Assessor Resource

CUSSOU404A
Edit dialogue

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Dialogue editors working on film, television and video productions apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit.

Though work is typically undertaken with limited supervision or guidance, dialogue editors are expected to liaise closely with other production personnel.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to edit dialogue for a screen production. As with all post-production work, a high level of attention to detail is required to ensure that the final edit is free of uneven sound.

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

Prerequisites

Not applicable


Employability Skills

Not applicable




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 ability to:

split and edit dialogue and sound for a film or television production

review the technical quality of edited material so that it conforms to industry standards

use a range of industry-current sound-editing equipment and accessories

work cooperatively in a team environment

meet deadlines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to current industry-standard equipment as listed in the range statement

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

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:

observation of candidate undertaking dialogue and sound-editing work

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

authenticated recordings of dialogue and sound edited by the candidate

case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussing issues related to editing dialogue and sound.

Guidance information for assessment

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

CUSSOU403A Perform advanced sound editing.


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:

work cooperatively with production personnel

provide critical feedback on problems with technical quality of masters and condition of equipment

read and interpret an edit decision list (EDL)

log and label dialogue and sound files and versions of edited material, including masters and copies

numeracy skills sufficient to:

calculate duration and capacity of recording media at various speed/sample rates

identify and interpret synchronisation time codes

initiative and enterprise in the context of:

applying extreme attention to detail to ensure that dialogue and sound edits meet creative and technical requirements

applying critical-listening skills to assess the quality of dialogue tracks for ADR

ADR recording, e.g. spotting sync and understanding how to manipulate it

learning skills sufficient to maintain currency of knowledgeof editing equipment upgrades

planning and organisational skills sufficient to prioritise work tasks and meet deadlines

problem-solving skills sufficient to promptly and effectively rectify system failures and mechanical breakdowns

technology skills sufficient to:

use a variety of sound-editing equipment and software on both PC and MAC operating systems

manage file systems

make regular backups

make suitable track layouts

Required knowledge

understanding of how sound is used in screen productions, for example to:

focus attention

intensify action

set pace and mood

evoke feelings

understanding of how sound is locked to picture

industry knowledge, including:

features of a range of sound-editing equipment and facilities

roles and responsibilities of post-production personnel, including well-developed understanding of documentation and files that editors typically provide

filmic language and other relevant terminology

sound-editing conventions used in film and video production

issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of editing dialogue

picture and sound synchronisation, including:

time codes

frame rates

sample rates

clock leader 2 pips

principles and techniques of dialogue and sound editing, including:

splitting and laying sound and dialogue tracks to ensure consistency

different dialogue and sound-editing methods

function of metadata tags, such as:

album

artist

defaults

description

episode

resolution

track

version

OHS principles of:

safe listening, including safeguards against hearing loss

observing regulations with regard to working for periods of time at computers

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.

Dialogue and sound may include:

original dialogue and sound

replacement of original dialogue and sound

fill track

wild track

library atmosphere/sound

sync FX

post-sync dialogue

additional dialogue:

re-recorded

narration

additional sounds:

voice-over

walla

loop group

crowds

music.

Production requirements may include:

creative

technical

artistic

attributions

audience

budget

confidentiality

content

contractual arrangements

copyright

deadlines

direct quotes

duration

intellectual property

interviews

location

purpose

schedule

style.

Relevant personnel may include:

performer

sound supervisor

supervising sound editor

effects editor

effects mixer

sound mixer

recordist

re-recording mixer

audio assistant

audio and sound engineer

director

producer

post-production picture editor

program manager

sound designer.

Technical adjustments may include:

cleaning up:

removing bumps and clunks

extending background noises

filling holes

finding alternative takes

fixing sync

laying additional background atmospheres

post-syncing dialogue.

Productions may include:

feature films

documentaries

games

animated productions

short films

commercials

filmed events or performances

music videos

television productions of any type.

