- CUFLGT303A - Install and operate follow spots
Assessor Resource
CUFLGT303A
Install and operate follow spots
Assessment tool
Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024
Lighting technicians or lighting assistants in the screen, media and entertainment industries apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit.
Within this largely operational role, follow spot operators need to exhibit a degree of artistic flair, including an ability to empathise with performers and modify follow spot cues quickly and effectively to accommodate unexpected movements during productions.
Follow spot operators work with other members of a production team and are typically supervised by a senior lighting technician or lighting designer.
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to install and operate follow spots for productions in the screen, media and entertainment industries.
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: application of excellent hand/eye coordination skills to follow spot operation for productions with extensive movement on stage knowledge of different techniques for effective follow spot operation collaborative approach to work. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: practical demonstration of skills through the operation of a follow spot for an actual production on more than one occasion and for more than one production involvement of, and interaction with, a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of the process access to follow spots and accessories as identified in the range statement access to a production and production venue 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 observation of the candidate operating follow spots during productions 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: CUFLGT301A Prepare, install and test lighting equipment CUFLGT302A Record and operate standard lighting cues. |
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, literacy and teamwork skills sufficient to: liaise with other production staff, e.g. other spot operators respond to cues and directions in an effective and efficient manner interpret and update production documentation initiative and flexibility in the context of changing lighting cues quickly and effectively to accommodate unexpected movements by performers during productions problem solving skills sufficient to identify and rectify follow spot problems during productions with minimum disruption to work flows technical skills sufficient to: demonstrate hand/eye coordination skills operate follow spots and beam, and associated computer programs, including how to adjust for colour temperature self-management skills sufficient to work under pressure and meet deadlines |
Required knowledge |
features and operations (optical and mechanical) of the main types of lanterns, e.g.: profile fresnel pebble/convex flood moving lanterns PAR (parabolic aluminised reflector) lamps lantern accessories different types of follow spots and their features, including incandescent and discharge units relationship between follow spot operation and other lighting effects industry knowledge, including: roles and responsibilities of personnel in the relevant industry sector impact of technology on production operations broad understanding of the artistic and technical elements of a production duty of care to colleagues and the general public, especially on location OHS procedures as they relate to installing and operating follow spots |
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. | |
Follow spots may include: | discharge units DMX controlled incandescent xenon arc. |
Accessories may include: | % power selection switches ballasts colour magazines gobos irises mechanical blackouts mechanical dimmers shutters stands. |
Documentation may include: | colour lists cue sheets emergency and safety procedures equipment lists focus notes lighting plan manuals patch sheets running sheets scripts. |
Relevant personnel may include: | director lighting designer other spot operators producer specialist staff stage manager supervisor technical director. |
Faults or problems may include: | blown globe defective colour defective iris/sights/dimmer differences in colour temperature between different units faulty balance incorrect height adjustment misaligned sights problems with manual colour changer unexpected changes by performers, e.g. moving out of range, behind scenery. |
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Position follow spots and accessories according to relevant documentation and ensure safety for the operator and audience | |||
Set up stands securely and adjust for height as required | |||
Check and adjust balance, focus and sights of follow spots | |||
Install follow spot dimmers as required | |||
Secure follow spot cabling safely | |||
Install manual colour changer correctly and colour according to lighting plans | |||
Test follow spots to ensure they are operational and that accessories are in working order | |||
Focus follow spots and check multiple spots for consistency of focus and colour temperature | |||
Participate in technical or creative run-throughs as required, noting required equipment deficiencies or technical adjustments | |||
Rehearse technical aspects of production and communicate to performers and relevant personnel as required | |||
Set back-up options in the event of an equipment malfunction and test to ensure that they are in working order | |||
Plot and run through cues on direction from relevant personnel and according to equipment, sequencing, timing and speed requirements | |||
Make necessary changes to cues and modify cue sheets as required | |||
Execute necessary changes to equipment according to modifications required | |||
Power up follow spots and check height, balance, sights, focus, operation of iris, operation of additional follow spot accessories and dimmer | |||
Check colours and operation of colour changer | |||
Check that final requirements for equipment operation have been identified, implemented and documented | |||
Check communication equipment to ensure that it is in working order | |||
Correctly identify and rectify faults or problems and inform relevant personnel of ongoing problems | |||
Operate follow spots on cue or direction from relevant personnel or running sheet | |||
Operate spots so that beam diameter, shape, edge, colour and intensity level meet performance requirements | |||
Synchronise follow spot operation with other lighting and staging effects | |||
Modify follow spot cues and operation as required to cater for unexpected contingencies and creative requirements | |||
Operate spots in a manner that does not distract the audience and maintains reasonable comfort for the operator | |||
Identify and rectify problems safely, using logical problem solving techniques and according to venue procedures, and inform relevant personnel as required | |||
Correctly identify the need for the use of back-up systems and implement as required | |||
Recalibrate follow spots correctly after changing lamps as required | |||
Turn off power to follow spots according to cool-down procedures and dismantle, store or cover equipment according to enterprise procedures and performance requirements | |||
Note changes to cue sheets and update and file documentation as required according to enterprise procedures | |||
Participate in reviews of overall performance to maximise creative outcomes in future productions |
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
CUFLGT303A - Install and operate follow spots
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
CUFLGT303A - Install and operate follow spots
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: