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SFX: skills by grade

Pick a grade. Tick what you can do now. Print it or save it as a PDF for your competency check.

Watch: safety in sfx

From the sfx Safety first module. They play here.

17:44Introduction to Health and Safety in Film and TelevisionXpoNorth Digital · 17:44
53:49SFX Supervisor Chris Corbould InterviewStudioBinder Academy · 53:49
13:52Keeping Our Sets Safe: The Health & Safety DebateThe TV Festival · 13:52

Special effects

SFX trainee
SFX assistant
SFX technician
Senior technician
Floor supervisor
SFX supervisor

The sfx guide · All departments

Silhouetted crew move a camera rig through green-lit haze on a stage. — On a working unitSFXHaze on a stage: crew move a camera rig through it.

Skills checklist · SFX

SFX trainee

Workshop support, loading, cleaning, atmospherics under supervision.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Know the SFX kit, the workshop and the safety rules Load, clean and maintain kit under supervision Help with atmospherics only when supervised Never handle licensed materials

Before you step up to sfx assistant Knowing the kit, the workshop and the safety rules

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Who's in control Exclusion zones The briefing and the call Rain, wind, smoke and water Rigs and pressure Licensed materials Passed the sfx safety check

0 of 12 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our sfx ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · SFX

SFX assistant

Smoke, rain and wind; helping build rigs.

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Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Run standard effects (smoke, rain, wind) under a senior Help build rigs to the supervisor's plan Hold the right tickets for the work Follow the exclusion zone and briefing every time

Before you step up to sfx technician Trusted on standard effects; relevant tickets

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Who's in control Exclusion zones The briefing and the call Rain, wind, smoke and water Rigs and pressure Licensed materials Passed the sfx safety check

0 of 12 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our sfx ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · SFX

SFX technician

Builds and runs effects; workshop fabrication.

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Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Practical engineering: fabrication, welding, mechanical, electrical, pneumatics and hydraulics Safe working with heat, pressure, water and heavy loads Following risk assessments and method statements precisely Problem-solving under time pressure Plant and access tickets help, such as for forklifts and access platforms

Before you step up to senior technician Engineering skill; effects run safely and repeatably

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Who's in control Exclusion zones The briefing and the call Rain, wind, smoke and water Rigs and pressure Licensed materials Passed the sfx safety check

0 of 13 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our sfx ladder and the sfx technician guide. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · SFX

Senior technician

Complex rigs and effects; leading on the floor.

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Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Lead complex rigs and effects on the floor Supervise assistants Plan effects with the supervisor and the 1st AD Keep risk assessments current

Before you step up to floor supervisor Leading effects and crew

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Who's in control Exclusion zones The briefing and the call Rain, wind, smoke and water Rigs and pressure Licensed materials Passed the sfx safety check

0 of 12 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our sfx ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · SFX

Floor supervisor (lead technician)

Runs the SFX crew with the unit on the day.

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Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Run the SFX crew with the unit on the day Brief the 1st AD and the unit on each effect Control exclusion zones Report to the SFX supervisor

Before you step up to sfx supervisor Running the floor for a supervisor

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Who's in control Exclusion zones The briefing and the call Rain, wind, smoke and water Rigs and pressure Licensed materials Passed the sfx safety check

0 of 12 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our sfx ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · SFX

SFX supervisor

Head of department: designs, budgets and answers for every effect.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Deep engineering and effects knowledge across many disciplines Safety leadership, risk assessment and method statements The legal and practical rules for explosives and pyrotechnics Budgeting and running a crew and a workshop Clear communication on a busy floor

Before your next step Experience, competence and the production's trust

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Who's in control Exclusion zones The briefing and the call Rain, wind, smoke and water Rigs and pressure Licensed materials Passed the sfx safety check

0 of 13 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our sfx ladder and the sfx supervisor guide. Checked 13 November 2026.