Not every spectacular moment on screen is created digitally. Explosions, smoke, weather effects, car chases, fight scenes and other physical effects can be created and performed for real in front of the camera.

These roles bring together practical skills, technical expertise, performance and careful planning. Whether they’re creating an effect, coordinating an action sequence, working with vehicles, or helping animals perform safely on screen, specialist teams make extraordinary moments possible while keeping safety at the centre of the work.

Does this sound like you?

You might feel at home here if you enjoy practical challenges, working with your hands, figuring out how things work and staying focused when there’s a lot happening around you. Some roles also suit people who love physical performance, vehicles, animals or working outdoors.

Love

• Action and adventure
• Making and fixing things
• Physical challenges
• Vehicles and machinery
• Animals and the outdoors

Strengths

• Practical problem-solving
• Working safely and precisely
• Staying calm under pressure
• Physical skills and coordination
• Teamwork and communication

What kind of job would suit me?

Creating physical effects and action for the screen takes specialists with many different skills. Here are just some of their roles. Which of these could you picture yourself doing?

Create physical effects

• Special Effects Supervisor: leads the team creating physical effects on set, planning how effects can be achieved safely and working with other departments to make them happen on camera
• Special Effects Technician: builds, prepares and operates equipment and materials used to create physical effects such as smoke, wind, rain, fire or breakaway objects
• SFX Rigger: sets up and operates the rigging systems used to move, suspend or control objects and equipment for physical effects
• Mechanic: maintains, repairs and modifies vehicles and mechanical equipment used for action sequences and specialist filming

Create and perform the action

• Stunt Coordinator: plans and oversees stunt sequences, working with performers and the production team to create action that can be filmed safely
• Stunt Performer: performs specialised physical action for the camera, such as falls, fights, high-speed movement or other demanding sequences
• Fight Coordinator: designs and rehearses fight sequences, helping performers make screen combat look convincing while keeping the action controlled and safe
• Precision Driver: performs carefully planned driving sequences for the camera, controlling vehicles accurately during action and specialist shots

Work with specialist equipment and environments

• Armourer: manages weapons and related equipment used for filming, making sure they are handled, stored and used safely
• Animal Trainer: trains and works with animals for screen, helping them perform required behaviours safely and comfortably on set
• Marine Coordinator: coordinates filming on or around water, helping manage vessels, equipment, crew movements and marine safety

Script your learning journey

There are many ways to build the skills and knowledge you’ll need for a career in screen. Some courses offer broad experience across screen and media, while others have a more technical, creative or theoretical focus, and even courses with the same name can offer different experiences depending on where you study. No journey is the same: the best fit will depend on what interests you, how you like to learn and where you’d like your career to take you. Explore the training and education providers below to find the kind of learning that fits you.