Assessor Resource

CUFHAZ404A
Perform hazardous action sequences involving animals

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


One or more performers in screen productions may be required to complete sequences involving animals, in line with production and safety requirements.

Hazardous action sequences are performed only by recognised stunt actors and performers, under the strict guidance of stunt coordinators, armourers, fight directors and animal handlers. These key personnel are responsible for liaising on behalf of performers with directors, producers, location managers, other stunt and fight performers, cast members and specialist production staff.

Animal sequences have broader application in live theatre and other entertainment activities, such as theme park performances, and are often combined with other hazardous performance work using vehicles, animals or elements.

The role of hazardous action sequence performers is to ensure that the set up, rehearsal, performance and review of hazardous action sequences comply with production requirements, as well as screen safety and industry codes of practice.

Performers are responsible for ensuring that all aspects of action sequences they perform minimise risk to any animal, themselves and other cast and crew members.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required for the safe execution of hazardous action sequences involving the management of animals during screen productions.

Animal handlers must meet relevant state and national licensing requirements for the possession and transportation of exotic or native animals, especially where such animals pose a potential threat to production cast and crew.

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:

safe execution of hazardous action sequences involving animals that demonstrate:

compliance with all licensing, regulatory and industry codes of practice and safety regulations

safe work practices

understanding of screen production processes in relation to performing hazardous action sequences involving animals

ability to follow correct procedures in relation to setting up, performing and evaluating hazardous action sequences involving animals

ability to make judgements based on the degree of risk associated with hazardous action sequences involving animals

effective verbal and written communication skills in the context of executing hazardous action sequences involving animals.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure that a sufficient range of hazardous action sequences involving animals are covered and that all MEAA requirements are met.

Assessment should occur wherever possible in an integrated manner with similar hazardous action sequences units that support learners to meet relevant licensing and regulatory requirements.

Assessment must also ensure:

access to a real or simulated workplace environment that reproduces all the elements of a production requiring hazardous action sequences involving animals

access to regulatory information as listed in the range statement

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

direct observation and questioning of the candidate on location as he/she prepares for and performs hazardous action sequences involving animals

written or oral 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:

BSBPMG407B Apply risk management techniques

CUFHAZ401A Perform hazardous action sequences using vehicles

CUFHAZ402A Perform hazardous action sequences involving fights and falls

CUFHAZ403A Perform hazardous action sequences involving natural elements.

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

problem-solving skills sufficient to make valid determinations of a performer's ability to perform a planned hazardous action sequence involving animals based on experience, observation and awareness of relevant industry codes and legislative requirements

teamwork skills that demonstrate an understanding of the collective nature of screen productions, especially where a number of hazardous action sequences are occurring simultaneously during screen productions

communication skills sufficient to:

engage with relevant screen production cast and crew through designated verbal and non-verbal communication channels

interpret call sheets, scripts, artistic direction, production schedules, technical reports, safety briefings, and licensing and regulatory documents

explain specific skills requirements of hazardous action sequences to cast and crew in order to minimise risk to all staff and animals involved

organisational and planning skills sufficient to:

implement licensing and government regulatory requirements and emergency veterinary and medical service procedures

use information management systems that address safety and security

establish parameters in delivery of sequences that maximise continuity

contribute to the planning, set up, rehearsal, execution, evaluation and bump out associated with hazardous action sequences involving a range of animals and other performers

well-developed self-management skills sufficient to:

work under pressure and in adverse situations

contribute to accurate, appropriate and timely records and documentation

meet production deadlines and schedules

document own performance and skills in the context of promoting oneself for future employment

technical skills sufficient to:

use documentation systems that support production requirements in relation to hazardous action sequences involving animals

select and apply movements and procedures appropriate to the effective control of animals and the genre of screen production

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

familiarity with screen production techniques, camera positions and equipment

organisational culture, etiquette and structure, and roles and responsibilities of film crew and specialist production and location management personnel involved in screen productions

issues and challenges that arise in executing hazardous action sequences involving animals

access procedures and protocols for engaging with emergency veterinary and medical services

communication channels employed on location

safety implications regarding all camera, sound and lighting equipment to be used in hazardous action sequences involving animals

safety practices required to remove, isolate or minimise hazards on set

relevant OHS legislation and regulations as they relate to safe transport and use of animals and other sets, props and armour

common industry hazards in relation to working with animals, their potential for causing harm, and strategies for minimising potential harm to human and non-human performers

applied knowledge of the Australian Recommended Safety Code for Film and Television and animal welfare codes

specific licensing requirements for stunt coordinators and fight directors as identified in the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and film industry codes of practice

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 personnel may include:

actor, extra and stand-in performer

animal handler and wrangler

armourer

fire and safety officer

first assistant director

floor manager

head of department

lighting, sound and camera personnel

location or unit manager

make-up and wardrobe personnel

medic

other specialist technical staff

production staff

pyrotechnic effects operator

site safety officer

special effects production personnel

specialist rigging, scaffolding and crane or lift operator

stunt coordinator

stunt performer

transportation provider and crew.

Locations may include:

built or natural environments

day and night

interior and exterior

studio.

Animals used in productions may include:

creatures trained for performance:

birds

fish

mammals

arachnids

crustaceans

reptiles

domestic animals

domesticated animals

imitation animals:

decoys

animatronics

puppets

computer generated imagery of animals and creatures

undomesticated (wild) animals

untrained animals.

