Training in Pyro for Special Effects (film)

[Yxunomeisanuralumen]

Hi, firstly let me thank you all for this valuable resource. I recently got onbard for my first feature film a few weeks ago as a special effects (practical) artist and I was asked to create a steam burst effect fro. A series of pipes shooting on an abandoned submarine in Rochester.

 

Lots of ideas on this board S to how to do it, we couldn't use co2/no2 because of cost and there was no room on the sub for smoke machines with quick dispersal...so I opted for trigger airbrushes rigged offscreen with monofilament wire, and an upside down can of airbrush propellant. Here's the outcome

 

 

Anyhow, they reason I mention that is because, I was also asked about squibs (we had a breakaway glass scene during a shoot out) and that, together with the steam effect made me realise that learning pyro for special effects on film would be a huge asset. If nit for the main reasons of learrning h&s regarding stuff like compressed gasses, which I was very wary of during the shoot.

 

I wanted to know if you guys could answer onpoint me into the direction of the info for the following;

 

1) How does one go bout training in pyro specifically or film (I'm not interested in fireworks or display pyro, strictly explosives (squibs, controlled demolition) , h&s, compressed gases (air cannons, co2/no2), etc

 

2) insurance, public liability, what do I need to know?

 

 

I think that's it really, I've looked all over the net, and searched various forums. My apologies if this stuff has already been mentioned, I only have internet on my phone so its very difficult to find such information easily (my poor fingers!)

 

Thanks in advance!

[scjb]

Have a look at Event Horizon's website. They offer HE training that is approved by BECTU's SFX branch.

[Jivemaster]

The Event Horizon's course and the stage pyro course advertised in "effects and pyro" here are good starts, BUT film sfx is so varied that maybe you never will be fully skilled in all aspects. The problem usually is that the effect must look right and fit into a location. Increase your skills gradually.

[scjb]

Roger, perhaps the most unhelpful reply you could have posted. Bravo.

[Yxunomeisanuralumen]

Scjb, thanks a bunch. Ï shall definately look into those aformentioned courses. Any starting point is great and hopefully I will come out of them with more of an idea on where to go next with regards to what skills I can get under my belt comfortably. I guess I just need the basics first then I can research further depending on what effects I am called upon to do. With regards to insurance, can anyone shed a light on that for me? Or sould that also be covered on the courses?

 

Thanks again for both of your inputs!

[kerry davies]

Film pyro is such a specialist area that I would give a call for advice to Lincoln Parkhouse at JustFX, in London. I know Murray Torrible at Precision Broking insures firework displays like the NYE/London Eye show and he would be second call but I don't know enough about film to be more specific, sorry.

[bigclive]

The others are correct in saying that special effects pyro is a really specialised area. There's no standard course that properly covers it because the equipment tend to be custom built by the companies using it. A generic stage pyro course would be useful, but the equipment used in the film industry is not by any means standard.

 

The good news is that many of the FX companies will gladly employ you to assist them. OK, the money will be appalling and the hours gruelling, but it's a good way to learn how the effects all work before you decide to pursue a career that pays a wage you can live off.

 

If there's an FX company near you then approach them and ask if they need extra labour.

 

 

If your film requiring steam bursts couldn't afford even basic effects like steam jets then I'd say it was probably a student film? With suitable angles to hide people holding carbon dioxide fire extinguishers (bought specifically for the task) you could have got some nice thick bursts of "steam".

[Jivemaster]

[Yxunomeisanuralumen]

Great advice guys, thanks! The film I did was an Indie "kickstarter" film...practically all the crew weren't really aware of what it was they needed (making my job harder) Case in point when I was asked about squibs for the breakaway glass scene. The producers, being producers, wanted Hollywood effects on a ch4 budget hahahaha...but they could afford "a" jet, I just didn't want to mess around with somethigg that disperses oxygen without knowing what I'm doing...especially in tight areas of a submarine, we would of all just died!

 

As you all say, its very specialised, but as long as I can get the basics of explosives and compressed gases down, I think that would be very helpful.

 

I like the idea of shadowing industry techs, I think that's probably the best way, money means nothing to me, I'm straight outta uni trying to give my name some weight so I'm not adversed to learning a trade for nothing.

 

Thanks again guys!

 

Ooh, I forgot to post the link in my OP, here's the burst pipe effect on the sub:

 

http://youtu.be/-WITCagOGgY

 

Thanks again!