In the world of explosions, fireballs, and stadium-sized effects, Başak Özer stands as one of the few women at the helm — not only lighting up stages, but also breaking glass ceilings.
As a Pyrotechnic Specialist and SFX Compliance Manager at ffp effects Inc., Başak has forged a remarkable path in an industry where women are severely underrepresented. She is not just surviving in this male-dominated field — she’s setting the standard.
Power and Precision in a Man’s World
While many young women with artistic ambitions gravitate toward music, dance, or design, Başak took a path few consider — setting stages ablaze with fire. That choice alone challenged industry norms. Her day-to-day includes designing custom pyrotechnic sequences, obtaining permits, and coordinating Hazmat-certified shipments of explosives — jobs often assumed to be reserved for men.
She’s a member of Women In Live Music (WILM) and is proud to be a federal explosives license holder, one of the few women in the U.S. who can legally manage and ship hazardous materials used in pyrotechnics.
Her journey serves as a beacon for aspiring women in technical and production roles. “I’ve had to learn everything from scratch — from explosive science to fire safety law,” she says. “What helped was my persistence, and mentors who believed in my potential.”
From Istanbul to the World Stage
Başak’s international path — from Istanbul to Los Angeles — brings a diverse perspective to the live production space. Her multicultural background helps her navigate global jurisdictions, communicate with authorities across continents, and shape culturally attuned shows for international audiences.
It’s this blend of artistry and diplomacy that made her indispensable on tours for artists like Rammstein, Morgan Wallen, Green Day, Slipknot, Lady Gaga, KISS, and Drake. Her ability to balance creativity with compliance is rare, and it’s part of why she brought nomination to ffp effects for a 2024 Parnelli Award.
Creating Spectacle With Responsibility
Being a woman in charge of explosives often comes with assumptions — many expect her role to be limited to paperwork or logistics. While those aspects are certainly part of her work, Başak’s contributions extend well beyond the administrative.
As a part of the creative effects teams for major tours, she plays a key role in translating ambitious visions into safe, legally-permitted realities. On Rammstein’s tour, for example, she served as the compliance designer—advising the principal designers on fire safety regulations and helping shape what was ultimately one of the most technically complex shows on the road.
Her contributions to Morgan Wallen’s 2025 tour include being part of the team behind the design of the Falling Curtain of Comets—an effect that merges visual impact with regulatory precision.
By bridging creativity and compliance, Başak helps ensure that even the boldest ideas are not only breathtaking, but also viable under the most demanding safety standards.
And she holds a perfect record in permitting — a feat nearly unheard of in the high-stakes world of touring SFX.
She is proof that creativity and compliance aren’t mutually exclusive — and that women can lead boldly in both.
Mentorship, Growth, and the Road Ahead
Başak credits her growth to mentors like Nicolai Sabottka, who saw potential and gave her space to thrive. Today, she’s paying it forward by encouraging other women in live production to pursue technical careers — and to claim space unapologetically.
As she continues to work with top artists and push the boundaries of live entertainment, Başak’s message is clear: “There’s nothing wrong with loving fire. Just make sure you know how to control it.”
In a world where fire often symbolizes destruction, Başak Özer wields it to create beauty, power, and possibility.
Written by Fanny Hulard.