Real SFX LTD

UK based award winning SFX company for the TV & Film industry. Credits include Doctor Who, Sherloc

We pride ourselves on being able to offer competitive and flexible quotes for all types of productions. We operate under strict codes of practice with safety paramount and are totally committed to delivering a personal, professional service with the maximum input from our team of qualified technicians. We can design and build effects for specific requirements and what ever effect desired our exper

Photos from Real SFX LTD's post 14/06/2024

🌟 Join the Real SFX Team! 🌟
We are recruiting Special Effects Supervisors, Technicians AND for those looking to break into the SFX industry, in Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham!

If you’re experienced in SFX or maybe looking to join our exciting world we want to hear from you. If you are creative, good with your hands, maybe working in a different industry or you already have TV or live events experience but fancy a change get in touch - we’ll provide the training you need to succeed!

👉 Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to work with one of the UK’s leading SFX companies. Apply now and be part of our dynamic team!

📩 Submit your CV and a covering letter to Carmela at [email protected] or visit www.realsfx.com for more info.

Photos from Real SFX LTD's post 26/04/2024

We’re thrilled to announce that our donation bins have made their way to in Bristol! 🎬🎥 It’s exciting to see them in all the locations, and we’re beyond grateful to everyone who is supporting. Thank you to Laura and Katherine at for their support, as well all the Welsh locations including , , and BBC Roathlock.

This support, and all the donations keeping KIT4CREW bins filled, ensures that those working in the industry, who may need workwear can hopefully get it. Let’s keep the momentum going! 🌟

Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Drop off your donations in the KIT4CREW bins (locations above)
2️⃣ Spread the word! Let your friends, colleagues, and fellow crew members know about our donation bins and how they can contribute or make use of KIT4CREW
3️⃣ Together, we can make a difference with sustainable creative industries workwear.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated, and to for joining us (and for filling the bin up in just one day - last photo) in this super important initiative. 🙌♻️

Photos from Real SFX LTD's post 28/03/2024

This was our Creative Industries Networking Event, included the official launch of our new sustainable intitiative . It was fantastic to welcome many industry professionals to our state-of-the-art workshop, and showcase where the magic happens - including tours of our HQ and the unveiling of our latest development, our new Fabrication area.
and gave updates on everything we’ve been working on - with Sustainability at the heart of our agenda. Green Real SFX is huge focus for us, and reducing our carbon footprint is influencing many facets of our business - from alternative power with our new e-generator to growing our electric fleet and travel mapping for all our crew; using through our XERO and training course with ; through to researching new technology in physical effects and expanding our workshop to R&D into new and sustainable methods (which is going to be incredibly exciting so watch this space for more exciting things ahead….) We also officially launched KIT4 and ask everyone to raise awareness about its mission to put in place sustainable ways to keep our crews fully equipped with the right workwear on set. Thank you to those already on board including and BBC Roathlock. Your support is invaluable as we strive to make a positive impact.
Thank you to all our guest speakers, including Carwyn Donovan, from who recognised the importance of the event and bringing everyone together. Also a huge thank you to Greg Mothersdale, from for joining us live on zoom. Greg gave an update on the Seed Fund 2024. And finally we would like to say a huge thank you to our Real SFX family for all their hard work and making the event happen. And thank you to for the fantastic catering of all locally sourced, sustainable products in the catering.

01/03/2024

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Happy St. David’s Day from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
Today, we’re celebrating all things Welsh and reflecting on just a few of the incredible productions filmed in Wales we’ve had the privilege to be part of over the years. 🎬

23/02/2024

We are so incredibly proud to have been part of the story…… from the iconic explosions to atmospherics - we’ve done ALL the SFX and we LOVED being part of the Peaky family 💥🖤

Also a extra special to celebrate a extra special week for Cillian Murphy who won Best Actor 🏆

23/02/2024

We are incredibly proud to be part of the story so far…. from gunshots and bullets, to iconic explosions we’ve created all those SFX, and we loved every minute with our Peaky family 💥

And it’s an extra special as it’s been an extra special week for Cillian Murphy winning best actor at the ’s 🏆

05/02/2024

We are super proud to have worked on many of THE best BBC dramas… from the gripping and the epic to fan favourites like and .

