Assessor Resource

CUFBRD402A
Vision mix television productions

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Vision mixers apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They work closely with, and often but not always, under the direction of a director or producer.

Vision mixers operate in a multi-source environment from a studio control room or an outside broadcast van. They carry responsibility for creating required composite images, transitions and effects for television productions.

Productions utilising the skills of vision mixers are often live. They can include variety, music, comedy, drama, news, sport, current affairs, live events broadcasts (e.g. concerts, New Year's Eve celebrations), children's programs, lifestyle productions.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to vision mix television productions.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

correct interpretation of pre-production documentation to meet vision mixing requirements

collaborative approach to work

ability to mix a range of vision inputs according to production requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

practical demonstration of skills through a range of vision mixing tasks in a television production environment

access to broadcasting facilities

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

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:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

evaluation of a selection of television programs for which the candidate mixed the vision

observation of the candidate in a vision mixing role

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

Guidance information for assessment

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

BSBCRT402A Collaborate in a creative process.


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 organisational skills sufficient to:

liaise with relevant production personnel

plan and schedule relevant aspects of video mixing processes

communicate effectively and efficiently using two-way communication devices

organise television and interactive media content logically and accurately

utilise relevant file management protocols for specified operating systems

initiative and enterprise in the context of:

achieving creative outcomes within technical constraints

visualising and interpreting creative concepts

responding appropriately and effectively in unanticipated situations

technical skills sufficient to:

operate specific vision mixing equipment

work in both non-linear and linear configurations

judge picture-to-sound synchronisation

check and test that equipment is working to specifications

undertake basic maintenance of a range of mixing devices and equipment

self-management skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

work calmly under pressure and to tight deadlines

make decisions within level of own responsibility

seek expert assistance when problems arise

literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to:

interpret scripts and other relevant documentation, e.g. equipment specifications

prepare and write reports

document, log and file source materials, e.g. composites, video digital effects

record durations of sequences and measure timings for transitions and effects

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of personnel in broadcast operations and production

basic understanding of the characteristics of television standards, e.g. PAL, NTSC, SECAM

basic understanding of television broadcast systems and transmission facilities

nature, function and limitations of video mixers

nature and purpose of test signals

sources of advice, information, and technical support

issues and challenges that arise in the context of vision mixing television productions

broadcast terminology

concept and judgement of image and audio broadcast quality

OHS standards as they apply to working in broadcast operations

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.

Production requirements may include:

back-ups

blue screen/green screen

compiles

deadlines

edits

production style

production type

recordings

replays

retakes

schedules

transfers.

Effects and processes may include:

backgrounds

borders

captions

digital video effects

dissolves

drop shadows

fades

jump cuts

keys - chroma and external

linear and non-linear moves

mattes

mixes

picture composites

reveals

split screens

stills/graphics

titles

transitions

tumbles

wipes

zooms.

Documentation may include:

computer generated

cue sheets

enterprise procedure manuals

equipment manuals

fault reports

information sheets

logging sheets

manually generated

schedules, e.g. production, transmission

scripts.

Production personnel may include:

camera personnel

director

floor manager

graphics personnel

lighting personnel

producer

sound personnel

special effects personnel

technical director/producer

video operators

other technical personnel, e.g. maintenance.

Productions may include:

live-to-air

live-to-tape

news and current affairs programs

pre-recorded

sport programs

variety programs.

Creative and technical output may include:

artistic style

audio levels, e.g. mono, stereo

black levels

burst phase

chrominance gain

colour balance

colour bars

luminance

quality of image and sound

rhythm

timings

tone.

Equipment may include:

monitors

still stores

talkback facility - intercom

vision mixers, e.g.:

key bus

hot bus

auto buttons

downstream key

chroma key

luma key

matte key

T-bar.

Sources may include:

cameras

character generator

local feed

overseas camera feed

pre-recorded video material

satellite feed

stills.

Cues may include:

by hand signal

computer automated cues

countdowns

ready calls

roll cues, e.g. roll tape

script references

stand-by cues

talkback with floor manager

time calls

verbal

written messages.

Storage may include on:

computer hard drive

disks

servers

videotape.

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 production personnel to confirm production requirements and recommend creative solutions where appropriate 
Analyse production requirements to determine quantity, nature and style of effects and processes 
Mark known effects and processes on production documentation according to enterprise procedures and confirm accuracy with relevant production personnel 
Prepare contingency plans for unscripted effects and processes that may arise during recording of productions in consultation with director or producer 
Contribute to creative process as required and explore potential for creating original ideas and proposals 
Select vision mixing methods to achieve creative and technical output for productions 
Negotiate alternative strategies with relevant production personnel where designated effects and processes are beyond the capability of available equipment 
Check that identified effects and processes are fully functional and monitors are working within specifications 
Check and assign or route required vision sources so they are accessible on the vision mixing unit and can be previewed on monitoring equipment 
Identify and note key reference points and complexities requiring special attention during production 
Ensure equipment is tested and confirm it is capable of meeting production requirements 
Ensure that actions throughout productions are correctly identified on scripts or production schedules 
Communicate with relevant production personnel throughout the mixing process to achieve the desired effect 
If appropriate, preview sources throughout the production process and put to air on cue 
Respond promptly to cues received from relevant production personnel and ensure consistency of timing 
Perform planned transitions between vision sources, reassign sources as and when required, and perform effects transitions to ensure production requirements are met 
Assign effects and processes to appropriate storage device 
React to equipment failure by applying alternative effects and processes as necessary 
Monitor quality of creative and technical output during productions 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFBRD402A - Vision mix television productions
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

CUFBRD402A - Vision mix television productions

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: