A Message from the Special Effects Qualifications Committee
to the Local 44 Membership
We, the members of the SEQC want to express our concern and commitment to the local 44 membership regarding the upgrading of individuals with Propshop classification to the Special Effects classification. Our industry, our local, and those of us on the committee are concerned for the future of our craft, inasmuch as the number of qualified Special Effects members has declined and currently there are not enough people to fill the job openings available.
The purpose of our committee is to evaluate the qualifications of those applying for upgrading to the Special Effects classification. We do this by first requiring the candidate to take a written test, which evaluates general knowledge and safety and skills related to Special Effects, and then, upon scoring a 70 percent or better correct score on this, they take an oral interview, where we ascertain their “hands on” skills, visual and narrative skills, safety skills, and most importantly, their problem solving skills. The committee is comprised of experienced Special Effects individuals who rely on their own experiences, general safety practices and techniques, and a questions and answers curriculum that has been vetted by an education company that specializes in testing. The end of this process is each committee member present for the oral interview evaluating the applicant individually, with no group or individual discussions, and a clerk from Contract Services adding up the totals and then notifying the committee and the individual tested of the results. Sometimes this can take several days.
We want to make this process as transparent as possible to dispel rumors and negative criticisms that abound, regarding the Special Effects testing experience.
The members of the committee want to express our encouragement to all who want to go through the process. Special Effects is not for everyone. It takes a different individual, one that wants to be part of a craft that encompasses many different trades and specialties. Special Effects requires one to sometimes interact with other departments and trades and sometimes the whole company. It also sometimes requires basic and special safety knowledge. It sometimes requires one to embrace the latest technology and antiquated methods used successfully in the past. One day you are coordinating a rain scene with a crew of 8, and the next you are alone on a stage doing a campfire. There are days when you are a plumber, an electrician, a propmaker, an engineer, or a laborer. This is why we have a process that puts an applicant through several scenarios where they have to explain to us how they will accomplish specific effects.
We want to hear what they will tell their crew in regards to prepping for the shots, what they will explain to the director and producers, and what they will explain to the whole company at the safety meeting. We need to hear about how various shots can be accomplished, what materials and supplies are available to use, and how they will be used. A director or producer may see a cartoon on Thursday, and then ask you to provide the same gag for him on stage Monday. We need to know you can work it out, or at least formulate a plan that satisfies the people who employ us.
In years past, the studios had various shops and crews, where a person could start at the bottom and work your way up, regarding skill levels. It still took a number of years for someone to be proficient in Special Effects. This has become a thing of the past. Today, an individual must learn how to do things by watching, asking, and practicing on the job. It is, we believe, much harder to learn a craft such as Special Effects in today environment of independent productions and no more studio shops. A person who wants to excel at Special Effects has to be constantly asking questions on the job and expressing an interest in all aspects of this craft. We, as a qualifications committee are aware of this and take it into consideration for each applicant. We are constantly striving to update and streamline all of our processes. Our committee members are all approachable and interested in helping anyone who would aspire to join the ranks of Special Effects. Just ask!
It is, for this reason, we have implemented certain new procedures for all applicants. If one can achieve a grade of 85% or better on the written portion of the test, and then fails the oral interview, you do not have to take the written portion again. This is new. Also, we have instituted a new process for those, who for some reason or other, have put off getting the Propshop classification. Now, upon getting a Propshop classification, one can ask the committee to “waive” the requirement of 4 years of Propshop experience before taking the Special Effects test. If an individual can demonstrate to the committee that they have the experience necessary, and can supply statements from experienced Special Effects operators attesting to this fact, we will allow them to test, thus “waiving” the years normally required.
We hope that with this letter, the Special Effects Qualifications Committee has demonstrated to all interested in our craft our commitment to a transparent process and our commitment to increasing our numbers in this industry. We are also working with Contract Services to design and implement a new training agenda for Special Effects. We welcome comments and suggestions from all our Union sisters and brothers, and wish all continued success!
Special Effects Qualifications Committee
IATSE Local 44 · 12021 Riverside Dr. · Valley Village, California 91607 · USA