From explosions, to gun fire and atmospherics we’ve done it all! We’ve brought it to life on screen safely and expertly, and we’ve loved it! 🎥🎬💥

24/12/2023

Merry Christmas from team REAL SFX ❤️💥

We had another explosive year in 2023……. our team grew with new faces and talent, as did our equipment and effects. Whatever effect you want we got it - whether its the elements like wind, rain or snow (including our new snow foam which is so ‘snow-like’ it could be real, but it’s also better on our carbon footprint so double win), or EXPLOSIONS! This year our explosions definitely got bigger and better - the car flips we created pushed the boundaries even further.

Make sure you check out our new show reel (link in our bio ⬆️or also on our insta grid ⬇️) to see some of the mega productions we’ve been lucky enough to work on.

Next year our green agenda is big, plus making sure we continue investing in the future of our industry and our talent.

Thank you all for your support, and wishing you all an explosive Christmas. See you in 2024 when we’ll be back with a bang! 💥🎄

08/12/2023

We were incredibly shocked and saddened to learn of the passing .

Many of our team worked closely with with him during the filming of . He was a kind, and gentle soul and will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts and love are with his family.

05/12/2023

A massive congratulations to VFX team for winning craft award this evening. We are so trilled they have won this award ! Judges comments … “The winner showed a rich variety of VFX of an extremely high calibre. The attention to detail on the scale of costumes was integral to ensuring the believability of the mythical characters. The animation of the creatures was particularly noted by the jury, and the interaction with the actors and seamless integration into the scenes was beautifully done. The jury felt that it was a visual feast of complex and very well executed work.” Congratulations 👏

04/12/2023

A massive congratulations to VFX team for winner craft award this evening. We are so trilled they have won this award ! Judges comments … “The winner showed a rich variety of VFX of an extremely high calibre. The attention to detail on the scale of costumes was integral to ensuring the believability of the mythical characters. The animation of the creatures was particularly noted by the jury, and the interaction with the actors and seamless integration into the scenes was beautifully done. The jury felt that it was a visual feast of complex and very well executed work.” Congratulations 👏

24/11/2023

This is a huge, huge thank you and congratulations to the truly phenomenal and iconic Doctor Who💙.

As many of you will know, is incredibly close to our hearts, and has been truly instrumental in the story. Since becoming involved in this incredible show (which we are very proud to say we’ve worked on since Matt Smith was the Doctor) we’ve seen our company, crew, production (and family) grow from strength to strength……and it’s become ingrained in our history.

We are so very lucky and privileged, to have worked with such amazing, talented and visionary writers. continues to push all the boundaries with his outstanding writing - he’s taken us and the Doctors through time, and we love causing chaos across galaxies 🌌

A huge special thank you to everyone who has travelled with us, and supported us through our own journey. Those that trusted us many years ago, and still believe in us 💥🖤 including Julie Gardner, Jane Tranter , Phil Collinson , Joel Collins, Tracey Simpson , Pete Bennett.

Russell the energy you bring to Doctor Who is contiguous, bringing so much joy to everyone - fans, crew, actors, and us - please continue writing many more explosions, SFX and carnage so we can travel in time forever.

And of course a huge THANK YOU to all our Real SFX team. You have been on this journey with us, we couldn’t do it without you. From those that came through as apprentices, to those that we have trained and up-skilled. We are very, very proud to be able to say this is filmed in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 with a talented Welsh crew and production team.💥💙🎬

Photos from Real SFX LTD's post 23/11/2023

What a fantastic afternoon…….the perfect way to celebrate

Thank you to for inviting us along to the Q&A at the beautiful Pierhead Building with the legends that’s are and Charlotte Moore, and hosting by

We are so incredibly proud to be part of the story and the epic 60th anniversary celebrations, and we cannot wait for Saturdays episode 🙌💥📺

Photos from Real SFX LTD's post 23/11/2023

What a fantastic afternoon…….the perfect way to celebrate

Thank you to for inviting us along to the Q&A at the beautiful PierHead Building with and Charlotte Moore, and hosting by

We are so incredibly proud to be part of the story and the epic 60th anniversary celebrations, and we cannot wait for Saturdays episode 🙌💥📺

Photos from Real SFX LTD's post 22/11/2023

We’ve been part of the epic journey for quite a few years now….with and our crew working very closely with quite a few of the 🪐🎬💥

The jaw-dropping Halloween house with tentacles coming out the windows 31/10/2023

Halloween is one of our most favourite times of the year and we went big again. Click the link below to see how our very own Danny Hargreaves and Carmela Carrubba have once again given their home a macarbre make-over to raise money for the incredible Dreams and Wishes Charity. All money raised goes directly to seriously ill children to make their dreams and wishes come true.

