Movie special effects are an excellent addition to most films. They captivate the audience, and they help create a buzz about your film. Finding the right special effects company can be tricky, though, as you not only want experience in terms of years, but experience in terms of creativity of skill and stretching your budget.

Film special effects can be as simple as makeup to as complex as outer space, giant waves or raging fires. Depending on your level of experience, you may be able to handle your special effects within your own team, but if you are tackling a major endeavor like large quantities of water or fire, special effects services are probably your best bet in terms of cost effectiveness and safety.

To find the right special effects for your next project:

1. Determine what film special effects you are going after. Are you trying for a period piece? Are you going for big action? Ask yourself what your vision is for the picture.

2. Determine your budget.

3. Seek out professional help for any large or dangerous special effects projects.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with special effects makeup and props as a simple inexpensive first step

Special effects makeup can be the starting point of your special effects endeavor. It is cheap and easy to purchase and manage. You can easily create your own masterpieces in little time.

I recommend: Visit Special Effect Supply Corp. for special effect supplies as well as support materials and staff. Take a look at the special effect makeup and wig shop from Makeup-FX. Check out the wide variety of stage makeup kits and cases from International Fun-Shop stage makeup page, or even consider the Tom Savini's Special Effects Make Up School.

Consider fog special effects supplies

Fog and other water special effects can easily bring a movie to life.

I recommend: For movie special effects check out Special Effects Unlimited, Inc. They did a 40' Dump tank for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean. They can do windows rigged for fire, and they have supplied the ground fog for the Academy Awards. They have worked on the following movies: Live Free or Die Hard, Charlotte's Web, Rush Hour 3, I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry, Wild Hogs, Miami Vice, House of Wax, Lemony Snicket, Bewitched, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Oceans 12, National Treasure and more. Find bubbles, fog, dry ice, haze, snow, simulated flames and indoor pyrotechnic effects from LeMaitre FX.

Use fire in your next special effects for film project

Fire special effects are dangerous and costly. Stick to a professional when attempting to use fire for a movie.

I recommend: Find Flame and Fire Effects, Indoor/Outdoor Fireworks and Pyrotechnics, CO2 and LN2 (cryogenic) Fog Effects, Confetti and Streamer effects from Orlando Special Effects. Look for Pre-Packaged Pyrotechnics for the Entertainment and Movie Industries from ProStage Pyrotechnics. Check out the customized theatre installations, close proximity indoor pyrotechnics, fireworks displays and laser effects by Pyrotek Special Effects Inc.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Computer special effects can always be added in after the fact, but you will be limited to the skill and capability of your computer designers. Major motion pictures like I Am Legend with Will Smith are an excellent example of digital video special effects where they filmed a particular area then digitally removed extra people and added foliage and animals.