. Search the ASP for members with a LOT of experience, search here for the odd post that identifies someone as a professional rather than a hobbyist.

Be sociable, pleasant and helpful with folk and they will be more receptive.

Remember that pyro is only a small part of SFX you may need a range of skills to maintain yourself in work.

Thank You Very Much, on the course I have also studied in the areas of, CGI, Video Production, Model Making, SFX Make Up, Basic Animatronics and a few more so I have a wide scope.

[bltcd1-ct2ect]

Whats a weeks worth of pyro's?

I know, it is a basic course run by a guy who is working on the new Bond film. What I have been told by my tutor is that, it is two days in the uni working on small stuff like Squibs, then its head down south to do the bigger stuff on a farm!

[bltcd1-ct2ect]

A 3 year course and only a week's worth of pyro?! Is the other 2 51/52 years taken up with CGI?

My advice would be to go on a proper training course (they are out there) and put out some feelers and get yourself known.
Also, if you feel you are experienced enough; create a showreel of effects that you can do and send copies to the major studios (TV & Film) and FX houses.

As i took the B Des course, i do more model making classes and design work, but yes i have done CGI work.

[Arthur Brown]

SFX will move to the simulated as real bangs have a risk and risk cost. Mack Sennet did his own stunts in the 1900s by the 1970s there were stand -ins, stunt people and body doubles, as we pass into the 21st century the cost of an injury is so huge that CGI and chroma screening is important. The B&W movie industry regarded it as acceptable to "lose" a few stunt people - they got a good price for a job BUT it might be fatal. Modern movies regard things very differently.

You have to make the SFX look good AND perform them safely.

Models get blown up, actors get covered in sand and dust, the editing makes it look like the actors have survived an explosion.

Spend time in your library (local and college) look out directories and find the details of film and TV SFX companies and individuals. WWW.IMDB might have the credits for some really good action films and their SFX crew.

Manor Farm, Theale by any chance? That is a good course, BECTU approved, and a good step to being a competent sfx person

[bltcd1-ct2ect]

SFX will move to the simulated as real bangs have a risk and risk cost. Mack Sennet did his own stunts in the 1900s by the 1970s there were stand -ins, stunt people and body doubles, as we pass into the 21st century the cost of an injury is so huge that CGI and chroma screening is important. The B&W movie industry regarded it as acceptable to "lose" a few stunt people - they got a good price for a job BUT it might be fatal. Modern movies regard things very differently.

You have to make the SFX look good AND perform them safely.

Models get blown up, actors get covered in sand and dust, the editing makes it look like the actors have survived an explosion.

Spend time in your library (local and college) look out directories and find the details of film and TV SFX companies and individuals. WWW.IMDB might have the credits for some really good action films and their SFX crew.

Manor Farm, Theale by any chance? That is a good course, BECTU approved, and a good step to being a competent sfx person

Thanks for the advice, and I have had a look at Manor Farm on the net and it sounds right, as my tutor did say something about Somerset, so thanks!

[mihangel]

Hey guys. I am also a student on the SFX course at bolton and i thought it best that i write here instead of opening another thread.

You say that we should build up a showreel of effects we have done, what small scale effects could we easily do (coffee whitener etc) to start building this up. with this course we are taking part in at Somerset, there is the option for us at the end of the course to take the exam but it is not essential.

I have downloaded the regulations and plan on reading them throughley over the next couple of days to get to grips with whats possible by us and what isnt and seeing if this can be implimented into our other projects.

Cheers

[Arthur Brown]

The exam is important! It's how your future employers will begin to assess your training and experience.

Yes a showreel will help. All the effects you can do, with some evidence that you actually did them, rather than clipped the shot's off YouTube. The modern necessity is the ability to do risk assessments, reduce the risk, then perform only when it is safe.

[mihangel]

Thanks for the advice. i failed to mention that i will be taking the exam i was just simply saying as far as our degree goes its not essential but i will be taking it.

Cheers for any further advice