Post job

What does a special effects specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
On this page

Special effects specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real special effects specialist resumes:

  • Recruit, manage and motivate volunteers in public education, professional education, service and rehabilitation and tobacco control programs.
  • Detail experience involving foreclosure procedures and legal issues.
  • Collaborate with multi-disciplinary departments in architecture, facilities, creative and show set design.
  • Collaborate with team to provide intensive services such as food, shelter, and employment to educationally or economically disadvantage veterans.
  • Pull require TANF savers for proof of eligibility monthly, update service plan as needed and when barriers are remove.

Special effects specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 43% of Special Effects Specialists are proficient in Data Entry, Product Knowledge, and Quality Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Artistic talent, Computer skills, and Time-management skills.

We break down the percentage of Special Effects Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Data Entry, 43%

    Complete high volume of inter-office communications, data entry and research in company computer systems as related to scheduled appointments.

  • Product Knowledge, 27%

    Deliver an exciting customer experience providing the right solutions to our customers through professionalism and product knowledge.

  • Quality Customer Service, 9%

    Provided total quality customer service.

  • IEP, 8%

    Developed individual educational plans (IEP) designed to promote educational, physical and social development.

  • Bank Policy, 3%

    Advised lenders regarding bank policy and regulation issues.

  • Staff Operations, 3%

    Provided administrative services and staff operations for JPED.

Most special effects specialists use their skills in "data entry," "product knowledge," and "quality customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential special effects specialist responsibilities here:

Artistic talent. The most essential soft skill for a special effects specialist to carry out their responsibilities is artistic talent. This skill is important for the role because "animators and artists should have artistic ability and a good understanding of color, texture, and light." Additionally, a special effects specialist resume shows how their duties depend on artistic talent: "work from home position scheduling appointments for talent auditions. "

Computer skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling special effects specialist duties is computer skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "many special effects artists and animators use computer programs or write programming code to do most of their work." According to a special effects specialist resume, here's how special effects specialists can utilize computer skills in their job responsibilities: "utilized acs' sophisticated computer system to collect and maintain patient's confidential and cancer-related information, plus their requests/needs. "

Time-management skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of special effects specialists is time-management skills. This skill is critical to many everyday special effects specialist duties, as "the workdays required by most studio and game design companies can be long, particularly when there are tight deadlines." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "entered insurance and financial data into the computer system during patient admission time. "

Creativity. A big part of what special effects specialists do relies on "creativity." You can see how essential it is to special effects specialist responsibilities because "artists and animators must be able to think creatively to develop original ideas and make them come to life." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical special effects specialist tasks: "used autodesk inventor/autocad to design shop drawings and drawings sent out for fabrication. "

All special effects specialist skills

Choose from 10+ customizable special effects specialist resume templates

Build a professional special effects specialist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your special effects specialist resume.
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume
Special Effects Specialist Resume

Compare different special effects specialists

Special effects specialist vs. 3d animator

A 3D animator specializes in designing and developing 3D animation materials, adhering to the program or project's needs. They typically work together with a team of animators and producers in studios or offices. Most of the time, their responsibilities involve performing extensive research, creating drafts and storyboards, consulting with team members and editors, and performing revisions as needed. Furthermore, as a 3D animator, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

We looked at the average special effects specialist salary and compared it with the wages of a 3d animator. Generally speaking, 3d animators are paid $12,398 higher than special effects specialists per year.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between special effects specialists and 3d animator. For instance, special effects specialist responsibilities require skills such as "data entry," "product knowledge," "quality customer service," and "iep." Whereas a 3d animator is skilled in "animation," "storyboards," "visualization," and "motion capture." This is part of what separates the two careers.

The education levels that 3d animators earn slightly differ from special effects specialists. In particular, 3d animators are 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a special effects specialist. Additionally, they're 2.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special effects specialist vs. 3d modeler

A 3D modeler is responsible for designing project models by utilizing various software applications and computer tools to represent high-quality digital content that would help the team and clients visualize the object. 3D modelers work closely with the design team to evaluate ideas and identify its feasibility scope on an enhanced digital view, giving them the ability to adjust and revise structures as needed. A 3D modeler must have excellent technical and critical-thinking skills to understand the clients' specifications and recommend solutions through graphics analysis.

On average, 3d modelers earn a $14,748 higher salary than special effects specialists a year.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, special effects specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "data entry," "product knowledge," "quality customer service," and "iep." Meanwhile, a 3d modeler has duties that require skills in areas such as "animation," "adobe photoshop," "visualization," and "texture." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

In general, 3d modelers achieve lower levels of education than special effects specialists. They're 6.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special effects specialist vs. Animator

The animators are specialized artists who conceptualized ideas from their creative minds with technology applications. Animators cater to different specialties depending on their expertise. They used multiple techniques and tools to create a digital masterpiece. An animator is required to have an excellent time and project management skills to meet deadlines. They should also be detail-oriented and technology savvy to keep up with the latest trend in the digital market. Animators are required to have regular communication with the respective department for the updates or adjustments as needed.

On average, animators earn higher salaries than special effects specialists, with a $15,655 difference per year.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from special effects specialist resumes include skills like "data entry," "product knowledge," "quality customer service," and "iep," whereas an animator is more likely to list skills in "animation," "motion capture," "storyboards," and "motion graphics. "

Animators typically earn lower educational levels compared to special effects specialists. Specifically, they're 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special effects specialist vs. Artist assistant

Artist assistants average a higher salary than the annual salary of special effects specialists. The difference is about $10,076 per year.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between special effects specialists and artist assistants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a special effects specialist might have more use for skills like "data entry," "product knowledge," "quality customer service," and "iep." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of artist assistants require skills like "adobe photoshop," "video shoots," "photography," and "sculpture. "

The average resume of artist assistants showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to special effects specialists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 7.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 2.9%.

Types of special effects specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs