Assessor Resource

CUACHR601A
Create choreography for stage and screen

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Choreographers apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. At this level, choreography is used in a number of ways, for example, to clarify or enhance the story-line or mood of a stage or screen production. Choreography could incorporate any dance style or combination of dance styles, as well as other artistic forms, such as singing and acting.

Work requires independence and autonomy although a high level of collaboration with key personnel, such as directors, producers, musicians, composers, singers, production technicians and performers.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to create choreography for stage and screen productions and to synchronise dance with stage and screen sequences.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

prepare an appropriate response to a stage or screen brief

develop ideas suitable for a major piece of choreography for public performance

demonstrate competent skills in dance craft and direction to present work in a public setting

work creatively, collaboratively and constructively with artists, performers and technical crew

transfer composition skills into the stage and screen mediums.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

sprung floor

tarkett

mirrors and curtains

audio requirements

lighting and vision system requirements

costuming, make-up and hair requirements

set and props requirements

video recording and playback equipment

computer technology to keep track of plans and budgets.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

evaluation of work plans and responses to stage and screen briefs prepared

direct observation of candidate working, composing, directing and collaborating

verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit

video recordings of performances or practice sessions

portfolios, journals or other documentation and notation that demonstrate the reflective processes used in dance composition.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CUACHR602A Develop skills in dance notation

CUAIND601A Work professionally in the creative arts industry

CUARES601A Research and apply concepts of live performance practice.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication and teamwork skills to:

generate, communicate and implement ideas and actions through the identification, analysis and evaluation of information

use aural skills to identify musical pieces or rhythms that support the composition

receive and provide constructive feedback and apply it to future work

negotiate contracts or legal agreements effectively

communicate and direct intention to other dancers and technicians

work as an individual and as a member of a diverse team

creativity and problem-solving skills to:

develop new choreography that expresses one’s distinctive approach along with the story-line or intention of the production

translate a choreographic plan into a well-crafted and executed performance

take the performance context into account to solve problems related to developing choreography and working with a diverse team

translate creative ideas into appropriate action

collaborate with other art forms to create original work

planning skills to:

develop a choreographic plan for complex productions

plan composition in a logical sequence

work within established budgets and timeframes

self-management skills to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

demonstrate reliability in agreed work commitments

technical skills to:

work with production-related technology, such as cameras, lighting and special effects

translate intention into a choreographic plan, including a variety of dance forms and structures

apply composition skills in the context of screen and media.

Required knowledge

principles and techniques involved in composing dance for stage and screen

film making aesthetics, processes, personnel and technologies as they affect developing choreography

issues and challenges that arise in the context of composing dance for stage and screen productions

musical knowledge, such as:

styles

terminology

genres

rhythms

formats used for legal contracts with choreographers working on stage and screen productions

OHS and safe dance practices in the context of performing in stage and screen productions.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Aspects may include:

nature of music and required dance style

relationship between the choreographer, producer, director and technical staff

responsibility for and access to necessary equipment and assistance

remuneration, including:

payment and payment details for the choreographer

contingency details

consideration of costs in developing choreography

copyright, royalty and licensing issues

levels of responsibility

time lines

budgets

materials and facilities

production schedule.

Productions may include:

feature films

documentaries

animated productions

short films

commercials

filmed events or performances

music videos

television productions

stage productions.

Production valuesmay include:

artistic style and quality

overall choreography quality aligned with production vision

performance quality based on recordings

transitions and cohesion between choreography and other aspects of the production

attack

dynamics

mood, phrasing and expression.

Appropriate personnel may include:

director

producer

post-production editor

program manager

sound designer

lighting designer

staging designer

film-video crew

musician

performer

broadcaster.

Style may include:

ballet

jazz

tap

street

cultural

modern or contemporary

Indigenous

street

social.

Production requirements may include:

set design

lighting and projections as integral elements of the movement ideas

checking sound score’s quality and timings

practical programming decisions

organising dancers

feedback discussion with dancers and production staff

video recording of the performances

program notes.

Content of aplan may include:

duration of dance pieces

general vision for and scope of composition material

time lines

budget

staffing

hiring requirements

timetables that allow for contingencies

communication plan.