Equipment may include:

digital audio workstation (DAW) with software, such as:

Pro Tools

Nuendo

Pyramix

Fairlight

EDL software

mixing consoles

outboard gear, such as:

re-verb unit

sub-base harmoniser

de-esser

compressor.

File systems may be established for:

dialogue

sound effects

music

sections of the production

final master.

Work copies may include:

post-production masters

digital replications.

OHS procedures may include:

ergonomic factors:

physical manoeuvres

safe handling techniques

lighting conditions

emergency procedures

safe working conditions.

Documentation may be:

computer-generated

manually written

timecode log sheets for location sound recordings

wild line and sound effects log sheets

scripts

ADR or post-sync sheets

sound reports

shot lists

sound library lists

edit decision lists (EDLs)

editing schedules

continuity scripts

manufacturer schedules

manufacturer specifications and instructions

contracts

memos of instruction

budgets

fault reports

marked-up scripts

marked-up transcripts.

Sync FX may include:

doors opening and closing

footsteps

clothing rustling

cars

baby cries

domestic sounds

other natural sounds

walla.

Format may include:

AIF (AIFF)

WAV

broadcast WAV format (BWF)

WMA

MIDI

OGG

advanced audio coding (AAC)

Apple Lossless

Real Audio

QuickTime

MP3.

Work environment may include:

mixing theatre

dubbing theatre

on location, including interior and exterior

ADR recording studio

edit room

production office.

Technical quality may include:

sound clarity

audio level

audio balance

smoothness of sound

equalisation

gating/noise reduction

drop-outs in tracks

overlap of sounds

pitch

flaming

phasing.

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
Assess the quality of the original recorded dialogue and sound against creative and technical production requirements 
Identify which sound and dialogue are acceptable, borderline and/or not acceptable through discussion with relevant personnel 
Determine creative and technical adjustments to dialogue and sound that are needed to meet the requirements of the brief 
Establish a timeline for completing the dialogue and sound-editing process to ensure production requirements are met 
Anticipate problems that may arise in the process of completing work and plan accordingly 
Check dialogue and sound equipment to ensure it is operational and appropriate for the task 
Resolve technical faults and problems in line with workplace procedures 
Ensure that file systems are set up in a logical way and that relevant personnel have access to them 
Prepare work copies in quantity to meet ongoing production requirements 
Undertake all activities according to OHS procedures 
Check and complete documentation in line with enterprise procedures 
Provide advice to relevant personnel on requirements for automated dialogue replacement (ADR) 
Ensure that sync FX are stripped from the dialogue as required 
Clean up the sync sounds to ensure all dialogue and sound edits fit together smoothly 
Find alternative takes as required and determine which takes need to be re-recorded to ensure that the quality of final sound mix meets production requirements 
Oversee the recording of post-sync dialogue and sound as required, ensuring relevant personnel have copies of the appropriate documentation 
Make regular backups of files to ensure that work in progress can be retrieved if computer equipment malfunctions 
Recognise potential problems with the creative and technical quality of edited material and adjust as required in consultation with relevant personnel 
Present final edit to relevant personnel for evaluation against creative, technical and production criteria 
Ensure track layout is legible, consistent and clearly indicates the range of different dialogue and sound 
Ensure the edit master copy is delivered in the correct format 
Organise duplication of the master copy, as required 
Store relevant versions of edited material according to enterprise procedures 
Ensure that the work environment is clean and ready for use by the next user 
In consultation with relevant personnel identify aspects of the process of editing dialogue that worked well and those that could be improved 
Review creative content and technical quality of edited material to ensure that required standards were met 
Evaluate own role in operations and note areas for improvement 
Provide feedback to team members on their performance as required 
Document evaluation of operations in line with enterprise procedures and use results of evaluation to improve own work practices 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUSSOU404A - Edit dialogue
Assessment task 1: [title]

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

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

CUSSOU404A - Edit dialogue

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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