Definition of special effects (or F/X, SFX, SPFX, or EFX)

a broad, wide-ranging term used by the film industry meaning to create fantastic visual and audio illusions that cannot be accomplished by normal means, such as travel into space. Many visual (photographic) or mechanical (physical) filmic techniques or processes are used to produce special illusionary effects, such as optical and digital effects, CGI,in- camera effects, the use of miniatures/models, mattes, rear- camera projections, stop-motion animation,bluescreens, full- scale mockups, pyrotechnics (squibs (miniature explosions, i.e. a gunshot)), stunt men,animatronics (electronic puppets), rain/snow/wind machines, etc.; F/X are coordinated by the visual effects and the special effects supervisors; known negatively as trick photography; see also visual effects - a sub-category of special effects. See this site's Milestones in Special/Visual Effects in Film History.