“Explosive” Success for Dufferin County Resident Sophie Vertigan

The Film Industry is an ever-changing world today, and no one is happier about the changes than Special Effects Specialist and Dufferin County resident Sophie Vertigan.

“This industry has been male dominated for so long. The advancement of women in film over the past decade alone has been exponential”, says Sophie of the changing landscape in her industry. “Women make exceptional leaders, and have unique skill sets that can contribute to the success of any project. It is nice to finally see these women being given senior on-set roles and being recognized for their achievements.”

Sophie came by her interest in film honestly. Born in the UK to parents who both worked in the industry (her father was an Art Director and her mother a Prop Buyer), she pursued a degree in fine art and sculpture, and began her career working in prop building and special effects shops. She had a keen eye for detail, and soon decided that special effects were what she wanted to pursue. “When I first got into special effects, I was told repeatedly that it would never happen” says Sophie. “Some directors struggle with women talking about explosives as it is just not what they are used to, and they would often circumvent me and go to other male crew members. It took some time for me to prove myself, but I feel strongly that the landscape is changing and moving in a very positive direction”.

There are many women in visual effects these days, mostly on the graphic design side. Few have ventured into the more hands-on area of on-set special effects. Following the path less travelled, Sophie got her basic ticket and went on to complete specialty designations in pyrotechnics, propane and explosives.  She started on set as a technician, slowly working her way up the ranks. Sophie has been part of special effects teams for television and movie productions, including blockbuster projects such as “Suicide Squad”.  Most recently, she has been working on the popular Netflix production “The Umbrella Academy”. The series is based on the comic book series of the same name, and it revolves around a family of adopted sibling superheroes who come together to solve the mystery of their father’s death and prevent the imminent threat of a coming apocalypse. It was one of the most streamed series of 2019/2020 and has been renewed for a 3rd season, to be released in late 2021. Acting as set supervisor, she landed the top job of Special Effects Co-Ordinator when her then boss, Darcy Callahan from Laird effects moved to another show. “This is a big show for effects with large sequences that require up to 500 explosives being fired off in one scene”, says Vertigan. “After reading the script, I am essentially told “this is what we want this scene to look like” and it is the job of my crew and I to figure out how to achieve that. It requires stringent safety protocols, attention to detail, and multiple safety backups. There is no place for complacency and being focused is key. I love turning an idea into something stunning and visual that conveys the message in an impactful way”.

Her work on the second season of The Umbrella Academy led to her to the pinnacle of her career when she became the first female Special Effects Co-Ordinator to be nominated in the Special Visual Effects category at the 2021 Emmy Awards, establishing a milestone and paving the way for women in the industry. When asked about the challenges she has faced in establishing a career in this specialty field, Sophie’s response was positive and humble. “The world will not change overnight. My advice is simple. Don’t get angry! Just show up and do your job. Do your job so well that eventually you will shine through. Hard work and dedication to your craft always pays off in the end”.

IATSE Local 873, which Sophie is a member of, is based here in Southern Ontario and is part of IATSE International – the largest film technicians union in the world, promoting industry growth, offering training opportunities and bringing professionalism to the technical film production industry around the world. They are actively recruiting from high schools and creating interest and opportunities for young women and men who have an interest in pursuing an exciting and in-demand career. “Film sets are running out of crew”, says Sophie. “I would encourage anyone who has an interest in exploring a fantastic career that is fast paced with many benefits to attend an information session”.

As we move into a post COVID world there is no doubt that there will be increasing demand for qualified technicians in the film industry. Companies like Netflix who have corporate mandates to create more diverse workplaces, and professionals like Sophie who are pioneers in their field, have paved the way to ensuring that the future of the industry will be one that is fair and inclusive. This diversification can only enhance Canada’s already stellar reputation within the film production industry, and it will serve to offer a better representation of our plethora of home-grown talented artists and technicians.

WRITTEN BY: TANYA BOTTOMLEY | RESOURCES: SOPHIE VERTIGAN

Author: LivingSpaces

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