Regulatory requirements may include:

air traffic or maritime authority requirements in relation to air traffic corridors, ports and rivers

commonwealth, state and territory departments and agencies overseeing OHS regulations, e.g. WorkCover

crowd control requirements, where the production may involve members of the public as participants or observers

environmental planning staff in relation to noise levels, smoke, and other special effects release and clean up

licensing and animal welfare requirements relating to the safe transport and handling of animals to be used during screen production

licensing bodies for relevant high-risk occupations, involving such things as explosives, rigging, scaffolding, pressure vessels forklifts and crane or lift operations

licensing requirements for transporting, setting up, storing and discharging firearms, blank ammunition and pyrotechnic effects

MEAA requirements under stunt performer grading systems

police, emergency, and veterinary and medical service providers

provision and use of specific PPE and other related safety equipment

relevant local and state government environmental planning, and construction legislation and regulations

security-related legislation in regards to the release of special effects

Information may include:

animal management

armour on-site and off-site transport and magazine storage protocols

camera and equipment track and rigging requirements

cast and crew lists

command prompt lists for specific trained animals

costume and theatrical make-up requirements

documentation of animal transport, storage and handling requirements specific to species involved

documentation of relevant licences and regulatory compliance requirements needed by stunt supervisors, performers, animal handlers, armourers and fight directors

lighting and sound equipment and rigging requirements

location lists and access requirements

pre-production safety reports

production schedules

scripts

set and props construction and transportation specifications relevant to specific hazardous action sequences

special effects specifications

stunt and action sequence details

weapons and ammunition management:

inventories of blank ammunition

weapons capability statements and records

instructional manuals on weapons handling

licences and regulatory requirements

weapons quarantining procedures.

Cues may be:

computer generated

given live or via communications equipment

spoken

visual.

Reasons to abort sequences may include:

accident and incident

equipment failure

loss or lack of communication

risk to animals, cast, crew and production equipment

risk to broader public and environment

unfavourable weather conditions, such as:

fog, mist or rain

high wind velocity

bad light

water temperature.

Warm-up activities may include:

breathing

familiarising animals with required tasks on location

mental and emotional preparation

practice session

practice with weaponry and props

running

stretches

swimming.

Personal protective equipment may include:

air supplies

airbags and boxes

body suits

helmets, boots and gloves

knee and shoulder pads

neck braces

period and contemporary body armour

rappelling and abseiling equipment

safety goggles

safety harnesses and lines

skin suits

any other safety equipment.

Productions may include:

animated productions

commercials

documentaries

educational resources

feature films

filmed events or performances

music video

short films

television productions of any type.

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
Notify relevant personnel of your arrival on location 
Assess condition and temperament of animals and familiarise all personnel with commands and cues 
Confirm with relevant personnel your capacity to deliver all specific hazardous action sequences 
Note all camera locations for coverage of the hazardous action sequences 
Review skills requirements and experience of self and other specialist personnel for relevance to proposed sequences 
Evaluate all hazardous action sequences to determine most appropriate physical warm-up activity required 
Familiarise self with all props, sets and equipment dedicated to hazardous action sequences involving animals and confirm technical suitability with relevant personnel 
Recall positioning and movement of all personnel and animals involved in hazardous action sequences to support ease of visual continuity and editing 
Consider and review alternative execution methods for specific hazardous action sequences 
Confirm with relevant personnel that the planned hazardous action sequences comply with legal and regulatory requirements 
Review all hazardous action sequence information 
Attend briefings of relevant personnel and confirm communication methods, chain of command, cues, and abort and emergency action procedures 
Check available technical specifications for all production materials to be used and advise relevant personnel of issues arising 
Unload, secure and supervise animals and production materials to be used in specific hazardous action sequences 
Check that all equipment and animal handling procedures comply with given technical specifications in terms of required safety standards and regulatory requirements and notify relevant personnel of emergent issues 
Review camera positions for latent safety issues 
Prepare body for hazardous action sequences performance through relevant warm-up activities 
Confirm with relevant personnel that hazardous action sequences meet stylistic production requirements 
Ensure that production areas are clear of unwanted objects and personnel 
Identify and recall relevant spot marks and other visual cues to assist in positioning during hazardous action sequences 
Reconfirm that all personal protective equipment (PPE) and other specified safety equipment is fitted and functioning correctly 
If possible within budgetary and safety constraints, determine the operation of hazardous action sequences by test, demonstration, simulation or rehearsal 
Advise relevant personnel of any revision to planned hazardous action sequences identified through test, demonstration, simulation or rehearsal 
Abort hazardous action sequences where unacceptable risk arises and advise relevant personnel 
Comply with relevant PPE requirements 
Reconfirm with relevant personnel where specific production requirements involve other high-risk activities 
Recheck that areas are clear of unwanted objects and personnel 
Execute sequences according to agreed production schedules and cues 
Follow all safety controls and regulatory requirements during execution of sequences 
Implement alternative safeguards for all production personnel where variations occur to agreed production plans 
Abort hazardous action sequences where unacceptable risk arises during execution and advise relevant personnel 
Ensure that continuity for hazardous action sequences is maintained throughout execution 
Abort activities and implement emergency plans in the event of accidents 
Clear sites of all personnel and if possible remove items that may cause further injury 
Identify items or locations that may need to be isolated for safety and investigatory activities post-emergency situation 
Advise relevant personnel of the emergency situation according to established procedures 
Collect, check inventory of, transport and store all production materials used in the execution of hazardous action sequences in compliance with regulatory requirements 
Inspect locations to ensure they are left in a safe and secure state, in compliance with regulatory requirements 
Assess condition of animals used in hazardous action sequences and advise animal handlers of any issues arising from staging of hazardous action sequences 
Participate in post-sequence evaluations with relevant personnel and provide feedback in order to guide future productions 
Complete personal logbook and contribute to final written reports as required 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFHAZ404A - Perform hazardous action sequences involving animals
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Assessment Record Sheet

CUFHAZ404A - Perform hazardous action sequences involving animals

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