National Occupational Standards (Standards) provide a clear, up to date description of what an individual needs to be able do in order to perform a job successfully. The Standards have been developed over a number of years by both people who work in the industry and experts from each occupational area through a process of investigation, analysis and consultation with a wide range of people.

Physical Special Effects (SFX) is a rapidly evolving and technically innovative sector. One of the greatest challenges for this sector is ensuring that all productions, their crew and work environments are safe and working to the highest professional levels.

You may wish to download the entire suite of Standards, but it is also possible to download individual units.

Download the entire suite of Standards and Job Matrix:

National Occupational Standards for Physical Special Effects

Physical Special Effects Job Map

Download individual units:

SFX01 - Prepare a SFX breakdown and budget

SFX02 - Design and plan the effect

SFX03 - Special effects workshop practice

SFX04 - Create an atmospheric effect

SFX05 - Create a practical fire effect

SFX06 - Create a miniature effect

SFX07 - Create a SFX prosthetic effect

SFX08 - Create a SFX mechanical effect

SFX09 - Create a special effects prop

SFX10 - Create an explosive and pyrotechnic effect

SFX11 - Implement a special effect on a production

For further details please contact standards@skillset.org or 020 7713 9800.

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Skillset, Focus Point, 21 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9GB. Tel: 020 7713 9800