A practical effect is a special effect produced physically, without computer-generated imagery or other post-production techniques. In some contexts, "special effect" is used as a synonym of "practical effect", in contrast to "visual effects" which are created in post-production through photographic manipulation or computer generation.^[1]

Many of the staples of action movies are practical effects. Gunfire, bullet wounds, rain, wind, fire, and explosions can all be produced on a movie set by someone skilled in practical effects. Non-human characters and creatures produced with make-up, prosthetics, masks, and puppets — in contrast to computer-generated images — are also examples of practical effects.

Practical effect techniques

• The use of prosthetic makeup, animatronics, puppetry, or creature suits to create the appearance of living creatures.
• Miniature effects, which is the use of scale models which are photographed in a way that they appear full sized.
• Mechanical effects, such as aerial rigging to simulate flight, stage mounted gimbals to make the ground move, or other mechanical devices to physically manipulate the environment.
• Pyrotechnics for the appearance of fire and explosions.
• Weather effects such as sprinkler systems to create rain and fog machines to create smoke.
• Squibs to create the illusion of gunshot wounds.