Basic, classification and reclassification criteria for all functions of the department:

1. Every candidate must submit a resume relevant to the prerequisites mentioned below.
2. Indicate only the projects for which you have a credit (for which you are credited?).
3. Your resume can include movies, TV series, commercials, music videos or any other type of productions.
4. Mandatory training and certifications:
   • Standard First Aid with CPR/AED (Level C)
   • WHMIS 2015
   • Criminal liability for occupational health and safety
   • Respect, civility and prevention of harassment in the workplace (QUEBEC)
   • Basic Fall Protection
   • Safety Qualification for Lift Truck (classes I, IV, V)
   • Safety Qualifications for Rough Terrain Lift Trucks (Class VII)
   • Safety Qualifications for Scissor Lifts and Articulated Boom Lifts
   • Safe operation of lift trucks (refresh)
   • Primary access scaffold
5. For each function aforementioned, a documented work equivalence will be analyzed and considered, and subject to approval by the membership committee. Also, skills for which the candidate submits a certification will be considered. Likewise, technical skills that can be validated by a diploma, a portfolio or any other kind of proof of qualification will be considered.

Classification and reclassification criteria for each function:

Special Effects Supervisor refers to a member who:
1- Has cumulated more than 5 years’ experience as a Key Special Effects Technician.
2- Submits 3 reference letters signed by producers, directors and Special Effects Supervisors with whom he/she has worked in the past.
3- Hold all available pyrotechnician certifications (if applicable)
4- Has completed a training course on Criminal liability for occupational health and safety.

Key Special Effects Technician refers to a member who:
1- Already holds the Senior Special Effects Technician position.
2- Has proved his/her complete mastery of one or many special effect categories.
3- Submits 2 reference letters: one signed by a Special Effects Supervisor, and another one signed by a Key Special Effects Technician.
4- Hold the pyrotechnician certification required for this level (if applicable).
5- Has completed a training course on Criminal liability for occupational health and safety.

Senior Special Effects Technician refers to a member who:
1- Has cumulated 500 days of documented work – on at least 20 feature films and during a 10- year period – as a Special Effects Technician.
2- Submits two reference letters: one signed by a Special Effects Supervisor, in good standing, with more than 5 years’ experience at this position, and another signed by a Key Special Effects Technician, in good standing, with more than 5 years’ experience at this position.
3- Hold the pyrotechnician certification required for this level (if applicable).
4- Has completed a training course on Criminal liability for occupational health and safety.

Special Effects Coordinator refers to a member who:
1- Has cumulated 500 days of documented work as a coordinator.
2- Has completed a training course on Criminal liability for occupational health and safety.

Special Effects Technician refers to a member who:
1- Has cumulated 500 days of documented work related to special effects or in another relevant position, on at least 10 feature films, including at least 5 IATSE productions, or an equivalent experience.
2- Submits 3 reference letters signed by Senior Special Effects Technicians who have more than 5 years’ experience as senior technicians, as well as 2 reference letters signed by Special Effect Technicians, in good standing, with more than 5 years’ experience.

Assistant Special Effects Technician refers to a member who:
1- Has cumulated 120 days of documented work related to special effects or in another relevant position, on at least 4 feature films.
2- Submits an up-to-date resume.
3- Submits a reference letter signed by a Key or Senior Special Effects Technician for each of the four above-mentioned feature films.
4- Submits certification proofs that he/she already holds.

Adopted in a department meeting on August 5, 2008.
Adopted by the Board of Directors on August 14, 2008.
Modified on February 17, 2020.

For the following functions, classification and reclassification criteria still need to be redefined, developed and presented. Here are the criteria that are presently in effect:

Classification and reclassification criteria for each function:

Key Special Effects Rigger refers to a member who:
Can demonstrate a work experience of at least 120 days on more than one production.
Has completed the following training courses: Fall Protection – Rescue and Scaffolding (Rosette, tubes and fittings).

Special Effects Rigger refers to a member who:
Can demonstrate a work experience of at least 90 days.
Has completed the following training courses: Fall Protection – Rescue and Scaffolding (Rosette, tubes and fittings).

Certified Skills

Installer (Rigger)
Welder
Electrician
Pyrotechnician
Diver
Armorer
(An official certification is required for those skills)

Technical Skills

Fabrication
Electronics
Carpentry
Mechanics
Plumbing – Propane
Hydraulics
Toolmaking
Engineering
Modelling – Moulding

Additional Skills

Climbing
Any other relevant documented skills.

Special Effects Categories

A) Atmospheric
B) Pyrotechnic (system of 3 cards issued by the federal government)
C) Human Rigger / Special Effects Installer
D) Robotics, Animatronics, Motion Control
E) Modeller-Moulder
F) Mechanics / Hydraulics / Pneumatics