"One day I could be blowing up a car, another I could be doing make-up"

Hometown
Boston, Lincolnshire

What do you do?
Special effects technician for Enterprises Unlimited–plus I freelance as well

How long have you been at it?
I have been a special effects technician for 10 years

What was your very first role in theatre?
Doing props and prosthetics for a local theatre, Blackfriars Arts Centre

What else have you done?
I worked freelance as a special effects technician for theatre groups, low-budget films and for NHS nurses’ training before taking up this job, and still do freelance work alongside my main job

Have you got qualifications?
Nothing beyond GCSEs. I started studying 3D art at college but found that experience counts more than anything you can learn, so I never completed the course.

Did you work in another industry before the theatre?
I was a stage magician for a few years

How did you make the move to working in theatre?
When I was doing magic I loved inventing and using my imagination, and special effects was better suited to that

I started doing work for re-enactment groups, fancy dress parties and local theatre groups and built it up by word of mouth. I do a lot of work charging only expenses as a way of building up my portfolio.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A ghostbuster!

What do you do all day?
In my main job, I mainly do atmospherics, operating wind and snow machines for theatre or video productions. I also do a lot of mould-making and casting for props.

One day I could be blowing up a car, another I could be doing make-up.
My freelance work involves more prosthetics, armour and make-up

What’s the best thing about your job?
I get to engage my brain. I like the creativity and variety.

And the worst?
Long hours and deadlines

What’s your dream job in theatre?
I’d like to do prosthetics full-time

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
The more you do, the more you get to do. You have to take on work that looks a bit lousy to build up your portfolio and experience. You have to stick at it. You’ll get knocked back 20,000 times before you get in there.