Details in contracts may include:

milestones and payment schedules

materials and facilities for both parties

responsibilities of both parties

role of subcontracted personnel

process for negotiating variations to the contract.

Briefingsmay cover:

allocating work in line with project requirements

providing specifications

agreeing on standards of work

providing technical and financial information

agreeing on payment schedules

discussing reporting mechanisms and arrangements for dealing with contingencies

negotiating process for providing feedback on work in progress.

Structural elementsmay include:

building phrases from isolated movements

identifying phrase material from improvisational exercises

manipulating the following, independently and in groups:

canon

inversions

accumulations

retrograde

rondo

spatial organisation to enhance possible meanings

geometrical distribution within whole or parts of bodily movements

specific dynamic elements (rhythm, force, speed) to project dance-maker’s intentions

use of props or basic costuming as intrinsic elements of meaning making.

Ways totransform choreographic ideas may include:

collaborating with filmmakers and dancers

story boarding work for the camera

filming sessions at one or more selected sights

editing footage

syncing the sound track

inserting titles and acknowledgements

applying ideas, such as:

musical score

costumes

props

staging.

Advanced composition techniques may include:

effective integration of improvisational or task-based skills

clarity of rhythmic structures

development and application of movement motifs

range of choreographic forms, such as:

canon

rondo

inventiveness in movement material

clear and effective spatial arrangements

employing varying dynamics

clarity in phrasing.

Dance elements may include:

shape

space

dynamics

time.

Technical production may include:

audio

lighting and vision systems

make-up

costumes

props

special effects

computer animation.

Safe dance practices may include:

understanding the body’s capabilities and limitations, including:

alignment:

flexibility (mobility)

strength (stability)

cardiorespiratory endurance

muscular endurance

warm-up and cool-down activities, such as:

gentle stretches

aerobic exercises

anaerobic exercises

breathing exercises

doing exercises and performing routines on flooring appropriate to the genre and style of dance, such as:

sprung softwood

tarkett

sprung parquet

tongue and groove hardwood

resined for ballroom and Latin dance

non-slip for ballet

wood for tap and Spanish

correct execution of dance steps

appropriate clothing and footwear

nutrition and diet.

Dance notation may include:

shorthand

pictures

diagrams

graphics

using computer notation software specific to dance.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Clarify aspects of production briefs and production values in consultation with appropriate personnel 
Investigate original choreographic work in screen productions taking into account the various advantages and limitations of the medium 
Research style and other aspects of dance appropriate to the content or story-line of productions 
Organise resources in line with production requirements 
Establish a schedule with appropriate personnel for viewing material to keep track of implications for composing dance elements 
Prepare a plan for completing work in line with the brief and negotiate contracts as required 
Conduct briefings for other people involved in the process as required 
Research aspects of the production appropriate to the content or story-line to inform ideas 
Generate a range of ideas, movements or starting points and experiment with options that communicate themes 
Investigate the potential of structural elements for achieving desired effects 
Transform choreographic ideas into the stage or screen setting 
Discuss plan with appropriate personnel and refine as required 
Apply a range of advanced composition techniques to organise dance elements into working versions of themes that support productions 
Collaborate in the construction of musical and choreographic material to create choreography that can respond to or counterpoint musical rhythmic structures 
Collaborate with appropriate personnel on technical production of performance as part of the choreographic process 
Incorporate safe dance practices through phases of the creative process 
Finalise choreography using dance notation 
Clearly articulate the ideas a work is presenting, and the methodology used to develop the work, to a level of public performance 
Effectively direct and rehearse with dancers and technicians 
Refine and stage the piece for a defined performance space 
View work with appropriate personnel and seek and apply feedback on how well composition meets creative and technical requirements 
Incorporate final ideas and suggestions into final compositions 
Perform piece to an audience convincingly and consistently over several performances with fresh energy, commitment and focus 
Discuss aspects of the composition process that worked well and what could be improved with appropriate personnel 
Evaluate the quality and success of the choreography in meeting production requirements and planned outcomes 
Evaluate own role in operations and note areas for improvement 
Provide feedback to team members on their performance as required 
Use results of evaluation to improve own work practices 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUACHR601A - Create choreography for stage and screen
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

CUACHR601A - Create choreography for stage and screen

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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