The Joint Industry Special Effects Grading Scheme provides a career structure for those involved in physical, pyrotechnic and visual special effects.
The Joint Industry Committee (made up of representatives from the BBC, ITV, PACT and BECTU) determines the levels of experience, training and responsibility required to hold the various job titles (grades) within the scheme.
Visit the JIGS site
Apply for grading/re-grading
Special effects professionals are encouraged to join the scheme as trainees. As they receive training and their experience grows, they can apply for re-grading as technicians, senior technicians, and eventually, as supervisors.
The structure of the Joint Industry Special Effects Grading Scheme is also used by employers (production companies, producers, etc.) to ensure that they are employing suitably experienced, qualified and responsible individuals.
This system helps to ensure that productions are, or become, low risk ventures, both from the completion and health and safety points of view.
- View the latest list (May 2010) of individuals who are accredited special effects operators. This list, which is not restricted to BECTU members, is updated regularly and can also be downloaded from this page.
- Accredited special effects operators can apply to appear on the list. As of 15 June 2010 all regrading applications should be submitted in both electronic form (pdf or word) and hard copy (paper). Hard copy should be sent to Tony Norton, national official, BECTU, 373-377 Clapham Road, London, SW9 9BT.
For more information about JIGS or the union's Special Effects branch contact national official, Tony Norton or branch secretary Nick Smith at sfxbranch@hotmail.co.uk.
