October 2019

By now, if you’ve made it this far, you are probably more than a little interested in the world of Special Effects. I’m fond of telling everyone at the beginning of the first day that I will do everything in my power to try and talk you out of this business. Special Effects can be grueling work involving long hours, sleep deprivation, sometimes little or no pay, danger, and working with ego-maniacal directors, producers. clients, and talent. There will be days when you will be cold, hot, dirty, bloody, wet, hungry, and all of the above. To the outside world what we do seems glamorous and perhaps it is in some ways. For all the cars, boats, buses, houses,jet skis,motorcycles and helicopters I’ve blown up over the years, I still get excited at doing so. I have a great sense of satisfaction when I see my work on television, whether it’s a film, commercial, or show.

But there is quite a bit that goes on in this business that the audience doesn’t realize. Like the time I did a commercial for Thompson’s Water Seal. They had built a redwood deck in the middle of nowhere, on the banks of a running river. I was hired to come in and make the water look misty while another company came in with a rain rig to water down the deck. I don’t think I’ve ever been so wet and miserable in all my life. I was chilled to the bone and starting to get hypothermia. It took 30 minutes in a hot shower, 3 layers of clothing, and a glass of brandy before I felt slightly human again and that was just the first day, In this business it’s all about getting the shot or the cue right and you do what you have to do to get it. That might involve muscling 100 pound propane tanks through a jungle or standing under a 400 pound piano dangling from a crane on an eighth inch cable. It’s not your typical 9 to 5 job. There is no job security in this business and no guarantee of success. One time you might walk away with ten thousand or more for a day’s work and then you might have weeks with no work where you find yourself considering looking for a job at the local Home Depot. I am fortunate enough to have made a living in this business for over thirty years but am by no means a financially wealthy man.

This class accepts anyone. Whether you are working in the industry already and want to increase your knowledge, or a novice looking to find a way in, or even someone who wants a different sort of vacation, this class will guarantee all that. You will work hard. I will push you to work harder, but at the end of the week you’ll be sad that the class is ending. And you will realize that it is possible to have fun and learn at the same time.

January 2020

Another fx 101class has come and gone and while it was a little tiring putting it together this year We were fortunate to have more help and instructors this year than ever before. Every year is different and exciting in its own unique way. This year we added to the class on animation and control, spending a good half day on learning control and relay logic. Something we usually only touch briefly on. The weather this time of year is usually perfect and this time was no exception. Our students John and Dory were a pleasure to work with and eager to learn, pushing us to teach them as much as we could pour into them, I have to admit that at the end of the six days everyone suffers a letdown of sorts, not unlike separation anxiety. We look forward to our seminar being held this March. Hope to see you there.

October 2024

It’s been 4 years since we held a class. The reason? In a word? Covid Covid Covid. The pandemic could not have been any worse for the Special Fx business. Nothing like a good old pandemic to bring the fx business to its knees. Like everyone else we were hit with job losses. Special Fx depend on a good economy. When things are going well people are more apt to spend a little more to make their show look better. Special fx are the salt and pepper to a show. The extra spice producers like to throw on top of an event. When the budget is tight it’s the first thing to go. A steak may taste better with salt and pepper but without it a steak still tastes good if not special. Thus is the business that we are in. Now it’s 4 years later and our class is rising from the ashes of the pandemic like a phoenix rising from the fire. This year we are pleased to announce our Days of Fire class. This class focuses primarily on the use of explosives and fire effects used in both battlefield effects and Hollywood movies. Myself, I’m looking forward to getting my hands dirty again doing something I love. That is: working and teaching. It has to be a labor of love or we wouldn’t be able to keep plugging away like we do. As in years past I am looking forward to a great batch of students. All who share a common love of this craft. I am fond of saying that teaching is a two way street. Not only do I teach but my students teach me with their ideas and feedback. Looking forward to some of that this time.