Assessor Resource

CUASFX401
Create special effects items

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to construct physical special effects items for productions in creative arts industry environments.

It applies to individuals who usually work collaboratively on projects with some supervision and guidance. They may use specialist electronic or engineering skills to create a broad range of items including models, miniatures, electronic devices, animatronics and creatures.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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



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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to create special effects

1.1 Confirm special effects requirements and timelines in consultation with relevant personnel and with reference to production documentation

1.2 Based on analysis of special effects requirements, suggest changes to specifications if appropriate, and confirm final requirements with relevant personnel

1.3 Discuss with relevant personnel a range of construction methods and techniques that could be used to meet design and production requirements

1.4 Consider the effect of lighting on materials and finishes when choosing methods and techniques

1.5 Agree on methods and techniques that will provide the best visual interpretation of script requirements, taking into account budget and time constraints

1.6 Select required equipment and materials according to design and production requirements

2. Construct special effects

2.1 Participate in ongoing discussions throughout the construction process to ensure special effects design requirements are met

2.2 Create special effects items using selected materials and production techniques

2.3 Observe health and safety and industry safety guidelines throughout the construction phase

2.4 Participate in ongoing production technique trials to achieve the best results and solve problems that arise during the construction phase

2.5 Label and store partially completed special effects items to enable easy retrieval and to avoid loss or damage during the production phase

3. Finalise special effects

3.1 In consultation with relevant personnel, evaluate and check special effects items for accuracy and compliance with design and production specifications

3.2 Adjust special effects items as required

3.3 Label and store finished special effects in readiness for productions

3.4 Evaluate own performance in the process of creating special effects items and note areas for improvement

Evidence of the ability to:

interpret special effects design documentation

contribute to planning construction of physical special effects to meet production requirements

select and use the most appropriate tools, equipment and techniques to safely construct special effects items that meet production requirements

complete work within agreed timelines

contribute to solving problems with special effects items identified in trials

work collaboratively with others on special effects construction projects.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

describe roles and responsibilities of art and construction personnel involved in design and construction of physical special effects

explain how artistic and technical elements of productions affect the process of constructing physical special effects items

identify typical problems of constructing physical special effects for screen and entertainment industry productions, and briefly describe solutions

outline principles and techniques for constructing physical special effects items

describe properties, applications and durability of different materials used to construct physical special effects

describe behaviours of different materials, finishes, painting techniques and colours under lighting

explain techniques for trialling special effects items during the construction phase

describe health and safety procedures and safety guidelines that relate to the safe use of equipment and materials to create physical special effects.

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:

productions that require creation of special effects items

materials and equipment required to make special effects items

interaction with others

production and safety documentation.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.


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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to create special effects

1.1 Confirm special effects requirements and timelines in consultation with relevant personnel and with reference to production documentation

1.2 Based on analysis of special effects requirements, suggest changes to specifications if appropriate, and confirm final requirements with relevant personnel

1.3 Discuss with relevant personnel a range of construction methods and techniques that could be used to meet design and production requirements

1.4 Consider the effect of lighting on materials and finishes when choosing methods and techniques

1.5 Agree on methods and techniques that will provide the best visual interpretation of script requirements, taking into account budget and time constraints

1.6 Select required equipment and materials according to design and production requirements

2. Construct special effects

2.1 Participate in ongoing discussions throughout the construction process to ensure special effects design requirements are met

2.2 Create special effects items using selected materials and production techniques

2.3 Observe health and safety and industry safety guidelines throughout the construction phase

2.4 Participate in ongoing production technique trials to achieve the best results and solve problems that arise during the construction phase

2.5 Label and store partially completed special effects items to enable easy retrieval and to avoid loss or damage during the production phase

3. Finalise special effects

3.1 In consultation with relevant personnel, evaluate and check special effects items for accuracy and compliance with design and production specifications

3.2 Adjust special effects items as required

3.3 Label and store finished special effects in readiness for productions

3.4 Evaluate own performance in the process of creating special effects items and note areas for improvement

Evidence of the ability to:

interpret special effects design documentation

contribute to planning construction of physical special effects to meet production requirements

select and use the most appropriate tools, equipment and techniques to safely construct special effects items that meet production requirements

complete work within agreed timelines

contribute to solving problems with special effects items identified in trials

work collaboratively with others on special effects construction projects.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

describe roles and responsibilities of art and construction personnel involved in design and construction of physical special effects

explain how artistic and technical elements of productions affect the process of constructing physical special effects items

identify typical problems of constructing physical special effects for screen and entertainment industry productions, and briefly describe solutions

outline principles and techniques for constructing physical special effects items

describe properties, applications and durability of different materials used to construct physical special effects

describe behaviours of different materials, finishes, painting techniques and colours under lighting

explain techniques for trialling special effects items during the construction phase

describe health and safety procedures and safety guidelines that relate to the safe use of equipment and materials to create physical special effects.

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:

productions that require creation of special effects items

materials and equipment required to make special effects items

interaction with others

production and safety documentation.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

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
Confirm special effects requirements and timelines in consultation with relevant personnel and with reference to production documentation 
Based on analysis of special effects requirements, suggest changes to specifications if appropriate, and confirm final requirements with relevant personnel 
Discuss with relevant personnel a range of construction methods and techniques that could be used to meet design and production requirements 
Consider the effect of lighting on materials and finishes when choosing methods and techniques 
Agree on methods and techniques that will provide the best visual interpretation of script requirements, taking into account budget and time constraints 
Select required equipment and materials according to design and production requirements 
Participate in ongoing discussions throughout the construction process to ensure special effects design requirements are met 
Create special effects items using selected materials and production techniques 
Observe health and safety and industry safety guidelines throughout the construction phase 
Participate in ongoing production technique trials to achieve the best results and solve problems that arise during the construction phase 
Label and store partially completed special effects items to enable easy retrieval and to avoid loss or damage during the production phase 
In consultation with relevant personnel, evaluate and check special effects items for accuracy and compliance with design and production specifications 
Adjust special effects items as required 
Label and store finished special effects in readiness for productions 
Evaluate own performance in the process of creating special effects items and note areas for improvement 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUASFX401 - Create special effects items
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

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

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

CUASFX401 - Create special effects items

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

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: