The Effects Group

Q: How do you determine which special effects coordinator will key my job?
A: Together we will evaluate your needs. Look at the resume section of our website to see our most frequently used coordinators. We take into consideration the type of effect required, the experience required, and of course, availability.

Q: Who is responsible for pulling the fire permit for my job?
A: The pyrotechnic hired to do your job will do that for you.

Q: What if I’m doing a small job. Do I really need one of Hollywood’s top special effects coordinators?
A: If budget is a concern, no pyrotechnics are required, and your job does not require the knowledge and experience of a seasoned special effects coordinator, then we have excellent special effects technicians that can work with you on your project.

Q: What snow products do you use? Are they biodegradable?
A: There are over one hundred types of artificial snow, frost and ice. There are products that are ideal for interior stage dressing; there are special applications for falling snow and for dressing trees and shrubs. We scout your location and then determine what products will work best. We use 100% recycled snow products for exteriors. We also use fire resistant products where required.

Q: Who cleans up the snow once completed?
A: We will include clean up costs in our estimate and we prefer to do it because we’re good at it. But we can deduct the clean up costs if you really want to do it yourself.

Q: How much does it cost to blow up a house?
A: Humm….why don’t you ask how much for open heart surgery? Or, how much to build a house? Services can’t be treated like commodities, it’s best to include us in preliminary meetings and scout so we can give you an accurate estimate.

Q: What kind of certificate of insurance is required to do a special effects job?
A: If no pyrotechnics are included: “Certificate holder is named as additional insured as respects general liability and automobile liability and loss payee as respects miscellaneous equipment rented/leased”

If pyrotechnics are involved in the job, the following is the wording required: “Certificate holder is named as additional insured as respects general liability and automobile liability and loss payee as respects miscellaneous equipment rented/leased including pyrotechnics”. Samples of both are posted on this website under the “legal” section.