Stage and film pyrotechnic effects business

Production companies, event producers, touring acts, theaters, venues, music festivals and corporate event agencies.

A day rate or per-event fee covering your effects, equipment and operator time, plus charges for extra crew, travel and rehearsal days.

• Technical safety knowledge
• Working calmly under production deadlines
• Reading cue sheets and coordinating with crews
• Networking with producers and venues

• State and local licensing and fire marshal approval for each venue or shoot, which vary widely
• Federal explosives rules that may affect how you buy, store and transport materials, so check with ATF
• Venues and productions often require proof of specialist insurance before you can work
• Safety responsibilities are high around crews, audiences and sets, so use written safety plans
• Work can be irregular, so plan cash flow for gaps between jobs

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and how you set up. These are estimates, so build your own budget from real quotes before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on how many jobs you book. These are estimates. Work can be irregular, so plan cash flow for gaps between jobs.

Things to check: state and local licensing and fire marshal approval for each venue or shoot, which vary widely; federal explosives rules through ATF on buying, storing and transporting materials; and the specialist insurance venues often require.