Carmela Carruba is an ambassador for the charity, and we were there for the very special, annual Halloween party. We decorated the venue to make sure all the children had an extra magical and spooky extravaganza. You can see some of the best pictures on Wales Online 🎃👻🧡

If you would like to make a donation the link is in the article or you can visit the Just Giving page ‘Halloween at the Hargreaves’. Link in comments.

The jaw-dropping Halloween house with tentacles coming out the windows It's one of the best-looking in Cardiff - from a family who impress every year

12/10/2023

Come and Join us at this event.
Danny Hargreaves will be chatting to you straight after the amazing Julie Gardner about Special Effects. Bad Wolf Screen Alliance Wales Real SFX LTD
Please follow the link for tickets

Our very own Julie Gardner will be conversation at this year’s for BBC Academy!

Reserve your free space here: http://bbc.in/PU

Photos from Screen Alliance Wales's post 05/10/2023

This is a fantastic opportunity to speak to some industry professionals about their pathway into the creative sector. They will give help and advice to anyone who thinks of following the same path. Our very own Danny Hargreaves will be there talking about his story. Particularly his nearly 20 years at Doctor Who!! Come and see us.…

03/10/2023

We are at the Creative Pathways today if you are interested in SFX or know someone trying to get into the creative sector . https://careerswales.gov.wales/events/choose-your-future-creative-pathways

Photos from Real SFX LTD's post 20/09/2023

Thank you for your tour today . We are was so impressed by the new look and educational platforms available for students. Really lovely to go behind the scenes. If you are student looking to do presenting , Radio or Barista courses go visit the centre and look at the amazing opportunities. Platform Radio, Creative courses, Boss and Brew to name a few. Very impressed by Wales Millennium centre , it’s not just a theatre, it’s a whole community coming together now.

Radio Wales - Listen Live - BBC Sounds 20/09/2023

Tune in now to listen to Danny speak Expendables 4!

Radio Wales - Listen Live - BBC Sounds Listen live to BBC Radio Wales on BBC Sounds

Photos from Real SFX LTD's post 11/09/2023
19/08/2023

Watch us surprise someone this morning on Mash Up https://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/cbbc

Photos from Screen Alliance Wales's post 11/07/2023
25/05/2023

We’ve been working with the brilliant team from Screen Alliance Wales again . School’s all around Wales got to see practical sfx and given packs to try themselves.

11/05/2023

Come and Join our expanding team. Please email [email protected]

🚨NEW VACANY ALERT🚨

An exciting new opportunity at Real SFX LTD for a Production Coordinator in Cardiff!
To find out more about this exciting role please check out our website www.screenalliancewales.com/vacancies

23/03/2023

Congratulations Cillian Murphy who’s been nominated for leading actor Peaky Blinders

Huge congratulations to Cillian Murphy who has been nominated for Leading Actor for his role as Tommy Shelby in series 6 of at the 👏

Watch series 6 of Peaky Blinders on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Netflix worldwide

📷 Robert Viglasky

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Our Story

We pride ourselves on being able to offer competitive and flexible quotes for all types of productions. We operate under strict codes of practice with safety paramount and are totally committed to delivering a personal, professional service with the maximum input from our team of qualified technicians. We can design and build effects for specific requirements and what ever effect desired our experience in the industry will ensure that it is delivered safely, on budget and as realistic as possible using all of the latest techniques and equipment available.

All projects are over seen by Danny Hargreaves whose fresh and exciting approach has earned him respect as one of the most enthusiastic, dynamic supervisors in the industry. His experience spans over 15 years and his reputation for consistently providing cutting edge special effects along with his integrity and attention to detail has built him an impressive client portfolio.

Videos (show all)

Check out our work from the Amazon Prime series, The Rig, filmed on location in Scotland in 2023! 🌫️ Our low smoke atmos...
🎬✨ @dannysfx and our expert @realsfx team had an amazing time at the ‘Inspiring the Black Country Skills Show’ at Wolver...
🎬 Behind the scenes footage of how @dannysfx and our @realsfx crew created some of the iconic explosion scenes  on the s...
📽️ Throwing it back to @realsfx HQ one week ago in this amazing video. capturing the magic of our creative industries ne...
A random video of my 20 years on DW!! I didn't do this my phone did!! I quite like it 👍
Doctor Who 60th Anniversary - Real SFX memories

Address


R/O ATS Ipswich Road
Cardiff
CF239AQ

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