Assessor Resource

CUEPRP06B
Construct mechanical props

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Props makers in the entertainment and screen and media industries apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. The props department may be supervised by a props manager and the props team works closely with set designers, directors and continuity personnel before and during productions.

This unit has linkages to a range of other general technical and props construction units, and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate, e.g.:

CUESET17B Develop props construction plans to meet design requirements

CUESET04C Use research, innovation and experimentation to create props.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to construct props that include the use of mechanical devices. It covers assessment of mechanical prop requirements and the selection and use of construction techniques.

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

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

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

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

safe and correct use of techniques to integrate the use of mechanical devices within props

knowledge of specific mechanical devices, their uses and associated safety issues.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the creation of mechanical props for a production/event

construction of mechanical props within a commercially-realistic timeframe.

Method of assessment

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

evaluation of props constructed by the candidate in terms of suitability for production and quality of finish

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of safety issues and particular construction techniques

review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit requires access to:

equipment, tools and materials used to construct mechanical props

work area where mechanical props can be safely constructed.

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

literacy skills sufficient to interpret production documentation

numeracy skills sufficient to calculate measurements and quantities and to interpret construction plans

Required knowledge

typical ways in which mechanical props may be used as a prop in different production/event contexts, including the use of cable-controlled, mechanically-controlled, pneumatically-controlled and electrically-controlled props

types of mechanical props that might be constructed and those most likely to be acquired by other means

properties and applications of devices commonly used for mechanical props, including an understanding of cables, levers, fulcrums and issues associated with electrically-controlled props

commonly-used mechanical devices and their ability to create different effects on stage

safety issues associated with the use of materials, tools and equipment in mechanical props

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.

Relevant colleagues may include:

designers

directors

performers

technical colleagues, e.g. costume, lighting

other props personnel

other workshop personnel, e.g. set builder, scenic artist

Mechanical props are those props, which include the use of any mechanical device and may be:

cable-controlled

electrically-controlled

pneumatically-controlled

Nature of mechanical construction may be impacted by:

availability of mechanical devices

how the item will be used

number of times to be used

proximity of audience

safety issues

simplicity of the device

style of rest of the set

the level of movement required

visibility by audience, e.g. only front will be seen

Devices used for the creation of mechanical props may include:

cables

fulcrums

levers

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
Liaise with relevant colleagues to confirm props production requirements 
Read and correctly interpret the props production schedule, props specifications, lists and scale drawings when available 
Assess the precise nature of mechanical prop requirements based on review of documentation and in consultation with relevant colleagues 
Select the most appropriate construction technique and mechanical device based on an analysis of how the prop is to be used 
Correctly identify any budgetary or other constraints when making mechanical prop construction decisions 
Select correct tools, equipment and materials for mechanical props in accordance with construction plan 
Calculate correct quantities of materials, avoiding wastage where possible 
Use techniques, tools and materials correctly and safely to create mechanical props 
Correctly interpret and follow construction plans 
Check mechanical prop in terms of required durability, quality of finish and suitability for production requirements 
Identify the need for adjustments and action accordingly 
Prepare items in readiness for finishing in accordance with production requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUEPRP06B - Construct mechanical props
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

CUEPRP06B - Construct mechanical props

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: